Client’s Removal Proceedings Terminated

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.