Immigration

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A recent decision by a Texas federal judge has dealt a blow to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in the United States, which currently provides protection for hundreds of thousands of immigrants. With the judge’s ruling that the program is illegal, the program will no longer be accepting new applicants, and the status of those who are currently in the program could also come into question. The DACA Program In 2012, then-President Obama created the DACA program in order to provide a reprieve from deportation for undocumented immigrants who were brought to this country as children. Many…
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Illinois and the rest of the country are gradually returning to “normal” after 15 months of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. One area that is preparing for that return is the Illinois criminal court system. When the pandemic hit and the state began shutting down, the Illinois Supreme Court entered blanket orders tolling speedy trials on all criminal cases. Last week, the court put out the “open sign” for all courts, issuing two orders that lift tolling on statutory time restrictions and relax or eliminate social distancing requirements. However, these new orders are leaving the courts themselves facing an avalanche…
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Summer is here, and there’s no better way to enjoy the sun than with your favorite artist or band. This summer will be jam-packed with music festivals all over the United States. We’re here to keep you updated on everything you need to know about your favorite foreign artist, and whether they’ll be able to play this summer. Find out which foreign artists will be rocking the stage, information for traveling fans, and the most updated CDC guidelines so you can be fully prepared for your festival experience. Your favorite artist just might be traveling to the U.S. for a…
This week, we read about a new policy that restores the path to asylum for survivors of violence. We also learned about the Senate Democrats’ plan for immigration reform, and a new House bill that would allow special visas for Afghans who worked for the U.S. government. The Justice Department Overturns Policy That Limited Asylum For Survivors Of Violence This Wednesday, The Department of Justice (DOJ) overturned policies from the Trump administration that impacted asylum seekers. Attorney General Merrick Garland vacated (or set aside) two Trump-era rulings to help restore asylum for survivors of domestic violence and gang violence. “It…
Since 2012, “What’s going on with DACA?” has been a $1,000,000 question. The Obama administration created DACA to give some relief to young undocumented immigrants. DACA was supposed to be a temporary fix while Congress came up with a more permanent solution, but that hasn’t happened yet. It’s no secret that DACA has had a very complicated legal history. There are still lawsuits that may threaten the future of the DACA program. For right now, DACA gives certain young immigrants a work permit. DACA also gives them temporary protection from deportation. DACA is valid for two years per application. Under…
This week, we read about the damage of the public charge rule and the impact of deportation on Guatemalan nationals.  To stay updated on all things immigration, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook! 1. Low-Income US Immigrant Families Avoided Benefits During Pandemic Over Immigration Fears, Study Finds — Wednesday, May 26 In 2020, over 25% of low-income immigrant families did not seek help during the pandemic. They were afraid that it would have a negative impact on their status. The number was even higher (43.9%) among families with non-permanent resident adults.  These statistics show the legacy…
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In January, the Biden administration announced plans for the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 with the goal of implementing significant immigration reform. The bill was formally introduced in both the House and the Senate in February and is currently working its way through the legislative process in both chambers. The bill contains hundreds of pages of legalese, as most congressional bills do. The goal of the bill is much more direct: “To provide an earned path to citizenship, to address the root causes of migration and responsibly manage the southern border, and to reform the immigrant visa system, and for…
This week, Dreamers met with President Biden in the White House, just as another poll came out showing majority public support for providing a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients. We also saw a reversal of a Trump-era policy that restricted citizenship rights for children born abroad to U.S. couples through assisted reproductive technology (ART). To stay updated on all things immigration, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook! 1. Biden meets with ‘Dreamers’ in the White House to push pathway to citizenship – Tuesday, May 15 President Biden met last Friday with 6 DACA recipients in…
Reuniting families has been a major point of conversation in immigration news this May. This week, we’ve seen efforts to expedite the reunification process, the impact that living in sanctuary can have on a family, and funding for undocumented students. To stay updated on all things immigration, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook! 1. Migrant children have been in US custody for weeks. Now the Biden administration has to reunite them with families – Thursday, May 13 While the number of minors apprehended at the U.S./Mexico border slightly declined in April to just over 17,000, but…
We begin May with a little bit of good news – some separated families are finally being reunited after years apart! Read on to learn more about the reunification, why the idea of “good immigrants” is harmful, and efforts to gain bipartisan support for immigration reform. To stay updated on all things immigration, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook! 1. Separated Families To Reunite In The U.S. As Immigrant Advocates Push For More – Monday, May 3 This week, four families from Honduras and Mexico that were separated under the Trump Administration’s “Zero Tolerance Policy” will…
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There is no doubt that domestic violence is a very real problem in Illinois and throughout the country. However, not all accusations of domestic violence are founded on truth. If you have been accused of domestic battery or another form of violence against a household or family member, you may be unsure of how to handle the situation. The state of Illinois takes domestic violence very seriously. Penalties for domestic battery may include heavy fines and jail time. It is important to take steps to protect your rights and avoid worsening the situation you are in. Remain Calm and Do…
As April comes to a close, we are excited to see more reversals of Trump-era immigration policies and a surprisingly favorable Supreme Court ruling. Nonetheless, immigration policy changes have a profound impact on countless people, so in our third featured story, NPR highlights the real-life impact of policy on mixed-status households. To stay updated on all things immigration, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook! 1. Biden Administration Limits Power of ICE To Arrest Immigrants In Courthouses – Tuesday, April 27 The Biden administration has reversed another Trump-era policy that previously allowed ICE to arrest and detain people…
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President Biden has announced that his administration will be limiting the number of immigration arrests that take place at courthouses. According to the new policy, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will no longer have the authorization to carry out routine arrests at courthouses. ICE agents will still be able to arrest individuals in cases in which matters of national security are at risk or the individual poses a threat to public safety. They will also be able to arrest an individual who is the subject of an active pursuit or if there is suspicion the individual may destroy evidence.…
McEntee Law Group is incredibly honored to announce that we will be an official sponsor for Edgewater Castle FC, a community-owned soccer club located in Chicago, our firm’s hometown. As a law firm founded and owned by immigrants, we are thrilled to establish this partnership with Edgewater Castle FC on a foundation of shared values:  community, equity, and inclusion. McEntee Law Group and Edgewater Castle FC strive to bring communities together and make the American dream more accessible to all.  Edgewater Castle FC celebrates the rich diversity of communities in North Chicago. Immigrants from all over the world call Chicago home,…
In this week’s roundup, we are excited to discuss increasing bipartisan support for immigration reform and efforts to rehumanize the immigration conversation. Read on to learn more. To stay updated on all things immigration, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook! 1. Immigration Agencies Ordered Not To Use Term ‘Illegal Alien’ Under New Biden Policy – Monday, April 19 A new policy outlined by the Biden administration will now require staffers at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to eliminate the words “illegal alien” and “assimilation” from their vocabulary in…
Happy spring from all of us at McEntee Law Group! This week, we’ve seen efforts by the Biden administration to undue Trump era policies that created an unprecedented immigrant visa backlog, the release of new digitized USCIS forms, and fierce advocacy for immigrant victims of violent crimes by our immigration lawyer colleagues. To stay updated on all things immigration, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook. 1. Huge Immigrant Visa Backlog Challenges Biden — Monday, April 12th The Biden administration continues to face an uphill battle in undoing the damage done by the prior administration’s anti-immigrant policies.…