Norris McLaughlin, PA

Immigrants are also people like anyone else, people who get into trouble with the police, who suffer from broken marriages and lost jobs, and make mistakes with U.S. immigration law. Because of their special contributions to this Nation, immigrants deserve the best legal services available. They deserve a law firm that will fight hard to defend their rights, to bring family members together here in the U.S., and to keep them here when trouble strikes. These are the principles that guide our Immigration Practice.

Pennsylvania House Democrats Propose Driver’s License for Undocumented Immigrants

By Raymond Lahoud

September 21, 2020

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Legislation to grant a driver’s license to undocumented immigrants has been introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Reps. Danilo Burgos, D-Philadelphia; Joseph C. Hohenstein, D-Philadelphia; Sara Innamorato, D-Allegheny; and Christopher M. Rabb, D-Philadelphia were among the few who sponsored House Bill 2835. If passed, this bill would enable many immigrants to legally apply for and receive a driver’s license. These non-citizens are otherwise unable to acquire a license due to the lack of…

Immigration Lawyers Blog

DHS Expands Use of Biometric Data in Immigration

By Raymond Lahoud

September 18, 2020

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Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced plans to expand the use of biometric data in determining family relationships for immigration purposes. A proposed rule with the new protocols for biometrics use is expected to be published soon. This rule is also said to allow more uses of new technology as they become available. The Use of Biometric Data in Immigration The proposed rule will give the DHS the authority to require biometrics…

Immigration Lawyers Blog

ICE Arrests Over 2,000 Illegal Immigrants, Many With Criminal Charges or Convictions

By Raymond Lahoud

September 14, 2020

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Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) conducted a series of operations in July and August, arresting over 2,000 illegal immigrants from 20 counties with a majority of those having criminal charges or convictions. The “at-large” arrests took place across the country at residences, worksites, and traffic stops. Immigrants With Criminal Charges or Convictions Targeted Around 85% of the immigrants arrested either had criminal convictions or had charges pending against them. The rest of those arrested already…

Immigration Lawyers Blog

SEC Files Complaint for Investment Fraud

By Raymond Lahoud

September 11, 2020

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According to a press release issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), “SEC Charges Ponzi Scheme Targeting African Immigrants,” the SEC recently brought charges against two different Maryland-based companies on allegations of investment fraud. The SEC contends that the defendants illegally organized a Ponzi scheme, allegedly defrauding investors of more than $27 million. The Details of the Case According to the complaints, three defendants, directly and indirectly, defrauded investors by claiming the…

Immigration Lawyers Blog

Medical Repatriation on the Rise: Guatemalan Immigrant Who Escaped Medical Deportation Moved to Long-Term Care

By Raymond Lahoud

September 4, 2020

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A Guatemalan undocumented immigrant who is identified as A.V. was on the verge of “medical repatriation” by Jefferson Torresdale Hospital to a country that is less able to help him. The repatriation has been averted, and A.V. has been moved to a long-term care facility in the Philadelphia region. What’s the Story? After being hit by a motorcycle, the 48-year-old A.V. suffered a traumatic brain injury. Though A.V. is far from being beyond the need…

Immigration Lawyers Blog

USCIS Halts Furlough of 70% of Workforce; Still Processing Times Likely To Increase

By Raymond Lahoud

August 28, 2020

On August 25, 2020, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the anticipated temporary furlough of more than 13,000 employees, scheduled to begin on August 30, has been averted. The agency was able to avoid this due to a steady increase in the day-to-day inflow of revenue and receipts, along with unprecedented spending cuts. A federal agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), USCIS oversees lawful immigration into the…

Immigration Lawyers Blog

Flexible I-9 Measures Extended Until September 19

By Raymond Lahoud

August 24, 2020

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The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have announced an extension of flexibility in certain I-9 verification procedures until September 19, 2020, due to COVID-19. This is applicable only for employers working remotely. This temporary extension had been set to expire on August 18, but has been extended due to the ongoing precautionary measures. Temporary measures for flexibility in E-verification were originally announced by ICE in March, and…

Immigration Lawyers Blog

Court Rules Green Card Wealth Test Can Be Enforced in Most States

By Raymond Lahoud

August 17, 2020

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Implementation of the controversial green card and immigrant visa wealth test was limited by a federal appellate court order on August 12, 2020. This allows the Trump administration to continue a wealth test policy in all states except New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. These three states had sued the Trump administration over the public charge rule. Last month, a federal judge in New York ruled that the “public charge” test was hindering nationwide efforts to…

Immigration Lawyers Blog

DOL and USCIS to Investigate H-1B Employer Violations

By Raymond Lahoud

August 14, 2020

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On July 31, 2020, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), acting through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of Labor (DOL). Under the MOA, the departments will provide access and share information about immigrant and nonimmigrant petition records and the data contained within the Office of Foreign Labor Certification and Labor Condition Application databases. This collaboration will be used…

Immigration Lawyers Blog

Significant Fee Rise in Immigration Forms Affects Businesses and Immigrants

By Raymond Lahoud

August 10, 2020

On July 31, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule with a significant rise in its fee schedule, affecting both individual immigrants and businesses. The new schedule has added new fees, establishing multiple fees for nonimmigrant worker petitions, and limiting the number of beneficiaries for certain forms. Additionally, the new rule removes certain fee exemptions, changes fee waiver requirements, and alters premium processing time limits. The new schedule is…

Norris McLaughlin, PA

Norris McLaughlin, PA Blogs

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Pennsylvania House Democrats Propose Driver’s License for Undocumented Immigrants

DHS Expands Use of Biometric Data in Immigration

ICE Arrests Over 2,000 Illegal Immigrants, Many With Criminal Charges or Convictions

SEC Files Complaint for Investment Fraud

Medical Repatriation on the Rise: Guatemalan Immigrant Who Escaped Medical Deportation Moved to Long-Term Care

USCIS Halts Furlough of 70% of Workforce; Still Processing Times Likely To Increase

Flexible I-9 Measures Extended Until September 19

Court Rules Green Card Wealth Test Can Be Enforced in Most States

DOL and USCIS to Investigate H-1B Employer Violations

Significant Fee Rise in Immigration Forms Affects Businesses and Immigrants

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