We visited world-famous artist Dale Chihuly's exhibition at the Bronx Botanical Gardens last summer and were blown away. So when we saw that he had another glass sculpture in the Union Square Triangle, we had to check it out. The Rose Crystal Tower stands thirty-one-feet tall and is made of Polyvitro crystals and steel. Over his distinguished fifty-year career, Chihuly has become known around the world for his iconic glass sculptures and architectural installations in cities, museums, and gardens. "New York City’s energy, architecture, and rich creative history is formidable and it continues to offer infinite inspiration for artists,” Dale Chihuly says. “I am excited to share my work with the residents and visitors who pass through New York City every year.”
Olivia Scofield: The DLG-Proust-Actors Studio Questionnaire
Olivia, a new associate attorney here at the firm, is a big fan of her native Atlanta. “If you’re a native Atlantan, you’re obnoxiously pro-Atlanta,” she says. “It’s a unique place, arguably the leader of the New South, and it’s a cool place for transplants. I love its up-and-coming food restaurants and cultural and arts scene.”
Read moreNPR: “Immigrants Are Scrambling To Submit Petitions For Family Members To Come to U.S.”
As President Trump continues his call to limit family-based immigration, an increasing number of immigrants residing in the US are filing petitions to bring eligible family members to America, in case an immigration bill restricting family reunification is eventually passed. Currently, the US immigration system allows for family reunification (what President Trump derisively calls “chain migration,”) where in certain cases Green Card holders or citizens can sponsor eligible relatives to come to the US. President Trump has proposed limiting family-based immigration to immediate family members, including spouses and minor children, and restricting it for parents, siblings, and adult children.
Read moreNew York Times: “Supreme Court Turns Down Trump’s Appeal in ‘Dreamers’ Case”
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear the administration’s appeal of a federal judge's injunction that halted Trump's decision to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. After President Trump announced last September his decision to end the DACA program, four states filed legal challenges to his decision.
Read moreAppreciate All that We Had
Rome District Chapter Madrid Conference
I am in Madrid for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Rome District Chapter spring conference. Over the course of two intense days, presenters have discussed such timely topics as the travel ban and waivers, interviews for employment-based adjustment cases, increased incidences of administrative processing, general issues regarding "extreme vetting," as well as always relevant topics such as “must-haves” for a successful E-1 and E-2 application. Earlier today we even got a tour of the US Embassy in Madrid. (Sadly, they didn't let us take pictures.) Attending these conferences is an excellent way for immigration practitioners such as myself to hear the latest tips and strategies and stay up-to-date on developments in the immigration law world. Now let's have some jamon ibérico!
TN 101
Anyone watching the US political debates or the news over the last year probably heard much discussion about NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, which when enacted into law in 1993 created special economic and trade relationships for the United States, Canada, and Mexico. But not many people realize that NATFA created a special nonimmigrant visa category for Canadians and Mexicans to come to the US to work in professional-level jobs. That nonimmigrant visa is called the TN. The “T” and “N” of TN stands for Trade NAFTA. The TN permits qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens with a job offer from a US employer to seek temporary entry into the United States to engage in professional business activities.
Read moreUSCIS Expands Credit Card Payment Option for Fees
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced last week that the agency will now be accepting credit card payments for forms filed and processed at USCIS Lockbox facilities. This new payment option is available for forty-one fee based forms, including most forms for both marriage-based green cards and employment-based green cards, as well as citizenship applications. Examples of these forms include Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-131 Application for Travel Document, Form I-140 Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization, Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and Form N-400 Application for Naturalization.
Read moreThe Oppressed and Persecuted
Year of the Dog
Lunar New Year decorations at Singapore Changi Airport. Hi, doggy!
It's the Lunar New Year! Today marks the first day of the Lunar New Year celebrations for millions across the world and ushers in the Year of the Dog. Those born in the Year of the Dog, the eleventh of all zodiac animals, are known for being "independent, sincere, communicative and loyal." Revelers have many chances to celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York City, from firecrackers tonight in Lower Manhattan to fireside stories at Prospect Park to the annual parade on February 25, where floats, lion dancers, and drummers march through Chinatown as confetti streams everywhere. Happy Lunar New Year to all!