VISANOW-retained attorneys have worked with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applicants who have mistakenly believed that they entered the U.S. without permission.
VISANOW-retained attorneys have worked with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applicants who have mistakenly believed that they entered the U.S. without permission.
We hear it every day: "I want to apply for DACA, but I'm afraid I'll be denied because I have a criminal record. What do I do?"
Last week, the Senate "Gang of Eight officially released their proposal for comprehensive immigration reform. Immigrants and immigration advocates are already discussing the possibility of a new path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, but it is important to remember that no new immigration laws have passed yet.
Topics: Deferred Action (DACA) Updates, Immigration Reform Updates, Immigration Blog
1.76 million undocumented immigrants are estimated to qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) since the bill was passed in June 2012, but a majority of those 1.76 million have not taken the steps to apply for this opportunity to live in the United States without fear of deportation. Many have not yet applied because of fears surrounding the application and approval process. We outlined many of the fears about applying to DACA previously on our blog.
After months of congressional and industry negotiations behind closed doors, details regarding the proposed immigration reform bill are finally being revealed. Of course, nothing is set in stone and the terms of immigration reform could change significantly by the time a bill is passed and signed (if that even occurs). With that in mind, below are significant changes that will affect our clients and foreign national employees.
Topics: Immigration Reform Updates, Work-Based Visas, Immigration Blog
by Caroline Tang, VISANOW's Senior Manager of Legal Services
Topics: Work-Based Visas, Personal and Family Visas, Immigration Blog
Sure, the tech industry has a vested interest in immigration reform due to the amount of high-skilled STEM workers that its fast-paced industry needs. But in a lightning-fast and electronic industry, Mark Zuckerberg has succeeded in reminding us how personal the immigration issue really is.
On June 15, 2012 Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano announced that undocumented individuals who arrived in the U.S. prior to their 16th birthday may apply for deferred action as long as all requirements are met. For a list of requirements, please refer to our previous blog post written by Jennifer Zimberg, esq. Deferred action essentially acts as a "get out of jail free card for a two-year period, providing relief from removal from the country or from entering into removal proceedings for undocumented individuals who qualify. It also provides work authorization. The question is, what happens after these two years pass?
As in many highly-charged debates, we've heard some extreme views both for and against immigration reform. And, like other political and social movements in U.S. history, there is truth to both sides of the issue.