According to Houston Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Speaker John Boehner said on Tuesday that an overhaul of immigration laws would have to “wait until next year,” even though Democrats have been driving House Republicans to vote on the immigration reform bill from June. One news source called Republicans “apprehensive,” claiming that some conservatives want to...Read More
The President of the United States and the first lady met in Washington, D.C. with immigration activists who have been fasting since November 12th to bring attention to the lack of comprehensive immigration reform. They are only drinking water and are abstaining from all food. Members of the President’s cabinet have also visited the group....Read More
In the criminal justice system, the accused has the right to an attorney and if he or she cannot afford an attorney, the government provides one for free. This is not the case in immigration court. In fact, in immigration court the burden of proof is usually on the defendant (immigrant). While the immigrant has...Read More
I was recently asked by a couple who were prospective clients, if I was a “gay friendly” attorney. It was the first time I had ever been asked that question and was really quite surprised. I assumed that anyone practicing immigration law would be like minded, as we serve the needs of minorities for the...Read More
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memo last week regarding “parole in place” for spouses, children and parents of active duty members of the U.S. armed forces, the selected reserve of the ready reserve and former members of the U.S. armed forces or selected reserve of the ready reserve. This...Read More
Not many people realize that President John F. Kennedy wrote a book about immigration. The book called, A Nation of Immigrants, describes how America became the melting pot of the World. Within this book, is a chronology of immigration showing major events from the 17th Century until the modern day. What follows is an excerpt...Read More
In an extremely important case that will surely affect thousands of non-citizens and green card holders, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Florida Statute813.13 – Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, is not categorically an aggravated felony for immigration purposes. The Court listened to arguments by a Miami immigration...Read More
In a statement today, President Obama called for Congress to leave politics behind and work to pass comprehensive immigration reform. On the heels of the end of the Government shutdown and debt ceiling deal, President Obama appeared at the White House and made a statement to the American people. The President pointed out that politics...Read More
In yet another tragedy related to immigration, at least four migrants perished when a boat capsized off the coast of Miami. Reports are that, among the dead or missing, are Haitian and Jamaican nationals. Opponents of comprehensive immigration reform often predict that any new immigration law that conveys benefits will result in migrants attempting to...Read More
As the Speaker of the House further delays a vote on the budget thus prolonging the Government shutdown, so many people are directly and indirectly adversely affected. With regard to immigration, we are seeing profound negative consequences. The immigration courts’ non-detained dockets are on hold. This means that immigration courts are closed during the shutdown...Read More
