Matthew — Page 26

My 10th Year Anniversary

June 11, 2012 by Matthew

I got a card in the mail from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”). It congratulated me on being a member of AILA for 10 years. I hadn’t realized that I had been a member of AILA for that long. I’m glad that I’m a member of AILA. They provide a lot of information and resources for immigration lawyers. They also advocate for changes in the immigration laws. I think that anyone who practices immigration law should be a member of AILA.

Client’s Removal Proceedings Terminated

June 5, 2012 by Matthew

In February, I was retained to do an individual hearing for a lawful permanent resident with a criminal history who was in removal proceedings and seeking a waiver of inadmissibility pursuant to INA § 212(h). Since February, I have been preparing his deportation defense for immigration court in New York City. Today, was his final hearing. Instead of taking testimony, the proceedings were terminated by the Immigration Judge. On March 30, 2012, I posted a blog about the Supreme Court’s decision in Vartelas v. Holder. In Vartelas, the Supreme Court held that residents who were convicted before April 24, 1996 and are placed in removal proceedings after travelling abroad, may seek termination of their removal proceedings. Because I was aware of the Supreme Court’s decision in Vartelas, I knew to make a motion to terminate my client’s proceedings. My client’s case demonstrates how important it is that immigration attorneys keep up on changes in the law. Because I keep myself updated on changes in immigration law and new immigration decisions, I was able to have my client’s removal proceedings terminated without him having to testify.

I Am Returning to Brooklyn Law School

May 31, 2012 by Matthew

I recently finished my first semester of teaching at Brooklyn Law School as an adjunct professor of law. I taught a course once a week for two hours. I created the course and it was called Immigration Workshop: Deportation Defense. I enjoyed teaching at Brooklyn Law School this semester. Helping to make better immigration lawyers in New York City is something that is very important to me. I was very impressed with the work that my students did on their final projects. I hope that my students will be able to find jobs as immigration lawyers because I believe that they will all be great attorneys. I have been asked by Brooklyn Law School to teach again. I am very happy that I will be able to continue teaching at Brooklyn Law School. My course will be offered again in the Spring Semester.