District Judge K. Michael Moore in Florida ruled that U.S. citizen children that have parents who are illegally present in the United  States, should be permitted to pay in-state tuition.


Judge Moore found that it was against the equal protection clause  to charge a higher rate to students because their parents were illegal. These lawsuits originated because certain Floridian students attending public universities in the state were unable to prove their parents’ immigration status, and therefore were required to pay higher tuition.


http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Judge-rules-for-students-in-immigrant-tuition-suit-3838779.php?utm_source=AILA+Mailing&utm_campaign=9d7c3afb1a-AILA8_9_6_12&utm_medium=email
 

Mayor Julian Castro of San Antonio, Texas, delivered the keynote address at last night’s Democratic National Convention (DNC) making him the first Latino to do so.


Castro’s speech discussed family, culture, and community. One point he also addressed was the bad sentiment some people have felt regarding  Obama’s immigration policies. Since coming into office, Obama’s administration has deported a record breaking number of immigrants, reaching almost 1.5  million. Thousands of families across the country have suffered from the deportation policy in place.


However, others have found new hope with Obama’s latest policy called Deferred Action or Dream Act. It gives a new opportunity to hundreds of thousands of young people who don’t have immigration status.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/05/opinion/navarrette-castro-speech/index.html

Ten ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents filed a lawsuit against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano last week challenging the new Deferred Action/Dream Act policy. They claim that this new directive forces ICE officials to break the law and ignore their duties of deporting individuals who lack legal immigration status.

 The lawsuit was filed in Texas federal court. The ICE agents argue that the Deferred Action/Dream Act policy violates the separation between the legislative and executive branches of  government.

 So far, the Supreme Court has ruled that the government has the  power of “Prosecutorial Discretion,” which is what defenders of the Deferred Action/Dream Act  argue.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/23/immigration-agents-file-suit-against-napolitano-over-amnesty-program/?cmpid=cmty_%7BlinkBack%7D_Immigration_agents_file_suit_against_Napolitano_over_'amnesty'_program

Some people have been asking whether a person can obtain a driver’s license after approval of Deferred Action/Dream Act.


Well, in Texas, the answer is YES! According to the new Texas department rules, a person granted Deferred Action can get a limited term  driver’s license for one year or less. Someone granted Deferred Action would need to show the Texas Department of Public Safety, their employment authorization document in order to get the driver’s license. 
 
Although, ideally, it would be better to get a longer lasting license, at least this is a start.

U.S. immigration started to accept Deferred Action/DREAM Act  applications this week on Wednesday, August 15. Some foresee that this
immigration policy may benefit over one million young people.


Can you imagine U.S. immigration getting bombarded with thousands of applications all at one time? Any organization that would have to adjudicate thousands of applications at the same time, may find it overwhelming. This is a
new process for immigration officials to handle, and delays can be expected.

 That is why it is a good idea for folks interested in applying  for Deferred Action/DREAM Act, to do so sooner than later. Knowing that so many  will be submitting their applications, it’s a good idea to get things completed  as quickly as possible, and get ahead of the long  line.

We are currently offering FREE consultations regarding Deferred
Action/DREAM Act. For more information, call us  today!

The new immigration policy called “Deferred Action” is starting
TODAY! Please check out our Deferred Action/Dream Act link to learn more about
the requirements.

 It is important to speak to an attorney before filing your case.  People with criminal records should have their cases reviewed prior to applying.

 They say that over 1 million people can benefit from this new policy. So, if you are interested in applying for the program, it is good to act quickly since thousands of people may be submitting their applications at the same time.

 Please contact our office for more information. 

Although the actual application forms have not been posted by immigration regarding the new Obama immigration policy known as "Deferred Action," there is news of how much this process will cost.

The filing fee will be $465.

The Deferred Action program, which some refer to as the Dream Act (although it is not), will be implemented on August 15, 2012.


As we get more information about the process, we will let you know!

The requirements for Deferred Action have been modified. Please note the updated rules for a person to qualify: 

1. Was under  the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012; 

2. Came to  the U.S. before reaching his/her 16th birthday; 
 
3. Has continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007, up to the present time; 
 
4. Was  physically present in the U.S. on June 15, 2012, and at the time of application to USCIS; 

5. Entered  without inspection before June 15, 2012, or lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012; 

6. Is  currently in school, has graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from
high school, has obtained a GED, or is an honorably discharged veteran of the
U.S. Coast Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces; and 
 
7. Has not  been convicted of a felony, a "significant misdemeanor," three or more other misdemeanors, or does not otherwise pose a threat to national security or  public safety.

 Please contact us if you have questions about the new immigration policy. It will come into effect on August 15, 2012.

The countdown  begins!

Secretary Napolitano is defending Obama’s new  immigration policy of Deferred Action. This policy provides an opportunity for  certain young people to obtain a legal immigration status and a work permit.  Critics say that it’s an amnesty, and rewards folks for going around the  immigration laws. As an immigration attorney, I have witness every day the struggles that folks have to go through to legally immigrate to the United States.  Some believe that all  immigration involves is sending in an application and a fee. Unfortunately, it  is much more involved than just that.


One hardline reality of U.S. immigration law is that, once a  person enters illegally, it is very hard to ever become legal. Further, if you  have lived in the U.S. for more than one year without any immigration status,  and you leave the country, you are barred from returning for TEN years! These  are harsh penalties to give young people who did not have a choice of moving  with their parents to the U.S.


Many people entered as young children or as babies without  inspection by a U.S. border officer. They have been living in the U.S. for  several years, and attending U.S. elementary and secondary schools. Deferred Action gives them an opportunity to continue forward with maybe getting a  college degree or get a job in a field they desire.


 Click to learn more about Deferred Action.

Welcome to our new immigration website focussed on students! At The Goldberg Law Office, PLLC, we are excited about the new immigration policy announced by President Obama.

This gives new hope for young people who were waiting for the Dream Act to pass. Although this new policy is not the Dream Act, it does give hope and an opportunity for students and graduates to obtain legal status.

I'll be posting on more news about the "Deferred Action" or student immigration policy as it becomes available.

For now, we have the basic elements of the new policy posted. Just click on the button at the end of this post.

People should not apply for the new immigration status for "Dreamers" at this time. However, the new Obama immigration policy should be implemented by August 15, 2012. So, mark your calendars!