Resources
Publication Date
05/08/2023
This practice advisory addresses FAQs related to current public charge policy including definitions and applicability of the new 2022 rule, use of benefits and other government programs, exemptions, affidavit of support and sponsor questions, and bond.
Resources
Publication Date
05/23/2023
The prison industrial complex is a highly adaptive mechanism that is constantly shifting to sustain itself. In recent years, the movement against mass incarceration has gained traction in reducing penal incarceration in the United States. In this report in collaboration with the Detention Watch Network, we detail select case examples of jails and prisons that closed for one purpose, only to cage a different group of people. The case studies demonstrate the importance of looking ahead to strategies which ensure that cages remain closed for all carceral uses, once and for all.
(San Francisco, CA)—The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) celebrated the life of Board member Alan Tafapolsky during the annual Burton Awards held in May. Alan passed away on April 11 at the age of 61.
ILRC Executive Director Eric Cohen paid tribute to Alan during remarks at the awards ceremony in San Francisco. Many staff from Alan’s firm, Tafapolsky & Smith LLP, attended the ceremony in his honor. Cohen spoke highly of Alan’s deep involvement in the ILRC as a board member.
“When the PPP loans were offered by the federal government during COVID, he not only insisted we apply, but he offered up his firm’s CFO to help with the process,” Cohen said. “When I had some questions about promotions and job titles among attorneys at the ILRC, he immediately jumped in, shared his experiences, and gave his time and sage advice on the topic.”
“Alan was so well respected in the immigration law field. You knew that when you referred someone to Alan, everything would go well for the client.
With his partner, Tony, and others, Alan built one of the real powerhouse immigration law firms in the entire state, actually, the entire country,” Cohen added. “Alan was always kind and willing to give me his time and advice, it was always spot on, and I appreciated him for that.”
Alan is survived by his wife, Randi Silverman, and children Nina and Alex.
ILRC Executive Director Eric Cohen paid tribute to Alan during remarks at the awards ceremony in San Francisco. Many staff from Alan’s firm, Tafapolsky & Smith LLP, attended the ceremony in his honor. Cohen spoke highly of Alan’s deep involvement in the ILRC as a board member.
“When the PPP loans were offered by the federal government during COVID, he not only insisted we apply, but he offered up his firm’s CFO to help with the process,” Cohen said. “When I had some questions about promotions and job titles among attorneys at the ILRC, he immediately jumped in, shared his experiences, and gave his time and sage advice on the topic.”
“Alan was so well respected in the immigration law field. You knew that when you referred someone to Alan, everything would go well for the client.
With his partner, Tony, and others, Alan built one of the real powerhouse immigration law firms in the entire state, actually, the entire country,” Cohen added. “Alan was always kind and willing to give me his time and advice, it was always spot on, and I appreciated him for that.”
Alan is survived by his wife, Randi Silverman, and children Nina and Alex.
(San Francisco, CA)—The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) mourns the passing of Eva Grove, who served as a Board member since 2009. Eva, who was 87, died peacefully according to The Grove Foundation which was founded in 1986 by Eva and her late husband, Andy.
“Eva was such a key part of the board and the ILRC as the chair of the Board Finance Committee, a member of the Board Executive Committee, and a thoughtful and consistent contributor to our strategy and direction,” said ILRC Executive Director Eric Cohen. “She was a willing and marvelous brainstorm partner and always had the humanity of the staff and community foremost in mind when sharing her opinions and ideas.”
Eva and The Grove Foundation were honored in 2008 by the ILRC with the Phillip Burton Award for Immigration & Civil Rights Policy.
Eva was the second ILRC Board member who has passed away this year--Alan Tafapolsky died on April 11. You can read the ILRC’s statement on Alan’s passing here on our website.
Eva is survived by her two daughters, Karen and Robie, and six grandchildren. Eva’s obituary can be found here.
“Eva was such a key part of the board and the ILRC as the chair of the Board Finance Committee, a member of the Board Executive Committee, and a thoughtful and consistent contributor to our strategy and direction,” said ILRC Executive Director Eric Cohen. “She was a willing and marvelous brainstorm partner and always had the humanity of the staff and community foremost in mind when sharing her opinions and ideas.”
Eva and The Grove Foundation were honored in 2008 by the ILRC with the Phillip Burton Award for Immigration & Civil Rights Policy.
Eva was the second ILRC Board member who has passed away this year--Alan Tafapolsky died on April 11. You can read the ILRC’s statement on Alan’s passing here on our website.
Eva is survived by her two daughters, Karen and Robie, and six grandchildren. Eva’s obituary can be found here.
Resources
Publication Date
06/12/2023
With the future of the DACA policy hanging by a thread due to litigation, DACA employees are wondering whether they can continue earning a living if they were to lose their work authorization. This Community Alert, produced in partnership with Immigrants Rising, lists some policy ideas that employers can implement to continue to support their employees if DACA were to end.
Resources
Publication Date
06/15/2023
U nonimmigrant status, commonly referred to as a “U visa”, is a form of immigration relief available to people who are survivors of certain crimes that happened in the United States. This guide serves as a walkthrough of the different benefits granted when approved for a U visa – and those that are granted while an application is pending.
Resources
Publication Date
06/20/2023
On June 20, 2023, the ILRC submitted a comment to USCIS regarding the proposed changes to From N-400, Application for Naturalization. ILRC commended the agency for a number of positive changes that streamlined and shortened the form. ILRC also made several suggestions to USCIS to clarify and narrow the information required from applicants to ensure that only relevant information is collected on the form.
Resources
Publication Date
06/16/2023
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center submitted this letter on June 16, 2023, to thank USCIS for the many changes that have already been made to the USCIS Policy Manual and to provide further recommendations for changes to the Policy Manual that USCIS can immediately implement to increase access to immigration benefits and reduce backlogs. The letter provides suggestions that include ongoing recommendations from prior letters and engagements as well as new ones.
Resources
Publication Date
08/23/2023
Immigration law demonizes people whom it labels as “drug abusers and addicts,” “habitual drunkards,” and “alcoholics.” The implication is that they are morally weak, dangerous, or evil. An immigrant who comes within such a category can be found inadmissible and ineligible to establish good moral character, and can be denied several forms of immigration relief as well as naturalization. But from a scientific perspective, these people suffer from a substance use disorder (SUD), a medical condition that frequently arises after the person has undergone severe trauma. Substance Use Disorder is a growing health crisis that currently affects over 20 million people in the United States.
This Advisory is written by immigration attorneys and medical doctors specializing in SUD, to examine the issue from both perspectives. Part I of the advisory discusses the several immigration law penalties based on substance use (even when use has not risen to a disorder) and suggests legal defense strategies. Part II of the advisory reviews current medical information about the disorders and discusses how this information can address questions that arise in immigration proceedings.
This Advisory is written by immigration attorneys and medical doctors specializing in SUD, to examine the issue from both perspectives. Part I of the advisory discusses the several immigration law penalties based on substance use (even when use has not risen to a disorder) and suggests legal defense strategies. Part II of the advisory reviews current medical information about the disorders and discusses how this information can address questions that arise in immigration proceedings.
Resources
Publication Date
06/26/2023
Resources
Publication Date
06/27/2023
Resources
Publication Date
07/06/2023
This practice advisory provides an overview of the grounds of inadmissibility for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) explaining which grounds do not apply to TPS applicants, which grounds are non-waivable, and which grounds are waivable. It also offers an overview of the TPS waiver of inadmissibility.
Resources
Publication Date
07/11/2023
The Central American Minors program allows qualifying children in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to enter the United States and live here lawfully if they have a parent or legal guardian in the United States with certain kinds of immigration status. This fact sheet provides information on basic eligibility and where to go for help.
Resources
Publication Date
07/11/2023
This FAQ provides an update on immigration application filing fee changes that were recently proposed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Resources
Publication Date
07/11/2023
This quick guide shares how to check your Selective Service registration status. For various applications with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), providing proof of registration with the Selective Service System is a vital part of qualifying for immigration relief. Learn more with this step-by-step guide.
Resources
Publication Date
07/17/2023
Conviction of “obstruction of justice” is an aggravated felony if a sentence of a year or more is imposed. In Pugin v. Garland, No. 22-23 (June 22, 2023), the Supreme Court overturned the Ninth Circuit’s definition of obstruction, but failed to provide a clear definition of its own. Now some California offenses are likely aggravated felonies if there is a sentence of year or more, including Penal Code §§ 32, 69, 136.1, 148, Vehicle Code § 10851, and others.
This Advisory discusses California offenses under Pugin, and discusses California criminal sentencing dispositions that avoid a sentence of a year or more for immigration purposes.
This Advisory discusses California offenses under Pugin, and discusses California criminal sentencing dispositions that avoid a sentence of a year or more for immigration purposes.
Resources
Publication Date
07/26/2023
In the Spring of 2023, the ILRC surveyed partner organizations and immigration practioners to get a sense of how the Biden Administration’s enforcement priorities were impacting interior enforcement. Unsurprisingly, our analysis of the data showed that federal guidance does not prevent ICE from targeting and detaining people who do not meet agency priorities.