[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With the March 5th deadline passed, no action has yet been taken to address the rescinding of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program.  Immigration activists across the country rallied in support of DACA yesterday, trying to shine the light back on the uncertainty DACA recipients face.  DACA status allows many young undocumented immigrants to work and study in the United States without fear of deportation. The lack of congressional urgency in finding a legislative solution to DACA is mostly due to a nationwide legal injunction in place preventing the Trump administration from ending the popular program while legal challenges proceed.  DACA recipients were originally banned from reapplying for DACA protections as the program winded down, but court rulings have allowed renewals to continue.  While new DACA applications are no longer being considered, the ruling allows about 690,000 DACA recipients to renew their protections. The risk that the legal injunction allowing renewals will be lifted is real, which could immediately stop DACA renewals.  The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth encourages anyone who is eligible for a DACA renewal to process their applications as soon as possible.  If someone is not quite eligible to renew but his or her renewal date is approaching, prepare a renewal application in advance.  If you or a loved one needs assistance with a DACA renewal or have any other immigration needs, contact our offices today at 888-517-9888 to receive a free immigration consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Supreme Court refused the Trump administration's request for an emergency review of lower court rulings on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on Monday, February 26.  This means that the March 5th deadline for the DACA program is effectively obsolete.  While no new applications for DACA will be accepted, current and former recipients are eligible to apply for two-year renewals. When President Trump announced the end of the DACA program in September, many states pursued court challenges to the new policy.  Federal district courts in California and New York issues injunctions against the March 5th expiration of the program and reinstated the renewal application process.  The Trump administration took the unusual step of appealing directly to the Supreme Court to reverse those injunctions, which has now denied that request. The future of DACA remains unknown.  Congress was recently unable to come to a solution to address the situation, with a bipartisan immigration bill failing to achieve the 60 votes necessary.  For now, it's strongly recommended that any DACA recipients eligible for a two-year renewal to proceed with a renewal application.  The Trump administration will likely appeal the lower courts' rulings, continuing its attempt to end the DACA program. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth provides help with immigration law to DACA recipients and anyone else seeking to visit or live in the United States.  For 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 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has changed its mission statement to reflect what seems to be a less-welcoming message to immigrants.  The unexpected change highlights the many difficulties immigrants are facing in the current political climate. The original mission statement:  "USCIS secures America's promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system." The new mission statement: "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services administers the nation's lawful immigration system, safeguarding its integrity and promise by efficiently and fairly adjudicating requests for immigration benefits while protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values." The changes have a lot to unpack, but perhaps the most important change is that the USCIS no longer promotes America as a nation of immigrants.  The uncertainty this change in message could cause is an open question.  Will people seeking immigration to the United States feel less welcome?   Are more restrictive immigration policies on the horizon?  It's too soon to tell. Regardless of future changes to immigration law in the United States, the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth will be helping immigrants obtain visas, permanent residence, and citizenship while advocating for immigrant rights.  If you, your family, or your business are in need of dedicated immigration lawyers, call us today at 888-517-9888 to receive a free immigration consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After a few days of debate and failed votes on four different immigration plans, the Senate is unlikely to pass any legislation addressing the status of nearly 700,000 recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  While DACA is scheduled to end on March 5th, legal injunctions may prevent the program from shutting down entirely. The immigration bill that was closest to receiving the necessary 60 votes as a bipartisan immigration bill that would have given about 1.8 million people previously eligible for the DACA program a path to US citizenship while providing $25 billion to border security measures.  That vote was 54 to 45.  California's two Democratic senators split on the vote, with Senator Kamala Harris voting against the bill and Senator Dianne Feinstein voting for it.  The bill described as the preference of the White House failed on a 39 to 60 vote.  The Senate is not expected to vote on any additional immigration measures in the near future. The March 5th deadline has recently been seen as a non-urgent deadline due to recent court rulings.  The original executive order rescinding DACA stated that renewals would cease as of September 5th, but a judge has reopened DACA renewals, though new applications are not being accepted.  If you or a loved one is a DACA recipient eligible for renewal, the immigration attorneys at the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth can help you with your renewal application.  Call us today at 888-517-9888 to receive a free consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Immigration law has seen much turmoil over the past few months.    Increased deportation enforcement, the rescinding of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and numerous false starts amid government shutdown threats have caused concern and confusion in the immigrant community, regardless of legal status. The short federal government shutdown in January only ended after Senate Leader Mitch McConnell promised Democratic senators a debate on immigration.  Tonight, that promised debate will begin. It is uncertain where exactly the immigration debate will go.  Possible changes in immigration law that have been mentioned include legalizing DACA recipients, legalizing anyone eligible for DACA, pathways to citizenship for anyone eligible for DACA, reduced levels of legal immigration, construction of a wall on the southern border, increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, elimination of the diversity lottery program, and more. Even after the debate, many questions will remain unanswered, including one very important one: will immigration law actually change?  If the Senate is able to negotiate a bipartisan immigration bill, will the House vote on it?  Will the House debate another immigration bill?  Would President Trump actually sign the bill?  Nothing is certain about the outcome. One thing that is certain, however, is that the DACA program is scheduled to end on March 5th, even though that deadline has also seen uncertainty because of legal challenges. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth is keeping tabs on the immigration debate.  Regardless to changes in the law, our mission remains the same: making the immigration process as simple as possible for our clients.  Our immigration lawyers can explain any changes to the immigration law that occur.  Call us today at 888-517-9888 to receive a free legal consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]