USCIS Issues Duplicate (or more) Biometrics Notices

Contributed by Melanie Corrin, Partner

The United States Citizenship & Immigration Service published an article today stating that it has recently issues duplicate (or triplicate) Application Support Center (ASC) biometrics notice.  The article indicates that if you have already been to one appointment, and have a stamped notice which verifies completion of biometrics, there is no need to go to the second appointment.  USCIS believes the reissuance of notice occurred during a system transition for generating the notices.  If you have questions, please call Joseph Law Firm and we will assist you.

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Increase in International Student Population Benefits the U.S.

Contributed by Kim Tremblay, Associate Attorney

To the chagrin of some students, the new academic year has officially begun.  An increasing number of those students are not from the United States.  Foreign students come to the United States on F-1 visas in most cases and on J-1 visas in others.  According to the Institute of International Education, over 800,000 international students attended colleges and universities in the United States during the 2012-2013 academic year; this represented a seven percent increase over the previous year.  An increase has been reported for the last seven years.   Most of these students are from China and India.  As high as that number may seem, only about four percent of the U.S.’s total student population is from abroad. 

In contrast, only about 200,000 American students studied abroad during the 2011-2012 academic year and roughly ten percent of American students study abroad during their undergraduate years.  

Thus, the U.S. benefits from brain gain and from the billions of dollars−about 24 billion last year−students spend on tuition and living expenses while in the United States

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New Driver’s License Law Fraught with Problems, Particularly for Eagle County Residents

Contributed by Koby Polaski, Senior Attorney

As of August 1, undocumented immigrants are eligible to obtain driver’s licenses under a new law passed by the State Legislature in 2013. The passage of this law was seen as exciting progress for the more than 150,000 undocumented people in Colorado who might be eligible to obtain licenses.

Unfortunately, many people, especially in certain areas – like Eagle County – might not be getting driver’s licenses anytime soon. Issues with implementation of the new law are making it difficult for potential applicants to sign up.

The first problem is that only five locations of the state’s 56 licensing centers will be issuing the cards, and each requires applicants to schedule an appointment before coming in. The five locations in Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Grand Junction leave many communities throughout the state underserved. For Eagle County residents, Grand Junction is the closest option and is at least 1.5 hours away. The result is that driving time alone might be prohibitive for someone without a license.

Next on the list of issues is the lengthy wait for an appointment. It is not currently possible to schedule an appointment at the Grand Junction location, as all available appointments have been booked for the foreseeable future. Many predict that potential applicants could be waiting years for an appointment.

This is a critically important bill, both for the thousands of people in need of licenses and also to ensure road safety; hopefully the legislature will figure out a way to address its rocky rollout.

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DACA Grantee Johana Mejias Welcomed to Medical School at Loyola University Chicago

Contributed by Aaron Hall, Partner

On August, 4, 2014, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine welcomed Johana Mejias and the rest of its Class of 2018 to school.  Johana is one of seven medical students starting school at the Stritch School of Medicine there who was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) under the Department of Homeland Security’s program which started in 2012. 

Johana arrived in the United States at age three and has lived here ever since.  Despite not having immigration status, she remained focused on her studies and has excelled at every level.  She studied cellular and molecular biology and the psychology of neuroscience at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Johana first applied for DACA through Joseph Law Firm the day after DHS started accepting applications and was quickly approved. 

At the welcome event for the incoming medical school class, she was asked to speak and explained, “Today, what was once just a dream starts to become a reality. I find myself as part of Loyola Stritch, a loving, professional and courageous institution that believed in my ability to one day become a successful practicing physician.”  Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, and other dignitaries were on hand at the event to welcome the incoming class of medical students.

Johana’s hard work and achievement are an inspiration and we at Joseph Law Firm are proud to have gotten the chance to work with her.  Johana’s story also shows the potential in our talented and driven young adults that have been granted DACA.  Grants of deferred action under DACA allow our communities to reap the benefits from the talent, passion, and creativity of these young people. 

Congratulations, Johana!  You make us proud.  We can’t wait to follow your career and see all of the great things you achieve and all of the people you will help.

-To see the press release from the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, click here.

-For more about the DACA program, click here. 

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Is Colorado Ready for Unaccompanied Minor Children?

Contributed by Kim Tremblay, Associate Attorney

Recently, the media has been relaying stories about the surge of children appearing at our borders; indeed, more than 50,000 minors have entered the United States since October. They are fleeing violence and poverty.  They are mostly citizens of in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.  Many of them are deemed “Unaccompanied Minor Children” (“UAC”), individuals under 18 who lack status in the United States, who are without parents or legal guardians in the United States or without parents or guardians in the United States who can provide them with care and legal custody.

Although the state of Colorado has not seen a significant number of these children yet, there are existing systems in place to process UAC through the immigration courts and to help them with their various needs, as there are a number of UAC who arrive in Colorado every year.  In addition, the legal community, government agencies, and local municipalities are preparing for the possible arrival of  more UAC in Colorado. 

For example, some Colorado attorneys have already spent time near the border representing UAC before the immigration courts or participating in presentations and individuals screenings to ensure that UAC are aware of their rights and to determine there is any relief available to them.  Other attorneys are being trained to do the same in Colorado.

Moreover, the immigration court in Denver already has a juvenile docket set up to handle the deportation cases of minors.

In addition, the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (“RMIAN”), a non-profit organization near Denver, already runs a program to represent immigrant children. RMIAN engages in direct representation, but also attempts to match attorneys with children who need representation.

Finally, cities and charitable organizations are gearing up to provide shelter, food, clothing, and even foster care for any UAC who may come our way.

Despite these preparations, it is unknown whether UAC will be sent to Colorado in great numbers. If they are, hopefully these efforts will be enough to support them adequately and to process their cases in a fair and timely manner.

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