Will Comprehensive Immigration Reform Happen?
Since November, nearly everyone has put immigration reformat the top of the list of things Congress could accomplishthis year. The president has encouraged it, Republicans havesoftened their opposition, organized labor and the Chamber ofCommerce are coming together, and a bipartisan group of keylegislators is working behind the scenes to draft a bill that achievescomprehensive solutions…
Trapped − American Families in Limbo
Harsh immigration penalties put into effect approximately fifteenyears ago impose a 10 year bar on anyone “unlawfully present’in the US for more than 365 days. This law perhaps, more thanany other, has resulted in a significant increase in the numberof undocumented immigrants in the US. The reason is thatthe penalty or “bar” to re-entry is…
When Mom & Dad Both Need Care: The Case for an Increased Community Spouse Resource Allowance
We are often called upon to assist families with a lovedone facing imminent nursing home care. In someinstances, families may face the difficult situation of bothparents being ill and requiring additional care beyondwhat can be provided in the home setting. For example,one parent may require placement in an assisted livingfacility or rest home, while a…
Obama Grants Immigration Relief to Some
On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced that he would take executive action to provide temporary relief to approximately 5 million undocumented workers. Frustrated by Congress’s failure to enact immigration reform, the president announced that he would use his executive authority to provide temporary relief from deportation to certain classes of undocumented immigrants. WHAT IS…
Feel Good by Doing Good – Recent Tax Changes Have Made it Easier to be Philanthropic
As a community-based legal practice, we recognize thebenefits that our community receives, directly and indirectly,from the abundance of non-profit organizations providingservices and programs throughout our region. For many ofus, this is our community of choice, because of the variedcultural organizations, the high quality medical facilities andthe private school systems that provide greater opportunitiesand make life…
It’s 2007…Do You Know Where Your Data Is? An Overview of How E-Discovery Rules May Affect Your Business
What should you do with your email and computer systems ifyou become involved in a lawsuit? How much access will theother side get to your archives of electronic data, recorded voicemails, instant messages, and other computer files? Previously, theanswers to these questions were not well defined. Often litigantswould face costly court battles before the trial…
Business Immigration Under Assault
Reduced the number of H-1B visas available for specialtyworkers, those jobs which require a four year college degree, manyof which drive the innovation sectors of our economy- healthscience, biotech and medical research. In these areas there is ahuge gap between the number of US born graduates with thenecessary skills, and positions available to be filled….
Update on Prosecutorial Discretion
In March of 2011 the Bureau of Immigration and CustomsEnforcement (“ICE”) within the Department of Homeland Security(“DHS”) outlined a new set of priorities for the apprehension,detention and removal of aliens. These priorities are basedon the concept of “prosecutorial discretion,” which refers toDHS’ authority to not enforce immigration laws against certainindividuals and groups. Outlined in two…
Family And Medical Leave Act Is Expanded By New Law
In the spring of 1993 then-President Bill Clinton signedinto law the Family and Medical Leave Act (FLMA). Asmost people know, the FMLA provides eligible employeesup to twelve weeks of paid or unpaid leave under certaincircumstances.Early this year, President Bush signed into law theNational Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 (NDAA).Contained within Section 585 of the…