In the United States, you have the right to request important information from the federal government under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As an individual working through the process of becoming an American citizen, you could be required to use this right at some point, especially if you run into legal issues when applying for... READ MORE
How to Succeed in Los Angeles: Tips for Latinos
Moving to a new country is a significant milestone in your life. After working through the complicated processes of getting your paperwork in order, starting a job, and finding a house or apartment, you will likely find yourself still dealing with the struggles of assimilating to a new culture. Minor issues, such as difficulties related... READ MORE
DAPA hits the Supreme Court: an immigration lawyer’s analysis
Deferred Action, Immigration Law
For immigration lawyers and millions of people in the U.S. hoping and dreaming for DAPA and other immigration options, this summer’s expected Supreme Court decision will be profoundly life-changing. Background on the DAPA case In 2013, the Senate passed S.744, a bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill that would have taken steps toward fixing a number... READ MORE
2016: The Year Ahead in Immigration Law
Presidential Election We’re in an election year and this election will have a big impact on immigration policy. The presidential campaigns are already going strong, and they’ve been pretty unusual and unpredictable so far. On the Republican side, immigration has become a central issue in their campaigns. A number of the candidates have been speaking... READ MORE
Five Resume Tips for U.S. Immigrants
One of the first things you will probably do once you are in the United States is look for work. The job search process differs from country to country and once you begin your search in the United States, you might find that you are not receiving calls back or job offers. This could be... READ MORE
Man Convicted For Unlawful Procurement of Citizenship
A Pakistani man who now resides in Columbus, Ohio, was convicted last month (in January of 2016) of unlawful procurement of U.S. citizenship by a United States District Court jury. The charges assessed accused the man, one Maqsood Haroon, age 41, of making false statements throughout the naturalization process. Fraudulent Statements Made As stated above,... READ MORE
L.A. Religious Groups Reach Out to Immigrants
In many religions, such as Catholicism, offering sanctuary to those in need is a key tenet. Now, religious groups throughout the United States are offering aid and sanctuary to recent immigrants from Central America. This is in response to the current wave of anti-undocumented immigrant sentiment sweeping through the United States accompanied by federal raids conducted... READ MORE
Central American Families Rounded Up By ICE Agents
The wave of immigration into the United States, particularly from Central American countries, has come to a head: after a national enforcement action to target minors was issued, 121 Central American adults and children were tracked down and rounded up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents the first weekend of January 2016, made... READ MORE
Ted Cruz and Immigration: What to Expect if He Wins the Election
If there is one topic that Ted Cruz has flip-flopped on, it is that of immigration. Despite his extremely conservative ways, immigration is one issue that Mr. Cruz has always held a softer position on. In fact, the Texan has been a long-time advocate for expanding avenues for legal immigration into the United States, particularly... READ MORE
The Rights of (Transgender) Persons When Held in Immigration Detention Facilities Often Overlooked
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, transgender women who are held in detention facilities suffer from sexual assault at approximately nine to 10 times the rate of other detained persons. In fact, transgender persons comprise one out of every five cases of sexual abuse while in Immigration Customs & Enforcement (ICE) Custody. Transgender women... READ MORE
