Most Americans In Favor of Immigration Reform

Most Americans support immigration reform, according to a new study by the Public Religion Research Institute. The study found that only seven percent of Americans believe that the immigration system is generally working, and even more conservative groups showed surprising support for immigration reform. A majority of Republicans, Democrats, and independents all reported that they would support an earned path to citizenship for people who are currently undocumented but want to stay in the United States.

The survey showed that most Americans care about the same values in changes to immigration laws, including keeping families together, national security, and promoting personal dignity.  Nearly two-thirds of Americans supported the core provisions of the DREAM Act: that undocumented immigrants should be able to gain legal permanent resident status if they join the U.S. military or go to college. Vice President Joe Biden, in a recent speech, also encouraged policies that would allow undocumented people a legal path to citizenship, and spoke in favor of granting green cards to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) graduates.

Younger Americans, especially those between the ages of 18 and 29, agreed with positive statements about immigration more often than older people did. Significantly, nearly 7 in 10 people under age 30 said that immigrants strengthen American culture. Younger Americans were also more likely to say that immigrants who have a gay or lesbian spouse currently living in the U.S. with legal status should be given priority in immigration.

Read more about the survey at the New York Times.

Free Clinics Around Massachusetts for DACA Applications

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) is offering free assistance with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications. on September 7, 2012 and September 14, 2012. Please contact MIRA by clicking here to RSVP - spots fill up quickly. MIRA has also provided a list of other free clinics around Massachusetts that are offering free assistance with DACA applications. Click here for more information!

For representation, please contact Glickman Turley LLP at 617-399-7770.

Glickman Turley's experienced attorneys represent individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, as well as other legal issues. Please contact our attorneys if you wish to discuss representation on immigration matters, real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil litigation, business litigation, business law, trademark law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, same-sex co-parent adoptions, guardianships, animal law, or LGBT legal matters.    

Youth Deferred Action Applications Being Accepted by USCIS Effective Today

Today, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept applications in consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals. The applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis for individuals who came to the United States as children and meet other guidelines as directed by USCIS.  

The USCIS press release stated: "Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer removal action of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion...While it does not provide lawful states or a pathway to permanent residence or citizenship, individuals whose cases are deferred as part of this process will not be removed from the United States for a two-year period, subject to renewal, and may also apply for employment authorization."

See "Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process" at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=f2ef2f19470f7310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=f2ef2f19470f7310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD.     

For representation, please contact Glickman Turley LLP at 617-399-7770. 

Glickman Turley's experienced attorneys represent individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, as well as other legal issues. Please contact our attorneys if you wish to discuss representation on immigration matters, real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil litigation, business litigation, business law, trademark law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, same-sex co-parent adoptions, guardianships, animal law, or LGBT legal matters.   

Clarification for Dreamer Deferred Action: What Is a Significant Misdemeanor?

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a revised guidance on what constitutes a "significant misdemeanor" under the youth deferred action policy. The new definition states that a significant misdemeanor includes simple assaults, drug possession and other minor crimes if an individual received a sentence more than 90 days for the offense. Additionally, a suspended sentence is not considered a sentence with respect to determining if a misdemeanor qualifies as a significant misdemeanor. Since deferred action remains a discretionary process where a decision is made based on the totality of circumstances per case; criminal history is one factor that is considered but does not necessarily determine the outcome.

For more information, see USCIS's website by clicking here. Please contact our attorneys to to schedule a consultation and learn more about the deferred action policy program. 

Glickman Turley's experienced attorneys represent individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, as well as other legal issues. Please contact our attorneys if you wish to discuss representation on immigration matters, real estate purchase and sales, condominium associations, criminal defense, non-profit law, civil litigation, business litigation, business law, trademark law, probate matters including wills, powers of attorney, health care proxy, same-sex co-parent adoptions, guardianships, animal law, or LGBT legal matters.