South Carolina recognizes common law marriage and aliens residing in South Carolina may be considered lawful spouses under the common law system. An immigrant petitioner/applicant seeking to (1) adjust status based on marriage or (2) seek cancellation of removal based on his/her qualifying relative being his/her common law U.S. citizen spouse is eligible to use his/her […]
Boosting GDP and keeping Social Security solvent depend on the economic activity of migrants as workers, consumers, and taxpayers; and, the United States should do more to regularize both high-tech professionals and other workers, panelists said at the latest installment of The Wilson Center’s National Conversation series, held at the University of Miami on February 6, […]
On February 7, 2012 the 9th Circuit narrowly struck down California’s Proposition 8, finding the law unconstitutional and declaring it violates the rights of lesbian and gay Californians by taking away the right to marry. Although this ruling was a giant step forward for gay and lesbian couples and families such a ruling may eventually be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. […]
According to a study by TRAC Reports, Inc., the number of cases disposed of in the nation’s Immigration Courts showed a drop in deportation orders and an increase in the number of individuals allowed to stay in the United States in the first three (3) months of FY 2012. In only half the cases (50.8 percent) were […]
Miller|Conway, South Carolina Immigration Lawyers, provide the following immigration law article written by Deborah Notkin, AILA Media-Advocacy Committee Chair to shed light on the economic issues facing states recently enacting strict immigration laws. Much has been recently said about the need to reform our immigration laws to make our laws and regulations more hospitable to […]
On January 4, 2012 USCIS issued the following directive regarding detainee transfers: 1) Unless a transfer is deemed necessary by a Field Office Director (“FOD”) or his/her designee under paragraph(3) of this section, ICE Supervisory Immigration Officer(s) will not transfer a detainee when there is documentation to support the following: a) Immediate family within the […]
On January 31, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) published an important decision on “administrative closure” decisions: http://www.justice.gov/eoir/vll/intdec/vol25/3740.pdf In the Matter of Avetisyan a citizen of Armenia who entered the U.S. as a J-1 visa holder, was later placed in removal proceedings. During one of her hearings the respondent informed the immigration judge that she recently married a man who […]
A recent cost-benefit study undertaken by a University of Alabama economist indicates Alabama’s crackdown on illegal immigrants will cost the state up to $11 billion. This study is under fire from the law’s supporters. The cost-benefit analysis estimates up to 80,000 jobs were vacated by illegal immigrants fleeing the state after Alabama’s immigration law passed in June 2011, […]
Credit to FOX News. The explosive issue of immigration is poised to creep back into the Republican primary battle as the candidates prepare to barnstorm South Carolina, one of a handful of states being sued by the federal government for their illegal immigration crackdowns. While the issue played second fiddle to concerns like jobs and […]
As of January 1, 2012 South Carolina’s new immigration law is in effect. That said, due to a federal judge’s ruling in December, certain parts of the law are not currently enforceable. These uneforceable provisions include some of the most controversial parts of the law including transportation of illegal immigrants and requiring officers to check the immigration status […]