Trump’s shutdown stops immigration courts from functioning
In the story linked-below, DMCA partner Lance Curtright, discusses a special case about a woman who is particularly affected by the shutdown. From the story: “‘Her husband is dying,’ immigration attorney Lance Curtright said. ‘And part of the reason we think she can get her green card in the United States requires her husband to be alive.’ Campos’s attorney, Curtright said she’s in a race against time. ‘That’s why we are trying desperately to get her case in front of a judge,’ Curtright said. ‘The problem is, the court isn’t open for business because they are not funded.’ A painful ... Read more
DMCA partner Lance Curtright on KSAT news in an interview about changes to asylum procedures
New asylum policy could face court challenge
How the Trump Shutdown may impact immigration cases
Recent news indicates that President Trump intends to shut down the government if Congress refuses to fund his ill-advised border wall. Here is how the Trump shutdown will affect federal agencies that process immigration cases: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS): This is a fee funded agency; therefore, processing of cases such as adjustment of status applications (form I-485), immigrant visa petitions (forms I-130 and I-140), employment authorization applications (I-765), naturalization applications (N-400) and applications filed directly with a USCIS Service Center will continue to be adjudicated. E-verify will likely be unavailable during a government shutdown. U.S. Department of Labor: It ... Read more
Proposed Changes to H1B Process: What you Need to Know to Now
DHS has proposed substantial changes to the H1B process. We anticipate these changes will be effective for April 1, 2019 H1B filings that are subject to the annual cap. The main change to the process will be the establishment of a mandatory internet-based registration process for petitioners seeking to file H1B petitions for beneficiaries who will be counted against the H1B cap. The proposed regulations flip the lottery process to the front end of the application process. Registrants who are selected will be able to apply for an H1B visa. Here are the basics that you need to know: –The ... Read more
ICE Hold? Detained by Immigration? There May Be Hope.
Since Donald Trump took office, and in the wake of SB4, more and more immigrants are being placed in detention centers in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Unfortunately, this includes immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for years, have strong family ties, and little or no criminal record. Shortly after Trump became president in 2017, ICE launched large scale raids in the Austin and San Antonio areas, arresting more than 130 people. Following the passage of SB4 in the Texas legislature, many surrounding counties have been arresting immigrants found driving without a valid license and then ... Read more
Attorney General’s Decision a Setback for Women Seeking Asylum Based on Domestic Violence, but Hope Remains
A recent administrative decision by Attorney General Jeff Sessions marked a major step backwards for women who came to the United States fleeing domestic violence. Session’s decision overturned a 2014 landmark decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), which held some victims of domestic violence could qualify for asylum under United States. To seek asylum in the United States, a person must show that he or she has a well-founded fear of persecution in his or her country of nationality on account of his or her religion, political belief, race, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. In ... Read more
New Supreme Court Case Offers Hope for Immigrants in Removal Proceedings
As ICE continues to target the greater Austin area, and the Trump administration aggressively expands its crackdown on immigrants everywhere, one ray of hope has emerged for those seeking relief from deportation. On June 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Pereira v. Sessions, which has broad implications for persons in removal proceedings. The most immediate effect of the Supreme Court’s decision in Pereira is to expand eligibility for cancellation of removal. A non-permanent resident is eligible for cancellation of removal if he or she has been physically present for ten continuous years in the United States, ... Read more
DMCA’S HQ OFFICE IS MOVING ON JANUARY 30, 2017!
On January 30, 2017, DMCA is moving its Headquarters (HQ) office. DMCA’s HQ office is currently located at 8930 Fourwinds, Ste. 106, San Antonio, Texas 78239. Effective Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, we will be at this new location: 8023 Vantage Drive, Suite 800 San Antonio, Texas 78230 The new office is centrally located near the intersection of IH 10 and IH 410: https://www.google.com/maps/place/8023+Vantage+Dr+%23800,+San+Antonio We look forward to seeing you there!
DREAMERS FEAR WORST, FIGHT FOR BEST–BY CARLOS AGUILAR
Dreamers fear worst, fight for best by Carlos Aguilar As the results from the 2016 U.S. presidential election a historically tense and formidable campaign were made official, an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty threatened to take over my life but it didn’t not again. As I laid in bed that morning, I couldn’t help but think of other Dreamers and undocumented students whose motivation and expectations for a better future may have been negatively impacted. We are faced with adversity. The continuation and expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is in limbo, and a just and ... Read more
DMCA BLOG ON THE ELECTION RESULTS
Though an election was lost, much remains. America is still a country built by immigrants. It is still a bastion of hope and opportunity for many. And it still has an independent judiciary that prevents Trump from acting contrary to the Constitution. All people inside the United States have constitutional rights, including immigrants. DMCA will tirelessly work to ensure that our clients exercise their constitutional rights to the fullest extent of law. We hoped that America would choose a candidate that supported immigrant rights and immigration reforms that valued family unity, protected the refugee, and that restored integrity to a ... Read more
LA OFICINA PRINCIPAL DE DMCA SE MUDAR EL 30 DE ENERO DEL 2017!
El 30 de enero del 2017, DMCA estará cambiando la localidad de su oficina principal (HQ). La oficina principal de DMCA actualmente se encuentra en 8930 Fourwinds, Ste. 106, San Antonio, Texas 78239. Al partir del lunes 30 de enero del 2017, estaremos ubicados en este nuevo lugar: 8023 Vantage Drive, Suite 800 San Antonio, Texas 78230 La oficina nueva está ubicada cerca de la intersección de las avenidas IH 10 e IH 410: https://www.google.com/maps/place/8023+Vantage+Dr+%23800,+San+Antonio
DMCA BLOG SOBRE LOS RESULTADOS DE LA ELECCIóN PRESIDENCIAL
A pesar de que se perdieron las elecciones, an nos queda mucho. Estados Unidos sigue siendo un pas construido por inmigrantes. TodavÃa es un refugio de esperanza y oportunidades para muchos. Y todav tiene un poder judicial independiente que le impide a Trump actuar en contra de la Constitución. Todas las personas dentro de Estados Unidos tienen derechos constitucionales, incluyendo los inmigrantes. DMCA trabajar sin descanso para asegurar que nuestros clientes ejerzan sus derechos constitucionales en toda la extensión de la ley. Esperábamos que Estados Unidos eligiera un candidato que apoyara los derechos de los inmigrantes y las reformas de ... Read more