It is no surprise to many people in Camden County that drug violence in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador has increased in the past five years, but they may be shocked that an estimated two-thirds of all applicants seeking asylum come from these three countries. With an estimated 48,000 people filing for asylum by the end of the year, that could make for approximately 32,000 people from these three countries looking to become permanent residents of the United States.
Varying paths to permanent residency may include asylum
When someone in Essex County says that he or she is a permanent resident what does that mean? While many people in New Jersey may think they have a good idea of what it takes to immigrate to the country and become a permanent resident, they may forget about a large group of individuals who are eligible for green cards: asylum seekers and asylees.
Can immigration reform stop scientists from moving abroad?
The United States government has made it quite clear the country needs to step up its education within science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Not only does the country need to do better at teaching children and young adults these subjects for economic reasons, but also to ensure our national defense. It would only make sense, then, for the government to be actively courting recent graduates from top universities, like Princeton or Rutgers, to stay in the U.S., but some skilled immigrants are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain the visas necessary to remain in the country.
New Jersey man may face deportation after criminal conviction
When an immigrant enters the criminal justice system it is very different from when someone with American citizenship is charged with a crime. Even if charges are dropped or lowered, an immigrant's legal status will immediately be questioned. In addition, his or her past will be looked into and if there is even the slightest problem, he or she could be deported. That is one reason why it is so important for immigrants to work closely with an immigration attorney and a criminal defense attorney when accused of a crime.
Deportation of immigrants is on the rise
Whether immigrants have the legal ability to be in the country or not, they need to be extremely careful not to do anything that may cause immigration officials to look into their statuses. Even if nothing happens, having Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers prying into an individual's life can be extremely stressful. Because the complexities surrounding immigration are too difficult for most people to understand, an investigation could cause someone to wonder if he or she will be deported. With the rise in deportations, it is an understandable concern.
