One of the worst moments in an immigrant’s life is when he receives a Notice to Appear in Immigration Court. All his hopes and dreams for a life in this country flash before his eyes. As they begin to fade away he asks himself “Is this the end of my life in America?” “What do I do now?” The answer to the first question may very well depend on how he answers the second.
Becoming a U.S. citizen before your child turns 21-years-old may be the difference between your child getting their green card immediately, or having to potentially wait several years to be granted permanent resident status. Because of this huge difference, RMZD went to great lengths to schedule a private naturalization ceremony for our client.
One particular employment-based immigration program that has seen various changes within the last few months has been the H-1B program, which allows companies in the United States to temporarily employ foreign nationals in a “specialty occupation.”
On January 8, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) designation for El Salvador with a delayed effective date of 18 months or TPS ending on September 9, 2019. Last year, DHS also terminated TPS designation for Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan. While the recent DHS decision was not unanticipated, it is a troubling sign from the Trump Administration that TPS designation for other countries may come to an end.
In California, Prop 64 took effect January 1, 2018, allowing recreational marijuana use for adults over age 21 and the state has allowed medicinal use of marijuana for several years. However, the relevant federal laws have not changed. You won’t be facing time in county jail or state prison for your recreational use of pot. But that doesn’t mean you won’t end up in federal prison, as Attorney General Jeff Sessions has announced that despite conflicting local laws, federal drug laws will be vigorously enforced.
A federal judge in California has issued a nationwide injunction ordering President Trump and his administration to continue parts of the DACA program.
It is no surprise that many people dream of one day becoming a U.S citizen. After all, a person must be a U.S. citizen to vote in elections, file petitions so their parents can immigrate to the U.S., be issued a U.S. passport, etc.
The year has gone quickly and much of the news for immigrants has been harsh. Non-citizens, and their families, are understandably facing the coming year with trepidation. But, we are a country of laws and the laws that provide avenues for relief for immigrants still exists. Some laws may change so those who are eligible for benefits for themselves or family members are advised to apply for them now. Here are a few possibilities.
2017 has been a breakthrough year for the victims of sexual assault; so much so that Time Magazine has named “the Silence Breakers” (whom they call “the voices that launched a movement”) as the Person of the Year. Bravo to the many individuals coming forward with sexual harassment and sexual assault stories against those who had abused their positions of power to silence their victims.
Our clients were somewhat surprised that the advice they were given by prior attorneys was incorrect. But now that they have received their green cards, they are sure thankful that RZMD took the time to understand the unique facts of their case.