From the entire team at Davidson & Seseri, welcome to the D&S Immigration Law Blog!
Use our site, blog, and resources to help you navigate immigration law and policy news. We have structured our site so that you can access real-time updates on the issues that matter most to you.
Take a look through the Immigration Articles for an in-depth discussion of legal topics, or find a brief overview of a wide variety of immigration processes on Our Services. There are a handful of helpful external links to government agencies on our Resources page. Blog post notifications will be available live on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin, so be sure to follow us there for up-to-date commentary and updates. If you are looking for particular information not found on one of our pages, just let us know!
We have seen the influence of the new administration on individuals and families. We have received a flood of calls from worried spouses, friends, and employees, concerned about their immigration status and safety here in the United States. The overarching response we give to all those concerned is: stay informed.
Below are some of the most frequently asked immigration questions we have received in the past few months:
Q: What do I do if I am stopped by an immigration official?
A: Cooperate with immigration officials, and know your rights.
- Do not sign anything. You have the right to withhold your signature from documents or statements you do not fully understand or until your attorney is present.
- You have the right to an attorney. If you already have an attorney, keep their information on hand at all times. If you are detained, immigration authorities are required to communicate with your attorney on your behalf. If you do not have an attorney, identify a lawyer or organization that can represent you in an emergency, and carry their contact information with you at all times.
- Choose an Emergency Contact and prepare relevant documents in case you are put in removal proceedings. Choose a responsible person to be your emergency contact (for their own safety, this person should be a US citizen or Legal Permanent Resident) in the event of an emergency. In the event you are detained and are required to appear before an immigration judge, you will need to demonstrate that you have a legal defense and ties to the United States. Be aware of what forms of immigration relief are available to you, and create a plan of action in case you are detained. If you are detained, an emergency contact can work with an attorney or organization to quickly and efficiently organize your immigration defense.
Q: I am currently in lawful nonimmigrant status. Should I be concerned about any changes in immigration policy?
A: Staying informed and maintaining your lawful status is more important than ever. Comply with the terms of your employment or program, and plan ahead for renewal deadlines and caps on your nonimmigrant status. Be aware of current processing times: although you may be able to work after the expiration of your nonimmigrant status while your renewal is pending, you may not be able to travel once your current status expires. Should you be considering employment-based sponsorship for permanent residency, be familiar with the Department of State Visa Bulletin . The Visa Bulletin is released monthly and contains information regarding the availability of immigrant visas based on your country of birth.
We urge you to stay informed, as policy changes may affect you. We will continue to provide updates, online and on social media, as they become available. If you have specific questions, please feel free to reach out to us.