Joyce & Associates, P.C.

07/30/2010 - Asylum granted to a Chinese client before the Boston Immigration Court - Attorney Christina Corbaci

sgalaitsis — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:49:50 +0000

This client had been a member of the Chinese Democracy Party, so he was eligible for asylum based on this membership and the government’s persecution of the group. His application was filed over a year after his arrival to the United States, but we were successful in our one year argument based on changed circumstances and the client was granted asylum instead of withholding of removal.

07/28/2010 - Brazilian asylum claim appeal granted and case remanded - Attorney Edward G. Farwell

sgalaitsis — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:41:43 +0000

This Brazilian client was issued a in absentia removal order, but is eligible to apply for asylum in the United States. The immigration judge initially declined to reopen his case, but the Board of Immigration Appeals reviewed our argument of lack of notice and reopened the case. It has been remanded to the Boston Immigration Court to be heard.

07/16/2010 - I-130 approved despite complications - Attorney Megan E. Kludt

sgalaitsis — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:37:51 +0000

This client first came to us in 2007. He had filed an I-130 for his wife in 2004 and it was still pending. We filed an application for a K-3 visa for her. The I-129 was approved, but the consulate denied her application at the interview, claiming marriage fraud. In response, Attorney Megan E. Kludt filed a Mandamus action in the district court on the I-130, which resulted in the petition’s immediate approval. The wife passed this second consular interview and is now coming to the United States after 6 years of waiting.

USCIS extends deadling to apply for Temporary Protected Status for Haitians

sgalaitsis — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:34:22 +0000

After the earthquake of January 13, 2010, USCIS set a deadline of July 20 for Haitians to apply for Temporary Protected Status in the United States. Yesterday USCIS extended the deadline to January 18, 2011, giving more people an opportunity to apply. However, all applicants must still demonstrate that they were in the United States before January 12, 2010.

05/25/2010 - Asylum granted before the Immigration Court - Attorney Christina Corbaci

sgalaitsis — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:32:16 +0000

The events in the client’s story occurred more than 17 years prior the hearing, however, we were still able to show that the country conditions in China have not changed enough that the client would be safe upon his return to China today. The judge held that regardless of whether the client’s wife’s abortion was coerced or not, his actions were enough to demonstrate other resistance, and his treatment by officials amounted to persecution.

Obama discusses the need for comprehensive immigration reform

sgalaitsis — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:20:11 +0000

In a speech at American University, Obama called the current immigration system “broken” and stressed the importance of passing a new bill to overhaul the system.

NYTimes explores the debate about asylum claims based on South American gangs

sgalaitsis — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:38:31 +0000

Immigration judges around the country rarely grant asylum claims based on fear of gang reprisals. Despite that fact that gangs are very powerful in many countries in South America, the threat of gang violence is often interpreted to be ubiquitous, and so individuals claiming asylum are told that they are no more targeted than the rest of the population. The Board of Immigration Appeals has tended to uphold these decisions. However, recent deaths of people deported from the United States after applying for asylum has added validity to these claims, and some people are beginning to question the reasoning of the immigration judges.

Obama will challenge Arizona Immigration Law

sgalaitsis — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:45:53 +0000

Hillary Clinton announced on June 17, 2010 that the United States Justice Department is planning a law suit against the controversial anti-immigrant law recently passed in the state of Arizona.

06/10/2010 - J-visa waiver approved - Attorney Edward G. Farwell

sgalaitsis — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:21:18 +0000

When someone comes into the United States with a J-visa, it is on the condition that they return to their home country when the visa expires, even if they are related to US citizens that would otherwise be able to petition for them to have a green card. However, if we can prove that the immigrant’s return to his or her home country would be a hardship on a United State citizen, then the government will grant them a J-visa waiver and allow them to stay.

05/28/2010 - EB-1 National Interest Waiver case granted - Attorney Megan Kludt

sgalaitsis — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:18:29 +0000

For a national interest waiver an immigrant can adjust immediately using an Eb-1 if he or she can demonstrate that it is in the United States’ interest to keep him or her here. In this case we were able to document the work of pediatric anesthesiologist and convince USCIS that this work benefits the United States.