There are two versions of the Dream Act currently before Congress: the Dream Act of 2021 (S. 264), and a version of the Dream Act that is in

Photo by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash On Tuesday, June 4, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an ambitious immigration bill aimed at providing a path to citizenship to almost 2 million undocumented immigrants, including “Dreamers” who were brought to the United States as children. This bill cancels and prohibits removal proceedings against certain aliens, and provides such aliens with a path toward Legal Permanent Resident status. The bill, titled American Dream and P

Travel Ban On April 25th, 2018 the Supreme Court heard oral arguments from both sides on President Trump’s highly scrutinized “travel ban”. The travel ban, now in its third iteration, prohibits entry of travelers from five Muslim-majority countries (Iran, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Libya), as well as North Korea and government officials from Venezuela. Although previous versions of the travel ban were initially partially blocked by U.S. District Courts in Hawaii and Maryland,

by Anthony Mance, Esq. and Jennifer Grady, Esq. Recent announcements by the Trump Administration declaring enhanced vetting of current immigration cases; talks in Congress about major proposed changes to the immigration laws; and constant media discourse regarding the future of DACA, the Travel Ban, employment-based visas, and increased waiting times, may have the effect of chilling immigration applications.  However, with the right information, and a plan that takes these ch

On September 5, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is being rescinded.  The Department of Homeland Security personnel will take all appropriate actions to execute a wind-down of the program, consistent with the parameters established in Tuesday’s Memorandum on Rescission Of Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA) (hereinafter, “Memo”). On September 6, 2017, fifteen states and the District of Colu

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. and Grady Firm Law Clerk With the American presidential election cycle in full swing, immigration reform continues to be a heated and controversial topic.  The presidential campaign front-runners, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, have widely divergent perspectives on the issue.  Below is a look at each candidate’s stance on the ability of undocumented immigrants to gain legal US citizenship. I. Should Undocumented Immigrants in the

by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. and Anthony Mance, Esq. On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced a series of executive actions to crack down on illegal immigration at the border, prioritize deporting felons not families, and require certain undocumented immigrants to pass a criminal background check and pay taxes in order to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation. However, on February 16, 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen in Texas issued a rulin

by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. and Anthony Mance, Esq. However, on February 16, 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen in Texas issued a ruling that has led to the temporary suspension of President Obama’s recent executive actions on immigration. The ruling prevents the Obama administration from implementing the proposed expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) until the constit

by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. What is the California Dream Act? Assembly Bill 540, passed in 2001, allows qualifying non-resident California students to pay resident fees at California’s colleges and universities.  AB 540 students include: (1) undocumented students; (2) students who are U.S. citizens, but who are not residents of California; and (3) usually dependent students whose parents are not residents of California. The California Dream Act, authored by Assembly Member Gil

by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. What is the California Dream Act? Assembly Bill 540, passed in 2001, allows qualifying non-resident California students to pay resident fees at California’s colleges and universities.  AB 540 students include: (1) undocumented students; (2) students who are U.S. citizens, but who are not residents of California; and (3) usually dependent students whose parents are not residents of California. The California Dream Act, authored by Assembly Member Gil

On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain individuals who came to the United States as children and meet several key guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and would be eligible for work authorization.  Individuals who receive deferred action will not be placed in removal proceedings, or removed from the United States, for a specific period of time unless terminated.  Deferred ac

Photo credit: epSos.de September 15, 2013- On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain individuals who came to the United States as children and meet several key guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and would be eligible for work authorization.  Individuals who receive deferred action will not be placed in removal proceedings, or removed from the United States, for a specific per