"Asylum was never meant to alleviate all problems -- even all serious problems -- that people face every day all over the world," said Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a recent speech. He has personally ruled that immigration courts can no longer grant U.S. asylum...
Firm News
What are my rights under US permanent residency?
Immigrant rights are hotly discussed topic that does not always include factual information. Many immigrants in Louisiana struggle to separate fact from fiction, and remain unaware of their rights and protections. For those living in America under U.S. permanent...
DHS moves to end international entrepreneur rule
In 2017, an immigration rule was created to allow international entrepreneurs to live and work in the U.S. for up to five years in order to create start-up businesses. Now, that rule appears to be on its way out. The "international entrepreneur rule" was created...
US marriage nearly 2 years ago? Remove your green card conditions
If you married a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, your green card status may be conditional. This occurs whenever your lawful permanent residence status depends on a marriage that was less than two years old when that status was received. If your green card...
Supreme Court’s sports betting ruling could help sanctuary cities
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that Congress cannot force states to enforce federal law. Therefore, the majority of the court reasoned, Congress cannot forbid states from authorizing sports gambling within their borders. The power of states to legislate...
Participation jumps in Optional Practical Training student jobs
There is good news for colleges and universities suffering from falling international enrollment. A temporary jobs program that makes U.S. education even more desirable has been growing. The Pew Research Center has documented a big jump in the number of foreign...
Asylum-seekers caravan arrives at border, faces barriers to entry
Immigrants can seek asylum in the U.S. if they have experienced, or if they have a reasonable fear of, persecution based on race, nationality, religion, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. It is entirely legal for people to seek asylum at any...
An approved marriage to a US citizen no proof against deportation
In the past, immigration authorities often gave people a chance to regularize their immigrant status when faced with a deportation order. This was especially true when the order was old and the immigrant had a good chance of qualifying for legal status. For example,...
Supreme Court strikes down phrase in immigration law as vague
Courts have long held that, when a criminal law is too vague for a reasonable person to understand, it cannot be enforced. Enforcing it would violate our basic due process protections. The U.S. Supreme Court has just applied the same standard to the Immigration and...
Federal judge: Funding can’t be withheld from sanctuary areas
A federal judge in Los Angeles recently ruled that the U.S. Department of Justice will not be allowed to withhold grant funding from cities, counties and states that refuse to comply with federal immigration priorities. He issued a nationwide injunction striking down...
