How does criminal history affect my residency application?

This week in my Consulta Migratoria® column I answer the question of a reader who wants to know if he can apply for permanent residency even though he had some problems with the law. Each case is different and the answers may vary depending on the background of each person. Here is a general answer to your questions. Please consult ... Read more

Can the law of punishment be forgiven again if it was previously denied?

This week in my Consulta Migratoria column, I answer readers' questions. Each case is different and the answers vary depending on the immigration history of each person. Here I provide general answers to your questions. Please consult with an immigration attorney to receive personalized legal advice before starting any process. I am Ecuadorian. In the ... Read more

ICE deported nearly 400,000 people in last fiscal year

John Morton, the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), today announced that 396,906 individuals were deported during fiscal year 2011 (October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011). This is the highest number of deportees in the agency's history. According to figures from ... Read more

Changes announced that could benefit children of TPS beneficiaries

If you are the child of a person covered under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program you may be eligible for late initial registration if you were under 21 and unmarried during the initial registration period of the country of origin. The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) ... Read more

Governor of New York suspends "Secure Communities" program

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced yesterday that his state will suspend its participation in the Secure Communities program. The governor's office sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notifying him that due to numerous complaints and concern for the welfare and safety of residents of his state, New York is withdrawing from the program. In ... Read more

San Francisco Sheriff rejects enforcement of "Secure Communities".

San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessy announced that he will begin releasing undocumented immigrants who are in jail for minor crimes, even if federal authorities request that they remain in detention for a deportation hearing. San Francisco is a "sanctuary city," as established by an ordinance passed in 1989. The ordinance ... Read more

Illinois withdraws from "Secure Communities" program

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced yesterday that his state will no longer participate in the Secure Communities program. The governor sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) notifying them that the state is withdrawing from the program because the federal government is applying it in a discriminatory manner, and because it is not complying with ... Read more

Actress convicted of immigration fraud

A federal judge sentenced Mexican actress Fernanda Romero to 15 consecutive weekends in jail, 1,000 hours of community service and five years on probation after she was found guilty of lying to immigration authorities about her marriage. Last year, the soap opera and movie actress was charged with the federal crime of ... Read more

Arizona appeals judge's decision on SB1070

The State of Arizona and Governor Janice K. Brewer filed an appeal yesterday in the federal appeals court for the Ninth Circuit, which proposes to cancel the preliminary injunction that was issued by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton on Wednesday. Along with the appeal, a motion was filed to expedite ... Read more

Judge Blocks Portions of S.B. 1070

Just hours before the law was set to go into effect, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton blocked the most controversial parts of S.B. 1070. The law is set to go into effect tomorrow, Thursday, July 29, but without the provisions that concerned the Latino community and immigrant activists and advocates ... Read more

English