President Announces Executive Action on Immigration

President Obama’s plan expands the Deferred Action program to more students and to parents of US citizens/Legal Permanent Residents.  It also helps families through the permanent residency process.

 Deferred Action for Parents (DAP)

President Obama announced a new program for parents of US citizens and Legal Permanent Residents.  The Deferred Action for Parents (DAP) program will be for parents of children born prior to the announcement made on November 20, 2014, and who are not an enforcement priority for removal.  They will also have to prove that they have been present in the US since January 1, 2010.  Those who qualify will need to apply in order to get protection from deportation and work authorization for three year periods, with the option to renew.   This part of the plan is expected to begin approximately towards the end of May 2015.  Do you have questions about whether you qualify?  We are taking appointments now to help you understand and prepare for the program.  Call us at 816-221-2277 or 1844-221-1844.

 Expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Under the original rules announced in 2012, young people had to have entered the US prior to June 15, 2007 and had been born after 1981.  The new rules will move the date of arrival to January 1, 2010 and remove the age cap.  All applicants will still have to prove that they were younger than 16 years old when they came to the United States and that they have completed schooling or are students.  The program protects the young people from deportation and provides work authorization.  The time period will be extended from two years to three years.   This plan is expected to begin towards the end of February, approximately.

 Permanent Residency Fixes

The Stateside Provisional waiver of the ten year bar will be available to spouses of Legal Permanent Residents as well as spouses of United States Citizens.  This program allows families to stay together in the United States while they are waiting for their waiver instead of having to wait in their home countries.

 

Don’t Wait for the President’s Announcements in December, Start Preparing Now.

We are expecting big news in December from President Obama on immigration reform.  As the Congress has failed to pass any new immigration laws, the president has said he will take action by himself.   He has not said what he is planning, but most people expect some expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

We will not know who will qualify until he makes his announcement.  But don’t wait to start preparing, you can start preparing now:

1. Stay informed. This is an exciting time. It will be very important to get good information.  Make sure you are following us on Facebook and Twitter and share this newsletter with your friends and family.
2. Know your history. It will be important to know your immigration and criminal history.  If you are not sure, we can help you with a background investigation.  Not sure what happened when you crossed the border?   Can’t remember when you had that criminal problem?  Contact us today!
3. Gather your documents. Make sure you have birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, and other important documents.  Also, start gathering documents showing your presence in the United States (such as tax returns, utilities bills, bank statements, medical records, paystubs, rental agreements, etc.)

Remember, we expect the announcement in December, but don’t wait to start preparing!

Let’s Celebrate with Art! Our Lead Attorney Received an Award for Pro-Bono Work!

The firm will hold a reception to celebrate Jessica Piedra’s Up & Coming Pro-Bono Award, on November 7^th from 6-9pm, at the Kansas City office: 214 W 18^th St.  Local Latino artists, including the prestigious Vania Soto and Chico Sierra, will be featured as part of First Fridays in the Crossroads. The community is invited to attend.

Jessica spent months working with Missouri Department of Higher Education lawyers walking them through the intricacies of immigration law in a quest to make it easier for some young immigrants to go to college. Her persistence caught the attention of Missouri Lawyers Weekly’s Up & Coming Award committee. They recognized her as the only 2014 Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year for the entire state.

State law has barred students who are unlawfully present from enrolling in public universities or accessing state scholarships since 2008. But under a 2012 federal program, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), many undocumented students who were brought to the U.S. as children are deemed “lawfully present.”  Last year, Ms. Piedra worked with university officials to get DACA students enrolled in public universities.  This year, education officials agreed that such students are eligible for A+ scholarships.

Have DACA and want to travel outside the US?

We have wonderful news for you!  The USCIS is approving travel to visit family members such as elderly grandparents who live outside the United States!  Many DACA recipients have not been back to their “home” countries in many years.  They may not even remember living there. This new development has a very emotional significance!

DACA recipients must request permission from the USCIS before their trip.  It is called “Advance Parole.”  This document authorizes the DACA recipient to reenter the United States after an international trip.

The application asks for the purpose of the travel.  DACA recipients have three options: Education, Work or Humanitarian reasons.  The USCIS has approved applications based on the desire to visit elderly grandparents or to attend important family events.  The application process takes about three months and the permission is usually given for a two to three week trip.

This is a great option for our DACA clients and community.  Do not hesitate in calling us if you have questions or need our assistance applying for the Advance Parole.  Contact our fully bilingual staff at Immigration Professionals in our offices in Kansas City, MO, and Lawrence and Liberal, KS.  We can be reached at 1-844-221-1844.

Happy Endings for Two Families

Every day, our work impacts families, making their lives better.  This month we highlight two families who got to celebrate!

Jose was only 12 years old when a classmate violently attacked him in gym class.  His parents were very upset to see him bleeding when they arrived.   They made a police report, cooperated with the investigation, and followed through with the court dates against the attacker.  However, Jose did not just suffer on that day, and the damage was not only physical but also emotional. His grades dropped, and at home he seemed distant and fearful.  His parents reached out to a social worker who connected the family to our office.

 

We explained the U visa for victims of violent crimes process and how not only Jose, but his parents and siblings could benefit.   The family signed up for a payment plan to get started right away.  Our office prepared all of the required forms and evidence.  Our staff explained every step of the process so they knew what to expect during the process.

After a year of waiting, the wonderful news arrived.  The whole family was approved for U visas and work permits. After having the U visa for three years, they will be able to apply for permanent residency.  They are so happy and full of hopes about all the new opportunities that are opening to them now!

Miguel and his Legal Permanent Resident wife, Aracely, came to our office to prepare their waiver of the ten-year-bar.  After interviewing the couple, we outlined a strategy to show that his wife would suffer extreme hardship if they could not be together.  With our guidance, they gathered evidence for their waiver application.  Finally, the visa appointment date came and Miguel had to tell his family goodbye.  We submitted the waiver to the USCIS and began waiting on his return.  His waiver was approved in about six months.   Miguel was able to return to his family in Kansas City.  He is now a permanent resident and does not have to worry about being separated from his family again.

Most of our waiver clients now are only away from their family for a couple of weeks.   Immigrants who have US citizen spouses can stay in the United States while their state-side provisional waiver is processing.   Stay tuned to hear more successful stories in the future!

Have you Renewed your DACA yet?

The time is now to renew your Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals paperwork!  Everyone will have a different time to submit the application depending on the expiration date of their DACA.  It is very important to take action by checking the date on your work permit.  If it shows a date in the next six months, you will need to renew right away! 

It is crucial to apply in time to get the new work permit before the current one expires.  If you do not receive your new work permit prior to the expiration of the current one, you could be subject to deportation and start gaining days of unlawful presence that could damage your chances of obtaining permanent residence in the future.    

Those who are renewing do not have to submit new evidence unless they have had criminal problems.  Therefore, we are offering a lower price of $200.00 to assist you with your renewal process.  

The USCIS filing fee is still $465.00.  We understand that can be difficult for our clients.  We do have some options to assist you to pay the filing fee.  Ask us about this option!

If you have not yet applied for Deferred Action, there is still time to file for the first time.  There is no deadline to file for the first time if you meet the original guidelines.  If you are not sure if you qualify, you can discuss it with the attorney for only $25.00.   The sooner you apply, the sooner you can start working towards achieving your dreams. 

Our previous DACA clients return to us to help them renew their status.  It has been great to hear about their new lives.  

We have a fully bilingual staff at Immigration Professionals with offices in Kansas City, MO, and Lawrence and Liberal, KS.  We can be reached at 1-844-221-1844 and http://www.immigrationpros.org.  Make your appointment at any of our three offices today!

Questions about DACA Students and Financial Aid?

Since the start of the DACA program, options for undocumented students have been opening up in our area.  This has created opportunity but also confusion.  Attorney Jessica Piedra will be a featured speaker on a panel at the “Diversidad: Engaging Our Hispanic Students” Conference.  The Conference is for high school and college counselors who wish to learn about engaging Hispanic students.  Ms. Piedra will lead a session regarding both the immigration and educational options for immigrant students in Kansas and Missouri.   

Ms. Piedra has been recognized for her work with immigrant students.  The Mexican Consulate chose her for their Ohtli Award in 2014.  It acknowledges professional activities towards the empowerment and development of Mexicans living abroad.  The Kansas City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also awarded her their Humanitarian of the Year award in 2013 for her work that benefited undocumented students. 

Another developing issue of interest to educators and students is the status of Missouri state A+ scholarships.  The Missouri Department of Education has announced that DACA students are eligible for these scholarships.  They are now reviewing their regulations regarding the issue, so the scholarship is on hold for now for DACA students.  Ms. Piedra continues to collaborate with the Department in this issue.

If you are a high school or college counselor, we encourage you to register for the conference today!  Feel free to call our office with questions as we are committed to the idea that immigrant students should reach their potential and go to college.  Also, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for updates on immigration and education issues!  If you want to subscribe to our newsletter, do it here.

USCIS Releases DACA Form and Instructions: Renew now!

We can help you at a reduced price.

The new form must be used for all renewals and initial applications starting on 06/05/2014. The USCIS fee for initial applications and renewals is the same – $465. However, renewal applicants will only need to provide documentation of travel outside the United States or new criminal issues since they applied for DACA.

It is very important to file your renewal application at the right time. The USCIS will only take your application five months before your DACA expires. However, make sure you start working on your application at least six months ahead of the expiration date. Everyone will have a different time to submit the application depending on the expiration date of their DACA.

It is crucial to apply in time to get the new work permit before the current one expires. If you do not receive your new work permit prior to the expiration of the current one, you will have to stop working until you receive the new one. You could be deportable and start gaining days of unlawful presence that could damage your chances of obtaining permanent residence in the future.

If you have not yet applied for Deferred Action, there is still time to file for the first time. There is no deadline to file for the first time if you meet the original guidelines. Only about half of the eligible youths have applied. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can start achieving your dreams.

Attorney Jessica Piedra has assisted hundreds of young people to obtain Deferred Action status. “We are delighted that the USCIS has finally come out with the information on renewals,” said Piedra. “It has been a great to see our clients move closer to their dreams. It will be important that they stay on track with their DACA applications.”

Piedra leads a fully bilingual staff at Immigration Professionals with offices in Kansas City, MO, and Lawrence and Liberal, KS. She has been recognized by both the Mexican Consulate and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for her work with immigrant students. She can be reached at 1-844-221-1844 and http://www.immigrationpros.org.

Attorney receives Ohtli Award

On May 1, attorney Jessica Piedra was recognized by the Government of Mexico with the Premio Ohtli, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual for service to Mexicans living abroad. Established by the Foreign Relations Secretariat of Mexico to recognize persons who promote the well-being of the Mexican community beyond Mexico’s political borders, this prestigious award which in the indigenous language Náhuatl, means “path” or “the road ahead,” is a fitting tribute in recognition of Ms. Piedra’s unwavering commitment to opening doors for immigrant youth in our area.

Piedra was recognized for her years of work and success in persuading public universities in Missouri to admit undocumented students, as well as providing legal services in collaboration with the Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City since starting Immigration Professionals in 2012.

Community Activist, Myrna Orozco, also received the award for her work with Own the Dream, a national organization working to implement the Deferred Action program.  The two women are the youngest recipients of the award in its history.  Attorney Piedra said, “It is so special to receive this award with Myrna Orozco, who really is one of my heroes.”  Piedra and Orozco had worked together for many years in the KS/MO DREAM Alliance, a local group promoting opportunities for immigrant youth.  

The Ohtli Award is granted once a year and consists of a medallion, a silver rosette, and a diploma signed by the President of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME), an organism that seeks to improve the well-being, and promotes the fair treatment of Mexican communities abroad.

Now we are closer to you!!

Our firm’s main office is located just a few blocks away from the Mexican Consulate at 214 W. 18^th St., Kansas City, MO 64108.

But now we also have two satellite offices in Lawrence, Kansas and in Liberal, KS.  The clients meet with Attorney Jessica Piedra via Skype to receive the legal analysis and advice, but also receive personal service from our wonderful paralegals.

In the Lawrence office, our lead paralegal, Laura Canelos, staffs that office daily.  Laura holds an advanced degree from her native Ecuador and has many years of experience in assisting immigrant families.

In Liberal, Kansas, paralegal and community leader Sonia Johnson helps people by appointment. Sonia is the proud daughter of immigrants from Mexico and has served families in Liberal for over twenty years.  They both are native speakers of Spanish.

Call 1-844-221-1844 to make an appointment at any of our three offices.  The consultation fee is only $25.  Information about other services and fees can be found on our website www.immigrationpros.org