[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On May 12, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a 'no tolerance' policy for migrants entering the United States illegally, referring each case for prosecution.  The prosecutions often resulted in child separation, placing the no tolerance policy under withering media scrutiny, leading to a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).  Last night, a ruling from a federal  judge granted the ACLU an injunction preventing further family separations.  The order also requires the United States government to reunite all families separated by the policy. See the ruling. The injunction stipulates that the government has 14 days to reunite children under 5 with their parents and 30 days to reunite older children.  United States District Court for the Southern District of California Judge Dana M. Sabraw, a George W. Bush appointee, found the ACLU lawsuit likely to succeed on its merits.  The ACLU lawsuit argues that families separated at the border are not receiving a constitutionally guaranteed right of due process under the law. According to news reports, more than 2,000 children have been separated from their parents, and it appears that in some cases the government has no coherent plans on how to reunite them with their parents.  The Trump administration had sent mixed signals before the ruling.  On June 25th, border security officials stated that they had stopped referring border-crossing families for prosecution.  That same day, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that zero tolerance was still in effect and that the policy was unchanged.  As of this writing, it is not yet known how the administration will comply with new court order. In the recent months, immigration news has been coming too fast for most people to keep up with.  The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth continuously monitors immigration news stories to determine possible changes to the laws that could affect our clients.  We offer a robust immigration legal service.  For a free consultation, call us today at 888-517-9888.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The immigration policy of the Trump administration has come to the forefront of the national discourse after recent media attention on the aftermath of forced family separation at the border.  The issue has been gaining prominence since last week, but became front page news this week after ProPublica distributed an audio recording of children at the border who had just been separated from their parents. Hear the audio recording here. It is unclear if any changes to the zero-tolerance policy will occur, but public outrage is growing.  According to at least one news outlet, the situation is quickly becoming a "Katrina moment" in the eyes of the public.  Nationwide protests are being planned for June 30th.  Religious leaders are mobilizing. As an immigration law firm, the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth is closely monitoring any and all possible changes to immigration policy.  With two pieces of legislation under consideration that could dramatically affect legal immigration, we are preparing for whatever situation may arise as a result of immigration policy change.  We offer free consultations at 888-517-9888.  If you have questions about your immigration status, call us today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]New guidance from the Justice Department orders federal immigration judges to deny asylum claims to the victims of domestic violence and gang violence.  A 2016 ruling from the Board of Immigration Appeals, generally considered the highest immigration authority in the country, that granted a Salvadoran woman asylum after suffering extreme spousal abuse was overturned by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.  Sessions' reasoning is that asylum claims are only applicable if the applicant is being persecuted by their national government and does not apply to so-called private crimes. The change in policy is another attempt by the Trump administration to reduce immigration to the United States.  Immigrant advocates are accusing the administration of turning their backs on the victims of gang violence and domestic violence and believe the change in policy could cost women and children their lives.  They worry that many asylum seekers currently in custody will be deported and be in considerable danger in their home countries. See the full news report here. This policy change could have a significant effect on pending and future asylum claims.  The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth is closely monitoring the situation to see how this change will impact our clients.  If you have questions and would like to receive a free immigration consultation, call us today at 888-517-9888.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The arrest and pending deportation of an undocumented immigrant delivering pizzas to a military base in New York City, a so-called sanctuary city, is making national headlines.  The immigrant, a 35-year-old married father of two, has no criminal history but had previously received a voluntary departure order he ignored.  He also has an application for a marriage-based green card pending. According to news reports, Pablo Villavicencio Calderon, an Ecuadorian native, was delivering pizza to Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York City, something he had done in the past.  In order to gain access to the base he presented a New York City identification card, an ID given to undocumented immigrants in the city to help interact with city services.  A spot background check was conducted on base which turned up his previous deportation order.  He was detained and handed off to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The entire incident raises the question of priorities when it comes do immigration law.  A Brooklyn city councilman reacted to the detention by asking if the country was now safer because "they took a pizza delivery guy off the street."  Underscoring the divisiveness of the issue, a New York state senator commended the military police "who have committed their lives to protecting our citizens and country." See the fully New York Times article here. Immigration law is constantly changing in the United States.  Most recently, immigration law seems to be making it harder for foreign nationals to live and work legally in the country.  The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth constant evaluates changes in the law so we can provide accurate legal advice for our immigration clients.  If you or someone you know is seeking to immigrate to the United States, call our offices today at 888-517-9888 for a free consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]