Author: Lance Curtright
Trump’s executive order on immigration–what you need to know
After failing to mount a successful response to COVID-19, President Trump issued an executive order limiting immigration. The stated reason for the partial ban is to protect American jobs; however, it is well documented that robust immigration helps create jobs for Americans. As such, it is likely that the President’s order will harm the economy rather than aid it. The President’s Executive Order—like his previous orders on immigration—will almost certainly be challenged in Court. The President’s authority to “ban” immigration is not unlimited and is particularly subject to a legal attack when it is based on groundless claims like those ... Read more
COVID-19 and Immigration Court Cases
In the past few days, we’ve seen various changes to the processing of cases before the Immigration Courts and ICE. Although the Immigration Courts have cancelled many hearings, the courts have remained open to receive filings. ICE has temporarily changed many of its standard practices. To provide you with the most current information about what’s happening, below we have answered various questions we have recently received. What’s happening with hearings before the Immigration Courts? Hearings scheduled through April 10, 2020, for persons in the United States who are not detained have been postponed. For those that are waiting on hearings ... Read more
Coronavirus/COVID-19 y Casos ante la Corte de Inmigración
En los últimos días, hemos visto muchos cambios sobre el procesamiento de casos inmigratorios con la Corte de Inmigración y con ICE. La Corte de Inmigración canceló varias audiencias y en muchos lugares solo está recibiendo el archivo de documentos. Temporalmente ICE también está cambiando sus pólizas. Para ponerle al corriente de lo que está pasando, abajo tenemos respuestas a las preguntas más recibidas del momento. ¿Qué está pasando con las audiencias ante la Corte de Inmigración? Para los que no están detenidos, sus audiencias fechadas hasta el 10 de abril del 2020 ante la Corte de Inmigración han sido ... Read more
How the Coronavirus is affecting the processing of visas at U.S. consulates
As a result of COVID-19 pandemic, there have been several changes in the government’s processing of consular cases for the issuance of routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. As of March 18th, the Department of State has suspended routine visa services in most countries worldwide. Embassies and consulates have cancelled all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. Embassies and consulates will resume routine visa services as soon as possible, but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. Applicants are still able to submit all fees, applications and supporting documents required by the National Visa Center (NVC) relating to ... Read more
How USCIS is processing applications for visas during the Coronavirus pandemic
In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, beginning March 18, all USCIS Field Offices and Application Service Center Offices are closed to the public. USCIS is not conducting interviews, fingerprint appointments or oath ceremonies. A date for re-opening to the public has not been set, but once this happens, the cancelled appointments will automatically be rescheduled. While USCIS is closed to the public, the government employees are still working. USCIS continues to receive and process applications for naturalization, adjustment of status, DACA, renewal of permanent residency cards, removal of conditions, etc. DMCA attorneys are filing these on behalf ... Read more
Como la Coronavirus affecta el proceso de pedir y recibir visas en los consulados americanos
Como resultado de la pandemia de COVID-19, ha habido varios cambios por parte del gobierno en el procesamiento de casos consulares para la emisión de visas de inmigrantes y no inmigrantes. A partir del 18 de marzo, el Departamento de Estado ha suspendido los servicios de visas de rutina en la mayoría de los países del mundo. Las embajadas y consulados han cancelado todas las citas de visas de inmigrantes y no inmigrantes de rutina. Las embajadas y consulados reanudarán los servicios de visa lo antes posible, pero no pueden proporcionar una fecha específica en este momento. Los solicitantes aún ... Read more
DMCA Partner and Professor of Law Marisol Perez starts another year of classes at St. Mary’s School of Law
Marisol begins her third year of teaching students immigration law at St. Mary’s School of Law. She still maintains a full caseload at DMCA even while taking on her teaching responsibilities. If you’d like a consultation with Marisol or one of DMCA’s other attorneys (including one of our 7 attorneys certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in immigration law), call us at (210)590-1844. Marisol Pérez
DMCA attorney Javier Rivera is in the Texas Bar Journal!
Javier writes about criminal defense lawyer’s duty to advise immigrant clients about their duty to advise about immigration consequences of a guilty plea Check out Javier’s article!
En español: Los requisitos generales de la naturalización–un podcast nuevo de DMCA!
In this Spanish language podcast, DMCA partner Marisol L. Pérez discusses general eligibility requirements for naturalization. She discusses who is generally eligible, language requirements, the civics exam, good moral character issues, and other important issues to consider when considering naturalization. En este podcast en español, la socia de DMCA Marisol L. Pérez discute los requisitos generales de la naturalización. Ella discute quién es generalmente elegible, los requisitos de idioma, el examen cívica, temas de buen carácter moral y otros temas importantes cuando se considera la naturalización. En español: Los requisitos generales de la naturalización
The Trump administration filed to restart 18,000 deportation cases before the immigration court
BuzzFeed reported today that the Trump Administration is moving to restart more than 18,000 deportation cases. The majority of these cases were “administratively closed” (which means indefinitely continued) so the overwhelmed immigration courts could focus on high priority cases. The Trump administration’s decision to recalendar the old cases will contribute to historic backlogs in the immigration courts by requiring immigration judges to consider cases that were previously considered less serious than others. In our office, we have convinced immigration judges to deny the government’s motions to reschedule cases when our client has DACA status or has a pending application for ... Read more
DMCA Partner Marisol Perez speaks at 2019 Immigration Symposium
Watch DMCA Partner Marisol Perez speak at the 2019 St. Mary’s Law School’s Immigration Symposium. In her speech, Marisol addresses I-601A waivers and other important issues in consular processing. If you or someone you know is having difficulty with a U.S. consular post abroad or is considering traveling for an interview, call (866)690-1844 to discuss your options. Marisol is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in immigration and nationality laws. Marisol Perez’s speech at 2019 Immigration Symposium
DMCA has a podcast!
DMCA published its first episode on its new podcast today. In the first episode, Lance Curtright discusses what to expect in removal proceedings. If you have ideas for topics for future episodes, please let us know and we’ll try to work them in. https://www.buzzsprout.com/263228/977517-removal-proceedings?fbclid=IwAR3_Nzdjj4UATxAx79lGz-T_womsgdWfhbBfoiB-R7ebF09YkAvYWYqGlrY