September 5, 2017
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Citizenship Day Workshop
Saturday, October 21, 2017
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
441 4th Street, NW Rm. 1107 Washington, DC 20001
Register Now!
Free legal assistance to help you apply for naturalization
Call (202) 393-3572 for more information
ENGLISH | CHINESE | HINDI | KOREAN | VIETNAMESE | SPANISH
YOU QUALIFY IF YOU:
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Are at least 18 years old
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Lived in the U.S. as a greencard holder for more than 5 years
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Have been physically present in the U.S. for more than 2½ years
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Can show you have good moral character
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Can speak, read and write basic English
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Can pass a test on the U.S. government and American history
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
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You can VOTE and run for elected office.
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You won’t ever have to worry about being deported or losing your visa or Legal Permanent Resident status.
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You could bring your family living abroad to live in the United States more quickly.
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You will be eligible for a U.S. passport, making travel easy.
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You can apply for government jobs that require U.S. citizenship
BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN
Saturday, August 26, 2017
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
White Oak Community Recreation Center
1700 April Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20904
Register Now!
Free legal assistance to help you apply for naturalization
Call (202) 393-3572 for more information
ENGLISH | CHINESE | HINDI | KOREAN | VIETNAMESE | SPANISH
YOU QUALIFY IF YOU:
-
Are at least 18 years old
-
Lived in the U.S. as a greencard holder for more than 5 years
-
Have been physically present in the U.S. for more than 2½ years
-
Can show you have good moral character
-
Can speak, read and write basic English
-
Can pass a test on the U.S. government and American history
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
-
You can VOTE and run for elected office.
-
You won’t ever have to worry about being deported or losing your visa or Legal Permanent Resident status.
-
You could bring your family living abroad to live in the United States more quickly.
-
You will be eligible for a U.S. passport, making travel easy.
-
You can apply for government jobs that require U.S. citizenship
APALRC Co-Sponsors Event for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May 4, 2017
Advocating for the Asian-American Community in 2017:
Featuring Keynote Speaker Khizr Khan
Please join Hogan Lovell for an Asian Pacific American Heritage Month event on May 24 at its Washington office, featuring Khizr Khan, noted speaker at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, as our keynote speaker. The event will also feature a panel discussion among Karen Narasaki of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Manar Waheed, Legislative and Advocacy Counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, and Frederick Liu, Partner at Hogan Lovells, .
Our speakers will discuss recent challenges facing the Asian-American, other minority, and immigrant communities in the United States, as well as their work on behalf of civil and immigrant rights. A reception will follow. This event is co-sponsored by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the Greater Washington, D.C. Area, Inc. (APABA-DC), Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC), Capital Area Muslim Bar Association (CAMBA), Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), Korean-American Bar Association for the Washington, DC Area (KABA-DC), and South Asian Bar Association of Washington, D.C. (SABA-DC).
Wednesday, May 24
6:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Hogan Lovells
555 13th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004
Guide for Immigrant Parents – What If I’m Picked Up By Ice?
March 7, 2017
A group of lawyers, advocates, and family law and immigration experts have put together the following two guides to help families understand their rights and to help them form plans to keep their families together.
- What if I’m picked up by ICE? Preparing for the possibility of being detained, deported, and separated from your children. ICE – Preparation Guide
- What if I’m picked up by immigration and customs enforcement in the District of Columbia? Making plans to keep your children safe and how to protect your rights as a parent. DC – ICE Preparation Guide
DACAs Don’t Panic
February 21, 2017
Last week, Daniel Ramirez, a DACA recipient in Seattle was taken into ICE custody when officers came to his home to arrest his father. Although this situation is certainly alarming, we don’t think this is the time for panic.
From what we’re hearing, attorneys in the case believe this was an isolated incident. It is possible that Daniel’s collateral arrest (whether intentional or not) was a mistake. It does not appear to be part of a larger policy of targeting DACAs or disregarding deferred action protection.
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center has some observations, reminders and tips to share:
- ICE came into contact with Daniel because they were pursuing his father for a prior removal order and felony criminal record. Most DACAs will not be in close proximity to this type of enforcement activity and at risk for collateral arrest.
- DACAs with some criminal issues were already at risk and may be more vulnerable now. DACA applicants with criminal records were already potential targets for possible arrest. Even an approved deferred action grant may not protect someone who, subsequent to their deferred action approval, falls under one of the so-called priorities for enforcement or is determined to be a threat to national safety. ICE could use the pretense of gang affiliation for targeting people (DACA or not).
- DACAs must exercise their right to remain silent! Any resistance to ICE activity that is within one’s constitutionally protected rights (the right to remain silent, the right to not open the door, the right to not sign anything) may be enough to disarm ICE from having the information they need to take a person into custody.
- There have been a few other unconfirmed reports of DACAs being taken into custody in other parts of the country. Again, these are unconfirmed and we know of no further details. Keep in mind, it is possible that, if they are true, these individuals may have other issues that make them a priority for deportation (criminal issues that have come up, etc.). Deferred action will not necessarily protect a person from deportation in all cases. However, we should not assume that there is a larger pattern such that all DACAs need now be worried.
DACA: Current Status and What to do Now
February 7, 2017
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an American immigration policy started in June 2012 that allows certain undocumented immigrants to the United States who entered the country as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit.
During his campaign, President Trump said that he would terminate the DACA program. The DACA is still available and the government is still accepting and approving DACA initial and renewal applications. He has not terminated the DACA program yet, but it could be terminated at any time.
Here are recommendations from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) on what you can do now.
The APALRC response to Executive Orders
January 31, 2017
By this point, most of you have heard about the actions taken under the auspices of anti-immigrant Executive Orders over the weekend regarding the travel ban against people from several predominantly Muslim countries in the Middle East and Africa who should otherwise be lawfully admitted into the United States as visa holders or lawful permanent residents.
The Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center unequivocally condemns the actions taken by the administration against people who have every right to enter the United States and fully agrees with the statements made by NAPABA and SABA in condemning the Executive Orders, especially in that these Orders “represent a rejection of our core values as a country.”
If you or someone you know has been personally affected this, please do not hesitate to contact the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center at (202) 393-3572, ext. 22. Even if we cannot represent you directly, we will do our best to find you an attorney who can take your case.
Press Releases
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA) http://www.napaba.org/…/NAPABA-and-SABA-Condemn-Anti-Immigr…
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) https://cliniclegal.org/news/immigration-orders-weaken-core-american…
Resources
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) – Know Your Rights Guide for Those Denied Entry at the Airport
National Immigration Project – Tools to Defend Your Rights
Immigration Legal Resource Center – Know Your Rights and What Immigrant Families Should Do Now
Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center – Community Guide for Immigrant Residents of Montgomery County, MD