Atty. Richard Wilner

Wilner and O’Reilly breathes lifes into death of petitioner case

Monday, 08 March 2010 00:50 Atty. Richard Wilner

WE ARE blessed to have chosen a legal discipline where we truly get to help people on a daily basis. To that end, some of the most rewarding and inspiring moments in our daily fight(s) are when we win cases for persons who have experienced significant tragedy in their lives. One such victory occurred last week and we are pleased to share it with our readership now.

Sponsoring foreign workers…and getting sued by them

Sunday, 31 January 2010 19:33 Atty. Richard Wilner

YOU are an employer. Perhaps a home health-care provider or other small business. Through years of hardwork and business savvy, your business has grown. You have hired local employees, imported talent through the H1-B visa program, and perhaps have even sponsored your employees for lawful permanent residence. Some of your employees have work-permits. Some don’t. Your immigration lawyers have informed you, albeit erroenously, that USCIS (INS) will not come after you if your employees are grandfathered under 245i. These same lawyers, however, have neglected to inform you of other federal and state agencies, not to mention hungry plaintiff’s-lawyers will. In light of the foregoing, this article is for you.

Preparation + knowledge = success

Sunday, 02 August 2009 22:06 Atty. Richard Wilner

WHEN purchasing a car or seeing a doctor about what ails you, often times people obtain a second opinion from friends, family or other professionals. But when seeking an attorney for immigration needs, many take the word of the first immigration attorney that tells them "I can get you your green card" or they immediately believe the attorney who says "There’s nothing that can be done." By nature people shy away at asking attorneys questions like how can you get me my green card, what will you do to make sure my case is approved, and what will I have to go through during this process of legalizing my status? Just because an attorney has a flashy advertisement or may have obtained your favorite celebrity their green card, doesn’t make them infallible. You are paying that attorney good money, they should at least be able to give you an answer to your question.

The principle of asking questions and getting second opinions is a good one to live by. I recently accompanied a client of our firm to his adjustment of status interview. He was anxious about this day as he and his mother have waited several years for this moment. While sitting with him and his parents in the waiting room at USCIS, he told me about all of the times when other attorneys have tried but failed to succeed to resolve his immigration issues. He told me that he was turned away at least two immigration attorneys who advertised to be reputable in the industry.

Success in Troubled Times

Friday, 24 April 2009 22:47 Atty. Richard Wilner

Hopes and realities

IT is best said by a former client of our firm: "Dear Mr. Wilner. I just wanted to follow up and thank you again for obtaining the Permanent Residency Card for my wife. When we had all but given up, you persevered and did not give up. It was by your continuing to believe in us and never quitting that my wife is now approved. Our case was very difficult yet you were able to accomplish our goals, and this was by your direct effort and hard work. Thank you again for all that you have done for us."

The buyer’s market: investment-based immigration for entrepreneurs

Friday, 27 February 2009 21:09 Atty. Richard Wilner

ENTREPRENEURS and facilitating business and trade are the solution(s) to recession; not government bailouts and the creation of government programs and agencies, the costs of which are shouldered by the taxpayers of the United States and future generations. Along those lines, foreign investment in the United States, whether big or small, will stimulate the United States economy. This article, therefore, is an introduction and overview of investment based immigration opportunities in the United States. Specifically, this article shall discuss E1/E2 Treaty Investor Visas and touch on the EB5 Immigrant Based Investment Program.

Eligibility for participation in the E1 or E2 Treaty Investment Program requires that a participating foreign national or foreign company be from a country that has a treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation (FCN) with the United States. The Philippines has an FCN Treaty with the United States and therefore individuals and companies from the Philippines are eligible for participation in the program.