Reform/New Laws

Somalia Protected Status has Been Extended.

May 20, 2012 By Tom Jr.

On May 1^st (2012), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the people of Somalia has been extended. Conditions in the country place the people of Somalia in jeopardy; thus, the TPS will continue through March 17, 2014. This is an 18-month extension.

Continuing Armed Conflict and Drought Cited as Basis for TPS Extension

The DHS explains, “[t]he extension of the current Somalia TPS designation is due to the continued disruption of living conditions in the country based upon extraordinary and temporary conditions that prompted the U.S. Attorney General’s re-designation of Somalia for TPS on Sept. 4, 2001. The Secretary’s re-designation is based on ongoing armed conflict and the worsening of the extraordinary and temporary conditions, including the effects of the recent severe drought in Somalia.”

Somali National Reregistration May 1 through July 2, 2012

If you are a Somali national in the U.S. based upon TPS, you must re-register to maintain this status through March 17, 2014. Consult with a qualified immigration attorney to determine if you qualify. Only about 250 people will qualify.

Former Somali Resident Registration and Re-Designation May 1 through October 29, 2012

If you are not a Somali national but have habitually resided in Somalia, you can apply for re-designation through October 29, 2012. This will provide you protection under TPS through March 17, 2014. Consult with a qualified immigration attorney to determine if you qualify. Only about 1,000 people will qualify.

Filing Fees May be Waived

Applicants can apply to have filing fees waived by submitting a written request or by filing Form I-912. If neither a waiver request nor the fees are submitted, applications will be rejected.

Where to Get Qualified Immigration Law Legal Help

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages eligible individuals to re-register or re-designate TPS as soon as possible.

If you are from Somalia or have lived in Somalia, consult with a qualified immigration lawyer to determine whether you qualify for the TPS extension. We focus our practice on immigration law and help people just like you every day.

Your next step is to contact our office: 513-791-1673 or Thomasjr@geygan.com. We will walk you through your immigration issues and the process, guiding you, filling out all the forms on your behalf, and, even aggressively representing you in court and before the Department of State, if need be.

Filed Under: Immigration, Reform/New Laws

New Policy Means Fewer Deportations

May 19, 2012 By Tom Jr.

On Friday, April 27, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security announced that fewer illegal immigrants stopped for traffic violations will be deported. Why? Because holding illegal immigrants stopped for minor traffic violations is not an efficient use of state and local community funds and undermines trust relationships between local police officers and the community.

Minor Traffic Violations Raise Red Flag

It’s never been the case that an individual would actually be deported for minor traffic violations, but in the past, such arrests have raised a red flag and brought illegal immigrants to the attention of federal authorities who would then start the deportation process.

Goal, Deport Foreigners Convicted of Serious Crimes and Repeat Immigration Law Violators

When time, energy, and funds are used to deport foreigners arrested for minor traffic violations, there are less of the same to deport those convicted of serious crimes.

The Department of Homeland Security says that those convicted of serious crimes threaten public safety; therefor, the focus must be on deporting these criminals as well as repeat immigration law violators.

Note: Drunk driving is considered to be a serious crime and not a minor traffic violation.

What this Change in Policy Means

The New York Times explains, now, “[u]nder the refinement, when illegal immigrants are arrested solely for traffic offenses and do not have a prior criminal record, federal agents will only consider placing a hold — known as a detainer — after they are convicted.” In most cases, those arrested of minor traffic violations are released before they are convicted.

Under the new Department of Homeland Security policy, there will be no more deportations prompted by driving without a license, running a red light or stop sign, speeding, or burned-out tail lights.

Get Legal Help Immediately; Consult with a Qualified Immigration Attorney

If you have been arrested for a serious crime or immigration violation or are threatened with deportation, get legal help immediately. Though minor traffic violations may not stir an investigation, more serious crimes or immigration violations will. Always consult with a qualified immigration attorney.

Even if you have consulted with a criminal defense attorney, if your immigration status is in question, you need a qualified immigration attorney as well. You can reach our immigration law offices at (513) 793-6555, or by email thomasjr@geygan.com. Our office is located in the Kenwood area of Cincinnati. Your next step is to contact us now.

Filed Under: Deportation & Removal, Immigration, Immigration Court, Reform/New Laws

TPS granted to Syria

March 30, 2012 By Tom Jr.

Eligible Syrian nationals in the United States may begin the application process

Due to the violent upheaval and deteriorating situation in the Syrian Arab Republic (Syria), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that eligible Syrian nationals (and persons without nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) in the United States may apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Details and procedures for applying for TPS are provided in the Federal Register notice published today and are available at www.uscis.gov/tps.

On March 23, 2012, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced her intent to designate Syria for TPS for eighteen months. The TPS designation for Syria is effective today and will remain in effect through September 30, 2013. The designation means that eligible Syrian nationals will not be removed from the United States, and may request employment authorization. The 180-day TPS registration period begins today and ends on September 25, 2012. Although the Federal Register notice erroneously states that TPS applications must be filed March 29, 2012 through September 30, 2013, USCIS will only accept applications filed through September 25, 2012. USCIS is working to correct the public information on the registration deadlilne date.

To be eligible for TPS, Syrians must meet all individual requirements for TPS, including demonstrating that they have continually resided and been continually physically present in the United States since March 29, 2012. All individuals who apply for TPS will undergo a thorough security check. Individuals with criminal records or who pose a threat to national security are not eligible for TPS and their applications will be denied.

If you would like more information on this benefit, please fill out the form below:

Syria joins El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan as countries currently designated for TPS.

Filed Under: Immigration, Reform/New Laws

USCIS Announcement on Immigration Waivers and Warning About Scams

February 24, 2012 By Tom Jr.

USCIS has issued an announcement, reminding people that there has not been a final rule to allow the filing of an I-601 waiver, for unlawful presence, inside the United States, yet. Under the laws of the United States, USCIS must publish the final rule in the Federal Register specifying the start date of the new rule.

The announcement goes on to warn the public that any application requesting this waiver, filed before the final rule is effective will be rejected. USCIS warns of unscrupulous individuals who are scamming people by claiming they can file now. USCIS has a web page to warn about these and other scams. Please click here to see USCIS’s web page.

If you would like to automatically receive email updates of the status of this rule, please click here and we will email you updates as they become available.

Filed Under: Family Visas, Green Card, Immigration, Reform/New Laws, Waiver

2 Significant Parts of Draconian Alabama Immigration Law Blocked

October 19, 2011 By Tom Jr.

You may have seen headlines or heard about Alabama’s new draconian immigration law on the news. We’ve addressed the new law in several of our blog articles. Alabama’s immigration law makes the news again because a court has blocked enforcement of two significant parts of the law. The United States Justice Department continues to fight the law in court.

The New York Times reports, “The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit issued a preliminary injunction against a section of the law that requires schools to determine the immigration status of children who are enrolling, as well as the status of their parents. It also blocked a section making it a state crime for illegal immigrants not to carry registration documents.”

Alabama and other states such as Arizona, Georgia, Utah, Indiana, Kansas, Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia have struggled with immigration laws because Congress has, thus far, failed to pass a workable immigration law. Most state laws are directed at making life difficult with illegal immigrants; but, they often backfire.

For example, as predicted, there has been an exodus of workers from Alabama; and, also as predicted, American workers have not stepped up in their place; food is rotting in the fields. This has happened in state after state. What will happen to food prices? Unfortunately, state lawmakers, feeling the pressure from constitutes and having no good answers, pass laws that enforce an already broken immigration system, instead of developing an immigration system that works. But, as in Alabama, jails are full; what are the police to do with everyone they arrest?

CNN reports, “And in Utah, politicians, business leaders, law enforcement and faith groups came together to enact legislation that went beyond enforcement only.” Though still controversial on implementation details, Utah is developing a state guest worker system which provides that legal immigrants can be hired when there are not enough American workers to fill the job. Illegal immigrant workers are replaced under this system.

Where to Get Help with Immigration Issues

We focus our practice on immigration law, current immigration policies, and helping people just like you, every day. We will listen to your concerns and answer your questions; you are not alone.

Your next step is to contact our office: 513-791-1673;or Thomasjr@geygan.com. We will gently walk you through your immigration issues, guiding you and your family, and even aggressively representing you in court and before the Department of State, as needed.