Is 2014 the year immigration reform becomes a reality?

An immigration reform bill has passed in the Senate. As it awaits action in the House, many groups are ramping up their outreach, education, and activism efforts to make sure the subject stays top of mind for members of Congress and the American people. The American Immigration Lawyers Associatio...

January 28, 2014

Immigration Attorney Pleads Guilty to Bribing an Immigration Official

Client Also Pleads Guilty to Immigration Fraud Release Date: December 16, 2013 BALTIMORE – Attorney Kiran Dewan, age 59, of Woodbine, Md., pleaded guilty Dec. 13, 2013, to bribery, and one of his clients, Mohammad Khan, age 58, of Baltimore, also pleaded guilty to immigration fraud. The pleas w...

January 15, 2014

Workload Transfer from the Vermont Service Center to the California Service Center

Release Date: December 23, 2013 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently began transferring some extension of stay casework from the Vermont Service Center to the California Service Center to balance workloads. The affected casework includes the following form: I-129, Petition ...

January 15, 2014

USCIS Extends Relief Measures for Filipino Typhoon Victims

Release Date: January 14, 2014 WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds those affected by Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines on Nov. 8, 2013, of agency efforts to provide relief to victims of the typhoon. Filipino nationals in the United States should visi...

January 15, 2014

AILA Resources on 2014 Immigration Reform (Updated 1/8/14)

On June 27, 2013 the Senate, in a 68-32 vote, successfully passed S. 744, the "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act." (AILA Doc. No. 13041760.) Now all eyes have turned to the House of Representatives, specifically Republican leadership: Speaker John Boehner (R-OH...

January 13, 2014

BIA Remands to Consider Eligibility for Provisional Waiver Despite Criminal Convictions

Unpublished BIA decision vacates denial of voluntary departure and remands to consider whether respondent with theft and DUI convictions is eligible for provisional unlawful presence waiver (Form I-601A). (Matter of Velasco, 11/14/13) Special thanks to IRAC. AILA Doc. No. 14011046....

January 13, 2014

BALCA Upholds Denial in Case Involving “On the Job” Experience

BALCA upheld the CO’s denial where the employee gained part of the required experience for the position while on the job with the employer, but the employer failed to articulate the difference in positions on the ETA 9089. (Matter of Maxim Integrated Products, 1/6/14) AILA Doc. No. 14011047....

January 13, 2014

Rome District Chapter Practice Alert – Visas for Same-Sex Spouses

Rome District Chapter Practice Advisory October 6, 2013 The American Embassy in London held an information session on visas for same-sex spouses on September 25, 2013. The meeting was led by David C. Stewart, Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs. The following is a list of key poi...

October 9, 2013

House Democrats Unveil Comprehensive Immigration Reform Proposal

October 2, 2013 Washington D.C. - Today, in an important effort to keep the conversation and momentum on immigration reform moving forward in the House, a group of centrist Democrats introduced their version of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. Although...

October 7, 2013

First Circuit Holds That Immigrants Can Pursue Cases From Outside the United States

Released on Tue, Oct 01, 2013 Washington, D.C. - Last week, the First Circuit Court of Appeals held that individuals who have been deported must have the opportunity to pursue motions to reopen their cases from outside the United States. A motion to reopen is an important procedural safeguard th...

October 3, 2013

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