Deportation is Focus of Immigrants’ Rally in Boston

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Jacob D. Geller, Esq.

Immigrants and their supporters rallied in East Boston on Saturday to bring attention to the effects of deportation on families and to call for immigration reform.

Numerous immigration advocacy groups, including the Student Immigrant Movement, Mass Uniting, and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, organized the event in honor of Mother’s Day.

Conrado Santos, a member of the Student Immigrant Movement, said the possibility of immigration reform gives hope to a community living with the constant threat of deportation.  “Our community is already suffering so much under the weight of deportation,” he said.  “But on the other hand, I think people are excited.  For the first time in 26 years, immigration reform is a real possibility.”

Santos is an undocumented immigrant who came to the U.S. with his parents from Brazil when he was 13.  He graduated from Somerville High School, and studied philosophy and public policy at Umass Boston without graduating because it was too expensive.

Monique Nguyen of Quincy, MA also attended the rally.  She’s the director of MataHari: Eye of the Day, a human rights organization for immigrant women and women of color.  She urged people to consider

“When people think about immigration reform, they should think about families,” she said.

Nguyen’s parents fled Vietnam during the war and moved to Canada, where she was born.  The family later moved to Houston, Texas to help take care of her aunt who was injured in an automobile accident.  After spending 15 years in the U.S., her parents’ visas lapsed and they gave up trying to become citizens.  “After being in the US for 15 years, they all dropped their lives to start over in Canada,” she said. “They moved around their whole life, losing their country and then coming here. It’s been really difficult.”

Nguyen became a permanent U.S. resident in 2007 after marrying a New Yorker of Filipino descent, and no longer has to face the threat of deportation.  She studied nutrition and global business at the University of Houston.

Boston Immigration Attorneys

At the Law Offices of Jacob D. Geller, we understand how deportation affects families in the Boston area.

Please contact us at 781-462-1356 or online for a free consultation if you or a loved one are facing the threat of deportation. Our experienced deportation/removal attorneys can advise you of your rights and use a number of legal strategies to try to prevent the deportation/removal process.

Source: At rally, immigrants focus on deportation’s impact on families, www.bostonglobe.com, May 12, 2013.
Immigrants and their supporters rallied in East Boston on Saturday to bring attention to the effects of deportation on families and to call for new immigration laws.

 

Posted in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Immigration | Leave a comment

Tech Companies in Boston Seek More H-1B Visas

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Jacob D. Geller, Esq.

Many of the nation’s leading tech companies, some of which have a presence in the Boston region, are aggressively lobbying Congress to include an expansion of the H-1B visa program in any immigration reform legislation. Continue reading →

Posted in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Employment, Immigration | Leave a comment

U Visa Helps Immigrant Victims of Crime Stay in US

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Jacob D. Geller, Esq.

A Path to Residence for Certain Victims

The U Visa program is giving immigrants in the Boston area and beyond who are victims of certain crimes a way to stay legally in the U.S.  Immigrants who help law enforcement officials investigate and prosecute certain serious crimes

Crime of Violence

The U Visa can help certain victims of violent crime become residents.

can get temporary legal status with a U Visa, and the chance to gain permanent resident status later if certain conditions are met. Some of the covered crimes are domestic violence, felonious assault, prostitution, rape, sexual assault, and trafficking. For a full list of covered crimes, visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website (a link has been provided below).

Congress created the U Visa when it passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000, recognizing that immigrants are especially vulnerable to crimes like human trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence, and others. Congress saw that immigrants without legal status may hesitate to report these crimes due to a fear of deportation, language barriers, and a number of other circumstances unique to immigrant communities.

A Complex Process

The way the program works is that immigrants who believe they are eligible for a U Visa can complete the USCIS Form I-918, and submit it to USCIS with all the necessary supporting documents like the law enforcement certification, Form I-918B.  The law enforcement certification must be signed by a valid official in order to acquire the visa.  The process is complex, so it’s a good idea to seek help from an attorney. Law enforcement agencies can also initiate the process themselves.

If USCIS finds the person to be eligible, it will give the U Visa holder nonimmigrant status to live and work in the U.S. for no more than 4 years. After three years of continuous presence in the U.S., the U Visa holder can apply for a green card (permanent resident status). The U Visa holder will have to meet other eligibility requirements and continue cooperating with law enforcement officials, if necessary.

An important benefit of the U Visa program is that it allows certain immediate family members to live and work in the U.S, including spouses, parents of child U Visa-holders under 21, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried siblings under 18.

Boston Immigration Attorneys

The Law Offices of Jacob D. Geller is prepared to help Boston-area immigrants with the U Visa application process.

Please contact us online or call us at (781) 462-1346 for a free consultation if you believe you may be eligible for the U Visa. Our experienced attorneys will oversee the process from beginning to end, so you can be sure that your case is handled professionally and efficiently so that you can acquire your status in the United States.

Source: U Visa Law Enforcement Certification Resource Guide, www.dhs.gov.

Posted in Crimes, Immigration, Permanent Residence/Green Card | Leave a comment

The Boston Bombings – A Poor Reason to Stop Immigration Reform

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Jacob D. Geller, Esq.

Immigration Reform Should Move Forward in the Wake of the Boston Marathon Bombings.

As an attorney located in Boston only blocks away from the site of the Boston Marathon bombings last week, I am particularly sensitive to the issue of the alleged bombers’ status as immigrants.  Shortly after the bombing, the bipartisan group known as the Gang of Eight released a proposed bill for immigration reform (for more information on the substance of that proposal, see our article Immigration Reform Would Affect Immigrants in Boston).  Hearings on this proposal began on Friday and continued on Monday, where Republicans raised the Boston Marathon bombings as an example of why immigration reform should be delayed.  There is absolutely no rational behind such a suggestion.

The truth is that the alleged bombers were both immigrants.  One of them was a U.S. citizen and one was currently a lawful permanent resident.  They had immigrated to the United States with their parents and received their status through asylum.  Asylum is a form of relief mandated under international law and the United Nation to protect certain people from being persecuted in their home countries.  Immigration reform does not seek to limit asylum nor change the way asylum is construed under U.S. immigration law.  It would not have prevented the legal immigration of the two alleged bombers.

In fact, the approximately 11 million persons currently in the United States without legal status are more difficult to detect than the people who legally immigrate.  Reform would actually lead to additional people being fingerprinted and placed in federal databases.  It would allow cross-checking of people and, in fact, would improve the government’s ability to combat terrorism and crime as these records could be cross-checked with foreign crime agencies.

Immigration reform that led to people gaining status in the United States would foster civic passion in the new immigrants.  They would eventually be able to take part in the political process and this would foster feelings of inclusion rather than the exclusion and marginalization that occurs with many immigrants with no legal status.  This can only improve our safety, contrary to what opposing politicians might suggest.

The Boston Marathon bombings were a horrendous occurrence.  There is no question that we should take steps to prevent anything similar happening in the future.  However, delaying or defeating comprehensive immigration reform is not going to make our country safer or prevent an event like this from happening again in the future.

We here at the Law Offices of Jacob D. Geller feel very strongly about the need for immigration reform.  Many of our clients are in immigration proceedings with no viable means of relief.  We urge everyone capable of supporting immigration reform to do so for the sake of the United States, a country that was built by immigrants.

Sources

Sen. Leahy continues to pursue immigration reform, by Neil P. Goswami, Bennington Banner News, April 23, 2013.

Q. and A.: The Senate Immigration Bill, by Julia Preston, New York Times, April 22, 2013.

Posted in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Immigration | Leave a comment

How to Avoid Deportation from the U.S.

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Jacob D. Geller, Esq.

The threat of deportation, or removal as it’s now known, can be a stressful experience for immigrants living in the Boston area. You’ve worked hard to build a better life here, and all of a sudden you have to give up your job, move, and leave behind your family and friends.

Stop the Deportations!

Until immigration reform occurs, people in removal proceedings will most likely need legal help to find forms of relief.

Fortunately, the Law Offices of Jacob D. Geller may be able to help. Our experienced immigration attorneys use a number of strategies to protect our clients from deportation.  The information below is meant only to give you a general idea of what forms of relief may be out there to prevent your deportation from the United States and is not meant as legal advice and may or may not apply to your particular situation.  If you have any doubt about whether you may be eligible for some form of relief or if you need representation in immigration proceedings, contact our office at 781-462-1346.

Deportation Waivers Due to Hardship for You and/or Your Family

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to have certain crimes or misrepresentations that are leading to your deportation waived.  In most cases, it is necessary to have an immediate relative in the United States who is either a citizen or lawful permanent resident.  A deportation waiver is a viable option if your removal would create an economic or other hardship to you, your parents, spouse, or children.

Show That You Are Not Removable as Charged

You might not belong in removal proceedings in the first place. If you’re undocumented, you probably are removable (there are exceptions to this, however).  Still, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) might have incorrectly charged you as being removable for incorrect reasons or they may be unable to present documents proving you are removable.

Adjustment of Status

Some people are able to get their green cards through a family member or a job, most likely under the Immigration and Nationality Act Sections 245 or 245(i).  This usually requires you to have entered the U.S. legally, but there are exceptions.

Asylum

People who have fled persecution or fear potential persecution in their home country may be able to apply for asylum, which grants legal status in the U.S., a work permit, and eventually a green card.  Asylum is extremely complicated and in most cases must be applied for within one year of either entering the United States or losing status in the United States.

Withholding of Removal

Withholding of removal is similar to asylum, but it has a higher standard and does not allow a path to get your green card. It does allow you to stay and work in the U.S indefinitely, however.

The Convention Against Torture (CAT)

The Convention Against Torture will help you avoid deportation if it is more likely than not that your home country’s government will torture you upon your return. You won’t ever get permanent residency under the CAT, but you can stay and work here.

Cancellation of Removal

There are different forms of this relief for lawful permanent residents who are in proceedings (usually due to a criminal history) or for persons who are not lawful permanent residents and have been in the United States for more than ten years before being placed in proceedings.  Both forms of relief require a showing of hardship, although the standard for a non-permanent resident is much higher.

Cancellation under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Cancellation of removal for non-permanent residents under the Violence Against Women Act is possible if you have been “battered or subjected to extreme cruelty” by a “qualifying relative,” and if you meet other requirements including good moral character and three years presence in the U.S.

Deferred Action or Prosecutorial Discretion

The government will sometimes agree to terminate the case, neither giving you legal status nor deporting you. This happens on a case-by-case basis.

NACARA Special Rule Cancellation

NACARA is available for certain nationalities with specific requirements, such as having applied for asylum before a certain date, being present in the United States before a certain date and not having committed certain crimes.

Voluntary Departure

While not always a desirable option, you can leave the country voluntarily without receiving a removal/deportation order on your immigration record, making it potentially less difficult to return than if you face deportation.

Boston Immigration Attorneys

The Boston immigration attorneys of the Law Offices of Jacob D. Geller are experienced in representing people facing deportation/removal. If the government has placed you or someone you know in removal proceedings, please contact us at 781-462-1346 or on our website for a free consultation.

Posted in Immigration, Permanent Residence/Green Card, Removal/Deportation, Waivers | Leave a comment

Immigration Reform Would Affect Immigrants in Boston

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Jacob D. Geller, Esq.
Woman holding immigration reform sign.

Immigration Reform is making progress.

Congress will be considering comprehensive immigration reform legislation that could lead to big changes in the way the federal government deals with immigrants unlawfully present in the Boston area and throughout the country. On Tuesday, a group of Democratic and Republican senators known as the Gang of Eight introduced a bill to give legal status to the 11 million people who illegally entered the United States or overstayed their visas.

“Our immigration system is broken and it is time for a national conversation about how to fix it,” the Senators said in a joint statement Wednesday. “We believe common-sense immigration reform is vital in order to secure America’s borders, advance our economic growth, and provide fuller access to the American dream.”

Law Offices of Jacob D. Geller has been closely following the immigration reform debate over the past few months.  Here’s how this proposed legislation could impact the approximately 160,000 immigrants living without status in Boston and the rest of Massachusetts:

    • Undocumented immigrants would have a path to citizenship if they came to the country before December 31, 2011, hold a job, pay a $500 fine and all back taxes, and haven’t committed a felony or three misdemeanors.
    • Someone meeting all those requirements would become a registered provisional, and be able to stay in the U.S. legally without the threat of deportation.  He or she would not have access to some public benefits.
    • The provisional status would be renewed after six years if the individual has a consistent work history, isn’t a criminal, and pays an additional $500 fine.
    • Four years after that, he or she could apply for a green card that would require a steady work history, continuous presence in the U.S., regular tax payments, knowledge of English and civics, no criminal record, and payment of a $1,000 fine.
    • The individual would be eligible three years later to become a citizen.  This pathway, in total, would take 13 years and a minimum of $2,000 in fines plus all back taxes, in addition to the other requirements.
    • Three years after that, the person would be eligible to become a citizen.

In total, the path to citizenship would take 13 years and requires a minimum of $2,000 in fines plus all back taxes among other requirements, according to the Washington Post.

The bill would offer an easier route to citizenship for people who entered the U.S. when they were young, the aptly named “Dreamers”.  Students who came to the country before they were 16, graduated from high school, and have been in the country for five years could apply for permanent residency in five years.  They would be able to apply for citizenship immediately after that if they finish at least two years of college or serve two years in the military. 

President Obama indicated his support for the legislation before its release, saying “I urge the Senate to quickly move this bill forward and, as I told Senators Schumer and McCain, I stand willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that comprehensive immigration reform becomes a reality as soon as possible.”

For more information about how immigration would affect Boston-area immigrants, please contact us at Law Offices of Jacob D. Geller or email us at esben@jdgellerlaw.com.

Sources:

Bipartisan group introduces immigration reform bill, www.latimes.com, April 17, 2013.
Gang Of Eight Unveils Immigration Reform Details, miami.cbslocal.com, April 17, 2013.
Statement by the President on Commonsense Immigration Reform, www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office, April 16, 2013.

Posted in Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Immigration | Leave a comment

Divorcio e Inmigración – Yo estoy casado, pero Inmigración cree que no.

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Jacob D. Geller, Esq.
Un Matrimonio

¡Un matrimonio no es válido sólo porque usted pone el anillo en su dedo!

¿No estoy casado con mi esposa?

Muchos de mis clientes entran en mi oficina y me dicen “¡Hemos estado casados ​​durante cinco años, tenemos dos hijos juntos, tenemos una casa juntos, e inmigración me está diciendo que no estamos casados!” Siempre tomo un suspiro a mí mismo porque antes de que me den mas detalles de su situación,ya sé lo que van a decir.  Debido a la forma en que nuestro sistema legal funciona  simplemente porque usted se haya divorciado no significa que vaya a ser considerado válido para propósitos de inmigración. La inmigración debe ser considerada antes de divorciarse cuando un extranjero está involucrado.

Por lo general la historia de mi clientes es la siguiente:

    • uno, o ambos cónyuges, estaban casado antes con un extranjero;
    • se había divorciado de su esposo anterior a través de la firma de documentos en el consulado;
    • la ley del país de origen indica claramente que este tipo de divorcio es válido;
    • En el consulado nunca les informaron que este tipo de divorcio no es valido, y
    • el no tuvieron ningún problema cuando contrajeron segundas nupcias aquí en el país

Yo siempre trato de evitar a toda costa este tipo de problemas porque son muy comes, especialmente en estos tiempos en que todo el mundo está tratando de ahorrar dinero y se divorcian rápidamente. Es muy raro el divorcio extranjero que se hizo de tal manera que permitirá que sea reconocido para propósitos de inmigración. Si usted esta en este predicamento  ¡pregunte a un abogado de divorcio e inmigración!

La ley sobre el reconocimiento de divorcios extranjeros para efectos de la inmigración  (o divorcios en otro estado de la unión americana), es muy clara. Sólo si uno de los cónyuges por divorciaserse tiene domicilio en el lugar donde se aplica el divorcio, el proceso sera reconocido en los Estados Unidos. Tener domicilio significa que la persona ha residido allí durante seis (6) meses o más.

Y nadie le informara a usted de esto. Excepto tal vez un abogado. La recepcionista en el Ayuntamiento dónde usted se casado, no se lo dirá.  Es muy probable que un empleado de la corte no se lo dirá porque no es parte de su trabajo conocer las leyes. Es el trabajo de un abogado. Si tiene alguna pregunta acerca del divorcio y de la inmigración y desea discutir los detalles específicos de su caso con un abogado de inmigración, comuníquese con Law Offices of Jacob D. Geller al 781-462-1346.

El divorcio requiere tiempo y muchos de mis clientes están ansiosos por volver a casarse y lllenar una aplicacion para  la tarjeta verde para su nuevo cónyuge. Sin embargo, hay que este tipo de errores no los nota la oficina de iudadanía y Servicios de Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS), hasta el final del proceso . Después de haber pagado todas las cuotas, después de haber esperado pacientemente, después de haber ido a una entrevista de USCIS,  usted tendrá que empezar el proceso de nuevo cuando reciba la decisión.

Por lo tanto aunque usted tendra que esperar un poco mas yo siempre aconsejo a mis clientes se “vuelvan a casar” o se “vuelvan a divoricar” para poder demostrar a la USCIS que estaban libres de casarse cuando lo hicieron.

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El Proceso Consular – Como obtener la tarjeta verde para su cónyuge

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Jacob D. Geller, Esq.

Actualización: A principios de 2013, este proceso cambio para ciertas personas. Por favor ver mi publicación ¡La Exención Provisional es una Realidad! para obtener más información sobre el cambio y para averiguar si se aplica a usted y si el proceso consular es una opción más atractiva.

¡El Proceso Consular no es simple ni tampoco igual para todas las personas!

Antes de leer este artículo es importante entender que el  waiver (o exención/perdón)  y el Proceso Consular no son unos procesos sencillos ni áreas  de la ley fáciles de navegar. No aconsejo realizar este proceso por cuenta propia  y sugiero que al menos hable con un abogado de inmigración al respecto para aclarar cualquier duda que usted tenga acerca de su elegibilidad. Al escribir este artículo yo no estoy actuando como su abogado y puede haber un detalle en su caso que no sea descrito aquí  que podría tener consecuencias drásticas en su caso particular.

Entrada sin Inspección vs Admisión

Cada año miles de personas cruzan ilegalmente la frontera con México y entran a los Estados Unidos. A cruzar la frontera sin pasar por la aduana se le conoce como “entrada sin inspección” y se le llama comúnmente EWI. Muchas de de las personas que han entrado sin inspección permanecen en los Estados Unidos durante muchos años y se casan con ciudadanos estadounidenses. Es ese el momento cuando deciden visitar a un abogado de inmigración y preguntar: “¿Puedo obtener una tarjeta verde a través de mi esposo?” la respuesta es, probablemente. ¿Va a ser fácil? Probablemente no. ¿Puede su cónyuge conseguir la tarjeta verde mientras permanece en los Estados Unidos? Probablemente no.

Las leyes de inmigración actuales únicamente permiten un ajuste de estatus (el proceso para obtener la tarjeta verde mientras reside Estados Unidos), a las personas que fueron “admitidas” a Estados Unidos. Esto básicamente significa que un funcionario oficial de inmigración en la frontera o puerto de entrada (por ejemplo un aeropuerto),  examino sus papeles y tomó la decisión de permitirle ingresar a los Estados Unidos. Una persona puede ser admitida de  varias formas. Por ejemplo con una visa B-2 visitante (u otro  tipo de visa). Lo interesante es que es posible que una persona haya sido admitida incluso utilizando el pasaporte de otra persona o a pesar de haber obtenido su visa ilegalmente. Usted podría incluso haber sido puesto en libertad condicional (lo que generalmente significa que se haya dado un permiso temporal para la entrada a los Estados Unidos en espera de una decisión sobre su visa o tarjeta verde).

En lo que se refiere al tema de este artículo vamos a discutir el proceso en caso de que  su cónyuge no haya sido admitido o admitida en los Estados Unidos, lo que muy probablemente significa que entraron al país donde no había paso fronterizo.

Si usted tiene preguntas acerca de Proceso Consular y quiere consultar a un abogado de inmigración al respecto, comuníquese con las Oficinas Legales de  Jacob D. Geller al teléfono 781-462-1346.

Pasaporte EstounidenseGeneralmente, un  cónyuge extranjero que no fue admitido no es elegible para el ajuste de estatus, mientras resida en los Estados Unidos. ¡Pero,  espere! Para complicar más las cosas, este no es siempre el caso.  Algunas leyes como el asilo y estatus de protección temporal (en ciertas circunstancias),  permiten el ajuste de estatus incluso para las personas que cruzaron la frontera ilegalmente.  Ahora que nos hemos hablado de las  excepciones vamos a hablar de las situaciones que se presentan más a menudo  y donde no se puede aplicar nada de lo explicado con anterioridad.  Supongamos que el cónyuge extranjero no tiene antecedentes penales y nunca ha tenido problemas con inmigración. Asumamos también que ha estado en los Estados Unidos hace más de un año y está por lo tanto sujeto a una prohibición de admisibilidad de diez años  (¿Qué? Bajo la ley de inmigración, si usted ha estado en los Estados Unidos por más de un año sin estatus y sale de los Estados Unidos usted está sujeto a una prohibición de admisibilidad de diez años que básicamente significa que no puede entrar a los EE.UU. durante ese periodo).

La única manera de conseguir su tarjeta verde en esta situación es a través de un proceso llamado Proceso Consular. Como su nombre indica, se requiere obtener la tarjeta verde a través de un consulado en el país natal del cónyuge extranjero. El primer paso en este proceso es llenar el formulario de petición I-130 para un pariente extranjero. Este formulario debe ser presentado ante la oficina de  Ciudadanía y Servicios de Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS). El I-130 es un sello de aprobación del USCIS que confirma que usted tiene un matrimonio verdadero con su cónyuge y que no se han casado con la única intención de evadir las leyes de inmigración. Cuando, y si, la petición es aprobada, la oficina de  Ciudadanía y Servicios de Inmigración de los Estados Unidos le enviará una factura que se deben pagar al Centro Nacional de Visas. Una vez que estos honorarios hayan sido pagados su caso será enviado al consulado principal del país de origen del cónyuge extranjero. En este punto una entrevista para la tarjeta verde puede ser programada. El cónyuge extranjero no necesita regresar a su país de origen hasta pocos días  antes de esta entrevista. Sin embargo, tendrá que tener en cuenta que deberá hacerse un examen médico previo a la entrevista por lo que debe considerar el tiempo que demora ver a un médico para decidir en qué fecha saldrá del país. Aunque la ley de inmigración no requiere al cónyuge solicitante asistir a la entrevista la mayoría de los consulados si lo requieren, con muy pocas excepciones.

El Waiver I-601

Este parte es solamente para los quien no estuvieron eligibles para el Waiver en Los Estados Unidos.  Durante la entrevista cuando usted le explique al funcionario de consulado en su país de origen que usted ha permanecido en los Estados Unidos por más de un año, se le dirá que necesita presentar un waiver o exención. Usted deberá tener esta exención (waiver I-601) listo para enviar a USCIS cuando el consulado niega a su aplicación para su residencia.  Es ahora cuando empieza el punto más doloroso del proceso, cuando el cónyuge extranjero debe esperar en su país de origen que el waiver sea probado (y no hay ninguna garantía de que será aprobado). Explicare más acerca de la renuncia I-601 en una futura publicación, pero por ahora … ¡hable con un abogado acerca de esto!. Sólo una vez que el waiver ha sido aprobado el cónyuge extranjero será llamado para una segunda entrevista y lo más probable es que se le conceda el permiso para entrar a los Estados Unidos en estado de residencia permanente. En este punto, ¡se regocijan! Comprara un billete de avión y regresara los Estados Unidos. Usted recibirá una tarjeta verde en el correo poco después de entrar de vuelta al país.

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¡La Exención Provisional es una Realidad!

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Jacob D. Geller, Esq.
La Exención Provisional

¡La exención provisional puede permitir que usted y su ser querido estén separados por menos tiempo!

El Secretario de Seguridad Nacional dio a conocer un comunicado de prensa el 02 de enero 2013, que indica que la Exención Provisional para la Permanencia Ilegal ha sido finalmente publicada y entrará en vigencia a partir 04 de marzo 2013.

 Actualización: ¡La Exención Provisional para la Permanencia Ilegal está ahora en efecto!

Para aquellos de ustedes que no saben lo que es esto: las personas que permanecen en los Estados Unidos sin estatus por mas de seis meses y luego sale del país, son considerados  inadmisibles (básicamente inelegibles para entrar a los Estados Unidos) por un periodo de tres años. Si han permanecido en los Estados Unidos  por más de 12 meses y luego salen del país, son inadmisibles por diez años si no presentan una exención o perdón a la inmigración pidiendo perdón de su fuera de estado en tiempo en el país.

¿A quién afecta esto?

Esto afecta a las personas que ingresaron a Estados Unidos sin inspección y que tienen un pariente que es residente permanente o ciudadano de los Estados Unidos. Un ejemplo son las personas que habían entrado en los Estados Unidos sin una visa y luego se casaron con ciudadanos estadounidenses. Con el fin  de obtener su tarjeta verde, se requiere que estas personas salgan de los Estados Unidos, presentarse a una entrevista en el consulado Americano y , una vez allí, que presentar la exención (o waiver).

¿Cuál era el problema?

Antes del reciente cambio en el proceso, la exención no podía ser presentada hasta el dia la entrevista consular. Por desgracia la exención históricamente ha tomado entre 3 meses a un año para ser procesada. Puesto que el solicitante no podía presentar la renuncia hasta después de que ya se había marchado a los Estados Unidos, las personas eran obligadas a permanecer fuera de los Estados Unidos (y, por tanto, separados de su familia), por mucho tiempo hasta que recibieron una aprobación de su exención.

Si usted tiene preguntas sobre el proceso de exención provisional o el proceso consular en general y desea discutir el proceso con un abogado de inmigración, comuníquese con Las Oficinas Legales de Jacob D. Geller en  781-462-1346.

¿Qué ha cambiado?

La renuncia provisional pretende solucionar este problema al permitir que los familiares inmediatos, (como los cónyuges) soliciten una exención provisional mientras están aquí en los Estados Unidos. Una vez que la exención sea aprobada, pueden salir del país para una entrevista consular. Gracias a esta reforma en lugar de esperar meses en su país de origen en espera de una respuesta, podrían esperar solo unas cuantas semanas porque ya tendrán una exención aprobada. La oficina consular aceptará la renuncia provisional como una una exención aprobada y, si no existen otras barreras que impiden el pariente inmediato conseguir su tarjeta verde, recibirán un sello en su pasaporte y podrán de entrar a los Estados Unidos como residente permanente legales.

Para aquellas personas en esta situación este representa un gran cambio pues significa que las familias no estarán separadas por largos períodos de tiempo. Además permite a las personas que no están seguras de si les van a conceder una exención, intentarlo mientras están aquí en los Estados Unidos. Si no se concede la exención simplemente pueden permanecer en los Estados Unidos (por lo menos en la mayoría de casos) mientras apelan la decisión o aplican nuevamente.

Si desea más información sobre el proceso consular refiérase a mi articulo: Proceso Consular para obtener una tarjeta verde para su Cónyuge. El proceso continua siendo el mismo, lo único que ha cambiado a sido la exención.

Posted in Immigration, Permanent Residence/Green Card, Waivers | Leave a comment

Divorce and Immigration – I’ve been married for years! But Immigration says I’m not!

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Jacob D. Geller, Esq.
Two people getting married

A marriage isn’t always valid just because you place the ring on her finger!

I’m not married to my wife?

Lots of my clients enter the firm and tell me “We’ve been married for five years, we have two children together, we even own a house together!  And immigration is telling me we’re not married!”  I always sigh to myself because before they even explain their predicament, I know what they’re going to say.  Because of the way our legal system works, just because you get a divorce doesn’t mean it will be considered valid for immigration purposes.  Immigration must be considered prior to divorce where a foreigner is involved.

Usually my client’s story goes like this:

    • one or both of the spouses had been married before to a foreigner;
    • they had divorced their prior spouse by signing documents at the consulate;
    • the law of the foreign country clearly states that it is valid under their laws to do  a divorce this way;
    • The consulate never told them they couldn’t do it that way; and
    • the town clerk had no problem giving them a marriage license for their new marriage.

I always try to catch this early because it’s extremely common, especially these days when everyone is trying to save money and get divorced quickly.  If I see a foreign divorce, it is only the rare case that it was done in such a way that it will be recognized for immigration purposes.

Ask an attorney about divorce and immigration!

The law on recognizing foreign divorces (or, for that matter, divorces from another state) for the purposes of immigration is very clear.  Only if one of the spouses getting divorced has domicile in the place of the divorce will the divorce be recognized in the United States.  Having domicile means that the person has resided there for six (6) months or more.

And no one will tell you that.  Except, perhaps, an attorney.  The clerk at the town hall where you got “married” again won’t tell you.  Even a clerk at the court most likely won’t tell you.  It’s not their job to know the laws.  It is an attorney’s job, however.

If you have questions about divorce and immigration and want to discuss your case’s specific details with an immigration attorney, contact Law Offices of Jacob D. Geller at 781-462-1346.

Divorce takes time and many of my clients are eager to get remarried and file for their new spouse (or get remarried have someone file for them).  But keep in mind that the invalid marriage is generally not caught by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) until the end of the process… after you have paid all the fees, after you have gone to an interview by USCIS.  And you will have to begin the process all over again when you receive the decision.

So, although it will take time, I always advise my clients to get “re-divorced” and “re-married” so that they will be able to show USCIS that they were free to marry when they got married.

Posted in Immigration, Permanent Residence/Green Card | Leave a comment