tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34165597306768213962024-03-28T11:58:19.585-07:00K & G Immigration Law BlogLatest immigration news written by team of immigration lawyers at K & G Law, LLP – updated often, with expert input on current issues for immigrants to United States.KG Immigration Law Blog – Latest Immigration Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15807956709247172387noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-11531042686123007672024-01-14T10:12:00.000-08:002024-01-14T10:12:18.065-08:00SpaceX wields the Constitution against the government<p> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">By <a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/attorney/liliana-gallelli-esq.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Liliana Gallelli Esq</span></a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rocket
innovator SpaceX is evoking US founding fathers and the Constitution in its
lawsuit against the US government. The impetus for the litigation is in response
to a recent complaint filed at the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing
Officer (OCAHO), an office within the Executive Office for Immigration Review,
an administrative court of the US Department of Justice.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The lawsuit,
brought by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, alleges SpaceX
discriminated against hiring asylees and refugees, thereby violating the Immigration
and Nationality Act (INA) in that “...SpaceX failed to fairly consider or hire
asylees and refugees because of their citizenship status and imposed what amounted
to a ban on their hire regardless of their qualification, in violation of
federal law.” SpaceX cited export control laws as the reason why it was
precluded from hiring immigrants who held asylee or refugee status.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">National
security issues are prevalent in an enterprise such as SpaceX where technology
and data are highly protected and therefore the company is subject to export controls
such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export
Administration Regulations. However, it turns out that those laws do not
require employers to treat asylum or refugee immigrants differently than U.S. citizens
or green card holders.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Perhaps
interpreting the export control laws is not so easy. Indeed, in April of 2023 -
4 months before filing its complaint against SpaceX - the US Department of
Justice Civil Rights Division issued a “Fact Sheet” for employers to use titled
<a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/page/file/1579981/dl?inline=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">“How to Avoid Immigration Related Discrimination When Complying with U.S.Export Control Laws.”</span></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Whether this
was a SpaceX management misinterpretation of the law or outright discrimination
is to be determined, but SpaceX has countersued in a Texas Federal District
Court claiming that the government’s complaint is unconstitutional. In summary,
the lawsuit states that the administrative proceeding violates SpaceX’s constitutional
right to have the case heard in an “Article III” court and calls for enjoining
the government from pursuing the claim, among </span>other
remedies.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Article III
refers to the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Constitution and it gives US District
Court, US </span>Appellate
Court, and US Supreme Court judges the highest level of independence with life tenures
and provides a judicial forum protected by the Seventh Amendment right to a
jury trial. By contrast, administrative courts and their arbiters,
Administrative Law Judges (ALJ), have been established by Congress to
adjudicate federal disputes brought before executive agencies and are
considered part of the executive branch, not the judicial branch. ALJ’s
adjudicate Social Security and disability hearings, immigration removal
hearings, Environmental Protection Agency Hearings, and Security Exchange Commission
hearings, among others.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These ALJ’s
have the power to rule on preliminary motions, conduct prehearing conferences,
issue subpoenas, conduct hearings (which may include written and/or oral testimony
and cross-examination), review briefs, and prepare and issue decisions, along
with written findings of fact and conclusions of law. See Office of Personnel
Management; Administrative Law Positions.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Certainly,
administrative courts have a very practical place in the judicial landscape;
otherwise we would have relatively few Article III courts, laboriously
adjudicating millions of claims. But a Federal District Court - an Article III
court - is what SpaceX wants. Naming US Attorney General Merrick Garland, the
head of OCAHO, and even the assigned Administrative Law Judge as defendants,
SpaceX heavily relies on a case currently under review in the US Supreme </span>Court.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Securities
and Exchange Commission v. George R. Jarkesy, Jr., et al., No. 22-859. In fact,
the injunction SpaceX’s lawsuit seeks asks the Texas District Court to enjoin the
administrative proceeding, at least until the US Supreme Court makes its
decision in Jarkesy in case it’s favorable to its position. In Jarkesy, the
Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) imposed a civil penalty of $300,000, and
to pay back $685,000 in improperly held and gained funds, among other remedies
for misrepresentation and various violations of the securities laws.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">SpaceX
essentially narrowed in on two of Jarkesy’s main arguments: 1) That the
imposition </span>of civil
penalties in an agency adjudication violated the Seventh Amendment (i.e.
depriving the respondent its right to a jury trial) and 2) That the ALJ is
“unconstitutionally insulated” from Presidential authority because firing an
ALJ is limited by two levels of scrutiny before an ALJ can be removed (arguing
that Article II vests the entire power to execute laws in the President alone
and therefore the President must have unrestricted removal power).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">SpaceX also
claims that the ALJ is unconstitutionally appointed because the Appointments
Clause of the Constitution mandates that only the President can appoint the head
of an agency, with the advice and consent of the US Senate. SpaceX argues that
an ALJ acts like the head of the agency, with its long list of judicial powers
and ability to render a final decision in the federal dispute. As such, the judge
is essentially “adjudicating without Executive oversight” because, it turns
out, the President did not appoint the ALJ at all. Rather, the appointment is
made by the </span>Attorney
General who was given power by Congress to appoint an “inferior officer,” which
results in the ALJ appointment. U.S. Const. art. II, §2, cl.2.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While the
arguments are bold and a strict reading of the Constitution, there is a stark
contrast to the SEC case SpaceX is betting on. The SEC can choose whether to
initiate enforcement proceedings either in an administrative court (15 U.S.C.
77h-1, 78u-2, 78u-3, 80b-3), or in federal district court (15 U.S.C. 77t,
80b-9). </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">But here, with SpaceX, the Department of Justice is acting on
discrimination based on immigration status under 8 USC §1324b (of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (the “INA”). Unlike the statute regulating the SEC, the INA
does not mention a choice of venue in which to initiate enforcement. In fact,
it directs the special counsel to “file a </span>complaint with the OCAHO” (and thus present the
matter in front of an ALJ). 8 USC §1342b(c)(2), (d) (1). Given this distinct
directive and the recognized place for administrative proceedings, this battle may
not fall in favor of SpaceX.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Article (c) by <a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">K & G Law LLP</span></a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Originally published at <a href="https://dailyjournal.com/articles/375063-spacex-wields-the-constitution-against-the-government" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Daily Journal</span></a> (September 2023)</span></p>KG Immigration Law Blog – Latest Immigration Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15807956709247172387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-20117609803397572482022-04-19T20:07:00.000-07:002022-04-19T20:07:13.868-07:00Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Temporary
Protected Status for Ukraine</u></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">By <a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/attorney/liliana-gallelli-esq.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Liliana Gallelli</span></a>, Immigration Attorney</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">TPS
is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of a foreign
state designated for TPS under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). <span style="background: white; color: #222222;">A country may be designated for Temporary
Protected Status (TPS) when conditions in the country fall into one or more of
the three statutory bases for designation: ongoing armed conflict,
environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. This
designation is based on both ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and
temporary conditions in Ukraine that prevent Ukrainian nationals, and those of
no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine, from returning to
Ukraine safely.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">Under
this designation, individuals must submit an initial Ukraine TPS application
and may also submit an application for Employment Authorization during the
18-month initial registration period that runs from April 19, 2022, through
October 19, 2023.<sup> </sup>In addition to demonstrating continuous residence
in the United States since April 11, 2022,<sup> </sup>and meeting other
eligibility criteria, initial applicants for TPS under this designation must
demonstrate that they have been continuously physically present in the United
States since April 19, 2022, the effective date of this designation of Ukraine,
before USCIS may grant them TPS. DHS estimates that approximately 59,600
individuals may be eligible for TPS under the designation of Ukraine.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">TPS
beneficiaries may also apply for and be granted travel authorization as a
matter of discretion. You must file for travel authorization if you wish to
travel outside the United States. If granted, travel authorization gives you
permission to leave the United States and return during a specific period. To
request travel authorization,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="background: white;"><a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Our law firm</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> can assist Ukrainians to for
TPS and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD/work permit).</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;">After TPS is granted, we can also assist with
travel authorization. </span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">The following are the documents required
to apply for Ukrainian TPS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><u>The
requirements: <o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">1)
Be a national of Ukraine (or a noncitizen without a nationality who last
habitually resided in Ukraine); <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">2)
Have continuously resided in the United States since April 11, 2022; and <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">3)
Have been continuously physically present in the United States since April 19,
2022.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><b><u>Documents
that will be required: <o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">1)
Proof of Ukrainian nationality (passport, birth certificate and form of photo
ID, or other government issued identification such as driver’s license, voter
registration card, etc.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">2)
Proof of date of entry into the United States (passport, visa, and I-94 card or
proof of presence in the United States after unlawful entry, see below);</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">3)
Proof of continuous residence in the United States since April 11, 2022 and
physical presence since April 19, 2022. Documents with the name of the
applicant and date that indicate presence in the United States are acceptable,
including pay stubs, medical records, educational records, bills, banks
statements, etc.;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">4) 2
passport-style photos;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">5)
If applicable, certified court dispositions from any criminal case;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">6)
Filing fee of $545 if applying for a work authorization permit (ages 14-65).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the Secretary terminates
a foreign state's TPS designation, beneficiaries return to one of the
following: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
same immigration status or category that they maintained before TPS, if any
(unless that status or category has since expired or terminated); or<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Any
other lawfully obtained immigration status or category they received while
registered for TPS, as long as it is still valid beyond the date TPS
terminates.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">========================================================================</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;">(c) </span><a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #ff9900; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">K & G Immigration Law</span></a><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;"> - helping immigrants with reliable legal assistance since 1989</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p>KG Immigration Law Blog – Latest Immigration Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15807956709247172387noreply@blogger.comSan Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-41878602852423247062022-03-20T12:51:00.003-07:002022-03-20T12:51:39.861-07:00CAN UKRAINIAN REFUGEES COME TO THE U.S. AND HOW DOES ONE APPLY?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3FvZldbkN7CUx_NpHh-iFKZKMJvrfubHhCtsu2gC5cR1w4xso3j1t4NkBlyUAg7ZRco1rxHqrR32NCNVG9kYSYLG_MvAjLUZgtvZ2HOi6nglLlfWCa0gNT82_kOjH7Jufq5JP9Qt9eityYYmvcP_vVYdWKcP-D2wUKShentt0icvsodK0XZhMsU0k=s275" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3FvZldbkN7CUx_NpHh-iFKZKMJvrfubHhCtsu2gC5cR1w4xso3j1t4NkBlyUAg7ZRco1rxHqrR32NCNVG9kYSYLG_MvAjLUZgtvZ2HOi6nglLlfWCa0gNT82_kOjH7Jufq5JP9Qt9eityYYmvcP_vVYdWKcP-D2wUKShentt0icvsodK0XZhMsU0k" width="275" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Why do we make it so
hard for refugees fleeing violence in their homeland?</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">By Christopher Kerosky<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Published in the Sonoma County Gazette: https://www.sonomacountygazette.com/sonoma-county-news/can-ukrainian-refugees-come-to-the-u-s-and-how-does-one-apply/</p><p class="MsoNormal">In the 1980’s our country permitted large numbers of refugees
from countries of the former Soviet Union to immigrate here. Our nation also
opened it’s doors to those fleeing the repressive regimes in Vietnam, Cambodia
and Laos. And Cubans were entitled to
asylum as soon as they landed on U.S. soil.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Almost all of these refugees were provided legal status, a
right to work and even limited government assistance; and later they could apply
for permanent residence and U.S. citizenship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So why has it been so hard for refugees fleeing Syria and
Afghanistan to come here? Will the same fate await the refugees from the
Ukraine – now numbering 3 million and growing? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Our Refugee Program
and Procedure.</u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When a refugee applies for admission to the U.S. from
abroad, they are governed by the U.S. refugee law and the limited numbers and
long waits that apply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; letter-spacing: -.2pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Open Sans";">Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), foreign
nationals qualify for status as a refugee if they can prove they have
experienced past persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution on
account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social
group, or political opinion. </span><span style="background: white; color: #2c3e50; mso-bidi-font-family: "Open Sans";">This definition is based on the
United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees, to which the U.S. is a signatory.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Congress passed the Refugee Act of 1980,
which incorporated the Convention’s definition into U.S. law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; letter-spacing: -.2pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Open Sans";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; letter-spacing: -.2pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Open Sans";">Persons applying for refugee status must be approved</span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; letter-spacing: -.2pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Open Sans"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> through the U.S. Refugee
Admissions Program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, applicants mustt
apply with the </span><span style="color: #333333; letter-spacing: -.2pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Open Sans";">United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in
the country to which they have fled</span>.<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; letter-spacing: -.2pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Open Sans"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>If
UNHCR deems the applicants eligible and suitable for resettlement to the U.S.,
they will then undergo a lengthy vetting process by the U.S. Department of
State in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They are also subject to annual numerical limitations set by
each administration. Usually, there are non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved
in assisting the refugee family with transition to life in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Refugee immigration to the U.S. takes a long
time due to these annual numerical quotas and the limited resources of these NGOs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Numerical Limits on
Refugee Acceptance.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Historically, the U.S. offered refuge to more people than all
the other countries of the world combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That changed recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Donald Trump slashed the annual quota of refugees from 110,000
per year under Barack Obama to an all-time low of 18,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover, due to budget cuts and extreme
vetting implemented by the Trump Administration, far fewer refugees were
actually admitted – only 11,814 in 2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Moreover, under the so-called “Muslim Ban”, refugees from countries like
Syria were banned altogether. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Shortly after taking office, President Biden raised the refugee
quota to 65,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Some good news for Ukrainians:
relief from COVID bar and Temporary Protected Status<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Biden Administration also announced an exception to the continuing
Title 42 policy restricting asylum applications at the Southern border due to COVID.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ukrainians seeking asylum at the Mexican
border will not be automatically turned away, but will be considered on a
case-to-case basis. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic";">The Administration also granted Temporary
Protected Status to Ukrainian citizens already here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means those already here can stay at least
18 months and obtain a work permit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It remains to be seen whether our country’s refugee policies
will be more generous in light of the flood of those fleeing Ukraine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost certainly, the road to a U.S. border
will be a long one and far fewer refugees will be admitted by our country than
most European nations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poland has already
admitted over 2 million through its borders for resettlement; Hungary, Moldova,
Slovakia and Romania: about one million more. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Germany, France, England, and almost all the EU
countries have agreed to accept hundreds of thousands. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Give Us Your Tired, Huddled
Masses, Yearning to Be Free.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my
lamp beside the golden door!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those words
of Emma Lazarus on the base of the Statue of Liberty have inspired generations
of immigrants to seek refuge here. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s hard to imagine clearer images of “tired, huddled
masses yearning to be free” then those of the refugees fleeing Ukraine – as
well as those from Syria, Afghanistan and Central America before them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s time the U.S. once again step forward and adopt more humane
refugee policies worthy of its long immigrant tradition. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The need has never been greater. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif;">****************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif;">CHRISTOPHER A.
KEROSKY of the law firm of KEROSKY PURVES & BOGUE has practiced immigration
law for over 25 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He graduated
from University of California, Berkeley Law School and was a former counsel for
the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif;">Mr. Kerosky has
been recognized as one of the top lawyers in Northern California for over 10
years by “Super Lawyers”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See </span><a href="https://profiles.superlawyers.com/california-northern/san-francisco/lawyer/christopher-a-kerosky/358dc9f1-b1c2-46b5-80cc-6e9610b1cd43.html">https://profiles.superlawyers.com/california-northern/san-francisco/lawyer/christopher-a-kerosky/358dc9f1-b1c2-46b5-80cc-6e9610b1cd43.html</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif;">WARNING: The foregoing is a
summary generally discussing legal issues. It is not intended to be a
substitute for legal advice. We recommend that you get competent legal advice
specific to your case before filing any application or petition. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><br /><p></p>K&G Law Abogados de Inmigraciónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12432844165698160322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-89426372060118738882022-03-18T16:43:00.002-07:002022-03-18T16:45:33.171-07:00Temporary Protected Status for Afghan Nationals<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Temporary
Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan Nationals</span></u></b></span></p><p><span>By <a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/attorney/liliana-gallelli-esq.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Immigration Attorney Liliana Gallelli, Esq</span></a> </span></p><p class="bodytext" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">The Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the designation of Afghanistan for
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are
already residing in the United States as of March 15, 2022, will be eligible
for TPS. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">A country may
be designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) when conditions in the
country fall into one or more of the three statutory bases for designation:
ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary
conditions. This designation is based on </span><span style="background: white; color: #444444;">extraordinary circumstances that include a lack of
infrastructure, an economic crisis, lack of basic needs such as food, water and
access to healthcare, human rights abuses and repression by the Taliban, among
other issues.</span></p><p class="bodytext" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">“This TPS
designation will help to protect Afghan nationals who have already been living
in the United States from returning to unsafe conditions,”<strong> said
Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. </strong>“Under this designation, TPS
will also provide additional protections and assurances to trusted partners and
vulnerable Afghans who supported the U.S. military, diplomatic, and
humanitarian missions in Afghanistan over the last 20 years.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="bodytext" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Most Afghan
nationals who arrived as part of the US evacuation effort were paroled for a
period of two years and received work authorization. These individuals may also
register for TPS. Those who attempt to travel to the United States after March
15, 2022, will not be eligible for TPS.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The
18-month designation of TPS for Afghanistan will go into effect on the
publication date of the forthcoming Federal Register notice.
The Federal Register notice will provide instructions for applying
for TPS and an Employment Authorization Document.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Although the
instructions have not yet been formally published, in our experience with TPS
applications, the following will be some of the documents required to
apply:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>The requirements: <o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1) Be a national of Afghanistan (or a noncitizen without a
nationality who last habitually resided in Afghanistan); <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2) Have continuously resided in the United States since
March 15, 2022;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3) Undergo and pass security checks; and <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4) Have been continuously physically present in the United
States since March 15, 2022.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Documents that will likely be required: <o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1) Proof of Afghan nationality (passport, birth certificate
and form of photo ID, or other government issued identification such as
driver’s license, voter registration card, etc</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2) Proof of date of entry into the United States (passport,
visa, and I-94 card or proof of presence in the United States after unlawful
entry, see below);</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3) Proof of continuous residence in the United States since
March 15, 2022 and physical presence since March 15, 2022. Documents with the
name of the applicant and date that indicate presence in the United States are
acceptable, including pay stubs, medical records, educational records, bills,
banks statements, etc.;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4) 2 passport-style photos;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5) If applicable, certified court dispositions from any
criminal case. (Some crimes may disqualify an applicant based on discretion)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6) Filing fee (must wait for publication in the federal
register for the amount, if any)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> ===============================================================</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;">(c) </span><a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #ff9900; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">K & G Immigration Law</span></a><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px;"> - helping immigrants with reliable legal assistance since 1989</span></o:p></p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><p></p>KG Immigration Law Blog – Latest Immigration Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15807956709247172387noreply@blogger.comCalifornia, USA36.778261 -119.41793248.4680271638211551 -154.57418239999998 65.088494836178853 -84.2616824tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-90812128169429876872022-03-14T11:47:00.005-07:002022-03-18T16:44:41.217-07:00Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians <p> <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Temporary
Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine nationals</span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">By <a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/attorney/liliana-gallelli-esq.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Liliana Gallelli</span></a>, Esq</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">A country may
be designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) when conditions in the
country fall into one or more of the three statutory bases for designation:
ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary
conditions. This designation is based on both ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary
and temporary conditions in Ukraine that prevent Ukrainian nationals, and those
of no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine, from returning to
Ukraine safely.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222;">
<span style="background: white;">Individuals eligible for TPS under this
designation must have continuously resided in the United States since March 1,
2022. Individuals who attempt to travel to the United States after March 1,
2022 will not be eligible for TPS. Ukraine’s 18-month designation will go into
effect on the publication date of the forthcoming Federal Register notice.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">The Federal
Register notice which has not yet been published, will provide instructions for
applying for TPS and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). TPS applicants
must meet all eligibility requirements and undergo security and background
checks.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Although the
instructions have not yet been formally published, in our experience with TPS
applications, the following will be some of the documents required to
apply:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>The requirements: <o:p></o:p></u></b></p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><u></u></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">1) Be a national of Ukraine (or a noncitizen without a
nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine); <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">2) Have continuously resided in the United States since
March 1, 2022; and <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">3) Have been continuously physically present in the United
States since March 1, 2022.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Documents that will likely be required: <o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">1) Proof of Ukrainian nationality (passport, birth
certificate and form of photo ID, or other government issued identification
such as driver’s license, voter registration card, etc</p><p class="MsoNormal">2) Proof of date of entry into the United States (passport,
visa, and I-94 card or proof of presence in the United States after unlawful
entry, see below);</p><p class="MsoNormal">3) Proof of continuous residence in the United States since
March 1, 2022 and physical presence since March 1, 2022. Documents with the
name of the applicant and date that indicate presence in the United States are
acceptable, including pay stubs, medical records, educational records, bills,
banks statements, etc.;</p><p class="MsoNormal">4) 2 passport-style photos;</p><p class="MsoNormal">5) If applicable, certified court dispositions from any
criminal case.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">6) Filing fee (must wait for publication in the federal
register for the amount, if any)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">================================================================</p><p class="MsoNormal">(c) <a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">K & G Immigration Law</span></a> - helping immigrants with reliable legal assistance since 1989</p>KG Immigration Law Blog – Latest Immigration Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15807956709247172387noreply@blogger.comCalifornia, USA36.778261 -119.41793248.4680271638211551 -154.57418239999998 65.088494836178853 -84.2616824tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-83995417690541959672022-03-13T13:31:00.002-07:002022-03-13T13:31:28.436-07:00LAST WEEK TO SIGN UP FOR H-1B LOTTERY<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghLzFzzXE7UspweOEZNEb1_9Z1jfs3JBm8WlzuXy1XZgk0H490dLrEHLZSxVQOPi1b-I5AZHrz9mO8UyNKNZ63GCLqxsYmAU-qZmuQnicD36Y1erEhMPBQ25FYIJBqlfBdIDoeEjJCYXjMdRyOL6BGwjl5XVdTkA6XdA9Je2Kra16bs1JWidvqZVj5=s3130" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2445" data-original-width="3130" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghLzFzzXE7UspweOEZNEb1_9Z1jfs3JBm8WlzuXy1XZgk0H490dLrEHLZSxVQOPi1b-I5AZHrz9mO8UyNKNZ63GCLqxsYmAU-qZmuQnicD36Y1erEhMPBQ25FYIJBqlfBdIDoeEjJCYXjMdRyOL6BGwjl5XVdTkA6XdA9Je2Kra16bs1JWidvqZVj5=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LAST WEEK TO SIGN UP FOR
H-1B LOTTERY<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">H-1b Visas for
Professional Workers will be available again this Spring<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">By Christopher
Kerosky<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">[This was the subject of
a prior article in the March edition of the Sonoma County Gazette]</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Every year, in the spring, about 200,000 foreign nationals
roll the dice by entering a lottery for a chance to be able to obtain a coveted
professional visa. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This visa is necessary for virtually all foreign-born
professionals-- from IT workers in Silicon Valley to winemakers in Napa
Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For many years now, these
workers and their employers have been required to participate in an annual
lottery to see if they are lucky enough to be able to apply.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The visa is the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">H-1B </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– a lightning rod for debate over how many
immigrants are good for the economy, and whether or not wages are depressed by
allowing foreign workers here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For good
or bad, that application season has started again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">H-1b Visa Application
Process.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;">Persons
holding an H-1B visa can be hired only for "specialty occupations" –
essentially jobs requiring the equivalent of at least a Bachelor's Degree in
the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Employers must also pay every
H-1B worker the “prevailing wage”; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that
is, at least as much as what is typically paid in the region for that type of
work<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">There
is a limited number (65,000) of H-1Bs every year and in the recent past, these
visas were used up soon after April 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the last ten years, more than 3 times
that number have applied for the visa in the first week of the application
period.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">Until
2019, it was necessary to submit the entire application so that it arrived at
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on April 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was always the best day of the year for Federal
Express.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immigrant lawyers would send about
200,000 of these heavy applications by overnight mail the day before to ensure
receipt on the first day of the program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century",serif;">New H1b
Registration System<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century",serif;">For the last two years, DHS has
streamlined the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lottery is
now conducted first and employers can simply fill out a simple on-line form to
register.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year, employers who wish
to file H-1B petitions for potential employees can register between noon </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Century",serif;">March 1st to noon March 18<sup>th</sup>
EST.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Century",serif;">That means this
week is the last week to register.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century",serif;">During this period, the electronic
registration must be submitted by the employer or its authorized
representative. If the number of registrations exceeds the H-1B numerical
allocation (which is virtually certain), a lottery will be conducted in late
March. Only those petitioners who “win the lottery” – in other words are
selected in the first group of eligible applicants – will be able to file a
petition for that candidate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the
entire application must be submitted to DHS by the employer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The H-1B petition will then still need to be
found eligible in all respects in order to obtain approval. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="rtejustify" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century",serif;">Path to a green
card? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">A
person holding an H-1B visa can bring their spouse and children to live with
them in the U.S. while they are legally holding the visa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dependents obtain an H-4 visa.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">The
H-1B visas are good for three years and can be extended for another three
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After six years of working in the
U.S., the person must return home for one year prior to obtaining a new H-1B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">In
many cases workers can obtain permanent residence during that six year
period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To do that, the employer needs
to prove that no qualified American wants that job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is done through a complicated process
called “PERM”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The employer must recruit
for the position on line, in newspapers and among its workforce, and show those
recruitment efforts failed to locate an American qualified for the
position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TN Visas for Mexican
and Canadian citizens<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="body21" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There is a special visa
for Canadians and Mexicans that gives them an advantage over applicants from
other countries in obtaining such working visas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is called the“TN” visa and it allows
Canadians or Mexican citizens to come and work in the U.S. with less difficulty
than persons from other countries, provided they have the required training and
education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This visa was the subject of
a prior article in the Gazette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.sonomacountygazette.com/sonoma-county-news/a-special-visa-for-canadian-and-mexican-professionals/"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.sonomacountygazette.com/sonoma-county-news/a-special-visa-for-canadian-and-mexican-professionals/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;">************************************************************************<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>CHRISTOPHER A. KEROSKY of the law firm of KEROSKY & GALLELLI has
practiced law more than 25 years and has been recognized as one of the top
immigration lawyers in Northern California for 12 years by“Super Lawyers” <a href="http://www.superlawyers.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">www.SuperLawyers.com</i></a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p><a href="https://profiles.superlawyers.com/california/san-francisco/lawyer/christopher-a-kerosky/358dc9f1-b1c2-46b5-80cc-6e9610b1cd43.html">https://profiles.superlawyers.com/california/san-francisco/lawyer/christopher-a-kerosky/358dc9f1-b1c2-46b5-80cc-6e9610b1cd43.html</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p>He graduated from University of California, Berkeley Law School and was a
former counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C. His
firm has offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles and six other locations in
California. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">WARNING: The foregoing is an
article discussing legal issues. It is not intended to be a substitute for
legal advice. We recommend that you get competent legal advice specific to your
case. </b></em><o:p></o:p></p>K&G Law Abogados de Inmigraciónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12432844165698160322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-33257533141314887132022-03-03T21:48:00.006-08:002022-03-03T21:48:42.913-08:00UKRAINIANS GRANTED PROTECTED STATUS (TPS) BY BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_EKGIMbBfruEJFT3e3frRkyG9ROpCc4t3IjS7UVQpj1kb7lK65YY9ec09gMAvIjBUuy07z3EVJS7bQJKJf5dloFfJLgR_Kdoh_qkpe18COoNhk19MGVTTzJnExPFy4cA-vV6-sEk-xKnODCv7qbrtNgq-XuAEkm23oz2OA3bZI7EniCjWsskZC9jq=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1798" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_EKGIMbBfruEJFT3e3frRkyG9ROpCc4t3IjS7UVQpj1kb7lK65YY9ec09gMAvIjBUuy07z3EVJS7bQJKJf5dloFfJLgR_Kdoh_qkpe18COoNhk19MGVTTzJnExPFy4cA-vV6-sEk-xKnODCv7qbrtNgq-XuAEkm23oz2OA3bZI7EniCjWsskZC9jq=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Source Serif Pro",serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Thursday, the Department of Homeland
Security announced a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Ukrainians in
the U.S. This means all Ukrainians here since prior to March 1, 2022 can now
apply for protection from deportation and a work permit.</span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: var(--font-size-large); white-space: pre-wrap;">Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said </span><span style="font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: var(--font-size-large); white-space: pre-wrap;">the move was justified because of the dire conditions created by "Russia's </span><span style="font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: var(--font-size-large); white-space: pre-wrap;">premeditated and unprovoked attack."</span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: var(--font-size-large); white-space: pre-wrap;">Designed for nationals of countries beset by war, natural disasters or other emergencies, TPS is supposed to be temporary and </span><span style="font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: var(--font-size-large); white-space: pre-wrap;">does not allow beneficiaries to obtain permanent U.S. residency. </span><span style="font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: var(--font-size-large); white-space: pre-wrap;">The protected status will be granted for 18 months.</span><span style="font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: var(--font-size-large); white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: var(--font-size-large); white-space: pre-wrap;">In the past, the DHS has extended this status for other countries, and that could be the case for Ukraine as well.</span><span style="font-family: "Source Serif Pro", serif; font-size: var(--font-size-large); white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Source Serif Pro",serif; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">One can apply for TPS using USCIS form I-821.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-821">https://www.uscis.gov/i-821</a></span><span style="font-family: "Source Serif Pro",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>#TPSforUkrainians<p></p><p><br /></p>K&G Law Abogados de Inmigraciónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12432844165698160322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-42185896326494464172022-02-26T18:13:00.002-08:002022-02-27T08:10:34.591-08:00THE INVASION OF UKRAINE MAY JUSTIFY ASYLUM CLAIMS BY UKRAINIANS LIVING HERE IN U.S.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlCSpJ2cWKtpI7WySwweAfSC-Glb8Z7n6Ud5Vehoicr7iD5VaI3zjYDoqgUrlsqRUu37FGRhOlQAT0G8HgKRt2qES0k8s31Mrd-FTlh0YWniLJt0C7E1H_ZpKh2eA3K5-7J1VZtNbvTKbvoETr3jFf5UVZlsM8JBtGknLZVUOcMGeHd9s1gJ-T8OaU=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="686" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlCSpJ2cWKtpI7WySwweAfSC-Glb8Z7n6Ud5Vehoicr7iD5VaI3zjYDoqgUrlsqRUu37FGRhOlQAT0G8HgKRt2qES0k8s31Mrd-FTlh0YWniLJt0C7E1H_ZpKh2eA3K5-7J1VZtNbvTKbvoETr3jFf5UVZlsM8JBtGknLZVUOcMGeHd9s1gJ-T8OaU=w151-h176" width="151" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b> THE INVASION OF UKRAINE MAY JUSTIFY </b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>ASYLUM CLAIMS BY UKRAINIANS LIVING HERE IN U.S.</b></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: center;"><b>Asylum
Procedure Explained</b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: center;"><b><o:p> </o:p></b><b>By
Christopher Kerosky and <a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/attorney/liliana-gallelli-esq.html" target="_blank">Liliana Gallelli</a></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It is too early to tell what will
be ultimate outcome of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine but it’s probably clear
that the safety of activists for Ukrainian sovereignty and independence will be
less certain in the Ukraine as a result of this action by the Putin-controlled
regime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">For persons here from the Ukraine
who support their country’s independence this may open the possibility of
filing for asylum, if they can show they would now face persecution if returned
there.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Asylum cases that were denied can
be reopened by the filing of a motion to reopen with the immigration court or
the Board of Immigration Appeal based upon “new circumstances”.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The invasion of the Ukraine may justify such
a motion.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Even more so, visitors from the
Ukraine who fear persecution from a future Russian-controlled or Russian-influenced
government there may be eligible to file a claim here in the U.S. with the
Asylum Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This applies to Ukrainians living
here many years who still lack legal status.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p><b style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Procedure for Filing for Asylum
in the U.S.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p>Here is a
short summary of the procedure for seeking asylum for persons already living in
the U.S.:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Like a refugee,
an asylum applicant must prove that he or she has a “well-founded” fear of
persecution based on the same grounds, that is: race; religion; membership in a
social group; political opinion; or national origin.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">In most cases, an individual must apply for
asylum within one year of arriving in the U.S. but changed circumstances like
the invasion can provide a grounds for filing late.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.9pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.9pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The process
starts with an application sent to a CIS office which is the central receiving
location for asylum applications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the
applicant lives in Northern California, the file is then sent to the CIS asylum
office at 75 Hawthorne St., San Francisco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At some future point after applying, the applicant is given an
interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interviews are held at
the Hawthorne St. office and typically last about one hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The CIS has a well-trained staff who only
conduct asylum interviews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
confidential interviews are conducted by one CIS officer, who then makes a
recommendation to his superior to either approve or deny the application.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually, a decision is made on applications
two weeks after the interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.9pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">If the
application is approved, the immigrant is entitled to stay in the U.S. and
obtain similar “asylee” status for their spouse and minor children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one year, the successful applicant can
apply for permanent residence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.9pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">If an asylum application
is denied, the case is “referred” to Immigration Court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That process can take from 2-5 years,
depending upon the judge’s caseload and other factors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be a final court hearing where the
applicant will be allowed to present evidence and testimony again in support of
their case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The immigration judge
usually makes a decision at the conclusion of the hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.9pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">If the judge
denies the case, the applicant can appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals,
and then to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These appeals are often denied, but the
appeal process can take up to five years or even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.9pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">During this
process, the applicant is permitted to remain legally in the U.S. and their time
waiting is not considered time “out of status” for purposes of the law
penalizing persons out of status in the U.S. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">*****************************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://bit.ly/kgimmigrationlaw" target="_blank">K & G Immigration Law</a> offering legal representation for immigrants since 1988.</span></p>
<pre style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250);"><b style="background-color: transparent; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif;">WARNING: The foregoing is a
summary generally discussing legal issues. It is not intended to be a
substitute for legal advice. We recommend that you get competent legal advice
specific to your case before filing any application or petition.</span></i></b></pre></div>K&G Law Abogados de Inmigraciónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12432844165698160322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-55715754650653449552021-11-30T10:09:00.003-08:002021-11-30T12:39:47.905-08:00HERE’S THE LATEST ON IMMIGRATION REFORM<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZlMUgKaOoLCRDY3BIWLX9AjmeJXit3oXZJJ_fJJlHp3Unqpin5XusZ3QANeJ37lXTQMkpKiQNBjeplFuxkcg18sGqV_9jSxr8fq3q3pyO9ZRGZJH-g-RoEIYdHJpOz84gmR9hcvIZjEAtbO2dE-EHM_xnfxdCYxVFC0VJQv6_D_DL5XBNGiYlXQ0v=s630" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="630" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZlMUgKaOoLCRDY3BIWLX9AjmeJXit3oXZJJ_fJJlHp3Unqpin5XusZ3QANeJ37lXTQMkpKiQNBjeplFuxkcg18sGqV_9jSxr8fq3q3pyO9ZRGZJH-g-RoEIYdHJpOz84gmR9hcvIZjEAtbO2dE-EHM_xnfxdCYxVFC0VJQv6_D_DL5XBNGiYlXQ0v=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Congress of the U.S. is busily considering immigration reform legislation that
would impact the lives of many undocumented immigrants.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here’s an update:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: times;">The House of Representatives have now passed the Build Back Better
bill with an immigration “parole”
proposal that would help approximately 7.1 million undocumented and over 1
million Californian immigrants;</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: times;">Also, many would then be eligible to adjust their status to
a green card here without leaving the country; </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: times;">Basically, most everyone with an adult child born here then
could file for permanent residence who are now currently ineligible;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: times;">The parole option has to survive the judgment of the Senate
Parliamentarian that it is sufficiently related to the budget to pass with 51
votes through reconciliation;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: times;">If the Parliamentarian approves, this has a real chance; the
Democrats would just have to make sure all 50 of their own voted for it</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: times;">#<a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/" target="_blank">K&G Immigration Law</a> #CIR #ImmigrationReform</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Century, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Relevant
links:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">The
Democrats' Bill Could Change the Lives of More Than 7 Million Undocumented
Immigrants. </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://time.com/6111649/reconciliation-bill-immigration/"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">https://time.com/6111649/reconciliation-bill-immigration/</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2021/10/12/506301/including-immigration-parole-reconciliation-will-help-millions/"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2021/10/12/506301/including-immigration-parole-reconciliation-will-help-millions/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.rollcall.com/2021/11/03/divisions-among-democrats-threaten-immigration-plan/"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.rollcall.com/2021/11/03/divisions-among-democrats-threaten-immigration-plan/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/02/26/971793277/who-the-senate-parliamentarian-who-ruled-against-a-minimum-wage-increase">https://www.npr.org/2021/02/26/971793277/who-the-senate-parliamentarian-who-ruled-against-a-minimum-wage-increase</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.ppic.org/publication/undocumented-immigrants-in-california/">https://www.ppic.org/publication/undocumented-immigrants-in-california/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>K&G Law Abogados de Inmigraciónhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12432844165698160322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-65241045990960733402021-10-24T12:20:00.003-07:002021-11-13T20:04:23.398-08:00 Eliminación del sistema de cuotas para jueces de inmigración<p><a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/attorney/liliana-gallelli-esq.html" target="_blank"> <span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Liliana C. Gallelli, abogada de inmigración</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">(707) 433-2060 / liliana@legalkg.com</span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">La Administración Biden ha derogado el sistema métrico de la era Trump para evaluar el desempeño del juez de inmigración, en función de la cantidad de casos que el juez adjudicó por año. En ese sistema, la finalización de 700 casos por año se consideraría un desempeño "satisfactorio" por el juez. El nuevo memorando de política, publicado el 19 de octubre de 2021, ya se ha distribuido a los jueces de inmigración para su implementación inmediata.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Esta autora ha ido a juicio en cientos de casos ante un juez de inmigración y un caso debidamente escuchado presentado por el inmigrante, incluido el testimonio del inmigrante y de los testigos, por lo general toma alrededor de una audiencia de 4 a 10 horas (continúa en dos fechas). Luego, el juez debe emitir una decisión escrita de varias páginas, analizando cada elemento de la ley y todas las pruebas presentadas por las partes. El abogado generalmente tiene que escuchar al juez de inmigración emitir su decisión y generalmente toma más de una hora. Entonces, en promedio, la audiencia de cada individuo debería tomar al menos 5 horas. Los jueces de la era Trump tomaban decisiones en una hora, lo que necesariamente incluía tácticas como usurpar el testimonio directo del inmigrante y negar las solicitudes de testimonio de testigos. Por razones obvias, incluidos los principios del debido proceso, las políticas de inmigración de la era Trump generaron inmensas críticas de los jueces y defensores de la inmigración. Los jueces de inmigración argumentaron con razón que la política les quitó autoridad.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">"La Agencia está en el proceso de desarrollar nuevas medidas de desempeño, basándose en medidas pasadas exitosas y aportes apropiados, que reflejarán con precisión la carga de trabajo de un juez de inmigración. Estas nuevas medidas de desempeño se enfocarán en el equilibrio y la equidad para los diversos tipos de asignaciones de expedientes ", dice el memorando del martes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES" style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">La presidenta del sindicato de jueces de inmigración, Mimi Tsankov, declaró en respuesta que "La suspensión de las métricas es un excelente primer paso ... Ahora esperamos la oportunidad de que la gerencia reconozca al sindicato de la Asociación Nacional de Jueces de Inmigración y trabaje con nosotros para establecer las medidas adecuadas. para que la agencia evalúe su productividad y garantice el debido proceso para las partes ante nosotros y los propios jueces ".</span><span lang="ES-AR" style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="ES-AR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> *************************************************************************</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://bit.ly/lilianagallelli" target="_blank">La abogada Liliana Gallelli</a> ejerce la abogacía desde 2004, se especializa en inmigración y actualmente es socia del bufete de abogados Kerosky & Gallelli. Todos los aspectos de la inmigración, incluida la defensa contra la deportación, el asilo, las peticiones familiares, la naturalización y las visas de negocios. También eliminación de antecedentes penales. Para comunicarse con la Sra. Gallelli, envíe un correo electrónico a liliana@legalkg.com. El contenido de este artículo no pretende ser un consejo legal. Abogado de inmigración (Liliana@legalkg.com)</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="http://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/" style="background: transparent; color: #32e1f4; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">www.kgimmigrationlaw.com</a>, 707-433-2060, info@legalkg.com</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Copyright, Liliana Gallelli, Esq. </span></span></p><div><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></span></div>KG Immigration Law Blog – Latest Immigration Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15807956709247172387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-73434785663302116682021-10-24T12:17:00.004-07:002021-11-13T20:03:58.589-08:00Quota System for Immigration Judges Eliminated<p> By <b style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><u><a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/attorney/liliana-gallelli-esq.html" target="_blank">Liliana C. Gallelli, Immigration Attorney</a><o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"></p><p style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="color: black;">(707) 433-2060 / liliana@legalkg.com</span><o:p></o:p></u></b></p><p style="background: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333;">The Biden Administration has repealed the Trump era metric system for evaluating Immigration Judge’s performance, based on how many cases the judge adjudicated per year. In that system, a completion of 700 cases per year would be deemed a “satisfactory” performance by the judge. The new policy memorandum, released October 19, 2021, has already been disseminated to Immigration Judges for immediate implementation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333;">This author has gone to trial in hundreds of cases before an immigration judge and a properly heard case presented by the immigrant, including the immigrant’s and witness testimony, usually takes about a 4-10 hour hearing (continued over two dates). Then, the judge must render a multiple page written decision, analyzing each element of the law and all the evidence submitted by the parties. Counsel usually has to sit and listen to the immigration judge render his or her decision and it usually takes over an hour. So, on average, each individual’s hearing should take at least 5 hours. Trump era judges were rendering decisions within an hour, which necessarily included tactics such as usurping direct testimony from the immigrant and denying requests for witness testimony. For obvious reasons, including due process principles, the Trump-era immigration policies drew immense criticism from immigration judges and advocates. Immigration judges rightfully argued that the policy took away from their authority.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333;">"The Agency is in the process of developing new performance measures, drawing from past successful measures and appropriate input, that will accurately reflect the workload of an immigration judge. These new performance measures will focus on balance and equity for the various types of docket assignments," the Tuesday memo reads. </span><span style="color: #333333; text-align: start;">The president of the immigration judge union, Mimi Tsankov, stated in response that "Suspension of the metrics is an excellent first step…We now await the opportunity for management to recognize the National Association of Immigration Judges union and work with us to establish appropriate measures for the agency to assess its productivity and ensure due process for the parties before us and judges themselves."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">******************************************************************************</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/attorney/liliana-gallelli-esq.html" style="background: transparent; color: #32e1f4; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Liliana C. Gallelli</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://bit.ly/lilianagallelli" target="_blank">Attorney Liliana Gallelli</a> has been practicing law since 2004, focusing in immigration law and currently a partner at the law firm Kerosky & Gallelli. All aspects of immigration including deportation defense, asylum, family petitions, naturalization and business visas. Also elimination of criminal record. To contact Ms. Gallelli, please email liliana@legalkg.com. The content of this article is not intended to be legal advice.</span><span style="color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <a href="http://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com" target="_blank">www.kgimmigrationlaw.com</a>, 707-433-2060, attorney@legalkg.com</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Copyright Immigration Attorney (Liliana@legalkg.com)</span></p><p><br /></p>KG Immigration Law Blog – Latest Immigration Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15807956709247172387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-86369900538694052882021-06-21T12:57:00.001-07:002021-11-13T20:05:46.878-08:00NUEVA POLÍTICA SOBRE PARA DACA Y EL CAMINO A UNA TARJETA VERDE<p><b><u><span style="font-family: Century, serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nuevas
políticas de DACA por la Administración Biden</span></span></u></b></p><p> <b><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">By
Christopher Kerosky y <a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/attorney/liliana-gallelli-esq.html" target="_blank">Liliana Gallelli</a></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Los
Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los EE. UU. brindaron orientación
sobre cómo implementar nuevas políticas con respecto a la Acción Diferida para
los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA):</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">•
USCIS ahora aceptará todas las solicitudes iniciales de DACA de ciudadanos
extranjeros que nunca antes hayan recibido DACA</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">•
USCIS volverá a otorgar autorizaciones de empleo durante dos años en lugar de
un año.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">•
USCIS otorgará permiso anticipado para viajar fuera de los Estados Unidos a los
beneficiarios de DACA como lo hizo entre 2014-2017</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">PRECAUCIÓN:
NO VIAJE SIN UN PERMISO DE VIAJAR PREAPROBADO.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><u><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Solicitud de Ajuste de Estado Legal como Residente,
luego de haber viajado al exterior con Advance Parole</span></u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Advance Parole permite a muchos beneficiarios de
DACA la posibilidad de ajustar su estado legal como residentes aquí en los
Estados Unidos, sin necesitar ningún “perdón” o proceso consular en el
exterior. Por ejemplo, se aplicaría a un beneficiario de DACA que esté casado
con un ciudadano americano.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Esto significa que si el beneficiario de DACA
viaja al exterior y regresa con un permiso de Advance Parole, él o ella podrían
aplicar para ajustar su estado legal como residente permanente en los Estados
Unidos. El ajuste de estado legal dentro del país es mucho más rápido y simple
que el procedimiento del “perdón” (el cual frecuentemente era denegado) o que
el largo proceso consular de tener que viajar a un Consulado en el exterior,
como a Ciudad Juárez por ejemplo.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ahora, los beneficiarios de DACA que tengan un
esposo/a estadounidense, pueden aplicar para su residencia legal permanente en
San Francisco y generalmente obtener una decisión dentro de un aňo luego de
aplicar. Ya hubo casos de beneficiarios de DACA que pudieron ajustar su estado
legal con éxito, luego de viajar al exterior con el permiso de viaje o Advance
Parole.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Por supuesto, cualquier persona que esté
pensando en viajar al exterior o aplicar para ajustar su estado legal como
residente permanente, debe buscar asesoramiento legal competente, antes de
iniciar cualquier proceso</span><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Century",serif;">************************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><i><span lang="ES-SV" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">ADVERTENSIA: El artículo
anterior que trata temas legales, no pretende ser sustituto de asesoramiento
legal, le recomendamos que obtenga asesoramiento legal competente para su caso
específico.</span></i></b> </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></p>KG Immigration Law Blog – Latest Immigration Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15807956709247172387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3416559730676821396.post-37957239800830998332021-06-07T12:59:00.004-07:002021-11-13T20:06:50.510-08:00New Biden Administration Policy On Initial DACA Applications, Advance Parole (Right To Travel) For DACA And The Path To A Green Card<p><b><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">WHO
CAN APPLY FOR DACA NOW, AND WHO CAN TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND HOW?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Biden Administration has provided guidance on how to
implement new policies regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Century, serif; font-size: 12pt;">USCIS will now accept all initial DACA
requests from foreign nationals who have never previously received DACA</span><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">USCIS will
return to granting employment authorizations for two years rather than one
year. </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;" type="disc">
<li><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">USCIS
will grant advance parole for travel outside the United States to DACA
recipients as they did between 2014-2017</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">CAUTION:
DO NOT TRAVEL WITHOUT A PRE-APPROVED TRAVEL PERMIT.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Request
for Adjustment of Legal Status as a Resident, after having traveled abroad with
Advance Parole</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Advance
Parole allows many DACA recipients the ability to adjust their legal status as
residents here in the United States, without requiring any "pardon"
or consular processing abroad. For example, it would apply to a DACA recipient
who is married to an American citizen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
means that if the DACA recipient travels abroad and returns with an Advance
Parole permit, he or she could apply to adjust her legal status as a permanent
resident of the United States. The adjustment of legal status within the
country is much faster and simpler than the “pardon” procedure (which was
frequently denied) or the long consular process of having to travel to a
Consulate abroad, such as Ciudad Juárez for example.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Century, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now,
DACA recipients with a US spouse can apply for legal permanent residence in San
Francisco and generally get a decision within a year of applying. There have
already been cases of DACA recipients who were able to adjust their legal
status successfully, after traveling abroad with the travel permit or Advance
Parole.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Of
course, anyone who is thinking of traveling abroad or applying to adjust their
legal status as a permanent resident, should seek competent legal advice,
before starting any process.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Century, serif;"><b>Authors: </b></span><span style="font-family: Century, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.kgimmigrationlaw.com/attorney/liliana-gallelli-esq.html" target="_blank">LilianaGallelli</a><b> </b>(Immigration Attorney at K & G Law, LLP)<b> </b>and Christopher Kerosky (Top Immigration Attorney and Guest Blogger for K & G Immigration Law Blog) </span></p>KG Immigration Law Blog – Latest Immigration Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15807956709247172387noreply@blogger.com