Immigration
Federal Appellate Court Rules against Obama’s Immigration Initiatives
America is a land of immigrants, individuals who came from faraway places to find a better life for themselves and their children, to practice their religion freely and openly, to escape persecution or possible death, or to get a fresh start. For some time however, America’s immigration policy has been the subject of intense debate. …
Read MoreFederal Agents Crack Down on Birth Tourism and Maternity Hotels
Birth tourism is a burgeoning industry where pregnant women from other countries travel to the United States for the purpose of giving birth. These women are eager to take advantage of the fact that a child born in the U.S. automatically is a U.S. citizen and entitled to the benefits that come with it. Wealthy…
Read MoreTips for Returning to the U.S. After International Travel with a Green Card
The law gives holders of a green card (Lawful Permanent Resident or LPR) holders certain rights and privileges. A green card holder has the privilege of traveling abroad and returning to the United States. When traveling internationally, a green card holder must carry his or her passport from your home country and a valid, unexpired…
Read MoreBeware of Shady Immigration Consultants and Immigration Scams
The United Stated immigration system is complicated and confusing. People leave their countries hoping for and dreaming of a better life for their children and themselves. They long to become citizens of this country and often encounter a host of legal issues. These legal issues can mushroom and result in huge problems for immigrants. Dealing…
Read MoreJudge Will Not Budge on Injunction against Immigration Action
In February, we wrote about a Texas judge who prohibited President Obama from putting the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents plan into effect. Twenty-six states, including Tennessee sued the President. On April 7, 2015, the White House asked the judge to lift the injunctions so they might proceed. U.S. District…
Read MoreDHS to Extend Eligibility for Employment Authorization for Some H-4 Dependent Spouses
On February 25, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that its newly amended regulations will extend, starting in May of this year, “eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.” The amendment is part of President Obama’s executive orders, and…
Read MoreWhat Immigrants Should Know about the Latest Standoff between the President and Congress
For many immigrants, adapting to American culture is difficult – especially if you move to an area where you don’t know many people or where there are only a few people who share your native culture. It can be especially difficult to reconcile how our political system is supposed to act with how our legislators…
Read MoreHow One Texas Judge Can Affect Your Life as an Immigrant
Like every other President before him, President Obama has issued a number of executive orders in his two terms in office. Some of them relate directly to immigration in America. One judge in Texas however put on hold the President’s entire plan, which was supposed to go into effect on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. Here…
Read MoreNashville and Chattanooga Join “Cities for Citizenship”
On December 15, 2014, Mayor Karl Dean’s administration announced the city’s participation in Cities for Citizenship at the National Immigrant Integration Conference in Los Angeles. Chattanooga also signed the same day, bringing the number of participating cities to 14. This national initiative aims to increase citizenship among eligible U.S. permanent residents by cooperating and sharing…
Read MoreExecutive Orders and Immigration: What the President’s Speech Means for Your Family
On November 20, President Obama addressed the country in a 15 minute speech centered on immigration reform. He called for Congress to pass a bill that will overhaul our immigration system – but he does not plan on waiting for that bill to come to light. Instead, President Obama will issue an Executive Order that…
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