Lack of Competent Interpreters In Foreign Indigenous Languages Creates Problems In U.S. Immigration Courts
Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Have you ever heard of Q’anjob’al, Mam, and K’iche’? Probably not. They are 3 languages indigenous to the country of Guatemala. What makes them significant for United States immigration law purposes is that they have become 3 of the 25 most common languages spoken in US immigration courts in recent […]
El Paso Immigration Court Accused Of “Culture of Hostility” Toward Immigrants
Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. A recent report by the American Bar Association described the US immigration courts as “facing an existential crisis . . . irredeemably dysfunctional and on the brink of collapse”. Besides requiring a major overhaul for inefficiency, the US immigration courts may suffer from another fundamental problem – bias against immigrants. […]
Albence Selected to Be New Head Of ICE
Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Could the selection of a new person to head U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) signal a change in the Trump administration’s approach on immigration? Specifically, could the selection of a new person to head ICE represent a departure from the harsh, anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration? Unfortunately, the […]
Denver Mayor Protests Legal Immigrants Being Denied Citizenship for Marijuana Jobs
Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Oswaldo Barrientos emigrated to the United States from El Salvador when he was a baby 29 years ago. He received his green card at age 13 and currently remains a legal immigrant in the United States. Barrientos has no criminal record and a stable job. Does he seem like the […]
Federal Judge Stops Trump Administration’s “Remain in Mexico” Program
Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. The US government consists of 3 branches – an executive branch (the President and his administration), a legislative branch (the Congress), and a judicial branch (the courts). Because of the anti-immigration policies of President Trump and his administration, and the general inability of Congress to reach an agreement on immigration […]
Ruling By AG Barr Means More Asylum Seekers Will Be Detained Without Bond While Waiting Cases To Be Heard
Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. The Attorney General has the power to “certify” (review) and overturn prior rulings by immigration courts. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions used this authority with respect to a number of immigration court decisions, and apparently, new Attorney General William Barr will be doing the same. On April 16, Attorney General […]
“Public Charges” – Increasingly Used by The Trump Administration To Support Visa Denials
Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. There seems to be no end to the arguments being used by the Trump administration to restrict immigrant rights. An increasingly used strategy by the Trump administration is to argue that a visa should be denied because the immigrant would become “ public charges ”. Based on how the Trump […]
Immigrants who engage in “marijuana related activities” may be denied U.S. Citizenship
Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Do you regard people who use marijuana, solely based on their marijuana use, as lacking “good moral character”? Probably not, but unfortunately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has adopted a different position. Under a “Policy Alert” issued on April 19 by USCIS, a person who engages in certain “marijuana-related […]
Act Now to Take Advantage Of Lower EB-5 Capital Contribution Amounts
Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. The EB-5 investment program has been a popular vehicle for foreigners to obtain green cards, and permanent lawful residency status, in the United States. As the EB-5 program creates jobs in the United States, it represents a form of immigration that is believed to be favored by President Trump. In […]
Federal Court Victory for Abused, Abandoned Or Neglected Migrant Children
Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. When you think of abused, abandoned or neglected migrant children, you probably feel some sense of humanitarian concern. Unfortunately, it is fair to say that the Trump administration does not issue immigration policies that prioritize such concern. Consistent with its general intention to prevent immigration to the US, the Trump […]