Despite law enforcement agencies and community organizations making advances in their response to domestic violence, the issue continues to plague the immigrant community. Often times financial dependence, fear of deportation, limited English-language skills, cultural barriers, and lack of information prevent immigrant victims of domestic violence from coming forward or leaving their abusers. Also, many who suffer verbal or mental abuse say nothing, thinking nothing can be done. While abuse can come in the form of being hit, beaten, or sexually assaulted, mental and verbal abuse also qualifies as domestic violence. Name calling, limiting access to friends and family, threats of violence, and controlling movement are only some examples of how a person can be mentally or verbally abused. Fortunately, immigration law provides relief to many victims of all forms of domestic violence.
Immigration Atty. Robert Reeves
Atty. Robert Reeves
Atty. Reeves has represented clients in numerous landmark immigration cases that have set new policies regarding INS action and immigrants’ rights. His offices are located in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City.Telephone: (800) 795-8009
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.rreeves.com
The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.
New proposed visa for immigrants who buy a home in the US
ON October 20, 2011, Senators Schumer and Lee introduced an exciting new immigration bill intended to promote investment and immigration in the United States. The bill proposes a new three-year residential visa for foreigners who invest at least $500,000 in residential real estate in the United States. There will be no cap on the number of visas that can be issued in this new category and it will allow foreign buyers to live in the United States along with their family members.
Reeves & Associates wins another misrepresentation waiver
IN a recent decision, an Immigration Judge in San Francisco, California granted a waiver of misrepresentation to spouses Ray and Maria Garcia (real name withheld for privacy) who were placed in removal proceedings for misrepresentations in order to immigrate to the USA. The judge then granted the Garcia’s permanent resident status.
Collateral Attacks on Prior Deportation Orders and Criminal Convictions
Past criminal convictions and prior deportation or removal orders can haunt a person seeking to immigrate to the United States. An intending immigrant can face permanent bars on the basis of a prior criminal conviction, a prior unlawful entry, or a prior order of deportation or removal. In some instances, the prior offense may form the basis of a charge of inadmissibility or removability, and the immigrant applicant might find herself in a removal proceeding (immigration court). If a prior deportation order is involved, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) might attempt to enforce the order and physically remove the alien without ever appearing before a judge.
Parole in Place brings hope for aliens who entered without inspection
SUBJECT to narrow exceptions, an applicant for adjustment of status to permanent residency (or, “green card” applicant) must demonstrate that he or she was lawfully admitted or paroled into the United States. Admission or parole happens at the border when an alien first seeks entry to the US. “Admission” is defined by statute as a lawful entry into the United States after inspection and authorization by an immigration officer. “Parole” is authorized permission to enter the United States that is generally granted to an applicant for admission who is deemed inadmissible, but nonetheless has some viable claim to justify entry. If an applicant cannot show that she was admitted or paroled, and is not eligible for some exception to the general rule, the applicant must return to her native country for visa processing. When these aliens leave the United States, they invoke the 3 or 10 year bar for unlawful presence. To avoid that bar, they must show that their US citizen or legal permanent resident (LPR) parent or spouse would suffer extreme hardship if they could not return.
