Federal Government to Scrutinize Immigration Caseworkers
The federal agency that oversees the U.S. immigration system announced plans to create an internal watch group tasked with monitoring its own workers. The Washington Post learned of the plans to form this internal division from staffers and internal documents. Insiders speculate the new division is being used as a tool to prevent employees from […]
» Read More...April 17, 2018
Citizenship Tests
If you are applying to become a citizen of the United States, you must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of both the English language and U.S. history and government. This is done through citizenship tests. However, test requirements can differ depending on who is taking the test. The following is an overview of the tests that […]
» Read More...April 11, 2018
Clarifying Green Card Eligibility
A green card identifies a person as a U.S. permanent resident, allowing them to live, work, enter, and exit the United States throughout their entire lives. Individuals with green cards can also eventually apply for U.S. citizenship. Green card eligibility is determined by the following categories: Immediate relatives of U.S citizens: This includes spouses, widows […]
» Read More...April 4, 2018
Latino Parents Experiencing Distress
New and rapidly changing immigration policies in the U.S. are having adverse effects on Latino parents and their families according to a report by researchers from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. Kathleen M. Roche, MSW, PhD and her colleagues analyzed data gathered in a survey of 213 Latino parents […]
» Read More...March 29, 2018
New Immigration Policy Creates Issues for Asylum Seekers
For many immigrants seeking asylum in the United States, the process become increasingly difficult. The Trump Administration has set forth a new immigration policy that will make it more difficult for individuals fleeing persecution in their home countries to obtain protection in the United States. Asylum Scheduling Process There are over 311,000 individuals with pending […]
» Read More...March 22, 2018
Immigrants Thrive with Civic Involvement
As the debate over immigrants’ rights wages on, one important question arises. How can we as a country support not just the survival of immigrants in the United States, but further encourage their long-term success? For one expert on immigration, success comes when immigrants actively participate in the community around them. Manuel Portillo, director of […]
» Read More...March 15, 2018
Upcoming Census May Include a Question About Citizenship
Last month the Justice Department asked the Commerce Department to add a question about citizenship status to the 2020 Census. The current Census asks questions about age, race, sex, and property ownership – but not citizenship. The Trump administration says a question about citizenship status is crucial for protecting the Voting Rights Act. Opponents of […]
» Read More...March 8, 2018
Philly’s ‘Sanctuary City’ Label Led to More Arrests
‘Sanctuary city’ is a term used to refer to any jurisdiction that does not actively assist immigration law enforcement. Although immigration law enforcement is exclusively a federal responsibility, states have been criticized by the President, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for their non-cooperation. However, cities such […]
» Read More...February 26, 2018
Workplace Raids and Tactics
Recently, the Trump administration authorized federal agents to raid a number of 7-Eleven convenience stores to check for undocumented workers. These federal raids are often accompanied by demands to see employee’s immigration papers. Undocumented workers are arrested if they do not have legal paperwork. These individuals suffer serious consequences, but the businesses themselves are rarely […]
» Read More...February 19, 2018
When to Seek Prosecutorial Discretion
Philadelphia immigration attorneys can advise immigrants when and under what circumstances to request prosecutorial discretion when facing deportation proceedings. Prosecutorial discretion is the theory that the person or entity prosecuting the undocumented individual has the discretion to withdraw prosecution. This can be requested in certain circumstances where the government may not have enough resources or […]
» Read More...February 12, 2018