Author: SCwpadmin

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 94 Comments

Can You Pass the Citizenship Exam?

When a foreign national seeks to become a United States citizen they must apply for naturalization (the process by which U.S. citizenship is conferred to a noncitizen), attend an interview before Citizenship and Immigration Services, and pass the citizenship exam.  This citizenship exam consists of 100 possible questions of our country’s history, government, and civics.  To pass, a person much answer six out of ten questions correctly, or earn a 60%.

Earlier this month, Arizona became the first state in the nation to pass legislation requiring its high school students to pass the citizenship exam before they are allowed to graduate.  Several other states are following Arizona’s lead:  “North Dakota’s House of Representatives has passed a comparable bill, and its Senate approved it Tuesday; legislators in Indiana, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and seven other states have recently introduced similar initiatives.”  See how well you can do on the test by taking a mock test here.

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 46 Comments

Colorado Lawmakers Vote Against Noncitizen Drivers’ License Program

The Joint Budget Committee voted Wednesday against granting extended funding for DMV offices to issue driver’s licenses to noncitizens.  Prior to the vote, five out of the state’s fifty-six DMV offices were able to issue noncitizens driver’s licenses.  Now, after the Joint Budget Committee’s refusal to continue funding, only one office in the State of Colorado will maintain the ability to do so.  The Department of Revenue, which administers the DMV, will provide additional information about which office will administer noncitizen driver’s licenses and how noncitizens should go about applying for a license in the near future.

“The Denver Post estimated that the dearth of offices and the state’s decision to offer appointment-only slots to apply for the licenses meant some of the 150,000 in Colorado seeking the licenses would have to wait more than four years. With only one office offering the service, that wait could jump to more than 16 years.”

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin No Comments

Bipartisan Senate Bill Seeks Immigration Reform for the Technology Sector

A bipartisan team of Senators introduced a bill that addresses the continually growing need for skilled and highly-educated workers in the United States’ technological industry.  Specifically, this legislation highlights the increasing demand for workers in the tech field and put forth complaints from employers in Silicon Valley stating that our current immigration law “prevents them from bringing into the U.S. enough skilled programmers to keep up with the demand.”  This bill, known as the “Immigration Innovation Act,” aims to ensure that the best and brightest come to the United States to work and study are allowed to stay in the United States so that they can contribute in a meaningful way to our economy.

While a similar bill was introduced but failed to move through Congress in 2013, this bipartisan group of Senators and tech employers are hopeful that this legislation will initiate the process of bringing immigration law into the twenty-first century.

At present, H-1B visas are capped at 65,000 each year.  Under the Immigration Innovation Act, the annual cap for high-skilled H-1B workers would jump to 195,000 (dependent upon demand) and spouses of H-1B workers would be able to apply for work authorization.

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 24 Comments

Temporary Protected Status Extended for El Salvador Until September 9, 2016

TPS may be granted to foreign nationals who are present in the United States when disaster hits their home country or when conditions in their home country prevent safe return.  TPS is granted for temporary conditions such as civil war and/or armed conflict and environmental disasters.

While a foreign national holds TPS, he or she:

  • may not be removed from the United States;
  • may apply for employment authorization; and
  • may be granted travel authorization.

TPS is a temporary grant of lawful immigration status in the United States that does not lead to citizenship, permanent residence, or any other immigration status.

If you are in the United States pursuant to TPS for El Salvador you are required to re-register during a 60 day period from January 7, 2015 until March 9, 2015.  Contact our office today if you need assistance with re-registering your TPS.  Also, if you believe you may qualify for TPS but have never applied, you may be eligible to file a late application.  Call to schedule a consultation with a Stern & Curray attorney.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 66 Comments

Ken Stern & Emily White Named Top Lawyers by 5280 Magazine

We are proud to share that partners Ken Stern and Emily Assunta White were named in the “Top Lawyers 2015” list in the field of Immigration Law by 5280 Magazine.

For those unfamiliar with how the list is generated, votes are collected from thousands of fellow attorneys before 5280 conducts further research and interviews to determine who makes the final cut.

Congratulations, Ken and Emily, for this well-deserved honor!

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 244 Comments

Emily Assunta White Becomes Partner

IMG_3917Stern & Curray is delighted to announce that Emily Assunta White has become a Partner. Emily joined the firm in 2010 and has managed the removal defense and family immigration practices since that time. She leads an experienced team in representing clients before the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Administrative Appeals Office, and at consulates abroad. Emily frequently presents cases for Cancellation of Removal, Adjustment of Status, Immigrant Visa Processing, waivers, Asylum, Temporary Protected Status, VAWA, and U visas. Emily also advises noncitizens and their counsel on the immigration consequences of criminal convictions.

In addition to managing the removal defense and family immigration practices, she maintains an active business immigration practice where she helps employers and their employees obtain the most appropriate temporary visa status and permanent residence. Emily also represents a wide range of large and small businesses in both defensive ICE-initiated audits of form I-9 and affirmative audits undertaken by human resources departments to ensure full compliance.

Congratulations, Emily, on this important achievement!

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 30 Comments

Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone Designated for Temporary Protected Status

Due to the Ebola outbreak that ravaged West Africa, the Department of Homeland Security issued an announcement designating Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”).   TPS may be granted to foreign nationals who are present in the United States when disaster hits their home country or when conditions in their home country prevent safe return.  TPS is granted for temporary conditions such as civil war and/or armed conflict and environmental disasters.

While a foreign national holds TPS, he or she:

  • may not be removed from the United States;
  • may apply for employment authorization; and
  • may be granted travel authorization.

TPS is a temporary grant of lawful immigration status in the United States that does not lead to citizenship, permanent residence, or any other immigration status.  At present, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone nationals who qualify for TPS may be granted an 18 month temporary stay in the United States.  The registration period is from November 21, 2014 until May 20, 2015.

 

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 337 Comments

President Obama Announces the Restoration of Diplomatic Relations with Cuba

President Obama announced yesterday that after 54 years diplomatic ties would begin to be rebuilt with Cuba.  This announcement came after more than a year of secret negotiations between the United States and Cuba moderated by Pope Francis.  Both President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro have made public announcements welcoming the change in policy.  Through these changes President Obama pledged to “cut loose the shackles of the past” and put an end to an “outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance” US interests.

US-Cuba diplomatic relations have been nonexistent since the 1960s, and trade and travel embargoes have been in existence ever since.  Following this announcement, the United States is planning to open an embassy in Havana within the next few months.

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 97 Comments

Dilley, Texas Detention Center Opens

On Monday December 15, 2014 the largest family detention center in the United States was opened 85 miles northeast of Laredo, Texas. The Dilley Detention Facility, also known as the South Texas Family Residential Center, was built to hold up to 2,400 immigrant mothers and children. Detainees will begin to arrive at the Dilley Detention Center in the coming days as the final detainees are transported to Dilley from the Artesia Facility, which will be closed. The Dilley Detention Facility will be managed by the Correction Corporation of America, a private prison company, and will cost taxpayers approximately $296 every day to house each individual detainee.  Many families being detained at the Dilley Detention Facility are fleeing from persecution in their home countries and are in the United States to seek asylum. We extend our gratitude to all the volunteer attorneys in Artesia and Dilley who have donated their time to help the many immigrant families in detention.

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 83 Comments

The Omnibus Spending Bill Passes Congress and Goes to President Obama

This weekend the Senate approved a $1.1 trillion bill to prevent a government shutdown and keep the government up and running for another year.  The bill, which passed 56-40 with both bipartisan support and opposition, notably does not fund the Department of Homeland Security.  The move to withhold funding from the Department of Homeland Security is an attempt by Republicans to put pressure on President Obama to withdraw his recently announced Executive Order.  If Congress can’t pass a funding bill by February 27, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security will shut down.

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