by Ashley LivelyImmigration Appellate Review
THIRD CIRCUIT
February 2021:
Sunuwar v. Att’y Gen. United States, No. 20-2091 (3d Cir. Feb. 25, 2021)
Headnotes:
Asylum, CAT, “particularly serious offense,” substantial evidence, credibility
Summary:
The Petitioner challenged the decision of the BIA denying his applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and the Convention Against Torture (CAT). He came to the United States in 2017, and in 2018, he was convicted of beating and strangling his wife as well as contempt for violating a protection-from-abuse order. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) then initiated removal proceedings. The Petitioner alleged in his asylum application that, if he were deported, he would be “kidnapped, tortured, or killed” by the Maoist party if he did not join them, but he alleged no past harm.
The Immigration Judge (IJ) denied the Petitioner’s application, finding that the Petitioner’s “conviction for strangulation was a particularly serious crime, rendering him ineligible for all forms of relief” except for CAT. The IJ also found that the Petitioner was deportable for violating the protection-from-abuse order. Finally, the IJ found that neither the Petitioner nor his wife testified credibly in the hearing, based on three inconsistencies. Thus, the IJ reasoned that the lack of credibility undermined the Petitioner’s CAT claim. The Petitioner challenged the IJ’s findings that he was deportable, that he committed a particularly serious crime, and that his testimony was not credible.
The Third Circuit held, first, that there was no error in the IJ’s deportability finding because the Petitioner admitted before the IJ that he had violated the no-contact provision of the order, and such order qualified as a “protection order.” Second, it held that “[s]trangulation is, of course, a violent crime, and we see no reason to doubt the agency’s determination that its elements potentially make [the Petitioner’s] offense a particularly serious crime.” It held that, even though the Petitioner’s sentence for the strangulation offense was “relatively minor compared to the maximum sentence authorized,” that did not prevent his offense from being a particularly serious crime. Thus, it held that the IJ’s decision was not erroneous. As for the IJ’s credibility determination, the Court held that it was reasonable and supported by substantial evidence and thus, the Court would not disturb it. It therefore denied the petition for review.
Takeaway:
If your client has a conviction for strangulation or another crime that could be considered a particularly serious crime, the length of time the client spent in jail/prison does not carry weight if the crime of conviction itself was particularly serious. And any form of relief, including CAT, can be denied on the basis of an adverse credibility finding.
January 2021:
Nkomo v. Att’y Gen. of United States, 986 F.3d 268 (3d Cir. 2021)
Headnotes:
Motion to Reopen; Equitable Tolling; I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
Summary:
On petition for review of an order from the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) denying as untimely Petitioner’s motion to reopen removal proceedings. The Petitioner, after receiving an approved I-130 petition, moved to reopen her removal proceedings so that she could apply for relief under INA Section 212(h). She argued that changed circumstances warranted reopening her case because, although she made multiple requests, the relief she sought had not been available earlier due to “the refusal of USCIS to conduct and interview and adjudicate the petition.” The BIA denied the motion as untimely, noting that no exceptional circumstances or other “certain exceptions” warranted reopening, and that it did “not have the authority to grant relief solely on equitable or humanitarian grounds.”
The Petitioner argued before the Fourth Circuit that the BIA erred in failing to consider whether her motion was entitled to equitable tolling. The government argued that the Court lacked jurisdiction to consider the issue of equitable tolling because Nkomo failed to raise it before the BIA and thus, it was unexhausted.
The Third Circuit stated that the Petitioner was “not required to state precisely the alleged error” or any “magic words” to sufficiently raise an issue, holding that the Petitioner “did enough to raise the equitable tolling issue before the BIA.” The Court further held that, even if she hadn’t, the BIA considered the issue sua sponte and, thus, the claim was exhausted. The Court further held that the BIA “has authority to equitably toll the deadline for motions to reopen,” noting that it was “perplex[ed]” by the BIA’s statement that it did not have such authority. The Court accordingly held that the BIA erred in failing to consider the Petitioner’s request for equitable tolling. It therefore vacated the BIA’s order and remanded for further proceedings.
Takeaway:
If you find that you either haven’t expressly raised an issue that you wanted to preserve for appeal or you have done very little to raise that issue, this case presents great law for you to argue that you still sufficiently raised it. Further, if you have clearly not raised an issue, but the lower court considered it anyway sua sponte, this case states that the issue is sufficiently exhausted. This case would be particularly helpful in the context of a motion to reopen, on the issue of equitable tolling.
FOURTH CIRCUIT
February 2021:
Diaz de Gomez v. Wilkinson, 987 F.3d 359 (4th Cir. 2021)
Headnotes:
Asylum; nexus; unwilling or unable to protect; familial ties
Summary:
Rejecting the BIA’s “‘excessively narrow’ view of the nexus requirement,” the Court concluded that the Petitioner sufficiently “established that her familial ties were one central reason for her persecution.” The Court noted that, as it has previously held, there can be multiple central reasons for persecution.
The Court also concluded that the evidence presented (specifically, Petitioner’s credible testimony about her attempts to seek police help from two different authorities combined with country condition information about the extent of gang corruption in government) “conclusively show[ed]” that the Guatemalan government was unable or unwilling to control the Petitioner’s persecutors.
Takeaway:
This case reiterates the “one central reason” nexus standard and demonstrates that, even where there are two central reasons for persecution — here, familial ties and gang extortion — so long as the protected ground (familial ties) is one of them, that is sufficient to show nexus for an asylum case. It also stands for the proposition that, where: (1) the petitioner has reported an incident to the police and they fail to take action, (2) the petitioner is afraid to further report to police for fear of being killed, and (3) the country condition evidence demonstrates that police are corrupt and legitimizes the petitioners’ fear, the petitioner has shown the country unwilling and unable to protect her from the persecution she suffered.
January 2021:
- Sesay v. United States, 984 F.3d 312 (4th Cir. 2021)
Headnotes:
Consular nonreviewability; visa denial
Summary:
The Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court’s dismissal of appellants’ complaint under the doctrine of consular nonreviewability. Appellants were a United States citizen and his daughter, a citizen and resident of Sierra Leone, who challenged the denial of a visa for the daughter.
This Court held that the doctrine of consular nonreviewability “plainly prohibit[ed]” it “from questioning the consular officer’s visa determination.” It held that, unless there is a “clear directive from Congress or an affirmative showing of bad faith,” the government need only “provide a valid ineligibility provision as the basis for the visa denial,” which the government did in this case. Specifically, the Court explained that, when the government, in denying a visa application, provides notice of the statutory provision under which the visa was denied, such provided provision is considered a “facially legitimate and bona fide reason” for the denial.
Accordingly, the Court declined to “peer behind the decisional curtain and assess the wisdom of the consular determination.” It held that the government’s cited provisions were “facially legitimate” and that the “appellant’s attempts to establish bad faith” were “nothing more than conclusory allegations.”
Takeaway:
To show bad faith in the government’s decision to deny a visa application, you must show more than conclusory allegations. Otherwise, so long as the government provides the statutory provision under which it denied the visa, it has met its burden of explaining why the visa was denied.
2. Hias, Inc. v. Trump, No. 20-1160, 2021 WL 69994 (4th Cir. Jan. 8, 2021).
Headnotes:
Executive Order 13,888; Refugee Act; refugee resettlement
Summary:
The government appealed from a district court’s issuance of a preliminary injunction enjoining nationwide a 2019 executive order (Executive Order 13,888) that required both state and local governments to give affirmative consent before refugees could be resettled within their jurisdictions. The district court found that the consent requirement was contrary to the Refugee Act’s language, purpose, and history. It also found that plaintiffs would suffer irreparable harm without an injunction because of the “extreme difficulties that the resettlement agencies would face” without one.
The Fourth Circuit upheld the injunction, holding that the district court did not abuse its discretion. It held that the plaintiffs established the likelihood of success of their claim – that the EO violated the Refugee Act – and that they met the remaining requirements for a preliminary injunction.
Takeaway:
The enforcement of EO 13,888 continues to be prohibited. Thus, state and local governments do not need to give consent in order for refugees to be resettled there.
3. Doe 4 by & through Lopez v. Shenandoah Valley Juv. Ctr. Comm’n, No. 19-1910, 2021 WL 129864 (4th Cir. Jan. 12, 2021)
Headnotes:
Unaccompanied alien children (UAC); mental health care; deliberate indifference standard; professional judgment standard
Summary:
The Fourth Circuit reversed and remanded the district court’s grant of summary judgment to Defendant juvenile center on the Plaintiff’s unaccompanied immigrant children’s claim that the Defendant failed to provide adequate mental healthcare.
The Court held that “the district court incorrectly applied a standard of deliberate indifference when it should have determined whether the Commission substantially departed from accepted standards of professional judgment.” Although the government argued that children were placed in SVJC primarily for security reasons, rather than for treatment, the Court held that “the aims of treatment and safety [were] intertwined in this case.” It further held that “the nature of the facility is not dispositive,” but rather, it comes “secondary to the reason a person is confined in it.”
The Court noted that “neither the Commission nor the district court grapple with the fact that this case is about children,” who have “unique psychological needs.” It therefore held that “a facility caring for an unaccompanied child fails to provide a constitutionally adequate level of mental health care if it substantially departs from accepted professional standards.” This standard, the Court explained, requires more culpability than negligence but less than the standard for deliberate indifference.
Additionally, the Court held that the plaintiffs established standing, even if ORR was not named a Defendant. Although the government argued that the plaintiffs’ failure to name ORR as a Defendant caused their claim to lack redressability, the Court held that the requirements of redressability were “not onerous” and that the appellants did not have to show that a decision in their favor would “relieve [their] every injury.” The Court held that, instead they need only show that they would “personally benefit in a tangible way from the court’s intervention.”
The Court reversed the grant of summary judgment and remanded to allow the district court to apply the correct standard and consider evidence relevant to it. Judge Wilkinson dissented, asserting that the deliberate indifference standard was the correct standard to be applied but that, regardless of standard, summary judgment was proper.
Takeaway:
This case can be used to bolster any argument that children should be treated differently than adults regarding duty of care. Further, with regard to redressability, it can be used to argue that a defendant named in a case is sufficient to establish standing where an appellant would tangibly benefit from court intervention.
4. Gonzalez v. Cuccinelli, 985 F.3d 357 (4th Cir. 2021)
Headnotes:
Jurisdiction; work authorization; U Visa petition adjudication
Summary:
Noncitizens unlawfully present in the U.S. argued that DHS unlawfully withheld or unreasonably delayed adjudication of their U-visa petitions and their applications for work authorization pending U-visa approval. The district court dismissed the complaint, and the noncitizens appealed.
The Court held that it lacked jurisdiction to review work authorization claims because USCIS was not obligated to adjudicate work authorization requests. Instead, the statute provides that USCIS “may grant work authorization to any alien who has a pending, bona fide application for a U-Visa.” The Court held that, in enacting this provision, “Congress authorized, but did not require, the agency to grant work authorizations.”
The Court also held that the noncitizens’ claim regarding delayed adjudication of U-visa petitions was subject to judicial review and “must be remanded” because they pled a plausible claim of unreasonable delay. The Court accordingly vacated the dismissal of that claim and remanded to the district court for further proceedings.
Takeaway:
The following alleges a plausible claim: Under the Administrative Procedure Act, the adjudication of a U-Visa petition to determine whether a noncitizen should be placed on the waiting list has been unreasonably delayed after such petition has been pending for over three years. This type of claim “is necessarily fact dependant” and usually should not be resolved at the motion to dismiss stage. Plaintiffs should also plead facts showing that “their interests are weighty, implicate health and welfare, and are harmed by the long wait.” Further, the federal courts do not have jurisdiction to review work authorization claims.
5. Amaya v. Rosen, 986 F.3d 424 (4th Cir. 2021)
Headnotes:
Chevron deference; withholding of removal; particular social group; prior gang membership
Summary:
The applicant, a native and citizen of El Salvador, filed a petition for review of a BIA decision affirming the IJ’s decision denying his petition for withholding of removal and protection under CAT.
The BIA dismissed the applicant’s appeal, deciding that the “former Salvadoran MS-13 members” PSG was “too diffuse” to satisfy the particularity requirement.
The Fourth Circuit, assuming the BIA’s decision was entitled to Chevron deference without deciding that issue, held that the BIA’s interpretation of the particularity requirement was unreasonable. It held that the PSG “former Salvadoran MS-13 members” was sufficiently particular and that the BIA’s interpretation of the particularity requirement in Matter of W-G-R-, 26 I&N Dec. 208 (BIA 2014) (holding that former gang membership must be more defined regarding the duration or strength of participation to qualify as a PSG) was erroneous.
Specifically, the Court held that (1) the BIA’s description of the particularity requirement “impermissibly conflates it with the social distinction requirement,” (2) a PSG is sufficiently particular if it is “evident from the group’s description who is in and who is not” in the group and does “not depend on ‘evidence’ or society’s perceptions,” and (3) it does not matter “whether the group can be subdivided based on some arbitrary characteristic but whether the group itself has clear boundaries.” The Court emphasized that the particularity requirement is a legal question rather than an evidentiary question.
Thus, the Court granted in part the petition and remanded the BIA’s final order of removal for the BIA to consider the IJ’s other holdings regarding the PSG claim. However, the Court upheld the denial of CAT relief.
Judge Richardson dissented, determining that Chevron deference applied and the BIA’s finding of no particularity was reasonable.
Takeaway:
This is a great case for going in depth on the particularity requirement for PSG’s. If an IJ has denied your case on the basis of a lack of particularity, check to see if the IJ was impermissibly requiring certain evidence or conflating the particularity requirement with the social distinction requirement. This case also provides a good discussion of Chevron deference. Although the Court didn’t decide the issue, parts of the opinion would bolster an argument that BIA action did not deserve Chevron deference.
ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
February 2021:
Camarena v. Dir., Immigr. & Customs Enf’t, No. 19-13446 (11th Cir. Feb. 18, 2021)
Headnotes:
Regulatory rights; habeas corpus; unlawful presence waiver; 8 U.S.C. § 1252(g); jurisdiction
Summary:
The Petitioners admitted to being subject to valid removal orders, but sued when the government moved to execute those orders. Both Petitioners had applied for unlawful presence waivers, which they argued gave them “regulatory rights” to remain in the U.S. while the applications for those waivers were pending. Both Petitioners filed habeas corpus petitions and emergency motions to stay the removal orders in the district court. In both cases, the district court dismissed the petitions for lack of jurisdiction. The Petitioners appealed to the Eleventh Circuit.
The Eleventh Circuit held that the Petitioners’ claims arose “from the government’s decision or action to execute their removal orders.” Id. at *3 (quotation marks omitted). It held that, thus, the Petitioners’ claims “fell squarely within § 1252(g)’s jurisdictional bar.” Id. The Petitioners argued that the Court retained jurisdiction because they were “challenging the government’s underlying authority to execute those orders, rather than the discretion to do so,” and that the waiver process contained a “regulatory right” to stay in the U.S. until the process is resolved. Id. However, the Court held that, because of the clear language in § 1252(g) — that it bars “‘any’ challenge to the execution of a removal order” — no matter how the Petitioners characterized their claims, “they amounted to an attack on the government’s execution of their removal orders.” Id. at *3-4. The Court thus affirmed the district court’s dismissals.
Application:
The federal courts do not have jurisdiction to hear claims that challenge the execution of a removal order. No matter what specific language you use in attempting to do so, if the challenge is functionally to the execution of a removal order, it will likely be dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.
by Ashley LivelyIf You’re Married to a U.S. Citizen you can Get Your Green card!
Did you enter the country without a visa? The good news is that you may be able to get your green card! Lively Law Firm has successfully obtained green cards for many people in your exact same situation.
In 2013 the Department of Homeland Security issued a new regulation that allows immediate family members of U.S. Citizens who entered the United States without a visa to apply for a waiver (called a 601A waiver) while they are in the United States.
What does that mean?
It means that if you meet the necessary criteria you will be able to apply for and obtain your green card and only have to depart the United States for a week or less. It also means that you do not have to depart the United States until your waiver is approved. You can continue to live in the United States, support your family, and only leave once you are sure that your waiver has been approved.
How do I qualify for the 601A Waiver?
If you meet the following criteria you are eligible to submit a 601A waiver:
- You are physically present in the United States;
- You are at least 17 years of age at the time of filing;
- You have an immigrant visa case pending with the Department of States (this usually means that you have submitted Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative and it has been approved. If you haven’t submitted your Form I-130 — don’t worry! Lively Law Firm can submit your Form I-130 for you);
- You have a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident spouse or parents; and
- Your family members would suffer hardship if you were forced to depart the United States and wait ten years to come back in.
How does it work exactly?
Immigration law is complex and each case is unique — just as your family is unique. But, generally speaking this is how you apply for a 601A waiver. You will first file your marriage petition (Form I-130). You will need to prove to USCIS that your marriage is legitimate. This involves submitting your birth certificates, marriage certificates, and an interview with USCIS. Processing times can vary based on location and backlog of USCIS but typically this step takes about 6-9 months. Once the petition is approved you move on to the second stage.
The second stage is preparing and submitting your 601A waiver. To prepare this waiver Lively Law Firm needs to get to know you and your family. Part of this process is to discuss with you and your family any hardship that they would suffer in the following categories:
- Financial
- Medical
- Mental Health
- Family History
- Professional Development
- Country Specific Concerns
Lively Law Firm will then create a unique document checklist for you and your family. We will need to gather as many documents as necessary to tell the story of you and your family. We then submit the waiver to USCIS. Processing times can vary but are generally very long. The typical processing time for an approval is one (1) year. During this time, you continue to live with your family in the United States.
Lastly, once the 601A waiver is approved — remember, if it isn’t approved you don’t have to leave the United States! You will be scheduled for an interview at the consulate in your country. You depart the United States, obtain a medical exam in your home country, attend your interview, and return to the United States. Typically, clients are outside of the United States for no more than one (1) week.
Once you enter the United States your green card is mailed to you and you are now a Legal Permanent Resident!
What happens if I’m denied?
If you are denied you do not have to leave the United States. You can try again! The best part of the 601A waiver is that if you are denied you do not receive a deportation order. Lively Law Firm has had a lot of success with these types of waivers but it is possible to receive a denial.
If you get denied, we simply gather more documentation and resubmit your waiver. It prolongs the process but does not mean you won’t get your green card still.
Do I qualify for the 601A waiver if I’m in removal proceedings?
If you have a case before the Immigration Court in North Carolina you can still apply for the 601A waiver. There is just an extra step. You have to apply for something that’s called “administrative closure.” If the court grants this administrative closure you proceed to submit your 601A waiver just like if you were not in removal proceedings.
This type of case can involve a lot of expertise and experience in front of the Immigration Court. You should not do this alone. Getting an experienced immigration attorney could be the difference between a deportation order (and years away from your family) or a green card (and only one week away from your family). The investment is worth it!
How should you prepare?
If you meet the above listed requirements you are eligible for a 601A waiver now! Contact Lively Law Firm so we can get started immediately. As you read above, the process is much simpler if you are not in removal proceedings so you want to apply before you have any contact without ICE.
If you are in removal proceedings already you need to request that the Court administratively close your case as soon as possible. Court won’t wait forever and you need to take action!
You should gather basic biographical documents and any proof of hardship that your family may experience if you are forced to wait outside the United States for ten years.
If you or a loved one believe that you may qualify for a 601A waiver please call or send a text message to Lively Law Firm for a free consultation at 980-250-5173. Start your path to a green card today!
by Ashley Lively2021 New Year’s Resolution — Get Immigration Status!
Ashley Lively started Lively Law Firm in February 2019 after working for nearly a decade in immigration law. She started her own firm because she wanted a law firm that focused on client experience and had a culture of accepting every case — even the difficult ones.
Lively Law Firm represents clients in all types of immigration proceedings. Many of Ashley’s clients have sacrificed their time, money, and energy to come to the United States in search of a better life and opportunities for themselves and their families. Because of the great sacrifices of our clients we look for every possible avenue to allow them to get immigration status in the United States.
Many people qualify for a visa or a green card but don’t know it. Below are some of the most common ways that people can qualify for immigration status.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- What is VAWA?
Under VAWA, any person — man or woman — who is a victim of domestic violence, child abuse, or elder abuse may submit a green card application without the help of a spouse, parent, or adult child.
- Do I Qualify?
You qualify for VAWA if your spouse, former spouse, or adult child –who is a legal permanent resident or a US citizen — abused you in the past or is currently abusing you. This abuse does not have to be physical. The abuse can be mental, emotional, or financial. If your loved one wouldn’t allow you to leave the house without their permission, threatened to call ICe on you, or didn’t allow you to have your own bank account you likely qualify for VAWA.
You can qualify for VAWA if you are not in immigration court or even if you ARE in immigration court.
- What Do I Get?
When your VAWA application is approved you are able to receive your green card.
You can qualify for a green card even if you entered the country without a visa, have a criminal record, have an immigration record, or overstayed your visa. The best part is you don’t have to leave the country to get your green card.
T Visa
- What is a T Visa?
The T visa was created to provide immigration status to people who were victims of severe forms of human trafficking. Trafficking is defined as sex trafficking or labor trafficking that was induced by fraud, force, or coercion.
- Do I Qualify?
Many people do not think they are victims of trafficking. However, trafficking is more common than what many people believe. Trafficking can look like entering on a work visa and then your employer does not pay you the agreed upon amount and threatens to call ICE on you if you report him or leave. Trafficking can look like entering without a visa but bringing in a backpack full of unidentified items because your coyote told you that if you didn’t they would harm you. Trafficking can also look like your coyote making you enter the United States with a child that is not yours and telling you that you must say they are your child or else they will leave you in the desert. Many other scenarios can be trafficking and you should speak to an attorney to determine if you qualify.
- What Do I Get?
T visas are valid for four years. However, after three years of physical presence in the United States and continuing to cooperate with law enforcement you can apply for your residency.
You can also apply for parents, spouses, and siblings as a recipient of a T visa.
U Visa
- What is a U Visa?
The U visa was created in 2000 to protect certain noncitizen crime victims who assist or are willing to assist in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal office.
- Do I Qualify?
If you are someone who was the victim of a crime and you suffered physical or mental harm, you have information concerning the criminal activity, there is a police report, and you have been helpful or are willing to be helpful to the police you may qualify for a U visa.
You do not need to be in lawful immigraiton status to apply for a U visa. You can apply for a U visa if you have a criminal record. You can apply for a U visa if you have a deportation order.
- What Do I Get?
One your U visa is approved you can have U visa status for up to four years. That visa may be extended if the police confirm that you still need to stay in the United States to assist with the investigation.
However, after three years of continuous presence in the US, a U visa holder can apply for their green card. You can also include your spouse and children on your application.
Military Parole in Place
- What is Military Parole in Place?
Military Parole in Place was created in 2013 to benefit family members of military personnel. This is a significant benefit that is generally not available to family members of civilians. It promotes family unity for those that serve our country.
- Do I Qualify?
To qualify for military parole in place you must be physically present in the United States, you must be the spouse, parent, child (regardless of age) of: an active duty member of the US armed forces, someone in the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, or someone who previously served in the US Armed Forces or the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, and you cannot have a criminal conviction or other serious adverse factor.
- What Do I Get?
If approved you are granted immigration status — which allows you employment authorization and protection from deportation.
Importantly, it also allows you to apply for adjustment of status (green card) if someone in your family can submit a petitioner for you.
What if you don’t qualify for any of these reliefs?
You still may qualify for other relief and should contact Attorney Ashley to discuss your options. You may qualify under the automatic extension of TPS, you may qualify for an exception to the one year rule in applying for asylum, or you may qualify for a special immigrant juvenile visa. Call 980-250-5173 -all consultations are free and confidential.
What can you Do to Protect Yourself Right Now?
Lively Law Firm recommends that you create a “Protection Packet.” A protection packet is a packet that protects you from being deported without seeing a judge. If ICE arrests you and the immigration officer determines that there is not sufficient evidence to demonstrate you have been in the United States for long enough they can deport you without even allowing you to see a judge.
Lively Law Firm can create a packet that has proof of your presence in the United States ensuring that you have your case heard in front of a judge so you can stay in the United States while you fight your case.
If you or someone you love qualifies for one the options listed above call or text 980-250-5173 for a free consultation.
by Ashley LivelyI-601A
Unlawful Presence and I-601A Eligibility
For people who have entered the United States without permission or have overstayed their visa and accrued unlawful presence, the possibility of obtaining lawful permanent residence can be difficult. Generally, a person can obtain lawful permanent residence (green card) through employment-based sponsorship, family sponsorship through a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident relative, or through certain limited special circumstances such as being a victim of a crime or being a victim of trafficking, among others.
For those that have accrued unlawful presence through overstaying their visa or entering the United States without permission there can be very serious immigration consequences depending on the amount of a time a person has been without status in the United States. A person who has accrued more than 180 days of unlawful presence in the United States, is subject to a 3-year bar that is automatically triggered once the person departs the United States. This bar would prevent a person from being readmitted into the United States or adjusting status within the prohibited period. Similarly, a person who has accrued one year or more of unlawful presence in the United States is subject to a 10 year bar which would also prevent a person from being readmitted to the United States or adjusting status and is triggered upon the person’s departure from the United States.
However, there is a waiver that is available that will “forgive” or “waive” the 3- or 10- year ban. This waiver, called the I-601A waiver may only be used if the applicant can prove that the 3- or 10-year bar would cause an “extreme hardship” to a qualifying relative. A qualifying relative for purposes of the I-601A waiver is a U.S. Citizen or LPR spouse or parent—United States Citizen children are not qualifying relatives for purposes of the I-601A waiver.
The I-601A waiver is a provisional approval of the unlawful presence waiver before having to depart the United States to attend the immigrant visa interview at the consulate in your home country. However, approval of the I-601A waiver does not guarantee the issuance of an immigrant visa and the ability to enter the United States lawfully after the consular interview. If at the time of the interview, you are found to be inadmissible on other grounds the provisional waiver could be revoked.
Attorney Ashley E. Lively has successfully obtained many I-601A waivers for clients. To determine whether you qualify for the I-601A waiver or are inadmissible under any other ground please contact Lively Law Firm for a free consultation.
by Ashley LivelyVenezuela Travel Advisory
State Department Issues Urgent Travel Advisory to All Americans Who Are in Venezuela
Following the current administration’s recognition of Juan Guaido as the rightful leader of Venezuela the U.S. State Department issued an urgent travel advisory to all Americans who are in Venezuela or plan to travel to Venezuela. The State Department warned that the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela due to limited infrastructure and poor security conditions.
Although the recognition of Juan Guaido is seen as hopeful for some the situation in Venezuela is increasingly dangerous and unstable. Political rallies continue to occur and typically cause a strong police response that includes the use of tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against participants. If you are a citizen of Venezuela living in the United States this may be the time to consider a possible claim for asylum protection.
Attorney Ashley E. Lively has represented Venezuelan clients successfully in asylum proceedings and is well-informed as she lived and traveled in Venezuela after her undergraduate studies. If you fear persecution in the future or have suffered persecution in the past due to your political affiliation, employment, or family membership call Lively Law Firm for a free consultation today.
by Ashley LivelyUSCIS Backlog
Why is My Immigration Petition Taking So Long?
Is your immigration petition taking longer than expected? A new policy brief published by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) that analyzes USCIS processing times may explain why. The brief reveals that the agency has reached “crisis” level delays in the processing of immigration petitions. These delays have worsened during the current administration. According to the report, the most vulnerable populations of these delays are—immigrant families (SIJS petitions), domestic abuse survivors (U visas), and persons seeking humanitarian aid (asylums).
The report finds that overall, average case processing time has increased by 46 percent over the past two fiscal years and 91 percent since Fiscal Year 2014. Additionally, the report finds that USCIS’s net backlog at the end of Fiscal Year 2017 was its highest on record. According to the report, decisions made under the current administration have exacerbated delays. For example, refugee case adjudications were overhauled; in-person interviews are now a requirement for employment-based green card applications and Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petitions; a new Notice to Appear (NTA) policy was put into place which resulted in individuals being put into deportation proceedings when their application was denied; and a policy of arresting spouses of United States citizens who appear at a USCIS office for an interview in connection with their Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, which if approved would form the basis for lawful permanent residence.
Now more than ever it is important to file your immigration petitions correctly as any error on your part could increase an already “crisis” level delay. Lively Law Firm can help you file your application correctly the first time and avoid unnecessary delay. Call now for your free consultation!