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Permanent Residence In-Person Interviews Set to Expand

Topics: Immigration

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In response to a recent executive order, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is scheduled to start conducting in-person interviews for employment and refugee based permanent residence applications.  The stated goal of the new interviews is to prevent fraud in the immigration system. According to its press release, USCIS states that conducting the additional in-person interviews will allow immigration officers to verify the information provided on form I-485 for employment-based applications and form I-730 for refugee-based applications.  They also state goals of discovering new, relevant information and the determination of credibility of applicants. The changes are slated to go into effect on October 1st, with further incremental expansion for other categories of immigration applications expected. See the press release here. The permanent residence process is complicated enough without additional interview requirements. If you or a loved one needs help navigating the United States immigration system, the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth is on your side, all the way. For a free immigration consultation, call us today at 888-517-9888.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program Faces Uncertainty

Topics: Immigration

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The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, allows for undocumented immigrants who were illegally brought to the United States as children to avoid deportation and obtain work permits.  DACA is popular, with a recent poll showing that 73 percent of voters believe DACA recipients, commonly called Dreamers (a reference to the DREAM Act), should be allowed to remain in the country.  However, the future of DACA under the Trump administration has been uncertain. Late last week it was reported that President Trump was likely going to end the program. Numerous immigration advocates, attorneys, and business leaders have lobbied the Trump administration to keep the program active. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump had made numerous promises to end DACA immediately, but officially backtracked on this promise in June. If DACA is ended, around 800,000 young people, many who have no memories of their homeland, could be affected. Many undocumented immigrants used the DACA program to apply for financial aid, attend college, open bank accounts, and work, all without the fear of being deported. Should the program end, it is unknown what will happen to DACA recipients. They would no longer be protected from deportation, unable to work legally, and facing an uncertain future. Nearly 30 percent of approved DACA applications were issued in California, and recipients have received a vow of protection from California Attorney General Xavier Bacerra. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth closely follows all developing news related to immigration so that we can better serve our immigration clients. We can help you meet your immigration needs. Call us at 888-517-9888 for a free immigration consultation.
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California Jury Awards $417 Million in Johnson & Johnson’s Lawsuit

Topics: Consumer Law

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A Los Angeles jury has awarded a Californian woman $417 million after she alleged that Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder led to her ovarian cancer. Several studies have claimed a link between extended use of talc-based products, such as J&J's Baby Powder, and ovarian cancer, but several other studies have shown mixed results. Thousands of lawsuits are pending across the U.S., more than 300 of which are in California, have been filed by women who have developed ovarian cancer after decades of using J&J products for feminine hygiene. The first talc lawsuit to be concluded at trial occurred in February 2016, with a jury awarding $72 million to a plaintiff in St. Louis. Johnson & Johnson's argues that their talc products are not responsible for the cancers, but most juries that have been presented the evidence have not agreed. Of the $417 million judgment, $347 million was for punitive damages, intended to punish the company for failing to put a warning label on its talc-based products. J&J has known of a potential link between its products and ovarian cancer for decades. The plaintiff in the California case testified that she would have ceased using Baby Powder if a warning label was used. Read the full news article here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Preventing a Dog Bite

Topics: Personal Injury

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Most people do not think twice about petting what appears to be a friendly dog. However, each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans require emergency medical treatment for a dog bite. Most serious dog bite injuries are suffered by children and infants, sometimes resulting in life-changing, permanent injuries, or even deaths. According to a dog bite statistics tracker, 31 people were fatally injured in dog attacks last year. Of those 31 victims, 42% were under the age of 10. Even one fatal dog bite is too many. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth has collected some tips on how to prevent dog bites from happening. Teaching children these guidelines could help protect them from injury.
  • Do not approach dogs you are unfamiliar with.
  • If approached by an unfamiliar dog, don't make any sudden movements or noises. Running away or making loud noises could agitate the dog.
  • While staying still, if the dog knocks you to the ground, curl into a ball and continue to stay still.
  • If you see a stray dog or a dog exhibiting unusual behavior, contact authorities.
  • To a dog, eye contact can be perceived as threatening. Try to avoid making direct eye contact.
  • If two dogs are playing or fighting, do not interfere. You could be bitten mistakenly.
  • Do not pet any unfamiliar dog that is restrained.
  • Accidentally surprising a dog could lead to a bite. It's best to leave dogs that are sleeping, eating, or nursing alone.

Dog Owners

Are you a dog owner? In California, you are 100% responsible if your dog causes injury to another person. Follow these guidelines to protect yourself and others!
    • Spay and neuter your pets! Among other benefits is reduced aggression.
    • Play non-violent games with your dog, like catch or fetch. Wrestling and similar games can foster violent tendencies.
    • Before rescuing a new dog, make sure the dog's breed is compatible with your household and family. If you have children, it's important to not adopt any dog that exhibits aggression.
    • If possible, bond with your new dog before introducing it to young children.
    • Avoid raising an 'outside dog'. Leaving a dog outside on a chain can cause socialization issues.
    • Do not leave young children or infants alone with any dog.
    • During training, do not let your dog growl or show its teeth.
If you are unable to train your dog to be submissive, seek help from a professional trainer.

If You've Suffered a Dog Bite

Following every tip is still not a guarantee of safety. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, call our offices today at 888-517-9888 for a free consultation with an injury attorney.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Things that Scare Us Driving on the Freeway

Topics: Auto Accident

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Southern California freeways are the busiest in the nation, with the 5, 10, 101, and 405 all consistently ranked among the most driven highways. In a 2016 global study of traffic congestion, Los Angeles overtook Moscow as the most congested city in the world, with the average driver spending 104.1 hours stuck in traffic. Many of us at the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth are average drivers, braving the freeways every day. After an unscientific firm poll, we've discovered which driving behaviors cause the most alarm on our daily commutes. It won't surprise anyone that many of our biggest fears were drivers not following the basic rules of the road. Tailgaters If you've ever been in a rear-end crash on the freeway, you know why tailgating makes us nervous. Following too closely makes it difficult to stop at a moments notice. With traffic as congested as it is, it's unnerving to see a vehicle right on your bumper when checking the rear-view mirror. In the vast majority of rear-end collisions, the tailgating driver is placed at fault. Weavers Lane changes are considered dangerous maneuvers on congested, multi-lane freeways. The drivers who weave in and out of lanes in an attempt to shave a minute or two off of their commute are at especially high risk for a sideswipe collision, and other drivers know it. Unsafe Lane Changers When vehicles switch lanes rapidly, without using turn signals, other drivers may not be able to react in time to avoid a collision. Cutting across multiple lanes of traffic to exit the freeway is another example of an unsafe lane change that can scare other drivers. Carpool Jumpers Some SoCal freeways, like the Express Lanes of the 91, separate carpool/toll lanes from regular lanes with a physical barrier. Others, like the 22 and portions of the 60, allow free access in and out of the lanes. But most freeways in the Southland only offer solid lines as protection. The difference in flow of traffic in the carpool lane can be drastically faster than the next lane over. Carpool drivers do not expect a car traveling 30 mph slower to illegally jump in front of them and fast lane drivers do not expect a car traveling 30 mph faster to illegally attempt a merge. Either situation is a recipe for disaster, and any time we see someone jump the carpool lane in either direction, we hope for the best and fear the worst. Distracted Drivers People on the freeway looking at their phone instead of the road cause untold numbers of crashes. When we see someone looking at their phone, we worry that we will be involved in the next one.

Help Us Feel Safe!

As a personal injury law firm, we've seen first hand the damages the can occur in a car accident. We encourage all drivers to follow the rules of the road. If you've been injured in a car crash, call us today at 888-517-9888 for a free consultation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Is Immigration Law Going to Change?

Topics: Immigration

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]News headlines this week have thrust further uncertainty on the process of seeking permanent residency in the United States. According to reports, the Trump administration is promoting legislation that would reduce legal immigration to the US by about 50 percent over 10 years. The Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment (RAISE) Act seeks to create a 'merit-based' immigration system. The RAISE act proposes several changes to immigration law.  RAISE would change the preferences for potential immigrants with family members residing in the United States, removing preferences for adult children. Spouses and minor children would instead receive family preference. RAISE would also reduce limits for refugees allowed into the country. The biggest change to immigration law proposed by the RAISE act would be for employment-based green cards, changing the system to a points-based system modeled loosely after the immigration systems of Canada and Australia. RAISE would skew permanent residency approval towards applicants whom are younger and wealthier, with advanced degrees, English-speaking skills, and higher-paying jobs. While the RAISE act is not expected to become law, it's important for anyone interested to seek immigration advice now and see the best way to achieve immigration goals before certain categories are impacted. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth offers legal help to immigrants seeking permanent residence. For a free immigration consultation, call us today at 626-282-6868.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Visits Chinatown

Topics: Events

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth has been an actively involved in the local Chinese community for more than 30 years. Founder and president Scott Warmuth, general manager Tammy Wong, and immigration attorney Yesenia Acosta recently attended an event billed as a meet and greet between the residents and community of Chinatown and the Los Angeles Mayor's office. The event was held on July 29th at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association's (CCBA) headquarters in Chinatown. The CCBA aims to provide social services and promote the interests of Chinese Americans and represents several local organizations. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles Councilmember Gilbert Cedillo both presented their visions for the future of Los Angeles and Chinatown, addressing important issues and possible solutions important to Chinatown residents and the Chinese community. In the 127 year history of the CCBA, this was the first time the group has been addressed by the mayor. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth took some pictures and videos of the event, which we've posted below![/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="2489" img_size="800x450" add_caption="yes" alignment="center" onclick="link_image"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="2491" img_size="800x450" add_caption="yes" alignment="center" onclick="link_image"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="2488" img_size="800x450" add_caption="yes" alignment="center" onclick="link_image"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="2492" img_size="800x450" add_caption="yes" alignment="center" onclick="link_image"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="2490" img_size="800x450" add_caption="yes" alignment="center" onclick="link_image"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]