by Matthew Hoppock | May 24, 2017 | Asylum, Immigration |
In perhaps the most important asylum-related decision in the last 5 to 10 years, the BIA held today that a family unit can amount to a “particular social group” and that if their membership in that nuclear family is at least one central reason they have...
by Matthew Hoppock | May 5, 2017 | Immigration, Immigration Reform |
Since Trump’s election it has sometimes been difficult to describe to people what has actually changed in the immigration field. Aside from the two Muslim bans, both of which were blocked by the courts, very little, on the surface, seems to have significantly...
by Matthew Hoppock | Apr 28, 2017 | Immigration, USCIS Best Practices |
Update 06/07/2017 – The Form G-1256 is online now at the USCIS Website. I’ve posted a copy of the form here. You’ll notice this is the same form that was released with the August, 2015 memo announcing the form and the proposed rule. The form...
by Matthew Hoppock | Mar 23, 2017 | Immigration, Return Policy |
Something strange is afoot and it may have wide implications for immigrants who get deported while their appeals are pending. We have no confirmation at this time of what is happening, but several recent signs make it seem that ICE is either significantly overhauling...
by Matthew Hoppock | Mar 1, 2017 | Immigration, Immigration Practice |
Much of our work as Immigration Attorneys involves researching our clients’ pasts. Often to figure out how I can help a client in the future, I need to know what their history looks like. That research might include criminal records. It might include old divorce...
by Matthew Hoppock | Feb 23, 2017 | Departure Bar, Immigration |
This afternoon we received a helpful decision from the Eleventh Circuit in a long-pending appeal about post-departure motions to reopen. Because this has been a topic of much litigation lately (and affects many people who have been deported and would be interested in...
by Matthew Hoppock | Feb 21, 2017 | Executive Orders, Immigration |
On Tuesday, February 21, 2017 the DHS posted two memoranda on its website that purport to implement two Executive Orders by President Trump regarding enforcement of the immigration laws. These were originally released as drafts but are now final. This page contains...
by Matthew Hoppock | Jan 25, 2017 | Immigration, Immigration Reform |
This morning, President Trump signed an executive order that may significantly change the immigration options for certain foreign nationals. It will take us a few days to fully process what this executive order means for our clients. Also, the agencies will have to...
by Matthew Hoppock | Jan 23, 2017 | FOIA, Immigration |
Here’s something fun. Today I received in the mail a response to several FOIA requests I had made. The package contained two previously secret litigation “field guides” for Department of Justice attorneys. I’ll be receiving more and will post...
by Matthew Hoppock | Jan 5, 2017 | Immigration, Temporary Protected Status |
On January 4, 2017, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has redesignated Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and extended the existing TPS designation for the country for an additional 18 months, from March 4, 2017, through Sept. 3, 2018. This...
