Post on 30-Mar-2015
May 10, 2013Shulman, Rogers, Gandal,
Pordy & Ecker, P.A. 1
Maryland Judicial Conference Federal Immigration in State Courts: The Judiciary’s Guide to Family and Individual Immigration Status
Michael L. Kabik, Esq. © 2013Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A.
12505 Park Potomac Avenue, 6th Floor, Potomac, MD 20854
T: (301) 231-0937 F: (301) 230-2891
mkabik@shulmanrogers.com ShulmanRogers.com
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Presentation Objective
To give Maryland’s Judiciary the tools to understand:
Federal Immigration Framework, Infrastructure, and ProcessesKey Immigration TerminologyThe Immigration LifecycleImpact of Immigration Legal Status on Individuals and Families
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Federal Government
Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) within Dept. of Justice
Abolished in 2003Immigration functions transferred to new Dept. of Homeland Security
Split into 3 agencies• Enforcement function (2)• Benefits function (1)
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Federal Government
Dept. of Homeland Security’s immigration functions:
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS)
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Federal Government
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
Border enforcement• Land border• Sea border• Airports
– Functional border– Pre-Flight Inspection at airports in other
countries
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Federal Government
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Interior enforcement• Detention• Removal• Worksite Enforcement• Employer Sanctions
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Federal Government
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS)
Benefits• Nonimmigrant Status• Permanent Residence (Greencard)• Naturalization• Employment Authorization• Temporary Protected Status (TPS)• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
(DACA)
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Immigration Lifecycle
UndocumentedEntry Without Inspection (EWI)Out of StatusUnlawful PresenceTemporary Protected Status (TPS)Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
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Immigration Lifecycle
Nonimmigrant Visas (NIVs)Immigrant Visas (IVs)RemovalNaturalization
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Temporary Protected Status
Humanitarian relief that establishes a temporary safe haven in the U.S. for nationals of a foreign state
Ongoing armed conflict posing a serious threat to personal safetyEarthquake, flood, drought, epidemic or other environmental disaster resulting in substantial temporary disruption of living conditions• Foreign state is temporarily unable to handle the
return of its nationals
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Temporary Protected Status
For qualified applicants, TPS granted for 6 to 18 months, extensions possibleShall not be removed during TPS periodShall be granted employment authorization, extensions with TPS extensionsShall not be detained based on based on TPSExclusions for certain criminal convictions, persecutors, or security considerations
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Temporary relief for personsNot in legal immigration status Brought to the U.S. as young childrenGranted for 2 years, extensions possibleEligible to apply for employment authorization
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Criteria include:Under age 31 as of June 15, 2012Came to U.S. before age 16Continuously resided in U.S. since June 15, 2007Presence in the U.S. on June 15, 2012Currently in school, graduated from high school, obtained GED, or honorably discharged veteranNot be convicted of certain criminal offensesNot pose a threat to national security/public safety
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Nonimmigrant Visas
Temporary visasAllow limited time entry into U.S.
For a specific purpose, including• Employment• Tourism• Study
Many classificationsDerivative visa classifications for dependents
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Immigrant Visas
Permanent Residence in U.S.Greencard
Employment-Based sponsorshipFamily-Based sponsorshipDerivative status for dependents
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Immigrant Visas
Special Immigrant Juvenile StatusProvides help to foreign children in the U.S. who have been abused, abandoned, or neglectedChildren unable to be reunited with a parent may obtain Permanent Residence
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Immigrant Visas
Special Immigrant Juvenile StatusRequires a State Court order finding• Child is a dependent of the court or
legally placed with a state agency, private agency, or a private person, and
• Not in the child’s best interest to return to home country (or country of last residence)
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Immigrant Visas
Special Immigrant Juvenile StatusRequires a State Court order finding• Child cannot be reunited with a parent
due to any of the following– Abuse– Abandonment– Neglect– Similar reason under state law
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Immigrant Visas
Special Immigrant Juvenile StatusMust be under 21 years old on the date of filing Special Immigrant Petition with CISState Court order must be in effect on date of filing and when CIS makes decision• Unless “age out” of State Court’s
jurisdiction due to no fault of own
Cannot be married
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Naturalization
Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship (optional)
Requirements• Length of Residence• Continuous Residence• Physical Presence• Good Moral Character• English language test (waiver)• U.S. history and government test
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Removal
Applies to:Permanent Resident AliensNIV Status AliensUndocumented Aliens
Violation of:Criminal LawsImmigration Laws
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Immigration Crossover into Family Law
FederalFamily-Based Permanent ResidenceDomestic ViolenceRemovalNaturalization
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Immigration Crossover into Family Law
StateDomestic ViolenceDivorceCustodyAdoption
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Immediate Relatives (IRs)Spouse of U.S. CitizensChildren (<21) of U.S. Citizens• Definition of Child includes Step-Children
Parents of Adult U.S. Citizens
Immediately eligible to apply to immigrate
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Preference CategoriesF1: Unmarried Sons/Daughters (21+) of U.S. Citizens F2A: Spouses/Children (<21) of Permanent ResidentsF2B: Unmarried Sons/Daughters (21+) of Permanent Residents
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Preference CategoriesF3: Married Sons/Daughters (21+) of U.S. CitizensF4: Brothers/Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
Requires a current “Priority Date” in order to immigrate
Variable Backlog of PD’s (~2–23 years)
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
The ProcessImmigrant Petition (I-130)• Filed by U.S. Citizen/Perm. Resident
Sponsor
Adjustment of Status (I-485)• Filed by Alien• Must be IR or have current Priority Date• Affidavit of Support (I-864) by Sponsor
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
The Affidavit of Support (I-864)Required in all FB Permanent Residence Sponsorships since 1997• Minimum income requirements based on
household size– 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines– 100% Federal Poverty Guidelines for active
duty military sponsoring spouse/child• Joint Sponsors permitted in order to meet
income requirements
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
The Affidavit of Support (I-864)Requirement to provide the sponsored immigrant any support necessary to maintain him/her at an income at least • 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines• 100% Federal Poverty Guidelines for
active duty military sponsoring spouse/child
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
The Affidavit of Support (I-864)Requirement to reimburse a Federal, State or local agency, or a private agency• That provides any covered means-tested
public benefit to the sponsored immigrant
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
The Affidavit of SupportEnforceable Contract Against Sponsor (and Joint Sponsors)• By sponsored immigrant• By Federal or State government or any
agency providing a means-tested public benefit
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
The Affidavit of SupportMeans-Tested Public Benefit (MTPB):• Food Stamps• Medicaid• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)• Temporary Assistance Needy Families
(TANF)• State Child Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP)• State MTPBs
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
The Affidavit of SupportBinding contract in force until the sponsored immigrant:• Becomes U.S. Citizen• Has earned or been credited with 40
qualifying quarters under Title II SSA excluding periods of MTPBs
• No longer has PR status and departs the U.S.
• Dies
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
The Affidavit of SupportSurvives divorce• Enforceable against Sponsor• Enforceable against Joint Sponsor
Divorce does not terminate a Sponsor’s obligations under the Affidavit of Support
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
The Affidavit of SupportFederal courts have upheld the Affidavit of Support requirement to provide support to maintain the sponsored immigrant at the 125%/100% Federal Poverty Guideline levels• No duty of sponsored immigrant to mitigate
damages (i.e., seek employment)
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Marriage Cases – ProcessProcessing by CIS based on state of residenceInterview required at CIS Field Office of Sponsor and AlienTimeline – Filing to Decision: ~3–6 months
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Marriage Cases – ProcessType of Residence – based on length of marriage at time of approval• Conditional Residence
– if married <2 years• Permanent Residence
– if married 2+ years
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Marriage Cases – ProcessPermanent Residence• Does not expire• Greencard valid for 10 years
– Update Photograph
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Marriage Cases – ProcessConditional Residence• Valid only for 2 years• Must file Petition to Remove Conditions
on Residence (I-751) within 90-day window before expiration
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Marriage Cases – ProcessPetition to Remove Conditions on Residence (I-751)• File jointly with Spouse• Seek waiver of joint filing requirement
due to: – Death of Spouse– Termination of Marriage through
divorce/annulment– Battered or subjected to extreme cruelty– Deportation would result in extreme hardship
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Marriage Cases – ProcessLoss of ResidencePermanent and Conditional Residence can be lost if • Alien outside U.S. for certain periods of
time• Alien commits certain
immigration/criminal offenses
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Marriage Cases – Legal StandardMust be bona fide marriage when entered into by the parties• Not solely for immigration benefit
Must continue to be married for approvalApproval possible even if parties living apart and marriage no longer viable
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Marriage Cases – Legal StandardIf marriage occurs after commencement of Removal Proceedings• Alien must remain outside U.S. 2 years
before residence is granted• Unless Alien meets higher burden of proof
– Clear and convincing evidence
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Adoption – Different ProcessesIn the U.S.Intercountry Adoption• Hague Convention country• Non-Hague Convention country
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
Adoption – Different ProcessesHague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption• Multilateral treaty concluded on May 29,
1993• Entered into force for the U.S. on April 1,
2008• Where child habitually resides in another
country party to the Convention, must follow the Hague process
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
U.S. Adoption – Immigration Legal Process
Adopted child may be sponsored for permanent residence• Immigrant Petition (I-130)• Adjustment of Status (I-485)
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
U.S. Adoption – Immigration Legal Requirements
Age Requirement: Must be <16 unless:• Natural sibling of another adopted child,
then <18• Court order entered nunc pro tunc prior
to 16th birthday– Recognized for immigration purposes in
certain limited circumstances
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Family-Based Permanent Residence
U.S. Adoption – Immigration Legal Requirements
Legal Custody Requirement: 2 yearsResidence w/Parents Requirement: 2 years• May occur before or after legal custody or
adoption
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Domestic Violence
Alien Victims of Domestic ViolenceViolence Against Women Act (VAWA)
May obtain Permanent Residence• Spouse/ex-spouse: Abused by U.S.
Citizen/Permanent Resident spouse/ex-spouse• Child: Abused by U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident
parent• Parent of Child: Abused by U.S. Citizen/Permanent
Resident spouse• Parent: Abused by U.S. Citizen son or daughter
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Domestic Violence
Alien Victims of Domestic ViolenceAlien battered/subjected to extreme cruelty• By U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident
spouse/ ex-spouse or parent• By U.S. Citizen son or daughter• Includes physical and mental cruelty• Also applies where marriage not legally
valid due to bigamy
File Special Immigrant Petition with CIS
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Domestic Violence
Alien Perpetrators of Domestic Violence or Violators of Criminal/Civil Protection Orders
Subject to Removal Proceedings
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Removal
Family-Based immigration sponsorshipDependent on a family relationship
Where sponsorship is withdrawn or where family relationship is terminated
Alien becomes deportable for failure to maintain lawful immigration status
Unless Alien obtains alternate status
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Naturalization
Potential Adverse Good Moral Character Finding (subject to “extenuating circumstances” balancing test)
Willfully failing or refusing to support dependents
Extramarital affair tending to destroy an existing marriage
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Naturalization
Divorced Alien sponsored for Permanent Residence based on marriage
CIS will request divorce complaint indicating date of separation
Date of separation is key issue for Naturalization application
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Naturalization
If complaint indicates earlier separation date that contradicts previous immigration applications
Naturalization may be denied based on immigration fraudAlien may be placed into Removal or Recision Proceedings and be removed
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Key Considerations
Know the PartiesU.S. Citizen?Permanent Resident?Conditional Resident?Pending Residence Application?Pending Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence?
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Key Considerations
Know the PartiesNonimmigrant visa status?In Removal Proceedings?Overstay of NIV status?Entry Without Inspection?
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Impact of State Court on Immigration Status
Legalization of Immigration StatusLoss of Immigration Status
Undocumented spouse (parent)?Removal of spouse (parent)?Financial support to other parent/children if removed?Emotional ties to children if removed?
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Impact of State Court on Immigration Status
Unique role of attorneys in representing Immigration clients in State CourtsWhat is in the best interests of their clients (and their children)?
Same 4 factors as above
Result: Attorneys are advocating for Immigration impact beyond State Court decisions