Things Clients Should Know

Dirty Secret About Criminals Who Sell Fraudulent Immigration Papers

July 27, 2012 by Matthew

It probably shouldn’t be necessary to tell non-citizens not to purchase fraudulent immigration papers, so that they appear to be legal. It’s against the law and you should know not to break the law. I understand that it’s difficult to live in the United States without papers. However, there’s another reason why you shouldn’t buy fake immigration papers.

I have been practicing immigration law since 1997. I regularly see non-citizens get placed into removal proceedings because they purchase fake I-94 stamps, green cards, U.S. birth certificates, naturalization certificates, and U.S. passports. These people always get caught the same way: the people who sell the fraudulent documents keep lists of everyone that they sell fake papers to, so that if they ever get caught they can make a deal with the prosecutors. If you buy these fake papers, it is inevitable that you will be caught. This is because when the Government catches the person who you bought the fake papers from, your dealer in fake documents is going to give the prosecutor your name, so that he spends less time in jail. It’s just not worth it to purchase fake immigration documents.

Moreover, pretending to be a U.S. citizen when you are not is the immigration “kiss of death.” There is nothing that will save you from deportation, if you falsely claim to be a U.S. citizen. Just don’t do it!

Will Romney Burst the DREAMers Bubble?

June 21, 2012 by Matthew

President Obama’s new policy to spare from deportation certain undocumented non-citizens that came to the United States when they were young is not a permanent solution. He is only offering them something called deferred action. Deferred action is an act of prosecutorial discretion. It is not a formal immigration benefit like adjustment of status or naturalization. It is simply a decision that the Government will not deport someone. Because it is not a formal immigration benefit, it can be taken away at any time.

The election in November could have a tremendous impact upon these individuals. This is because Mitt Romney does not appear to support President Obama’s policy. In discussing whether or not he would continue President Obama’s policy, if elected, Mr. Romney has been quoted as saying, “I will put in place my own long-term solution that will replace and supersede the president’s temporary measure.” However, he has not stated any details about what this long-term solution would be.

Mr. Romney’s campaign website has a page on immigration. His website indicates that he will take a “strong stand against illegal immigration.” It further explains that he will “secure the border,” “turn off the magnets” that attract undocumented alients, “enforce the law,” and “oppose amnesty.” Based upon Mr. Romney’s website, it would appear that if he is elected president, anyone who applies for deferred action under President Obama’s plan will face deportation. While Mr. Romney has yet to actually state this, it’s hard to read what his campaign website says about immigration and not believe that he will not only discontinue President Obama’s policy, but seek to deport the people who have applied for deferred action pursuant to his policy. I still stand by my view that anyone not already in removal proceedings or facing deportation should wait until after the election to apply for deferred action under President Obama’s new policy.

Government Links About the Deferred Action Process for Young People Who are Low Enforcement Priorities

June 19, 2012 by Matthew

Since Friday, the Government has put up several web pages with information about the “deferred action process for young people who are low enforcement priorities.” This is what the Government is referring to the program announced by President Obama on Friday. Most people are referring to it as Deferred Action for DREAMers or some variation thereof.

Here is the original announcement from Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

Here is a link to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (CIS) page on Deferred Action for DREAMers. The CIS page indicates that applications for Deferred Action for DREAMers are not being accepted until sometime after 60 days from the announcement on June 15, 2012.

Here is a link to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement page on Deferred Action for DREAMers. This page has a very detailed frequently asked questions section.