Immigration Reform: Where are we today?

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

On April 18, 2016, the United States Supreme Court will be on the verge of deciding an immigration case that could not only have a profound effect on our immigration policy but on the limits of a president’s powers, as well. Continue reading “Immigration Reform: Where are we today?”

Breaking News: SCOTUS to Hear DOJ’s Appeal of the Fifth Circuit’s Decision in State of Texas v. U.S.

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would hear the U.S. Department of Justice’s appeal of the Fifth Circuit’s 2-1 ruling upholding the preliminary injunction issued against President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration. Continue reading “Breaking News: SCOTUS to Hear DOJ’s Appeal of the Fifth Circuit’s Decision in State of Texas v. U.S.”

Fifth Circuit Ruling Upholds Injunction Against the President’s Executive Actions on Immigration

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

In a 2-1 ruling, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen on the grounds that the lawsuit filed by a coalition of 26 states opposing the implementation of the President’s Executive Actions was likely to succeed at trial. See State of Texas v. U.S., No. 15-40238 (5th Cir. Nov. 9 2015). Continue reading “Fifth Circuit Ruling Upholds Injunction Against the President’s Executive Actions on Immigration”

Executive Action Update: 3 Year EADs Issued After 2/16/15 Injunction Must Be Returned

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

It is no surprise that the implementation of this administration’s executive actions has run into a series of political and legal snags.  But what is surprising is the administration’s response or overall handling of the matter. Continue reading “Executive Action Update: 3 Year EADs Issued After 2/16/15 Injunction Must Be Returned”

2000 Three Year Work Permits Were Issued by DHS in Violation of Injunction

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

In a Thursday midnight filing, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyers disclosed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued about 2,000 three-year work permits (as opposed to the currently authorized two-year permits) to illegal immigrants granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Technically, the issuance of the three-year work permits — an aspect of President Obama’s November 20 executive actions which expanded DACA — was in violation of U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen’s February 16 injunction issued in the case of State of Texas v. United States. Continue reading “2000 Three Year Work Permits Were Issued by DHS in Violation of Injunction”

USCIS Issues Fliers About the President’s Executive Actions

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

As part of an effort to educate the public, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released two fliers regarding President Obama’s executive actions on its website. USCIS is encouraging the use of these fliers when communicating with individuals about these actions. Continue reading “USCIS Issues Fliers About the President’s Executive Actions”

Executive Actions on Immigration… Now, what?

Maria del Carmen Ramos
Maria del Carmen Ramos

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)  is not currently accepting applications under President Obama’s Executive Actions.  This notwisthanding, if you believe you will be eligible to apply for a benefit, you can begin collecting documentation to show your identity, your relationship to a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident, and continuous residence in the U.S. for the past five years. Continue reading “Executive Actions on Immigration… Now, what?”

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) FAQs and How To Guides Now Available in Multiple Languages

Mechelle Zarou
Mechelle Zarou

On September 15, 2014, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has released “Frequently Asked Questions” and “How Do I” guides for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in Chinese, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Please visit Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals  and follow the links for the new multilingual guides. These may also be accessed in Spanish at www.uscis.gov/acciondiferida. Continue reading “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) FAQs and How To Guides Now Available in Multiple Languages”