05/20/2015 by Matthew Hanley
Immigrant detainees are suing the federal government in a U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, California. The issue is whether it is legal to detain women and children who have illegally entered the United States, particularly Immigration and Customs Enforcement's response to the unaccompanied-minor entries in 2013 and 2014. The District Court Judge has ruled that the detention policy violates a 1997 settlement in the case of Flores v. Meese. Newsweek has a nice article about the court's decision available here.
04/18/2015 by Matthew Hanley
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals heard opening arguments regarding the Obama Administration's request to lift the Texas District Court's ruling, which is presently blocking part of President Obama's Executive Order on Immigration. If the Obama Administration does not prevail at the 5th Circuit, it will likely take the matter before the United States Supreme Court in the coming days. There is a Politico article on the subject available here and an article available from the Washington Post available here, if you are interested in further reading. Contact our office if you have further questions.
02/17/2015 by Matthew Hanley
A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the Obama administration’s executive actions on immigration, including the new DACA and DAPA application processes. The judge, responding to a suit filed by 26 Republican-run states, said there was sufficient merit to the challenge to warrant a suspension while the case goes forward. However, this does not mean the President's actions are unconstitutional. This means, as of now, the expanded DACA application process will be suspended and will not begin as planned on February 18, 2015. The Obama Administration has indicated that the Department of Justice will appeal the judge's decision. Please contact my office if you have questions.
If you would like to contact your U.S. Representative or Senator, exercise your democratic right and let them know your feelings on this issue.
11/21/2014 by Matthew Hanley
Last night, President Obama announced his executive action that with be, among other things, deferring deportation and allowing work authorization, for millions of undocumented immigrations. The two major programs of the executive action will be as follows:
1. Deferred Action for Parents (DAP). Parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (of any age) who have been continuously present since 1/1/10, and who pass background checks and pay taxes, will be eligible to apply for deferred action, which will be granted for a 3-year period. The plan is to stand this up within 180 days (for applications to be accepted).
2. Expansion of DACA. DACA will be revised to get rid of the age cap, and to change the date that continuous presence must have started to 1/1/10. It also will be granted for 3 years (including those with pending renewal applications). This program will start in 90 days.
These changes will affect many of you and your families. Although we will not know all the facts and details for a few months, please call our office at (817)861-7002 or (216)303-6060. You may also email me at matt@hanleyimmigration.com
We are putting together a contact list of people who would like to be contacted when we have more details about this process. Contact us if you would like to be added to this list.
11/20/2014 by Matthew Hanley
Due to the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced its decision to designate Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Eligible citizens and nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone who are currently residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The TPS designations for these countries mean that eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone will not be removed from the United States and are authorized to work and obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The 180-day TPS registration period begins Nov. 21, 2014 and runs through May 20, 2015. Please contact our office with questions.
09/08/2014 by Matthew Hanley
President Obama has announced that he will delay taking executive action on immigration until after the midterm elections are over." Click here to read the article from The New York Times.
07/26/2014 by Matthew Hanley
An entertaining article on superheroes and economics that incorporates immigration into the discussion: "Immigration is key to turning around cities with high violent crime rates and plummeting populations." Click here to read the article from The Atlantic.
04/09/2014 by Matthew Hanley
In May, USCIS will be publishing a new dual-use Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, to allow for both initial and renewal requests. Please feel free to contact our office with your questions and concerns. If you are a former DACA client, please make sure that our office has your current contact information so that we can contact you about renewing your DACA status and your work authorization once USCIS provides further instructions.
02/16/2014 by Matthew Hanley
Many Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) applicants will need to renew their status later this year. Currently, USCIS has not issued forms and instructions for the renewal process. USCIS is expected to release forms and instructions later this spring. In the meantime, feel free to contact our office if you have questions about the renewal process.
02/16/2014 by Matthew Hanley
According to CNN, Sen. John McCain is not abandoning immigration reform this year. He warns that the country's changing demographics make reform an imperative task for Republicans. "I have not given up hope that we will act - and we must act," the Arizona Republican told CNN's Candy Crowley on "State of the Union."
02/04/2014 by Matthew Hanley
As part of its form improvements initiative, USCIS is today releasing a revised Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Through the Federal Register, USCIS received numerous comments from the public that helped inform this revision.
The revisions to Form N-400 provide USCIS with additional tools to make important eligibility determinations, present customers with clearer instructions, and incorporate technology that improves efficiency and accuracy for both USCIS and our customers. Although the form is now revised, the eligibility requirements for naturalization have not changed.
01/28/2014 by Matthew Hanley
Starting on March 11, 2014, USCIS will implement a new process to receive and adjudicate applications for civil surgeon designation centrally at the National Benefits Center. This process change requires physicians seeking civil surgeon designation to file a formal application at a USCIS Lockbox.
05/30/2013 by Matthew Hanley
According to USCIS, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of El Salvador for an additional 18 months, beginning Sept. 10, 2013, and ending March 9, 2015.
05.21.2013 by Matthew Hanley
Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the bipartisan "Gang of Eight" immigration reform bill. This means that the bill will be sent to the Senate floor for further consideration. For more information, here is a NPR Aricle with more information.
08/15/2012 by Matthew Hanley
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that certain immigrant students in the United States without legal status, qualify to for temporary legal status. The status is called “deferred action” and is valid for two years. During this two years, you will be eligible for work authorization. Approved applicants will be able to apply for a Social Security Number; and, in many states, approved applicants will be eligible to receive a driver's license. To be eligible an applicant must:
• have entered the United States before the age of 16;
• have been physically present in the United States as of June 15, 2012, and have continuously resided in the United States for at least five years;
• have been younger than 31 as of June 15, 2012;
• be enrolled “in school”, have a high school degree or GED certificate, or have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard;
• not have been convicted of a felony, a “significant misdemeanor”, three misdemeanors, or otherwise pose a threat national security or public safety; and
• be at least 15 years old, unless that the person is in removal proceedings.
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