The first months of the year brought with them radical changes in the immigration panorama of the United States. Along with the most recent transformations, which have aroused so much fear and uncertainty in those who await the opportunity to adjust their status, new challenges also arrived for our immigration attorneys, always available to the community and to people who need advice on how to remain on US soil legally.
Gallardo Law Firm can answer any questions you may have about the latest immigration regulations precisely because we believe that, in days of insecurity, information is one of the resources you need most. If you call us at (305) 261-7000, you can schedule a free appointment to assess the specifics of your case and, with our help, design a legal strategy that adapts to your circumstances and the turbulent moment we are going through.
In his first days in office, President Donald Trump signed nearly 10 executive orders focused on immigration, which were also accompanied by decrees related to mass deportations and border security. Some of these actions have had an immediate effect, while others await their passage through the judicial branch.
One issue that has the population particularly concerned is deportations, starting with the extension of powers to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) to access protected places such as schools, churches, and hospitals in search of undocumented migrants.
President Trump also ended programs authorized by former President Joe Biden, such as Humanitarian Parole and the CBP One border appointment program, which suddenly canceled tens of thousands of appointments until early February. It also put at risk of deportation those who entered the country under these regulations and have not yet sought some other way to adjust their legal stay in the United States.
If you are Venezuelan and you are about to lose the legal coverage offered by TPS after the president decided not to renew this program, we can advise you, and you may still have options to access permanent residence. Some of these possibilities are family petition or a job sponsorship if you have a job offer and meet the requirements for an employment visa.
Also, if you have been in US territory for less than a year, you have the opportunity to apply for asylum if you are persecuted in your country for differences of political opinion, for reasons of race, persecution, or belonging to a particular social group. If you do not qualify for this process or the time limit has passed, you can request a Withholding of Removal or protection under the Convention against Torture.
Although Humanitarian Parole for Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians was eliminated at the end of January, those who have already obtained it and managed to travel can remain in the United States, but without guarantees of renewal and with the imminent danger that this immigration status will lose its legal status.
In this unfortunate situation, people must be proactive to avoid being left unprotected. Options accessible to people also vary depending on the concrete features of every case and the time of staying in the country.
If you are Cuban and have already completed your stay of one year and one day, you can adjust your status based on the law that favors nationals of that island. If this is not a possibility for you, you also have some tools to access residency or stay in the country without the dangerous presence of a deportation order.
From the Gallardo offices, located in Miami and Hialeah, we can help you, even if you reside in another state or region. Our representation includes evaluating which program you qualify for and submitting the necessary documentation in each case before your parole expires, assisting you if you seek political asylum protection, and defending you in court if the situation requires it.
We are also available to all immigrants who entered through the CBP ONE border appointment application, who must always file a petition for political asylum before the one-year deadline expires and appear at the court date they received during their interview at the point of entry. Likewise, our attorneys and paralegals have vast experience handling work permit applications, protected by temporary asylum protection.
The situation of those who were admitted to the country with I-220A has not experienced significant changes since President Trump returned to the White House, although they also feel the uncertainty of government-driven deportations and see the possibilities of any legal relief to change their immigration status fade away.
To date, the I-220A is still not considered a direct path to obtaining residency, nor does it protect against possible removal from US territory in the short, medium, or long term. In these cases, it is imperative that you apply for asylum or another immigration benefit, such as family reunification, to minimize the risk of receiving the dreaded deportation order.
Our recommendation is to always stay within the framework of the law and avoid committing any crime at all costs, as this constitutes direct grounds for your immigration document to be revoked. It should also be a priority for you to keep up to date with all your appointments at the immigration court or the ICE offices.
Gallardo Law Firm encourages you to immediately contact an immigration attorney if you face the risk of deportation, perhaps accelerated by the latest regulations. Immigration legal processes are always complex and can vary significantly from one situation to the next, so having the services of an experienced professional is vital, especially in turbulent times when changes happen at a speed that can also seem overwhelming.
Our immigration attorneys can help you with the following:
In these uncertain times, you must remain calm and exhaust all legal options at your disposal. Fortunately, you don't have to do any of this alone, as our team of immigration attorneys is ready to fight for you every step of the way. Call us today if you need information or have questions about your situation and how you can proceed to protect your rights and those of your family.
