News

January 14, 2018

USCIS resumes accepting DACA renewal applications

2018.01.13 – USCIS updates today that it had resumed accepting DACA renewal applications. Due to an order from Federal judge on 01/09/2018, USCIS announced today 01/13/2018, that it had resumed accepting DACA renewal applications. Read more about the order and the reasons behind it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/09/us/trump-daca-improper.html Although a little slow in responding to the order, USCIS announced its new move within 1 week after the order came out. One important note is that the order only takes affect on DACA renewal applications (not new applications). USCIS will operate on its DACA policy on same way before it was cancelled on September 5, 2017. […]
January 3, 2018

USCIS updated Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Form I-485 is updated AGAIN!!! Today, January 3, 2018, USCIS published a revised Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, one of the most used USCIS forms. The new Form I-485 and instructions have been substantially updated. USCIS claims that the update is to reduce complexity after collecting comments from the public and stakeholders. The new form will go into effect on 6 March, 2018. The new form asks many more questions from applicants. Providing wrong or misleading or withheld information on USCIS forms could subject applicants to violation of the laws. Avoid getting denied or delaying […]
October 7, 2017

A swift response from ICE regarding CA SB54 “No choice now, will conduct at-large arrest”.

ICE published an official statement from ICE Acting Director, Tom Homan, today (October 6, 2017), one day after Governor Gerry Brown signed SB54 into law, confirming that they will continue their arrest. In their press release today, ICE stated in part that “…. ICE will have no choice but to conduct at-large arrests in local neighborhoods and at work sites, which will inevitably result in additional collateral arrests, instead of focusing on arrests at jails and prisons where transfers are safer for ICE officers and the community. ICE will also likely have to detain individuals arrested in California in detention […]
October 5, 2017

California Value Act (SB54) is signed into law

Government Gerry Brown signed “Sanctuary State Bill” for California State or SB54 into law today, October 5, 2017 See attached one-page summary below. Or, download a one-page summary of what SB54 protects HERE (credit: AAAJ, CIPC, NDLON)         This information is provided as general information only, and there is no implied legal advice attached. Consult with your immigration attorney regarding consequences to your immigration situation.
August 11, 2017

CA Bans ICE From Masquerading as “Police Officers” (AB1440)

On July 24, 2017, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1440 (AB1440) into law barring federal authorities from presenting themselves as law enforcement officers in the Golden State. Assemblyman Ash Kalra, D-San Jose, wrote the bill, Assembly Bill 1440, in hopes of reducing unethical tactics by federal agents. The measure clarifies that U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agents are not licensed peace officers. Reports of ICE and CBP officers portraying themselves as police officers in an effort to force or coerce cooperation from unwilling residents led to the introduction of AB 1440. “Under the […]
August 10, 2017

CBP now uses Biometric Exit Technology at Houston’s International Airport

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced on August 8, 2017 that the deployment of facial recognition biometric exit technology is now being used at William P. Hobby International Airport (HOU) in Houston for select flights. The deployment builds upon a June 2016 pilot at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport using facial recognition. CBP recently deployed the technology to Washington Dulles International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Chicago O’Hare International Airport and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Future deployments are planned for additional airports this summer. “Through our consultations with the airlines and airport stakeholders, and based on the […]
June 27, 2017

USCIS updated Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Today, June 26, 2017, USCIS published a revised Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, one of the most used USCIS forms. The new Form I-485 and instructions have been substantially updated. USCIS claims that the update is to reduce complexity after collecting comments from the public and stakeholders. The new form has 18 pages (the old form has 6 pages), and will go into effect on 25 August, 2017. The new form asks many more questions from applicants. Providing wrong or misleading or withheld information on USCIS forms could subject applicants to violation of the laws. […]
June 15, 2017

ICE Director To All Undocumented Immigrants: ‘You Need To Be Worried’

It is now clear more than ever. The new ICE Director announced to all undocumented immigrants: “YOU NEED TO BE WORRIED” On Tuesday 06/13/2017, Acting ICE director said the Trump administration will continue arresting undocumented immigrants who haven’t been convicted of crimes and won’t apologize for it. Acting Director Thomas Homan told the House Appropriations Committee’s Homeland Security Subcommittee. “You should look over your shoulder, and you need to be worried.” Following up on Trump’s campaign promise to drive out more undocumented immigrants, ICE arrests rose significantly during the president’s first 100 days in office, compared with the same period the […]
April 7, 2017

Immigration agents may arrest crime victims, witnesses at courthouses!

Immigration agents may arrest crime victims, witnesses at courthouses!! Washington Post reported on April 4, 2017 that homeland security officials reaffirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents or ICE may arrest crime victims and witnesses at courthouses according to its long-standing policy.