Author Archives: Mike Baker

SCOTUS Pereira v. Sessions: A Notice to Appear that does not include the specific time and place of the non LPRs removal proceedings does not trigger the stop-time rule under §1229(a) of the INA.

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Mike Baker

The Pereira decision is significant to many non-citizens who received notices like Pereira’s. The clock continued to run on their physical presence in the U.S. after they received notices without dates, which will potentially enable them to qualify for relief … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancellation of Removal, Cancellation Of Removal and The Stop-Time Rule, Cancellation of Removal for Non LPRS under INA Section 240A(b)(1), Continuous Residence Exceptions, Notice to Appear, SCOTUS, stop-time, Stop-Time Rule | Leave a comment

BIA Holds §212(h) Waiver Available to Petitioner Who Adjusted to LPR Status in the U.S.

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Mike Baker

VELLA, 27 I&N Dec. 138 (BIA 2017) ID 3905 (PDF) An alien “has previously been admitted to the United States as an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence” within the meaning of section 212(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, … Continue reading →

Posted in 212(h), 212(h) and readjustment, 7th Circuit, 7th Circuit Cases- Aliens, Aggravated felony, BIA, Board of Immigration Appeals, CA7 Holds §212(h) Waiver Available to Petitioner Who Adjusted to LPR Status in the U.S. | Leave a comment

Good Moral Character (GMC), Naturalization N-400 application, Chicago District Office, Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS)

Posted on August 28, 2017 by Mike Baker

Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence Continuity of Residence Residency: Jurisdiction Physical Presence Good Moral Character Attachment to the Constitution English language proficiency and knowledge of United States history and government. Naturalization applicants are required by law to appear in person … Continue reading →

Posted in Good Moral Character, Good Moral Character (GMC), Naturalization, Naturalization Interview Process, Naturalization N-400 | Leave a comment

CA7 affirms BIA finding that native of El Salvador did not meet burden of demonstrating a nexus between alleged persecution and his proposed social groups of wealthy deportees or gang resisters.

Posted on July 30, 2017 by Mike Baker

BIA did not err in affirming IJ’s denial of alien’s (citizen of El Salvador) asylum and withholding of removal applications, alleging that gang in El Salvador subjected him to past persecution on account of his membership in social groups of … Continue reading →

Posted in 7th Circuit, 7th Circuit Cases- Aliens, Convention Against Torture, membership in a particular social group, Nexus between persecution and social groups, particular social group, past persecution, political asylum | Leave a comment

CA7 remands COR holding that possession of any amount of marijuana over 30 grams could be prosecuted as federal misdemeanor, not an “aggravated felony.”

Posted on July 27, 2017 by Mike Baker

BIA erred in finding that noncitizen was ineligible for cancellation of removal relief because his prior Illinois conviction for possession of more than 30 but not more than 500 grams of marijuana under 720 ILCS section 550/5(d) qualified as “aggravated … Continue reading →

Posted in 7th Circuit, 7th Circuit Cases- Aliens, Deportation for Drug Crimes, Drug Laws in Illinois, exception to deportability 30 grams or less of marijuana, Marijuana Possession, Removal, U.S. Supreme Court | Leave a comment