Familia America wants to ensure all of Utah’s immigrants have access to the resources they need on COVID-19 in Utah. This page contains a list of resources for immigrants and undocumented workers to stay up-to-date with COVID-19.
We will continue to meet with potential clients and clients in office, on the phone, or by ZOOM video conference. Call us at 801-656-9605 to schedule a consultation with us.
Congressional leaders continue to push for inclusion of immigration reforms in the Build Back Better Act (HR 5376). The House passed HR 5376, and we are urging action by the Senate. Congress must act NOW, or it will lose the opportunity to get reform done in this Congress.
Gloria Cardenas and the entire Familia America team wants Congress to provide relief to people who do not have legal status, to alleviate severe immigrant visa backlogs by supporting the recapture of unused employment-based, family-based, and DV based visas, and to fund legal representation programs.
We need your help to keep the pressure on Congress to pass this bill with immigration provisions. It is imperative that they hear from people like you. They need to know that their constituents support immigration reforms through passing of the Build Back Better Act and oppose anti-immigrant amendments that may be offered.
At Familia America, we want to focus on a specific aspect of this bill. Not only does it address physical infrastructure, but also human and social infrastructure as well on the heels of President Biden’s campaign promise to offer undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship.
So what does this bill mean for immigration and citizenship for those coming to the United States?
With billions of dollars of the Build Back Better Act allocated to immigration issues, what can you or loved ones immigrating to the United States expect to gain from this overhaul?
Additionally, immigrants who are already in the country without legal status would able to apply for permits to work and travel in the United States for five years.
For undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US before 2011, there is the possibility of temporary protection from deportation for a parole period of five years. Whether this will make it into the final bill remains to be seen.
Additionally, hundreds of unused visas dating back to 1992 will be recaptured and protect millions of undocumented immigrants who have been in the United States for years from any kind of deportation.
People awaiting green cards to be issued green cards for at least two years will be able to pay additional fees to bypass certain annual and per-country limitations. This will allow them to become residents much sooner than they would have otherwise.
Diversity Visa winners from countries with low levels of immigration will have their green card privileges preserved; a reversal on the Trump-era travel bans and the pandemic.
In a real win for children, families’ access to the Child Tax Credit could be restored allowing undocumented children can receive support.
In conclusion, the Infrastructure Bill stands to bring a pathway of hope and dignity to immigrants who are ready to be a part of the American dream.
At Familia America, our passion is connecting immigrants with the resources they need to create the life they came here for. Furthermore, our team is closely following the Infrastructure Bill so that we can assist you in navigating the legal systems in a way that sets you up for success.
If you ever need an Build Back Better Act update, please check our blog or give us a call. Para más información en español, haga clic aquí.
Let us guide you through the process and be your resource for the latest in the Infrastructure Bill. In conclusion, it could be possible for immigrants to take advantage of this new law if passed. Familia America can guide you by walking you through this process of the infrastructure bill & immigration law if it is passed.
We provide services to all 50 US states.
The post Infrastructure Bill & Immigration: What Is In The Build Back Better Act (HR 5376) appeared first on Immigration Attorney Salt Lake City | Familia America.
Nothing about immigration is easy to understand right now. Aside from the political climate being the way it is, people often forget that real lives are being affected every day. This is especially true for those brought to this country when they were kids. We know that you may need a DACA attorney in Salt Lake City , and we are here to help.
At Familia America Immigration , we are ready to handle your immigration needs. Let us help you navigate this complex and ever-changing system so you can get back to living your life.
It seems like we are stuck in a never-ending cycle of no action being taken on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals issue. What we do know is that the US Supreme Court is going to meet behind closed doors to discuss taking up a case during their next term. The case they are considering hearing concerns the phasing-out of DACA .
As it stands, multiple lower courts have blocked attempts by the Executive Branch to rescind DACA. The administration has appealed all of these lower court decisions to the Supreme Court, which has so far not responded. If the Court decides to hear a DACA case, it will happen in the middle of 2020 – a presidential election year.
DACA recipients, known as Dreamers, were those brought to this country as minors. Many of them have absolutely no memory of their home country. In fact, calling anything other than the US their home country seems absurd. Some of them do not even speak Spanish. They have grown up here, gone to school here, and many of them have professional careers here. Many Dreamers are in the US military. Others are teachers, college professors, and doctors.
The DACA program started in 2012 as a way to protect all of these people brought here as minors (before the age of 16).
What are the alternatives?
If DACA is rescinded, what happens to the more than 800,000 people in the program? Will it mean mass deportation of those who have never revisited their country of birth?
We cannot tell you when the DACA crisis will be solved. What we can do is offer our help to get you through all of these changes. At Familia America Immigration , our knowledgeable and experienced team is going to get to the bottom of your case and build a story. We want the courts to see you for you, away from the political rhetoric that drives the debates on TV. We know that you want to get on with your life and we will help. If you need a Salt Lake City DACA attorney , you can contact us by clicking here or calling 801-656-9605 for a consultation.
The post Is DACA Ever Going To Be Solved? appeared first on Immigration Attorney Salt Lake City | Familia America.
In what is being called a ruling that may benefit those who are fighting deportation orders, US District Judge George Hazel has extended a previous order blocking the deportation of Wanrong Lin. Lin, a native of China, is married to a US citizen and he has three children that are also US citizens. Lin was arrested in August after showing up for his immigration interview in Maryland. The interview was in regards to Lin’s application for a stateside waiver allowing him to remain in the country while seeking legal status.
Following his arrest, Lin was placed on a commercial flight to Shanghai in November. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued on Lin’s behalf, prompting Judge Hazel to order that he be returned to the United States before his flight had even arrived in Lin’s native China.
In his ruling, Judge Hazel stated that the US government cannot use the interview process as a trap for unsuspecting applicants, calling the interview a “lure” to get Lin to come in where he could be arrested, and as a result, preventing Lin from completing the process of getting a provisional waiver. By allowing removal under circumstances like these, says Judge Hazel, the government erects “an impenetrable barrier to completion of the provisional waiver process.”
According to the ACLU attorney who sued on Lin’s behalf, although the decision applies directly to Lin’s situation, it also sends a signal to ICE about abusing the provision waiver process.
Lin, whose wife became a naturalized citizen in 2004, sought asylum in 2008 but his request was denied. An order was issued at that time for his deportation , but he did not leave. Lin, now 38 years old, was just 14 when he came to the U.S. on his own. He has no family in China; the only family he knows is his wife and children.
Lin and his wife began the process of applying for the provisional waiver in 2016. When the pair showed up in 2018 for an interview to confirm that they were in a bona fide, legitimate marriage, Lin was pulled into a separate room by immigration personnel. ICE agents were waiting there to take him into custody and eventually deport him.
While the decision in this Maryland case is a step in the right direction for immigrants seeking a legal path to citizenship, the current climate for immigrants is frightening to say the least. At Familia America Immigration , we want to help you face your immigration problems and find a viable solution to help you become a US citizen. If you are facing deportation issues, contact our Salt Lake City green card attorney right away. We put 100% effort into fighting for you, giving you and your family the best shot possible at realizing the American dream. Give us a call at 801-656-9605 or click here to reach out to our team and set up a confidential, no-cost case consultation.
The post Federal Judge: ICE Agents Cannot Use Immigration Interview as Unsuspecting Trap appeared first on Immigration Attorney Salt Lake City | Familia America.
Perhaps no deportation stories are sadder and more shocking than those involving veterans of the United States’ own military who are deported from the US after laying down their very lives for the country they love. But even the brave men and women who bear arms in the name of the US are not immune from the long reach of ICE’s arm.
Such was the case Of Jose Segovia Benitez, an immigrant from El Salvador who arrived in the US at the age of 3 and joined the Marines at 18. He always considered the US to be his home. He served proudly in combat in Iraq, earning an honorable discharge after five years of service in 2004.
Upon his discharge, Segovia, who suffered a brain injury that left him angry and depressed, began to exhibit signs of post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) . As so many PTSD sufferers do, he began drinking, and subsequently fell into legal trouble, serving time for DUI, domestic abuse and other felony crimes.
Despite being a legal permanent resident when he entered military service, and although he was in the midst of the naturalization process while serving in Iraq, Segovia’s US citizenship was never granted. When Segovia walked out of prison in January of last year, he was detained by ICE agents and sent to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center to await deportation due to his criminal activity as a non-citizen. He remains there still, his case on appeal.
The now 37-year-old Segovia is just one of the thousands of vets that are facing similar situations around the country. The exact number is hard to determine, although the Congressional Hispanic Caucus estimated in 2017 that close to 3,000 former vets have been forcibly removed from the US in recent years.
At least two legislators say that it’s unfair to deport the very veterans who provided loyal service to our country. Congressman Don Young from Alaska and Vincente Gonzalez from Texas are reintroducing HR 1078, the Repatriate Our Patriots Act, which seeks to prohibit such deportation of honourably discharged non-citizen veterans, despite their criminal pasts. The act also looks to expedite the naturalization process of those vets who have already been deported, permitting them to undergo the process from their home countries.
Non-citizens have served in the US military in great numbers throughout much of recent history. In World War I, 18 percent of military members were immigrants. Around 5,000 green card holders or lawful permanent residents apply to join the military each year. From 1999 through 2010, around 80,000 non-citizens joined the US military, with 24,000 non-citizens on active duty in 2012, according to USCIS.
If you are a non-citizen facing deportation issues, you are not alone. Familia America Immigration and our green card lawyer in Salt Lake City can help. We are advocates for our clients, with the ultimate goal of legitimizing your citizenship. Give our team a call at 801-656-9605 or click here to start the process of becoming a legal resident of the United States.
The post Repatriate Our Patriots Act Reintroduced to Protect Non-Citizens Vets appeared first on Immigration Attorney Salt Lake City | Familia America.
Special immigrant juvenile (SIJ) classification is a special immigrant classification that is sometimes granted to non-citizens residing in the United States who require the protection of a juvenile court due to abuse, abandonment or neglect by their parent(s). The granting of SIJ status may qualify the non-citizen to become a lawful permanent resident and is one of the most common pathways to getting a Green Card for immigrant youth.
Although the process of filing for SIJ status is complex, our seasoned immigration law experts at Familia America Immigration can help. We have helped thousands of non-citizens on their path to citizenship, and we pride ourselves in honest, compassionate legal representation for all of our clients.
In order to qualify for SIJ classification, US Citizenship and Immigration Services says that the applicant must meet all of the following statutory requirements:
Immigration law is nothing if not complex. Understanding the nuances of US immigration law is difficult, especially for non-citizens who may not speak English. SIJ is a valid option for much immigrant youth, but it is not the only option. It is not unusual for immigrant children to qualify for relief under the Violence Against Women Act or in the form of a “U Visa,” which is available to children who are victims of specific crimes. Children who fear to return to their home countries may also qualify for asylum.
Fortunately, our green card lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah provide invaluable advice and representation to our clients with the goal of helping them achieve their goal of becoming legal residents in this great country. No matter your immigration issue, the team at Familia America Immigration wants to be there for you. Give us a call at 801-656-9605 or click here for help with your immigration woes.
The post What is the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Classification? appeared first on Immigration Attorney Salt Lake City | Familia America.
If you are getting ready for your naturalization interview at the Salt Lake City, Utah, USCIS office, you are likely experiencing a mix of excitement and apprehension. The process can be a bit intimidating and scary and is best undertaken with the help of our Salt Lake City green card attorney. This post can help you to better prepare for your interview and ease some of your worries about your interview.
Prior to your interview, you can expect to receive an appointment notice, Form I-797C Notice of Action. It will have the title “Request for Applicant to Appear for Naturalization Initial Interview.” Included with this document will be a Naturalization Interview Document Checklist; pay special attention to this checklist, since it will tell you exactly what you need to bring with you when you go for your interview.
Be certain that your name is the name listed on the forms you receive. Take note of the day and time of the interview and the address where the interview will occur. Keep in mind, as indicated on the notice, if you fail to appear at the interview, your application for naturalization will be automatically denied. Bring these forms with you to the appointment along with:
Arrive early, but no more than 30 minutes before your interview time as indicated in the notice you received. Keep in mind that arriving early does not mean that your interview will be held early; in most cases, interviews are not on time and some may occur long after the scheduled appointment time.
Once you arrive in the waiting room, it is a good idea to wait for your attorney prior to placing your notice in the box at the interview window. There is a slight chance that if you don’t wait for your attorney to arrive you may end up going into the interview alone. When your interviewer is ready for you, the interviewing officer will open one of the doors in the waiting room and call your name. The interview will take place in the interviewer’s office; no one other than your attorney (or if needed, an interpreter) will be permitted to go into the interview with you.
There are two parts to the interview: an exam showing that you can read, write and speak the English language and a civics exam make up part one. Part two involves reviewing Form N-400, your naturalization application, to make any updates.
If you pass the exam and are eligible for naturalization based on your application, you will receive a notice that lets you know where your oath ceremony will take place, or form N-445, formalizing your naturalization as a US citizen.
If you need help applying for citizenship or permanent legal residency, contact our Salt Lake City green card attorney now. The team at Familia America Immigration can guide you through the entire process from start to finish.
The post Preparing for Your Salt Lake City USCIS Naturalization Interview appeared first on Immigration Attorney Salt Lake City | Familia America.
Unfortunately, at this time in our country the current administration is tightening the reins on an already deeply pressured system. Your dreams of becoming a permanent resident may be harder than expected, but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t impossible. There are options that you can take that will get you to get the results you need such as a green card. A green card can provide almost the same services as permanent residents save a few differences. A green card is a good obtainable goal and our Green Card Attorney at Familia America Immigration in Salt Lake City are ready to assist you in this process.
The process for a Green Card can get messy, especially when an administration is not open to improving immigration process. However, we have to work with what we have and thankfully by instilling trust into our Green Card Attorney at Familia America Immigration in Salt Lake City , the process can be easier. The first step for a Green Card is to check your eligibility for a green card. There are several ways in which you can obtain a green card:
Listed are some top categories for green card eligibility and not an exhaustive list. If you are eligible then the next steps are to gather documentation of your past including past marriage, families, work, medical documents, and mental health. There are ways to get your green card while you are in the United States or you can take a consular route through an American embassy in your home country. The Green card process is all about paperwork and that is where our Green Card Attorney excel. Call 801-656-9605 or click here to start your Green Card process with us. Even if you have already started the process we can help in the midst of trouble as well ensure that your application is in the right direction.
The post Taking The Green Card Option appeared first on Immigration Attorney Salt Lake City | Familia America.
There is a new amendment to US immigration legislation that could become law in 2019, and, as a result, affect millions of legal immigrants seeking a green card, employment-based status and permanent residence in the United States.
Against the backdrop of a slew of anti-immigration laws and initiative introduced by President Donald Trump and his administration in recent years, the new legislation could have irreparable and major repercussions for immigrants from all countries.
If the H.R. 392, also known as the Fairness For High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2017, became law, it would not only hurt Americans but also immigrants seeking to work and live in the United States legally. When combined with Trump’s travel ban, which bans nationals from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen – even those with visas – from entering the US, the new law would negatively impact immigrants from most countries in several ways.
Just how bad the H.R. 392 is when signed into law will explain our skilled immigration lawyer in Utah from Familia America.
While millions of skilled workers from countries all across the globe are calling on US lawmakers to oppose the new amendment to immigration legislation, some of the biggest and multi-billionaire companies such as Amazon, Microsoft and Hewlett Package, all of which heavily rely on immigrant workers, spearhead and support the legislation financially.
So what’s with all the fuss about the H.R. 392? At its core, the legislation aims to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigration. Our Salt Lake City green card attorney explains that currently, each country is assigned a numerical cap of 9,800 green cards (or 7 percent of the 140,000) issued per year, regardless of the country’s population.
As you can imagine, with hundreds of thousands of immigration petitions and applications coming from China and India alone, immigrants from the world’s first and second largest country by population, respectively, have to wait for years or decades to get their application approved.
The legislation aims to eliminate limitations relating to place of birth. In other words, while employment-based immigrants from China and India would benefit from the new bill, it would hurt immigrants from countries with smaller populations, making it practically impossible for them to work and live in the U.S. legally.
Fact : At the moment, about 74 percent of the total of 420,000 petitions for H-1B visa are filed by Indian workers. China, meanwhile, accounts for another more than 11 percent of total petitions. Meaning that India and China account for an overwhelming majority in the number of H-1B petitions (85 percent).
“If the per-country numerical cap is eliminated, the majority of employment-based green card issued in the next decade will go to workers from India and China,” explains our green card attorney in Salt Lake City .
In other words, easing the burden on India and China means putting that burden onto the shoulders of immigrants from countries with smaller populations. This fact has US lawmakers and immigration experts alike divided on H.R. 392, as empowering one group at the expense of another is hardly a reasonable or fair solution.
Speak to our immigration lawyer in Utah to find out more about H.R. 392 and other new immigration bills that could be signed into law in 2019 by the Trump administration. Contact Familia America for a free case evaluation by calling at 801-656-9605.
The post What Immigrants from India and China Should Expect from U.S. Immigration Law in 2019 appeared first on Immigration Attorney Salt Lake City | Familia America.
Attorney Gloria Cardenas brings more than 30 years of experience in immigration law to help protect the rights of clients and their family members. She and her knowledgeable team at Familia America work diligently behind the scenes to help process fiancé visa applications as quickly as possible. To learn more, contact the legal professionals at Familia America in Salt Lake City and schedule a consultation to discuss your case.
