The World Cup at DLG

July 6, 2018 Joseph McKeown

Gaby anxiously watching the first half of the Colombia vs. England game.

This week's Colombia vs. England game led to some tense moments for the firm. Gaby, who is from Colombia, watched nervously here in New York as the two teams battled it out. Protima, traveling in England, held her breath as the game went into penalty shootouts. When England won the shootout 4-3, the office consoled Gaby, and Protima joined the massive celebrations in England where everyone was relieved that they had finally won their first World Cup penalty shootout. England will play Sweden this weekend. Good luck to both teams (okay, maybe a little more luck to England)!

The Washington Post: “How a 1944 decision on Japanese internment affected the Supreme Court’s travel ban decision"

July 3, 2018 Joseph McKeown

Last week, the Supreme Court in Trump v. Hawaii upheld President Trump’s travel ban that targeted several Muslim-majority countries, saying that the president had statuary authority to make national security judgements regarding immigration, despite anti-Muslim statements that he has made. In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor says the decision is no better than the one in Korematsu v. United States, the universally criticized and much maligned 1944 decision that allowed for the detention of Japanese-Americans during World War II. While Sotomayer praises the court for repudiating Korematsu in Trump v. Hawaii, she writes in her dissent: “By blindly accepting the Government’s misguided invitation to sanction a discriminatory policy motivated by animosity toward a disfavored group, all in the name of a superficial claim of national security, the Court redeploys the same dangerous logic underlying Korematsu and merely replaces one ‘gravely wrong’ decision with another.”

The Center of the Universe

July 2, 2018 Joseph McKeown

The Ruins of Empúries

June 29, 2018 Guest User

Joseph recently took a quick break from all of his hard work here at DLG to visit one of the most important (and beautiful) archaeological sites in Catalonia, Spain. Located in the Gulf of Roses on the Costa Brava, the Ruins of Empúries are filled with both Greek and Roman treasures. These ruins, considered the gateway to the Iberian Peninsula for many, feature walls, columns, streets, houses, painting, mosaics, and more, from both the Greeks, who first founded their colony here in 6th Century B.C., and the Romans, who later occupied this area in 1st Century B.C. With more than 2,500 years of history here, it is easy to get a glimpse of what life was like for both ancient cultures. You can also enjoy the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean, and all of the beaches and coves surrounding the ancient ruins. Don’t enjoy the views too much though, Joseph. We all need you back here at DLG soon!

Visas for Musicians

June 29, 2018 Olivia M. Scofield

Musicians and musical artists come to the United States from all over the world. How they may enter and using which visa depends on a number of factors, and some may be surprised as to the many restrictions in place for musicians who would like to play and perform in the US. The issues relating to visas for musicians appeared in headlines throughout major media in 2017, when a number of musicians attempting to travel to the US to perform at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas were not allowed entry. Many of these artists attempted to enter the US on B visas, or through the Visa Waiver Program. While it might be possible in certain situations for musicians to enter in the US under these options, a variety of other visa categories are available that may indeed be a better choice for those who wish to come to the US to play music, depending on a number of factors. Some of the possible visa categories for musicians are: O visas, P visas, the Q-1 visa, and B visa, all of which we will discuss in this post.

The New York Times: “Supreme Court Upholds Trump’s Travel Ban, Delivering Endorsement of Presidential Power”

June 26, 2018 Guest User

In a five to four vote, the Supreme Court has upheld President Trump’s third travel ban against several predominantly Muslim countries, reasoning that the President has broad statutory authority to make such judgments related to national security and immigration, which is not undermined by his previous insensitive and discriminatory statements against Muslims. This decision comes after a federal judge in Hawaii indefinitely blocked Trump’s travel ban earlier this year, challenging its constitutionality and referencing anti-Muslim statements made by the President. This block on the travel ban was upheld by two federal appeals courts, citing religious discrimination as their reason to uphold the decision, before being brought before the Supreme Court.

Fundamentally Important

June 25, 2018 Guest User

USCIS to Recall 800 Incorrectly Printed Employment Authorization Documents

June 22, 2018 Guest User

As of June 21, 2018, US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) will also begin the process of recalling approximately 800 Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that were issued in connection with Form I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal. These EAD cards, that were granted by USCIS officers and mailed to recipients in April and May of 2018, contain a production error that rearranged individuals’ first and last names. Although this recall will not affect these individuals’ employment authorization, as their Form I-94s show that they were granted asylum and thus have employment authorization, USCIS will be sending notices to the recipients of these incorrect EADs, or their attorneys, so that the incorrect EADs may be sent back to USCIS in the pre-paid envelope provided within twenty days of receiving the notice or returned to a USCIS field office. According to the agency, replacement EADs will be sent to recipients within fifteen days of receiving the incorrect cards. If an individual needs proof of employment authorization, they may contact the USCIS Contact Center.

Delirious Matter

June 22, 2018 Joseph McKeown

Delirious Matter by artist Diana Al-Hadid consists of six new sculptures in Madison Square Park. Al-Hadid, who was born in Syria and lives and works in Brooklyn, elegantly combines sculptures and plantlife to create a distinctive look that according to her is “a blend between fresco and tapestry.” Inspired by mythology, history, and, in one sculpture, an early Netherlandish painting, the pieces include two wall works combined with rows of hedges, three reclining female figures atop plinths, and a sculptural bust of a female figure on a fragmented mountain. Brooke Kamin Rapaport, deputy director and Martin Friedman Senior Curator of Mad. Sq Art, says: “Al-Hadid’s work summons sculpture and painting, architecture and literature in a beauteous, atmospheric narrative.” The installation will be on display through September 3, 2018.

Human Flow

June 21, 2018 Joseph McKeown

Over 65 million people around the world have been displaced from their homes due to famine, climate change, violence, and war—the greatest displacement of people since World War II. Human Flow, a documentary by famed international artist and activist Ai Weiwei, demonstrates the scale of the refugee crisis and provides a glimpse into the devastating conditions and heartbreak that many of these refugees face.