In 1996 the U.S. Congress changed the law regarding asylum by imposing a new potential penalty for all asylum applicants who filed applications after April 1, 1997. This new penalty would bar any applicant, who filed a frivolous application, from receiving any benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).…
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives recently proposed a bill aimed at dealing with the crisis currently taking place on the Southwest Border. House Judiciary Chairman, Rep. Bob Goodlatte introduced the bill and provided the following support for it: “Since President Obama won’t take actions to quell this activity,…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently issued a decision that gives hope to immigrants around the world fleeing violence and corruption in their home countries. In a decision styled, Garcia v. Holder (case number 13-60381) the federal court rejected a decision by the Immigration Judge and…
The New York City Council recently announced that it approved the Mayor’s plan to give photo identification cards to all New York City residents, regardless of their immigration status. The Council and the Mayor heralded this effort as a victory for residents, many of whom do not have a current…
It is something that most non-citizens do not even think of when they apply for asylum here in the United States. However, it happens on a not-so-infrequent basis. A non-citizen, who was persecuted in their home country, comes to the U.S. for help, for protection, for asylum, and then out…
Recent news articles across the country highlight the growing trend where cities have begun refusing to honor detainers issued by Federal immigration officers to local jails. These small towns and large metropoli are known as “sanctuary cities.” In these approximately 200 municipalities nationwide, when a person is arrested and put…
Last Monday, President Obama announced that he was sending additional resources to the Southwest Border to help with the growing humanitarian crisis involving tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors and families migrating from Central American. The President vowed these resources in part, to more quickly return “unlawful migrants” to their…
The budget crisis in the Federal Government has led to a process known as sequestration. The government has furloughed government employees and otherwise reduced spending on governmental entities. One area where sequestration has been felt is in immigration proceedings. Many immigrants who were previously detained during their immigration proceedings have…
In the State of the Union Address, President Obama called for immigration reform. Unfortunately, the term “immigration reform” has only served as a generic term thrown around on the Congress floor. Proposed reform could have both positive and negative implications on non U.S. citizens. The President called for added security…
The Obama Administration announced plans to change a long standing policy in immigration processing. As of March, immigrants who are here without lawful status will be able to apply for a waiver of their unlawful status while here in the United States. Previously, those individuals would have to leave the…