Blog: Think Immigration
We believe that immigration law is an integral part of America’s past, present and future. We also know that immigration law is complicated. Here you’ll find experts writing in an accessible way about immigration issues, from big, broad ideas down to specific cases. Our members bring knowledge they’ve gleaned from the daily practice of immigration law to this space and offer their expertise to readers.
Browse the Blog: Think Immigration collection
Remembering Nelson Mandela and Working Toward a Better World
Nelson Mandela will undoubtedly be remembered for many things — bringing an end to the policy of racial hatred, violence and oppression called apartheid, becoming the first black president of South Africa, relinquishing the presidency when he could have easily won reelection, and planting the seeds
Military Mixed Messages
A couple of weeks ago we heard from USCIS that adjudicators would be encouraged to use “Parole in Place“ for many close relatives of active duty, reservists, and veterans in our nation's armed services. It seemed like a no-brainer to many since these brave men and women have served our countr
Shining a Light
Chanukah began last week. A friend of mine shared his Chanukah wish with me: “Wishing the entire House of Israel Chag Hanukah Samach! May the lights of Chanukah shine thru the darkness of the world and make the world a better place.“ Indeed! Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights and
Believing and Being an Immigration Lawyer
Belief is a powerful, motivating force. A force that can literally compel action, both for good or evil. For me, knowledge of and belief in a power greater than myself motivates virtually all that I do. I believe that we have a responsibility as human beings to be kind to others, to assist when a
A Letter to Speaker Boehner
Crystal and I wrote Speaker Boehner a letter that I wish we hadn't had to send. His inaction on immigration reform has been incredibly disappointing, as he caves to the pressure from a relatively small group within the Republican party, my party, and does nothing. Hasn't brought up a single immigra
This Veterans Day
The flags are up again. Not as many as there are around July 4th or Memorial Day, but there are some. The news outlets have ramped up coverage: stories abound about military families and at memorials around the country veterans groups mark this day with ceremonies, wreath-laying, and salutes. 95 y
One Year Later
A year ago, Sandy tore through the New York area, leaving destruction and damage in her wake and lives upended. The subway flooded, power was out in much of the city, and life ground to a halt for millions. As Sandy was approaching, I had been in London celebrating a significant birthday. Emerging
Three So Far, Who Will Be Next?
Over the past few days, we have seen them stand up for immigration reform. Representatives Steve Denham (R-CA) ,Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and David Valadao (R-CA) who have already been out in front on the need for a path to citizenship (Denham even did a YouTube video about it), stepped forward
Battling Preconceived Notions
We all have preconceived notions. We all assume things about people and their ideas and actions. I'm not a child development specialist (well, any more than any dad is), but I think it starts back in childhood, maybe because kids like it when things can be easily sorted and catalogued. Not that y
Where There Is a Will…There Is a Way
The question is whether Republicans in the House have the will to find a way to move towards immigration reform. As the current term nears the break for the holidays, the leaders in the House have about 20 or so days to dig deep into their conscience and do what is right for the American people. [&
Shutdown and Shut Out?
It has now been two weeks since the government shut down. During that time, the media has spent a lot of time on closed national parks and Tea Party politicians storming barricades at the World War II Memorial-a recent addition to the National Mall, whose barricades are less daunting than those sto
California on Immigration—Great Steps Forward and New Requirements for Immigration Attorneys
Governor Jerry Brown signed several bills last week that will make a huge difference for many immigrants. “While Washington waffles on immigration, California's forging ahead,“ Governor Brown said. “I'm not waiting.“ The bills are mostly positive, but one creates new requirements for A
What Will You Be Doing this Saturday?
For many, Saturday is just another ordinary day in October and just another weekend to have a barbeque with friends, go to the movies or maybe just watch college football, but for immigration advocates and stakeholders, the answer is raising their voices for the National Day of Dignity and Respect,
Harmony Rather than Discord
Reading the paper and watching the news, hearing so many of the pundits and politicians talk about immigration reform, I can almost feel them burrowing for cracks. The restrictionists have been hammering away, trying to push wedges between stakeholders, between groups, trying to pit “us“ again
Inaction is not an Option!
Last week, two House Republicans who had been trying to draft a comprehensive immigration package dropped out of bipartisan negotiations. In a joint statement, Texas Republican Reps. John Carter and Sam Johnson said that they had “reached a tipping point“ in the talks and “can no longer conti
The Cost of Doing Nothing
How often have we heard the refrain, just because it's the easy path does not make it the right path? In the current immigration reform debate, I would like to drive home this conventional wisdom to my political party - the Republican Party. It's easy to sit by and let other issues overwhelm the po
TODAY
Every morning I wake up and check my schedule for the day. As has happened once a year, every year for the past 12 years, on this particular morning, there was a kick in the gut when I saw the date. September 11. I know I'm not alone. I know that the rest of America […]
The Dream Today
On this fiftieth anniversary of the March on Washington to demand justice and equality, the United States has once again had the chance to rise to the “better angels of its nature“ by enacting just immigration reform. A broad-based movement consisting of the religious community, organized la
The New Provisional Waiver – A Promising Program Foundering
For a year we waited for USCIS to put into effect changes it had discussed in processing the needed waiver for the 10 year bar found in INA § 212(a)(9)(B) for those people married to U.S. Citizens who had entered the United States without inspection. The announcement of the change to a “provisional
Where’s that Finish Line?
After what seemed like a whirlwind of action in the Senate with hundreds of amendments in committee and then hundreds more filed during the floor debate, we ended up with a bill passed at the end of June. Great timing of course because that still left a good month for the House to crank into [̷
The Secretary Stakes
I admit to a considerable amount of surprise at Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano's announcement that she'd be leaving DHS for the University of California system. I've read all kinds of news stories about how DHS Secretary is a thankless job where one gets the blame when things go wr
Numbers Add Up
Numbers can be, well, mindnumbing. But they are something that all of us use every single day. Price of gas? A number. Mortgage or rent payment due? A number. Groceries, utilities, daycare, you name it and it can be numbered. I want to share some numbers with you—powerful numbers on immigration
You Can Lead a Horse to Water…
After the House Republican Conference met this afternoon to discuss immigration reform plans, I held out hope that the Leadership of my party would see the light. (Yes, I'm an immigration lawyer and a Republican, there are actually quite a few of us out there.) Instead they've turned away from what
The “H” in the House of Representatives
Just before the July 4th holiday, we witnessed the Senate approving a largely sensible, sound, secure and smart immigration reform bill. As this bill heads to the House of Representatives, the buzz is on what the House will or will not do. Statements from House leaders range from flat out oppositi
Let’s Celebrate What Makes America Great and Keep Immigration Reform Moving Forward!
This past week was truly a historic week for our nation. The Supreme Court ruled that section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional as its “demonstrated purpose is to ensure that if any State decides to recognize same-sex marriages, those unions will be treated as second-clas