By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: Christopher Penler / shutterstock.com President Donald Trump’s proposals to eliminate birthright citizenship and implement mass deportations of undocumented immigrants sparked intense debate over their legality, feasibility, and implications. Birthright citizenship, rooted in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. The legal status of undocumented immigrants has been a hot-button issue in the United States for decades. Among the most vulnerable populations within the broader immigrant community are the beneficiaries of the DREAM Act—young individuals who arrived in the U.S. as children. Known as Dreamers, they have often lived in the […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. A green card, or lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, grants noncitizens the right to live and work in the United States indefinitely. However, this status is not unconditional. One of the most critical obligations for green card holders is maintaining continuous ties to the United States. Extended absences from the country […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. The Notice to Appear (NTA) is a pivotal document in removal proceedings, but it is also the first line of defense for immigrants facing deportation. Introduction Overview of the NTA The Notice to Appear (NTA) is a crucial document in U.S. immigration proceedings. It serves as the formal charging document issued […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial Credit: Evgeniia Primavera / shutterstock.com Political asylum is a vital legal protection for individuals who fear persecution in their home countries due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. However, not all asylum applications are successful. Losing a political asylum case in […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial Credit: Charles McClintock Wilson / shutterstock.com Introduction: Understanding the Challenges and Opportunities for EWI Individuals For individuals who have entered the United States without inspection (EWI), the journey toward legal status and obtaining a green card is complex but not impossible. EWI refers to individuals who cross the U.S. […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com Citizenship is one of the most valuable statuses an individual can acquire, offering legal protections, civic rights, and national belonging. In the United States, the primary routes to citizenship are birthright (jus soli), naturalization, and derivative citizenship. While birthright citizenship is conferred automatically to […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: create jobs 51/ shutterstock.com It is advisable to consult with an immigration attorney to evaluate the individual’s specific circumstances, especially to explore whether Advance Parole or other legal avenues might be pursued successfully. Advance Parole is one of the most common and viable options for individuals without lawful […]
By Brian Figeroux | Editorial Credit: Skyward Kick Productions / shutterstock.com For non-citizens, addressing the immigration consequences of a conviction through post-conviction relief can be critical for avoiding deportation or other adverse immigration actions. Legal strategies like vacating convictions based on ineffective counsel or modifying sentences to avoid aggravated felony designations can play a significant […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: Bartolomiej Pietrzyk/ shutterstock.com Increased deportation enforcement, particularly against individuals who have failed to meet asylum criteria or were ordered deported in absentia, has made deportation defense a critical area of immigration law. These proceedings can drastically alter an immigrant’s life, resulting in their removal from the United States, […]
