*Austin Office 1/19-1/20/2021*
Due to planned demonstrations surrounding the Texas State Capitol building, DMCA – Austin’s physical office will move to full virtual/remote operations on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 19 and 20, 2021. We are ready to continue assisting our clients via telephone, email, and other platforms. Thanks for your understanding. A raíz de la posibilidad de demostraciones civiles en el Capitolio del Estado de Texas en Austin la oficina de DMCA – Austin, moverá sus operaciones a modo virtual/remoto el martes y miércoles, 19 y 20 de enero del 2021. La oficina estará cerrada en los días mencionados. Estaremos listos para continuar ... Read more
Trump’s executive order on immigration–what you need to know
After failing to mount a successful response to COVID-19, President Trump issued an executive order limiting immigration. The stated reason for the partial ban is to protect American jobs; however, it is well documented that robust immigration helps create jobs for Americans. As such, it is likely that the President’s order will harm the economy rather than aid it. The President’s Executive Order—like his previous orders on immigration—will almost certainly be challenged in Court. The President’s authority to “ban” immigration is not unlimited and is particularly subject to a legal attack when it is based on groundless claims like those ... Read more
COVID-19 and Immigration Court Cases
In the past few days, we’ve seen various changes to the processing of cases before the Immigration Courts and ICE. Although the Immigration Courts have cancelled many hearings, the courts have remained open to receive filings. ICE has temporarily changed many of its standard practices. To provide you with the most current information about what’s happening, below we have answered various questions we have recently received. What’s happening with hearings before the Immigration Courts? Hearings scheduled through April 10, 2020, for persons in the United States who are not detained have been postponed. For those that are waiting on hearings ... Read more
Coronavirus/COVID-19 y Casos ante la Corte de Inmigración
En los últimos días, hemos visto muchos cambios sobre el procesamiento de casos inmigratorios con la Corte de Inmigración y con ICE. La Corte de Inmigración canceló varias audiencias y en muchos lugares solo está recibiendo el archivo de documentos. Temporalmente ICE también está cambiando sus pólizas. Para ponerle al corriente de lo que está pasando, abajo tenemos respuestas a las preguntas más recibidas del momento. ¿Qué está pasando con las audiencias ante la Corte de Inmigración? Para los que no están detenidos, sus audiencias fechadas hasta el 10 de abril del 2020 ante la Corte de Inmigración han sido ... Read more
How the Coronavirus is affecting the processing of visas at U.S. consulates
As a result of COVID-19 pandemic, there have been several changes in the government’s processing of consular cases for the issuance of routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. As of March 18th, the Department of State has suspended routine visa services in most countries worldwide. Embassies and consulates have cancelled all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. Embassies and consulates will resume routine visa services as soon as possible, but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. Applicants are still able to submit all fees, applications and supporting documents required by the National Visa Center (NVC) relating to ... Read more
How USCIS is processing applications for visas during the Coronavirus pandemic
In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, beginning March 18, all USCIS Field Offices and Application Service Center Offices are closed to the public. USCIS is not conducting interviews, fingerprint appointments or oath ceremonies. A date for re-opening to the public has not been set, but once this happens, the cancelled appointments will automatically be rescheduled. While USCIS is closed to the public, the government employees are still working. USCIS continues to receive and process applications for naturalization, adjustment of status, DACA, renewal of permanent residency cards, removal of conditions, etc. DMCA attorneys are filing these on behalf ... Read more
Como la Coronavirus affecta el proceso de pedir y recibir visas en los consulados americanos
Como resultado de la pandemia de COVID-19, ha habido varios cambios por parte del gobierno en el procesamiento de casos consulares para la emisión de visas de inmigrantes y no inmigrantes. A partir del 18 de marzo, el Departamento de Estado ha suspendido los servicios de visas de rutina en la mayoría de los países del mundo. Las embajadas y consulados han cancelado todas las citas de visas de inmigrantes y no inmigrantes de rutina. Las embajadas y consulados reanudarán los servicios de visa lo antes posible, pero no pueden proporcionar una fecha específica en este momento. Los solicitantes aún ... Read more
Registration for H1Bs Announced FY2021
USCIS announced today that it has completed testing for the registration process for the next H-1B lottery. Employers who wish to file for an H1B cap subject petition for FY2021 will need to first electronically register and pay $10 registration fee. The registration process will require basic information about the employer and each beneficiary. Step 1 :Employers select applicants. Employers interested in sponsoring H1B for individuals they intend to hire, will need to first electronically register the individuals with USCIS from March 1st through March 20th. The registration process is not currently open. The announced dates are subject to change ... Read more
DREAMERs Hope: Fate of DACA at the Supreme Court
Posted by Faye Kolly On November 12, 2019, the DREAMs of thousands of young immigrants remain in the balance as the Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the whether the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) will remain in place or if the Supreme Court will grant the government’s bid to end the program. The justices will consider three consolidates cases: Dept. of Homeland v. Regents Univ. CA (18-587), Trump, President of U.S. v. NAAP (18-588) and McAleenan Sec. of Homeland v. Vidal (18-589). Each of the consolidate cases argue against the government’s position to end the program as ... Read more
PRESS RELEASE San Antonio, TX October 4, 2019 – The Federal Government of Mexico, through the Secretary of Foreign Relations submitted an amicus brief on October 3, 2019 with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Department of Homeland Security et. al vs. Regents of the University of California, et. al. The case scheduled for oral argument before the Supreme Court on November 12, 2019, will review the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and whether the government’s decision to end DACA is reviewable by the court and if so, whether the decision to end DACA ... Read more
DMCA Partner and Professor of Law Marisol Perez starts another year of classes at St. Mary’s School of Law
Marisol begins her third year of teaching students immigration law at St. Mary’s School of Law. She still maintains a full caseload at DMCA even while taking on her teaching responsibilities. If you’d like a consultation with Marisol or one of DMCA’s other attorneys (including one of our 7 attorneys certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in immigration law), call us at (210)590-1844. Marisol Pérez