Dallas Immigration Attorney Guide » lawyers association

Dallas Immigration : Releasing Criminal Dallas Immigrants

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:37:50 +0000

Local authorities around the country are taking the lead to tackle illegal immigration because our leaders in Washington have failed to devise a workable enforcement system. Federal deficiencies are so severe that public safety is being compromised, as a Houston Chronicle report showed this week.

Regardless of where you stand on comprehensive immigration reform, it’s hard not to be outraged by the failures the Chronicle exposed in Harris County’s jail system. Hundreds of illegal immigrant inmates charged with felony crimes – murder, rape, drug dealing and child molestation – were set free because Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities didn’t complete the paperwork to hold them for deportation.

ICE, part of the Homeland Security Department, failed to process detention orders for roughly 2,600 jail inmates who admitted they were illegal immigrants. In 177 cases, inmates committed additional crimes after being released. Hundreds had three or more prior convictions.

ICE officials say they’re doing their best with limited resources, but we’ve heard that excuse before. A year ago, ICE officials were forced to temporarily curtail the Criminal Alien Program in Irving because their staff and facilities couldn’t cope with the number of illegal immigrants Irving police were detaining.

Dallas County announced last week that it would participate in a new federal database project that is even more comprehensive than Irving’s. With growing participation by local governments, the pressure on ICE is going to grow. But ICE says it would take years and up to $1 billion to bring a new screening system up to speed and ensure the most serious offenders are deported – not released.

The heated debate in Washington over comprehensive immigration reform no doubt will resume after the incoming Obama administration addresses other pressing issues such as the economy and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ridding our cities of these most undesirable immigrants deserves top priority attention, too. Failing that, the Department of Homeland Security should consider a name change, because the criminals it is releasing onto our streets have no justification to be in this “homeland.” And when they roam free, the notion of security for Americans becomes laughable.

Immigration Law in US

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:32:37 +0000

When looking for a qualified immigration lawyer, there are certain things you should look for right away. The first one is that the lawyer is actually licensed to practice in a US jurisdiction and is in good standing with the State Bar. As odd as that may sound, it’s happened that immigrants have dealt with lawyers not licensed to practice in the US nor in good standing. You are going to spend good money, so make sure you find someone who will provide you with good service.

Choose an honest lawyer with integrity, a good reputation and one that is highly ethical. You can find this out by asking for references, and if they don’t give you references, go find another lawyer. Find out if the lawyer you are considering primarily practices immigration law. If their focus is criminal or divorce law, another attorney had better serve you. You need to make sure you Dallas Immigration Attorney specializes in what you need.

Although there is no specific requirement that immigration applications be prepared by a lawyer, attempting it on your own is a true recipe for disaster. Not unless you are very well versed, can you make sure tha you don’t make any mistakes. Each case is individual and different laws apply. Unless you know them all, your application will get bogged down in the system and you may not be successful. You not only need to know about Federal Law, but you also need to know about Local or State requirements.

While talking with the lawyer you’d like to help you with your immigration application or appeal, find out if they know their stuff and are familiar with your type of case. You’ll know this right away by the questions they ask you.

They should also give you a clear-cut answer on what it’s going to cost you to deal with them. And last, but not least, they should not give you a guarantee of success but simply indicate they will work for you and with you to do the best they can given the system. Make sure you ask good questions and make sure you follow up.

Hiring an US Immigration Attorney in Dallas Texas

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:24:05 +0000

Dallas Immigration law is highly complex and there are usually many specific requirements that individuals must follow in order to avoid deportation. The timeline alone is quite complex and the legal teams working against you are often highly skilled and have years of experience in these types of cases. Therefore, if you are facing deportation, or the risk of it, hiring a professional attorney skilled and experienced in this unique area of the law is absolutely necessary.

A large concern when hiring immigration law attorneys is their ability to stay current on the latest immigration policies. Immigration law changes frequently, often becoming more complex. An attorney needs to stay up to date on these changes to ensure that when fighting your case, they are representing you with full knowledge of immigration law. Thus, when looking for an immigration attorney, it is best to research whether the firm keeps a track record of immigration law changes as proof that they can maximize effective representation of their clients. Also look to see if the firm has membership in the American Immigration Lawyers Association, as that is often a good sign that the firm keeps up to date with the latest changes in immigration law.

You want a lawyer that talks to you like you are a person with a problem they can solve. You are not a number, and your concerns and fears are important in dealing with your case. A good lawyer is able to convey to their client that their case is vitally important to them and that they understand how important it is to you.

Because of the complexity of deportation immigration law, the attorney you hire should specialize in this area of law. There are attorneys located throughout the country that offer this type of help. Interview them to find out more about their experience and get to know the successes they have had in the past with cases that are similar to your own. With their help, you will be well on your way to the most successful outcome of your immigration case.