Ninth Circuit Recognizes Right of EB-5 Derivative Beneficiaries to Seek Review of I-829 Petition Denials

EB-5 D Beneficiaries Seek Review of I-829 Petition Denials
Oct18

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. The Federal judiciary has generally been the governmental branch that has done the most to protect immigrant rights since the election of President Trump.  As another example of a Federal court ruling in favor of immigrant rights, on September 4, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recognized the right of EB-5 derivative beneficiaries to seek review of I-829 petition denials. The case, Mu v. Barr, 2019 U.S. App. LEXIS 26668 (9th Cir. 2019), involved the derivative beneficiary (the daughter) of

October 18, 2019
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Albence Selected to Be New Head Of ICE

Matthew Albence Selected to Be New Head Of ICE
May24

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Could the selection of a new person to head U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) signal a change in the Trump administration’s approach on immigration?  Specifically, could the selection of a new person to head ICE represent a departure from the harsh, anti-immigration policies of the Trump administration? Unfortunately, the selection of Matthew Albence to be the new head of ICE likely will only lead to even more adverse policies harming the rights of immigrants. In an April 11 email to ICE staff, Acting ICE Director Ronald Vitiello wrote,

May 24, 2019
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Denver Mayor Protests Legal Immigrants Being Denied Citizenship for Marijuana Jobs

Legal Immigrants Denied Citizenship for Marijuana Jobs
May22

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Oswaldo Barrientos emigrated to the United States from El Salvador when he was a baby 29 years ago.  He received his green card at age 13 and currently remains a legal immigrant in the United States. Barrientos has no criminal record and a stable job.  Does he seem like the type of person who should be rejected when he applied for US citizenship? You probably would think no, but unfortunately such is not the case.  Barrientos in fact was recently denied US citizenship, and told that he “lacked moral character”, because

May 22, 2019
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Immigrants who engage in “marijuana related activities” may be denied U.S. Citizenship

Citizenship denied to Immigrants involved in marijuana
May13

Written by: Taher Kameli, Esq. Do you regard people who use marijuana, solely based on their marijuana use, as lacking “good moral character”?  Probably not, but unfortunately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has adopted a different position.  Under a “Policy Alert” issued on April 19 by USCIS, a person who engages in certain “marijuana-related activities” may be considered to not have “good moral character” and thereby may be denied U.S. citizenship. To become a naturalized citizen of the United States, an immigrant must demonstrate that he or she had “good moral character” for

May 13, 2019
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