IMMIGRATION BLOGS ARCHIVE

Our immigration blogs are written for clients, as well as for immigrants, their families and friends – and anyone interested in learning more about immigration, immigration law and immigration-related issues.

Our blog posts have been placed in general categories to help you find the articles of interest to you.

You may download copies for free by going to our blogs and selecting the article you want.

2010

Immigration Fairness: The Need To Restore Judicial Discretion In Deportation Cases
For over a decade, immigration judges have been powerless to intervene on behalf of deserving, hard-working immigrants who committed a minor crime many years ago.  This post outlines the hardships this has caused for immigration lawyers and immigrant families in deportation defense cases.  (Source: Immigration Law, Policy,  And Politics.) (Category: Deportation Defense Attorney, Immigration Trial Lawyer.)

Misguided Immigration Attorneys And Reverse Brain Drain
Many pro-immigrant attorneys assert the shortage of visas available for foreign professionals to work in the United States.  Immigration lawyer Carlos Batara shows while this is true, many professionals from other countries would like to return home to help their own countrymen.  International cooperation, not competition, is the solution.  (Source: DiversityFusion.) (Category: Immigration Lawyer, Employment Based Visas.)

USCIS Issues Immigration Fraud Warning To Haitians Seeking Temporary Protected Status
Unfortunately, whenever new immigration programs spring up, immigration fraud artists suddenly appear.  They take advantage of innocent immigrants.  This post discusses how immigration fraud is already striking the Haitian community as they seek TPS protection.  (Source: Batara On Immigration.) (Category: Immigration Lawyer, Temporary Protected Status.)

Human Trafficking: A Call For Pro Bono Volunteers
Unknown to most Americans, human trafficking is alive and well.  Immigrants who want a better life in the United States are tricked into become modern day human slaves.  This problem is huge in Southern California areas like Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles.  (Source: Immigration Law, Policy, And Politics.) (Immigration Lawyer, U and T Visas.)

The STEP Act: Pursuit Of The Iranian Bogeyman
The recent introduction of the Stop Terrorists Entry Program (STEP) Act is a step in the wrong direction.  The program, aimed in part at immigrants from Iran, does nothing to prevent terrorism.  Instead, the approach resembles a childhood of the  bogeyman.  (Source: Batara On Immigration.) (Category: Immigration Lawyer, Family Based Visas.)

Immigration Reform Ping Pong
Will immigration reform happen in 2010?  It takes a crystal ball to know.  At times, the promises of immigration reform seem like a ping pong game being played by both political parties.  (Source: Immigration Law, Policy And Politics.) (Category: Immigration Lawyer, Immigration Reform.)

Peace, Politics, And The Noble Candidacy Of Morgan Tsvangirai
In a piece co-authored with Nigeria writer Olusegun Iselaiye, Immigration Attorney Carlos Batara shows why President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize dissenters believed African leader Morgan Tsvangirai deserved it more.  Facing torture and abuse by one of the most corrupt regimes in the world, Tsvangirai has emerged as an international leader for peace.  (Source: DiversityFusion.) (Category: Immigration Lawyer.)

2009

All Fair’s In Love, War, And Immigration Politics
Many Congressional leaders try to drown out opponents with flawed insight on immigration issues.  This article disputes comments about the DREAM Act by a San Diego representative, and points out how the truth is being manipulated for political purposes.  (Source: Batara On Immigration.) (Category: Immigration Lawyer, Green Cards and Permanent Residence.)

Why Diversity Fusion?
The globe has shrunk in terms of communication.  Real communication requires that citizens, from across the world, learn to discuss and disagree without the filters of media and political leaders.  Such sharing will lead to a new fusion of international thought, which is important to creating new immigration policies among nations.  (Source: DiversityFusion.) (Category: Immigration Lawyer.)

The DREAM Act: A Child’s Chance For Legal Residency
Immigration Attorney Carlos Batara discusses the ordeals faced by a highly qualified high student in Riverside, California.  Although he has done their best, after high school graduation, he is left in limbo because he lacks valid immigration documents.  The DREAM Act may be his only hope.  (Source: Immigration Law, Policy, And Politics.) (Category: Immigration Lawyer, Green Cards And Permanent Residence.)

The Two Faces Of Immigration
In a highly personal article, Immigration Attorney discusses how his beliefs were challenged when his son was brutalized by a group of immigrants.  He talks about how even those who are pro-immigrant must confront the reality that “bad apples” harm all immigrants by their actions.  (Source: Immigration Law, Policy, And Politics.) (Category: Immigration Lawyer.)

Sleeping Justice: The Board Of Immigration Appeals’ Failure To Lead
Over a decade has passed since deportation law changed.  Yet, the Board of Immigration Appeals has not clarified how the new removal laws are different than the old deportation laws.  This causes confusion for deportation defense attorneys, immigration judges, and government lawyers.  (Source: Immigration Law, Policy, And Politics.) (Category: Deportation Defense Attorney, Immigration Appeals Lawyer.)

Unjustified Deportation: How The Board Of Immigration Appeals Has Twisted ImmigrationLaw
Immigration Attorney Carlos Batara discusses how the Board of Immigration Appeals has misinterpreted the meaning of hardship in deportation and removal cases. The BIA’s error causes many deserving immigrants to lose their cancellation of removal claims at immigration trials.  (Source: Immigration Law, Policy, And Politics.) (Category: Deportation Defense Attorney, Immigration Appeals Lawyer.)

Dear President Obama: A Simple Suggestion To Reform Immigration Bureaucracy
Immigration agencies and officials often suffer from a “culture of rudeness.”  As the role models most visible to immigrants, Immigration Lawyer proposes a simple program to improve government operations for immigration offices, including immigration courts.  (Source: Immigration Law, Policy, And Politics.) (Category: Immigration Lawyer, Green Cards And Permanent Residence.)

From Civil War To Community
This blog traces the journey of Ana Martinez and her family from El Salvador to the United States.  When she was forced to leave her home country to escape civil war and threats to her brothers, Martinez knew no English.  Today, she is a college graduate and active in community affairs.   (Source: Immigration Voices.) (Category: Immigration Lawyer, Citizenship And Naturalization.)