Getting at the Heart of Philadelphia’s “Sanctuary City” Status
The Philadelphia immigration attorneys at Surin & Griffin, P.C. are pleased to report on a November 2017 decision in the U.S. District court which supports Philadelphia’s current Sanctuary City status. The case involved the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which fought to get the city to cooperate more closely with federal officials regarding what information […]
» Read More...December 20, 2017
Natural Disasters Can Create Special Circumstances
In situations where an immigrant overstays his or her visa and it is direct result of a natural disaster, the government may grant an extension or a change in the immigrant’s status. In that situation, petitioners must show a direct connection between the disaster and why he or she has overstayed or was unable to […]
» Read More...December 13, 2017
Immigration Based on Skills Rather than Family Ties
In February, Republican Senators, with the support of President Trump, introduced legislation that would turn the United States immigration system on its head. The legislation, referred to as the RAISE Act, would favor those who want to immigrate to the United States through employment or investment opportunities over those who have family ties. As the […]
» Read More...December 6, 2017
Calls to Block Latest Travel Ban
The Trump Administration’s latest attempt at implementing a travel ban against six mostly Muslim countries has been struck down by federal judges in Maryland and Hawaii. The most recent developments in the quickly-changing landscape of attempts to ban certain foreigners from entering the country. In January and March of 2017, the White House announced a […]
» Read More...November 29, 2017
What is a Sanctuary City?
A sanctuary city is one that has ordered their city officials not inquire about people’s immigration status. This is most pertinent when citizens are interacting with the police, local licensing offices, or when they are in state and city courts. Currently, there are at least two hundred sanctuary cities throughout the United States, including Philadelphia, […]
» Read More...November 21, 2017
New Bill Could Affect Eligibility for Immigration to the United States
In August 2017, President Trump introduced the people of the United States to the proposed RAISE Act. The Act, otherwise known as the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act, aims to alter how individuals’ eligibility to obtain green cards in the United States is determined. Overall, it would reduce the amount of legal […]
» Read More...November 10, 2017
Rural America Losing Workers
One of the unintended consequences of the recent push to detain and deport undocumented immigrants is the loss of America’s valuable agricultural labor force. In rural Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the $580 million fruit industry has already lost many workers, putting their fall harvest in real jeopardy. Many immigrant workers in Pennsylvania’s “fruit belt” have already been […]
» Read More...November 2, 2017
Immigration’s Effect on Blue Collar Jobs
The current government administration recently advocated for a proposal designed to curtail legal immigration in the United States by half. Over the next decade, the plan aims to reduce the number of immigrants significantly in an effort to free up low-wage jobs for American workers. The new proposal would be a merit-based system, prioritizing English-speaking […]
» Read More...October 23, 2017
Detention of Undocumented Immigrants
For undocumented immigrants living in the United States, the fear of being held by authorities is always present. Those faced with the possibility of detention are encouraged to speak with an experienced immigration lawyer in Philadelphia for advice and legal guidance. Knowing how to respond while detained will help ensure the best outcome possible, and […]
» Read More...October 16, 2017
DACA Recipients Risk Losing More Than Status
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration program is under attack, spurring nationwide concern for those affected. DACA is a federal law that protects foreign-born people who, under no choice of their own, were brought to the United States as young children. The law protects applicants from being deported, but it also has provided […]
» Read More...October 9, 2017