When Immigration Matters

Biden Administration Announces Huge Immigration Relief Programs

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Wed, Jun 19, 2024 @ 10:51 AM

On June 18, 2024, the Biden administration announced one of the largest immigration relief programs in recent history that will offer legal status to hundreds of thousands of immigrants living in the country without proper documents.

The first program announced is the “Parole in Place Program”.  This program will offer work permits and deportation protection to unauthorized immigrants married to U.S. citizens and their children.  In order to be eligible, noncitizens must – as of June 17, 2024 – have resided in the United States for 10 or more years and be legally married to a U.S. citizen, while satisfying all applicable legal requirements.  This will include the ability to obtain green cards in the USA without first having to leave the USA to process their permanent residency applications overseas at a US. Consulate. 

Those who are approved after Department of Homeland Security’s case-by-case assessment of their application will be afforded a three-year period to apply for permanent residency. They will be allowed to remain with their families in the United States and be eligible for work authorization for up to three years. This will apply to all married couples who are eligible.  

The second program will streamline the process for so-called DREAMers and other undocumented immigrants to request D-3 waivers that would make it easier for them to obtain temporary visas, such as H-1B visas for high-skilled workers if they have earned a degree from an accredited institution in the United states, and who have received an offer of employment from a U.S. employer in a field related to their degree.  This relief program could possibly also make it easier for DREAMERS to apply for employment based green cards after successfully obtaining a temporary visa in the United States. 

Please note that these programs are not accepting applications yet and are only expected to become active by the end of the summer after a Federal Register notice detailing the application process and other information is published. United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) will reject any filings or individual requests received before the application period begins later this summer.  We will keep you updated on any announcements regarding any new policies that are announced and/or implemented.  As of writing this alert, there is no new policies in place so please be careful of scammers and Notarios trying to take advantage of these rumors. 

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Karen-Lee Pollak Quoted in Law360 Article About DACA

Posted by Michael Pollak on Fri, Jun 09, 2017 @ 5:08 PM


Immigration Attorney Karen-Lee Pollak was quoted in the Law360 Article, "What Attys Should Tell DACA Clients as Uneasiness Lingers".

The article provides recommendations from some of the nation's top immigration lawyers for DACA "Dream Act" clients seeking to navigate the turbulent immigration environment created by the Trump administration regarding Dreamers.  Pollak is quoted regarding options beyond DACA:

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Immigration Reform: How the Bill is Debated in the Senate

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Wed, Jun 12, 2013 @ 12:24 PM

 The American Immigration Lawyers Association ("AILA") explains what is happening as S.744 is debated on the Senate Floor:

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So where are we on Immigration Reform? An analysis of the Senate Judiciary Bill

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Thu, May 23, 2013 @ 3:15 PM

Advocates for comprehensive immigration reform won their first major legislative victory this week when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-5 to approve the bipartisan "Gang of Eight" plan. 

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Deferred Action (DACA)--School Records are Great Evidence-Here's Why

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Thu, Aug 30, 2012 @ 6:03 PM

On Tuesday, DHS officials hosted a conference call with educators in regard to school records serving as documentation for DACA applicants. During the call, DHS officials advised educators that school records serve as two-pronged pieces of evidence: firstly, they prove that applicants are either still in school, or have graduated high school, and secondly, they prove continuous presence in the country for at least four years. One of the requirements to be eligible for DACA is continuous presence in the country for five years; DHS officials explained, “[school records is] fantastic evidence in a single document.” Educators seemed concerned by the fact that, while school records can indeed prove presence in the country for four years, summer and other breaks are not accounted for. DHS officials replied by stating that there is no requirement for applicants to account for any given day during school breaks. Additionally, the officials affirmed that the agency, when processing the applications, will keep in mind that schools do have regular breaks.

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Do I Need a Lawyer to Apply for Deferred Action?

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Fri, Aug 17, 2012 @ 1:10 PM

It is not required to have a lawyer to apply for deferred action. 

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What are the risks with applying for deferred action?

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Thu, Aug 16, 2012 @ 5:51 PM

The recent announcement that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting completed forms to allow individuals to request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals is an exciting time for many young people across the nation.  

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USCIS Releases Forms to Apply for Deferred Action

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Tue, Aug 14, 2012 @ 2:50 PM

Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released new forms and instructions to allow individuals to request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals from USCIS.  USCIS will begin accepting completed forms tomorrow, August 15, 2012. 

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USCIS Announces Cost & Procedures to Apply for Deferred Action

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Fri, Aug 03, 2012 @ 4:46 PM

On August 3, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security provided additional information on the deferred action for childhood arrivals process during a national media call in preparation for the August 15 implementation date.

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DREAM Act | Spotlight On Obama's Policy For Undocumented Youth

Posted by Michael Pollak on Mon, Jul 30, 2012 @ 2:22 PM

 As appearing in Law360, New York (July 11, 2012, 2:16 PM ET)

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