Latest Immigration Updates and Legal Services in Chicago
Keep informed on immigration news to understand ongoing changes and potential immigration reform. The provisional waiver and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are examples of new procedures and programs that immigrants need to fully understand before pursuing. MILLA LAW will guide clients through complex immigration changes.
Understanding Your Immigration Rights in the U.S.
Although the first two months of the Trump presidency have been filled with confusion and unpredictability, and even hostility toward immigrant communities, one thing is certain - now more than ever it is important to know your rights. Everyone living in the United States has certain rights protected under the United States Constitution, including undocumented immigrants.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is an organization committed to helping immigrants. The attorneys at Milla & Associates, LLC are experienced immigration attorneys and members of AILA, providing comprehensive immigration services, including removal (“deportation”) defense, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), asylum, U visas, provisional waivers and other hardship waivers, applications for permanent resident status (“green card”), and citizenship.
AILA has created “Know Your Rights” flyers to provide crucial information in the event of an encounter with ICE officers at home, at work, or in a public place. We understand how frightening the thought of an encounter with ICE can be, not to mention an actual encounter. Therefore, it is very important to know how to handle such a situation before it happens.
You do have rights. Please print and read the AILA flyers, and contact Milla & Associates if you want to learn more about your rights and possible eligibility for immigration benefits and relief.
Immigration Relief for Filipino Nationals After Typhoon Haiyan
Filipino nationals may be eligible for certain types of immigration relief because of the Typhoon Haiyan disaster.
- Read about potential immigration benefits for Filipino nationals here.
- Read about Temporary Protected Status sought for the Philippines here.
- Learn how you can help the relief efforts in the Philippines here.
Illinois Temporary Visitor Driver's License for Undocumented Immigrants
Illinois passed a law in January 2013 that allows undocumented immigrants to receive Illinois driver's licenses. Starting November 12th, individuals can schedule appointments with the Illinois Secretary of State's office to apply for the Temporary Visitor Driver's License (TVDL). Read more on the TVDL process and requirements here. *Contact a licensed attorney if you have a driving history or record, which may affect eligibility.
Impact of Senate Immigration Reform Bill on Investment Visas
Read Robert C. Milla’s article on how the Senate immigration reform bill, if enacted, would affect and create investment-based visas, “The EB-5: Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit in U.S. Immigration”
- June 27, 2013: The Senate passed the immigration reform bill 68-32. Read more here.
- June 27, 2013: Read how the immigration reform bill could pass the House. From The Washington Post, “Immigration reform has passed the Senate. Here’s how it passes the House”
DOMA Ruling Opens Immigration Pathways for Same-Sex Couples
June 26, 2013: The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued a historic decision striking down DOMA. The SCOTUS decision opens the door to immigration pathways for binational same-sex marriages.
Read more on the SCOTUS decision and its impact on immigration here, here, and here.
Contact MILLA LAW if you are in a binational same-sex marriage and want to learn more about the SCOTUS decision and the potential for filing an immigration petition.
Stay Informed on Immigration Reform and Investment Visas
- Read Robert C. Milla’s article on investment-based visas and immigration reform, “The EB-5: Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit in U.S. Immigration” here.
- **June 12, 2013: Robert Milla featured on WBEZ 91.5 Afternoon Shift, discussing immigration reform and the need to stop deportations in light of pending reform legislation. **
- Read Robert C. Milla’s article – “Key Players and Plans in Immigration Reform” here.
- Read more from Robert C. Milla on immigration reform at The Immigration Pages: news, laws, and lives in U.S. immigration.
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program Overview
The Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was implemented last year. Deferred Action is a program created for young undocumented immigrants who arrived as children and meet certain eligibility requirements. Read more here .
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Understanding the Provisional Waiver for Unlawful Presence
March 4, 2013 marked the first day that immigrant visa applicants could file provisional waivers for unlawful presence. Under the prior procedure, individuals had to leave the U.S. before applying for the waiver, thus living abroad (and likely apart) from U.S. citizen family. Although the process just started in March, and we are waiting to see how the system is fully implemented, there is cause for optimism.
Read Robert C. Milla’s article on the provisional waiver here.
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Insights on Immigration Reform, Citizenship, and NSEERS
Read Robert C. Milla’s article, “Reflections on Citizenship Pathways,” discussing immigration reform, citizenship, and NSEERS here.
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