2015 Las Vegas EB-5 Conference

David Vedder recently attended the 2015 Las Vegas EB-5 Conference presented by EB5 Investors Magazine. This one-day event delivered an intimately interactive and premium networking
experience for all attendees and sponsors, and provided valuable information on various EB-5
topics such as regional center issues, using EB-5 for financing or immigration purposes, and
current legal trends.

Mr. Vedder had the opportunity to see keynote speaker Congressman Jared Polis, chair of the NewDem Coalition's Immigration Task Force and sponsor of The American Entrepreneurship and Investment Act which would reform and make permanent the EB-5 Immigrant Investor visa program. Attorney Vedder also had the chance to discuss pending EB5 Legislation with Senator Rand Paul.

Queens Examiner: Congresswoman and Attorney Warn Immigrants About Reform Scams

As reported by the Queens Examiner, Congresswoman Grace Meng and Neena Dutta, Chair of AILA's New York Chapter, warned undocumented immigrants to be on alert for scams promising citizenship or a fast track to protection once President Obama's executive actions on immigration take effect. 

The article notes that forms to apply for DAPA will not be available until at least May, while forms for expanded DACA will not be released until next month. Please continue to share AILA's Consumer Alert and anti-notario PSAs widely in your communities. Read this story from Queen's Examiner

Huffington Post: Obama Tells Congress Not To Fight Past Battles On Immigration Again

The Huffington Post notes that President Obama only mentioned the word "immigration" twice in his State of the Union address last night, and didn't make the impassioned pleas he has made in past years for immigration reform. Instead, his message was that Congress should stop fighting him on his executive actions on immigration, stating "If we're going to have arguments, let's have arguments—but let's make them debates worthy of this body and worthy of this country...Yes, passions still fly on immigration, but surely we can all see something of ourselves in the striving young student, and agree that no one benefits when a hardworking mom is taken from her child, and that it's possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants."

Read more from Huffington Post

Mexican Consulates in the U.S. Will Issue Copies of Birth Certificates...Starting Today!

The Mexican government announced that starting today, Mexican consulates in the U.S. will issue copies of birth certificates registered in Mexico. To obtain certified copies, Mexican nationals should visit the nearest consulate, present an official proof of identity, fill out an application and pay a fee of $13 per certified copy, and, if they have it, provide their Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP).
AILA Media Advocacy Committee Chair Mo Goldman applauds the new policy stating, "This announcement and change in policy comes at a critical juncture for millions of Mexican citizens living in the U.S. that may be eligible for DAPA or DACA."

Read more from ABC News

Attorneys Attend Continuing Legal Education Seminar.

Our attorneys, David F. Vedder, Silvia Manzanero and Daniel C. Ross attended the American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference in Clearwater on October 17-18, 2014.  The Conference was sponsored by the Central Florida Chapter and the attorneys each earned hours of continuing legal education credits.

David F. Vedder, P.A. is committed to our attorneys’ continuing education and provided the attorneys with the resources they needed to attend.

David F. Vedder was tapped as a speaker and presented a topic on L-1A nonimmigrant visas and residency in the EB-13 category (certain multinational executives and managers), in addition to attending sessions on advanced immigration law.

Mr. Vedder wins approval of an I-751 before the Immigration Judge

Mr. Vedder represented Respondent, M. S., before the immigration court in Orlando.  DHS was seeking his removal because CIS denied his joint petition I-751 and placed him in removal proceedings.

At the individual hearing December 31 DHS opposed granting the I-751 and called witnesses to support its position.  Mr. Vedder successfully argued that the operative fact was the original purpose the marriage was entered into and the Government, which had the burden of proof, offered no evidence indicating the parties’ original intent was not bona fide.  The I-751 was granted and proceedings were terminated.

Judge blocks Arizona ID theft law targeting job-seeking immigrants

The LA Times reports that yesterday, a U.S. District Judge in Arizona enjoined the state from enforcing its identity theft laws that penalize undocumented immigrants for seeking employment, finding that the laws are preempted by corresponding federal statutes. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was using these laws to justify worksite raids, more than 80 of which have taken place since the Arizona Legislature passed the law in 2008.

Read more from LA Times

In Miami, deportation fears rise as U.S. revives relations with Havana

While U.S. officials say they have not changed policies barring deportation of most Cubans to the island, those assurances are small comfort for the people in the midst of proceedings or who have final orders of expulsion.

“I became worried the day they ordered me deported,” said Luis, a 73-year-old exile who in the 1960s participated in covert U.S. operations against the Fidel Castro regime. “But now, when the president in the White House wants relations with Cuba, my worries are much deeper.”


Read more from the Miami Herald here