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Democratic Lawmakers Urging President Obama To Pardon Certain Immigrants

, Posted in Immigration Law

In response to President-Elect Trump's campaign promises to deport millions of immigrants with criminal backgrounds and in an effort to protect deportable individuals with only minor crimes, two Democratic Representatives, Nydia M. Velázquez (D-Brooklyn) and José E. Serrano (D-Bronx) are leading an urgent effort to persuade President Obama to take action in his final days of office.  In particular, these lawmakers are requesting that President Obama exercise his pardoning powers to pardon Lawful Permanent Residents (i.e.…

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Increase In Immigration Filing Fees For The First Time Since 2010

, Posted in Immigration Law

For the first time since 2010, the Department of Homeland Security has effectuated increases in a range of administrative filing fees for immigration applications. In particular, the fees for approximately three dozen immigration and naturalization applications have incurred significant increases.  The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency that oversees and processes immigration applications, said in a statement that "the proceeds will help cover detecting fraud, processing cases and a range of other administrative costs."…

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American Immigration Lawyers Association Appeals To Trump During Transition

, Posted in Immigration Law

Following the election of Donald Trump, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), an association of immigration lawyers dedicated to advocating for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, has been calling upon President-elect Trump to turn away from the divisive campaign rhetoric on immigration.  This is also important in letting undocumented immigrants know that they are supported and that AILA, in addition to many other advocacy organizations, will do everything in their power to fight widespread…

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Senators Durbin And Graham Crafting Bill To Protect Dreamers

, Posted in Immigration Law

There are an estimated 750,000 DREAMers who would be adversely affected if President Obama's executive action, which has afforded them protected status, were to be annulled by the Trump Administration. Without this protected status, these DREAMers would not be able to legally work in the United States. In an effort to prevent the revocation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, a Republican senator and a Democratic senator have joined forces to try to…

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How Will Trump’s Presidential Win Impact Immigration?

, Posted in Immigration Law

There is no denying the fact that Donald Trump's win of the Presidential Election will effect immigration, due in large part to his campaign pledge to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants, to end the DACA program, to make it harder for unauthorized immigrants to live and work in the United States, to ramp up immigration enforcement, and to build a wall along the Mexican border, sending a clear anti-immigration message.  The immigration stances and policies he…

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10 Important Facts About Green Cards

, Posted in Immigration Law

Green Card Holders are also called LPR's or Lawful Permanent Residents. A Green Card Holder is NOT a U.S. Citizen, which means that they may not vote, serve on a jury, and cannot possess an American Passport. A Green Card is a privilege which means that one must maintain a high level of moral conduct and comportment whilst residing in the United States.  A Green Card may be withdrawn and the Green Card Holder may be…

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Economic Forecasting Firms Say Clinton’s Immigration Plan Would Help Economy

, Posted in Immigration Law

According to Mark Zandi, the Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics, Hillary Clinton's pro-immigration positions, which include a pathway to citizenship for individuals already in the country and increasing legal immigration, are projected to significantly increase the gross domestic product (GDP) with an estimated $489 billion boost to the economy by the year 2026. According to extensive analytical calculations conducted by Moody's, a well-respected firm which has been a leading voice in monitoring and analyzing the economy…

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Pro-immigration Initiatives At The State And Local Levels

, Posted in Immigration Law

With congressional and executive actions stalled, and given the current political climate with contentious immigration debates, the question that is often asked is if immigration reform will ever be possible.  Given years of federal inaction in Washington, it appears that changes will, at least in the short run, have to occur at the State and local levels.  Many immigration advocates have expressed concern that our country has been too fixated on an immigration reform strategy at…

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Studies Show Immigrants Less Likely To Engage In Criminal Behavior

, Posted in Immigration Law

In an effort to comprehend the link between immigration and crime, anecdotes are no substitute for substantiated evidence. The Republican National Convention strategically presented two mothers whose sons were killed by undocumented immigrants in an attempt to give the impression that immigrants are more likely to commit violent crimes. Despite political propaganda and efforts by individuals who are anti-immigrant to instill fear, prejudice, and stereotyping about immigrants, a report by the American Immigration Council (AIC) finds…

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Proposed Entrepreneur Rule For Immigrant Start-up Founders

, Posted in Immigration Law

Last Wednesday, Department of Homeland Secretary Jeh Johnson signed a new proposed rule from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in which certain immigrant founders of start-up companies may receive temporary permission to stay in the United States.  These entrepreneurs would be allowed to work in the United States for up to five years if they have already started a business within the last three years, plan to create a new business in this country,…

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