Cruz Law, PLLC

Dedicated representation, personal service and quality results

New Immigration Policy Grants Deferred Action to Certain Individuals

The Department of Homeland Security announced that a certain class of young illegal immigrants will no longer be facing deportation.  The new policy will allow this class of individuals work permits and they will no longer face the fear of removal proceedings.

The new policy pertains to those under the age of 30 who have been in the United States before the age of 16 and have lived in the United States for 5 years. In addition, the individuals must also have no criminal record and have a high school diploma or served in the military.

The new policy is being done under Executive Order by President Obama and is not new legislation.  It does not provide for citizenship or permanent legal status.  It does grant the individual the opportunity to apply for a two-year “deferred action” which may be renewed.  It removes the threat of deportation for up to two years.

Individuals that would receive this status would be eligible to apply for valid work authorization.

Although this rule is effect immediately, USCIS and ICE anticipate implementation of the application processes to be within sixty days. In the meantime, for more information on the new policy, see USCIS’s website (at www.uscis.gov), ICE’s website (at www.ice.gov), or DHS’s website (at www.dhs.gov). Beginning June 18, 2012, you can also call USCIS’ hotline at 1-800-375-5283 or ICE’s hotline at 1-888-351-4024 regarding the process.

Be Wary of Foreclosure Predators

The other day one of my clients in the midst of foreclosure received a call from someone claiming to be with “Trustee Services.”  They noted that her house was up for sale and told her that they could help her.  Knowing that she was already represented by an attorney, she grew skeptical and gave me a call immediately.

Following up on this call, it turns out that the “Trustee” was nothing more than a third party agency based out of New York.  They were a private company looking to capitalize on my client with a “guarantee” that it could stop the foreclosure process.  It wasn’t clear whether they were attorneys or not.  Luckily, my client was smart enough to avoid this trap.

The “Trustee” was able to find out that my client was in foreclosure as there are web sites which reveal when trustee sales take place.  Unfortunately, these sites are used by vultures wishing to prey on homeowners fighting to stay in their home.

Foreclosure is a stressful time and many homeowners fall prey to third parties that will talk of guarantees and acting in their best interest.  Yet, most of these companies are only seeking to make a quick buck leaving the homeowner with the same problems.

In Washington, the Foreclosure Fairness Program helps homeowners behind in their mortgage payments to have a fair shot at getting back to even.  Only an attorney or a qualified housing counselor can refer a homeowner to this and its mediation program.  The program is state run through the Washington State Department of Commerce.

If you are in the foreclosure process, you should consult with a housing counselor or an attorney familiar with the Foreclosure Fairness Program.

USCIS accepting H-1B Visa’s for 2013

On April 2, 2012, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting petitions for H-1B nonimmigrant visas for Fiscal Year 2013.  The USCIS has already received 17,400 H-1B applications toward the annual cap of 65,000.  It has also received 8,200 petitions toward the 20,000 cap for exempt applicants with advanced degrees.

Last year, the H-1B visa cap was not met until November 22, 2011.  However, early filing projections suggest bigger volumes and that the cap may be met sooner than last year.

[Read more…]

New information on home sales and foreclosure

Seattle Bubble reports on the latest Foreclosure numbers for March and it appears that there is a surge.

While it appears that home sales are up 6% from last March in King County and down in Snohomish County.  In both counties, the number of Foreclosures (measured by the Notices of Trustee Sales) has risen during the month of March 2012 compared to February 2012.

For those going through Foreclosure or the Pre-Foreclosure process, the state of Washington has a mediation program for which homeowners may qualify.