The American Immigration Council Immigration Policy Center recently published a report on the the serious under-funding of US immigration courts and the overall lack of immigration judges.  (the full report is entitled “Empty Benches: Underfunding of Immigration Courts Undermines Justice” available at immigration policy.org) The report shed light on some slightly disturbing facts regarding the lack of funding towards the...

Today is April 1, 2015 and aside from being April Fool’s Day, it marks the opening of USCIS’s acceptance of H-1B visa petitions for the 2016 fiscal year. For those of you who are not familiar with the H-1B non-immigrant visa, it is limited to people who have, at minimum, a US bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent who will then work in a ‘specialty occupation’ in the US for a period not to exceed six years.  A...

On February 15, 2015 a Federal judge in Texas blocked President Obama’s executive action provisions regarding DAPA and expanded DACA.  While this is extremely disappointing, it is not the end of the road.  These is an interim decision and not a final law.  While this temporary injunction did delay the start date of expanded DACA and potentially also DAPA, it did not cancel or refute these executive actions.  The judge’s decision...

One of the President’s executive actions on immigration announced November 20, 2014 included an “expanded” form of DACA or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.  The new criteria for the expanded DACA are: 1. Entered the USA prior to reaching age 16; 2. Entered the USA before and maintained physical presence since 1/1/2010 ; 3. Have a high school diploma, GED or currently in school; and 4. Have no disqualifying criminal...

As the good news of President Obama’s executive action circulates through immigrant communities, something sinister is also growing-notario fraud.  “Notarios” are often people who hold themselves out to be immigration specialists or even immigration attorneys but lack the credentials and certifications.  They target immigrant communities, promising them cheaper, faster and better service and results.  Sadly, this is almost...