[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Trump administration is denying passports to Hispanic citizens born along the U.S.-Mexico border, accusing them of using fake birth certificates.  In some cases, United States citizens have had their valid passports revoked, been confined to immigration detention, and/or face deportation.  There have been several anecdotal reports of military personnel and border patrol agents having their passports revoked because the government does not believe that they are citizens. The State Department has announced that people affected by this policy are people who have birth certificates filed by a midwife or birth attendant who was suspected to have sold Texas birth certificates to the parents of children who were born in Mexico.  This fraud was a real concern, with several dozen successful fraud prosecutions against these midwives.  However, these midwives also delivered thousands of babies in the United States.  Proving that the birth documentation is fraudulent has been difficult, leading many legitimate citizens to be swept up in this increased enforcement action. According to the State Department, those facing additional scrutiny are people whose birth certificate was filed by a midwife or birth attendant suspected of fraudulent activity or people who have both a U.S. and foreign birth certificate.  According to reports, the government is asking for obscure documents such as rental agreements or prenatal care records from as early as the 1960s.  And even if they do receive some of these documents, the government is still denying some passport requests. See the full news report here. The immigration landscape is changing dramatically.  The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth works to make the immigration process as simple and fair for anyone seeking to live and work in the United States.  For a free immigration consultation, call 888-517-9888.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Last Friday, a federal judge in Washington D.C. ordered the Trump administration to continue processing renewal applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  The ruling of U.S. District Judge John D. Bates changes nothing for the time being.  The Trump administration announced it was ending DACA last year, but the program has been kept alive by several court rulings.  While not accepting new applications, the government has been processing renewals for several months. A separate legal challenge to the constitutionality of DACA is currently in a Texas federal court.  This lawsuit, rather than challenging the legality of the Trump administration's decision to end the program, instead challenges DACA as a whole.  The lawsuit was filed by seven states and is led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.  The judge overseeing this legal challenge, U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen, previously blocked an Obama era executive order based on DACA.  Should Judge Hanen rule in favor of Texas and the other plaintiff states, the government would have conflicting court orders.  The issue of DACA would most likely move to the Supreme Court where it faces an uncertain future. See the full news story here. Immigration advocates are urging DACA recipients to apply for renewals as soon as possible.  DACA status allows certain young immigrants to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth is an immigration law firm that helps DACA recipients seeking renewals and any immigrants seeking permanent residency in the United States.  For a free legal consultation, call us today at 888-517-9888.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Immigration law has been front and center in the news again this week.  Several front-page stories could potentially change immigration to the United States as we know it. ACLU Files Lawsuit Against New Asylum Policies A few weeks ago, the Justice Department issued new guidance for federal immigration judges.  That guidance told immigration judges that they could no longer consider domestic or gang violence as grounds for asylum.  As a result of that change, there has been an increased level of asylum rejections because there is no "credible" fear of persecution.  Now, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration arguing that the new asylum policy violates the law. See the full news story here. Trump Administration Plans to Limit Legal Immigration The Trump administration is expected to announce changes to immigration policy that would make it more difficult for immigrants to receive a green card and for green card holders to become United States citizens.  The expected changes would consider immigrants who have ever used popular assistance programs as not self-sufficient.  These programs include food stamps, the Affordable Care Act, and the Children's Health Insurance Program.  Immigration experts estimate that this change could affect up to 20 million immigrants. See the full news story here. DACA Faces Constitutional Challenge in Texas Court The legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is being challenged in a Texas courtroom this week.  The lawsuit, brought by Texas and six other states, is seeking to end the DACA program by claiming it is unconstitutional.  The judge hearing the case is the same judge who prevent the Obama administration from expanding the program back in 2015.  If the judge rules against DACA and orders the program be shut down, the government will face conflicting orders.  Previous judges have ruled that DACA must remain in effect. See the full news story here. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth is monitoring all of the immigration news that could have an effect on our clients.  For a free immigration consultation, call us today at 888-517-9888.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]U.S. District Court Judge John Bates ruled last Friday that the Trump administration ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program unlawfully.  Judge Bates ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to restore the program by August 23rd.  This is the third district court ruling against the Trump administration in how it handled the termination of the DACA program. DACA was implemented under President Obama with the goal of protecting young immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally when they were children.  About 800,000 people received DACA benefits before the program was ended last September.  Previous court rulings have allowed DACA recipients to renew their legal status, but have not reopened the program to new applicants. Judge Bates stated that his ruling does not mean that the Trump administration cannot end the DACA program, but that it requires legal justification for doing so.  To date, the justifications used in court to end the program have been considered "arbitrary and capricious."  The government has until August 23 to submit an appeal. See the full news story here. The fight for DACA is not yet over.  Should DACA be fully restored, the Law Offices of Scott Warmuth will be helping eligible young immigrants apply for the program's benefits.  For a free immigration consultation, call our offices today at 888-517-9888.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]