USCIS released the following announcement: "Temporary Protected Status Extended for Somalia Release Date: June 01, 2015 WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Somalia (and eligible individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) for an additional 18 months, effective Sept. 18, 2015, through March 17, Read More

Attorney Ellen Sullivan successfully represented a client on an application for 237(a)(1)(H) before Judge Gagnon at the Boston Immigration Court. The client was charged as removable (deportable) for fraud related to his immigration benefits. In addition, the client had two criminal dockets, neither of which resulted in criminal findings against him. By painting a full picture of the client's life with his wife and Read More

The deadline for registration for TPS for Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone is quickly approaching. USCIS must receive applications by May 20, 2015. I advise clients to file before the last day, but in all cases, by May 20, 2015. Clients should keep a full copy of the entire application package and send it via certified USPS or secure carrier such as Federal Express or DHS. Note that TPS applicants must submit Forms Read More

Attorney Sullivan has been an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, AILA for almost ten years. AILA provides excellent opportunities for learning from experience colleagues on all matters related to the practice of immigration law. On Thursday, April 9, 2015 Attorney Sullivan will attend AILA New England's monthly chapter meeting. The topic of the meeting was asylum and featured Susan Read More

The local AILA chapter just announced that the current Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations will be transferring to Washington, DC in June 2015 and that "as a result of a change in leadership, the future of the surrender and deferred action program is uncertain." This means that local immigration attorneys and their clients may face more challenges when requesting ICE to issue Notices to Appear Read More

The temporary court decision to block President Obama's immigration programs have been challenged by over 70 municipal leaders nationwide. Recently, Boston's Mayor Marty Walsh and the City of Cambridge joined to challenge the injunction against DAPA and DACA, proposed by President Obama to help long-time immigrant residents of the U.S. obtain basic immigration status. Nationwide local leaders indicate that: "Local Read More

This week, I'm working on final drafts of an article that will be presented at the AILA National Conference in Washington, DC in June. The article and the June presentation discusses how, and if, non-US citizens in the US can exercise their state rights to use marijuana medically and, in Colorado and Washington, recreationally. This is a fascinating example of conflict of laws that has drastic, if not devastating, Read More

Many immigrants and supporters of the immigrant community received a wonderful 2014 Thanksgiving gift from President Obama--expanded DACA, the new DAPA program, and other changes in immigration policies. However, this week, hopes were dashed for many immigrants in Massachusetts and throughout the country. See a recent Boston Globe article about Boston immigrants' responses to this dramatic court order. As the week Read More

The USCIS website recently reported: "Due to a federal court order, USCIS will not begin accepting requests for the expansion of DACA on February 18 as originally planned. The court's temporary injunction, issued February 16, does not affect the existing DACA. Individuals may continue to come forward and request an initial grant of DACA or renewal of DACA under the guidelines established in 2012." This means that Read More