Alabama is Persecuting Hispanics instead of Creating Jobs for the People of Alabama

America is witnessing a new phase in the U. S. immigration world: state laws which allow local enforcement to act as federal agents and directly enforce federal immigration laws. Many debates are emerging as to why states like Alabama should enact these types of laws. Those in favor claim it is simply to preserve jobs for their people. Those who oppose these laws feel it is just another way to target a minority. There is no reason to feel comfortable about such laws because they are reminiscent of Hitler’s persecution of the Jews, among many minorities, in order to distract the public from his foolish war program. Or, should we remember more immediate, recent times? Such as when the KKK went after African Americans in Alabama? Do we need to say more? Read more …

IF YOU LEAVE THE UNITED STATES YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RE-ENTER

If you are a Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), have a criminal record (no matter how old or how minor), and plan to travel outside of the United States, you need to consult with an immigration attorney to advise you. There is a possibility that you may be denied re-entry simply because of your criminal record. Read more …

Start-Up America: A two-in-one tool to invest and work in the United States

In an August 2011 press release, representatives of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced initiatives that would promote start-up enterprises and create jobs in the U.S. This was going to be done through a program called Start-Up America, an initiative to promote entrepreneurship in the country. It was started six years ago, but only now seems to be taking the spotlight against the backdrop of increasing unemployment figures and lowered GDP figures. Read more …

How a protection letter from a competent attorney can save your life

Once an individual is in the custody of Immigration and Custom Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, they do not know what to do. Although ICE has rules and regulations to monitor their procedures, there are stories of ICE officers unduly pressuring individuals to sign their departure from the United States. This article will outline the benefits of appearing before the Immigration Judge rather than signing your departure and how a protection letter may ensure you get your day before the Judge. This may save your life because, as everyone knows, you will leave your children, spouse, and a job behind. Above all, it may save you from returning to a violent environment in your homeland. Read more …

Hijos que adquieren la ciudadanía norteamericana automaticamente

Muchos hijos de ciudadanos estadounidenses que se encuentran viviendo en otros países y que desean obtener su residencia permanente o ciudadanía americana, muchas veces no saben adónde pedir ayuda.

Por lo tanto, el tema de hoy lo enfocaré en el caso de Agustín Brown, un joven quien nació en México, de padre norteamericano. El padre fue a México de vacaciones, conoció a la mamá de Agustín, se enamoraron, y el resultado de esta relación fue el nacimiento de este joven, quien cuenta con 22 años de edad. Su papá lo reconoció cuando nació y lo mantuvo hasta que el joven emigró a la unión norteamericana a la edad de 14 años cuando fue a vivir con su papá en Houston.

The Myth of the 10-Year Presence

Unfamiliarity with the law can be the biggest downfall for those individuals who are undocumented. For example, it is a common misconception that people have the right to apply for their green card based on the fact that they have lived in the United States for 10 years. Unfortunately, there is no such law in existence today that allows for someone to obtain legal status based on that fact alone.

The only time that the physical presence is important is when an individual is already in removal proceedings, i.e. deportation, and is applying for the relief of cancellation of removal. Read more …

Help Our Enlisted Families Remain United, Part 2

In December of last year, the media reported on a U.S. soldier on active duty whose wife and son were barred from returning to the United States when they went to their interview for permanent residence outside of the United States. Like many people, his wife was brought to the U.S. at infancy, by her parents. She had no family in Mexico and the country was foreign to her. Nonetheless, she was barred from returning because of her unlawful presence in the United States in spite of her marriage to an enlisted man. Read more …

HELP OUR ENLISTED MEN AND WOMEN REUNITE THEIR FAMILIES, PART 1

Joseph is enlisted in the U.S. Army and is on active duty, proudly defending the freedom of his country. He married Veronica, a 23-year-old undocumented alien from Mexico, who was brought to the U.S. by her parents at infancy.

Veronica was petitioned by Joseph, a U.S. citizen, who obtained an interview for her lawful permanent residence. The interview, however, was scheduled at the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, which required that Joseph be present. Herein lay the conundrum. Joseph could not travel to Mexico although both were required to attend the interview. His enlisted status forbade him from traveling to Mexico or to any other foreign country for this purpose. Read more …

Death of a Petitioner or Principal Beneficiary and What it Means for Surviving Relatives

The world of immigration consists largely of visa petitions filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These visa petitions require a qualified individual, known as petitioner, to petition for an eligible alien, known as the beneficiary. There are two types of beneficiaries: a principal beneficiary, such as the wife of a qualified petitioner, and a derivative beneficiary, such as the child of such petitioner.

Many things may happen during the time it takes to approve a petition, one being the death of the petitioner or principal beneficiary. In such a case, what happens to the petition when the petitioner or principal beneficiary die before it is approved? Read more …

Foreign Graduates: An untapped resource for U.S. economic stimulation, Part 2

In this second installment, the focus will be placed on foreign students who enter the United States (U.S.) in order to study and earn United States degrees. The Institute of International Education reports that in the 2009/2010 year, there was a 3% increase in enrollment of foreign students in U.S. universities. Right now, a larger proportion of these students return to their home country than remain in the United States. And, as such, the capital investment in education and work experience gained by these foreign graduates in the U.S. is lost to the student’s country of origin. Read more …