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Immigration Posts

On Saturday, February 13th, the United States Supreme Court unexpectedly lost its longest serving Associate Justice.  Antonin Scalia was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, and was known as a staunchly conservative "originalist" when it came to interpreting the Constitution.  By all accounts he was brilliant, combative, funny, and relentlessly ideological.  There has been a slew of remembrances of his life and analyses of his judicial career, highlighting his accomplishments and reflecting that his forceful personality resulted in strong opinions about him, across the political and legal spectrum.  As we tend to do here, though, we will look briefly at the potential effects of Justice Scalia's passing on immigration jurisprudence.

With the gift-giving part of the holiday season having just passed, many of us are enjoying our presents, relaxing with family, and reflecting on the highs and lows of the past year.  In the midst of the season of giving and good cheer, however, the federal government's Department of Homeland Security seems to have donned its Grinch hat.  As the Washington Post has reported, "The Department of Homeland Security has begun preparing for a series of raids that would target for deportation hundreds of families who have flocked to the United States since the start of last year . . . ."  For the most part, these families have fled indescribably violent and volatile conditions in Central America, seeking safe haven in the United States.  Their plight of some of these families was front-page news, until the unaccompanied minor and Syrian refugee crisis took center-stage, the latter fueled in part by loud rhetoric on the part of some presidential candidates, particularly in the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino.

In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks on November 13, 2015, U.S. officials have announced some changes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  The VWP allows citizens of designated countries to travel to the United States as temporary visitors (for up to 90 days) without going through the formal visa application process.  VWP travelers are subject to strict conditions on the terms of their U.S. visits, including being ineligible to extend their 90-day stay, being prohibited from changing status, and waiving all rights to challenge removal/deportation if they do violate the conditions of their admission to the U.S. Visa Waiver visitors are also screened in advance via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

On Friday, November 13, 2015, the city of Paris suffered a coordinated terrorist strike.  The group known alternately as ISIS, ISIL, or Daesh has claimed responsibility for nearly 130 deaths and 340 injuries, in what it characterizes as a fundamentalist Islamic crusade against Western culture and civilization.  Its mission, motives, and mandate are complex and - to a large extent - misunderstood.  For a thoughtful attempt at an explanation, see "What ISIS Really Wants", published by The Atlantic in March of this year.

Last night, Fox Business News hosted the fourth Republican primary debate, held in Milwaukee, the largest city in the perceived 2016 swing state of Wisconsin.  Eight candidates took to the stage, a departure from the double-digit podium presences seen in the first three exchanges.  With current polling defying much of the conventional electoral wisdom, the candidates continue to seek to set themselves apart from one another. 

Last night, the New Hampshire Union Leader convened 14 of the declared 17 republican presidential candidates at what might best be called a "pre-debate debate".  In an anticipatory response to Fox News' decision to limit its own initial GOP debate - to be televised on August 5th - to the top ten candidates as gauged by national polls, The Union Leader organized the event in the First-In-The-Nation primary state.  The debate was televised live by C-Span, and was also broadcast on local stations in early-voting states such as Iowa and South Carolina.

As expected, the Republican presidential primary field continues to grow.  And with that growth comes each candidate's efforts to garner some attention, mostly in an effort to distinguish him or herself from the rest of the crowded field.

Breaking news from USCIS and DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson:

From our main offices in Manchester, New Hampshire, we have a front-row seat to the campaign for the presidential nomination in 2016.  Even though the primary is still eight months away, declared and undeclared candidates are streaming through the state, making speeches, holding events, shaking hands. Rumor has it that some are kissing babies, but we have not seen that personally.  And, while electing the next President of the United States is important for myriad reasons, the fate of comprehensive immigration reform is at the top of the list.

We have received notice from USCIS regarding additional options for all Nepalese citizens and nationals impacted by the earthquake.  See below  We remain committed to offering free case consultations to anyone affected by the devastation in Nepal, so do not hesitate to call us at +1-, or e-mail to [email protected].