Family Litigation Articles

SGG Wins Cases Appealed to Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Advocating for Mentally Incompetent’s Right to Appointed Counsel https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Seal_of_the_United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Ninth_Circuit.svg_.png 1200 1197 Taiyyeba Safri Skomra Taiyyeba Safri Skomra https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4e6c8bb0d0b258b56e2b10f6d2b487e6?s=96&d=mm&r=g January 8, 2018 June 4, 2019

Taiyyeba Safri Skomra
January 8, 2018

SGG Wins Cases Appealed to Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Advocating for Mentally Incompetent’s Right to Appointed Counsel

In January 2017, SGG accepted two cases from the Ninth Circuit’s pro bono program involving detainees whose mental competency to represent themselves in immigration proceedings was in question. SGG Attorneys Amy Lenhert, Helen A. Sklar, and Taiyyeba Skomra worked together on these cases, and we are pleased to report that we won both. After…

Not A U.S. Citizen? Just Say No To Even “Legal” Marijuana. https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/marijuana-3065621_960_720.jpg 960 599 Andrew Grzegorek Andrew Grzegorek https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/04e1b23b6e5b9057556a3c6cabe3c843?s=96&d=mm&r=g January 8, 2018 June 4, 2019

Andrew Grzegorek
January 8, 2018

Not A U.S. Citizen? Just Say No To Even “Legal” Marijuana.

On January 1, 2018, the State of California officially legalized the recreational use of marijuana under Prop 64. The recreational use of marijuana is now legal in the District of Columbia, California, Alaska, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Maine, and Massachusetts. Another 21 states have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. However, federal law…

Waiver of Crimes Keeps Military Family Together https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/army-958204_1920.jpg 1920 1416 Andrew Grzegorek Andrew Grzegorek https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/04e1b23b6e5b9057556a3c6cabe3c843?s=96&d=mm&r=g December 7, 2017 June 4, 2019

Andrew Grzegorek
December 7, 2017

Waiver of Crimes Keeps Military Family Together

“Timothy” and “Jean,” a same-sex couple, came to SGG for help with obtaining permanent residency for Jean. Jean is a successful scientist who had petty theft convictions that were committed over a decade ago. Because of these convictions, he was found to be “inadmissible,” unable to remain in the United States and obtain lawful permanent residency…

Bond Hearings: The Detainee’s Financial Ability to Pay https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Seal_of_the_United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Ninth_Circuit.svg_.png 1200 1197 Taiyyeba Safri Skomra Taiyyeba Safri Skomra https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4e6c8bb0d0b258b56e2b10f6d2b487e6?s=96&d=mm&r=g December 7, 2017 June 4, 2019

Taiyyeba Safri Skomra
December 7, 2017

Bond Hearings: The Detainee’s Financial Ability to Pay

When a foreign national is detained by Immigration & Customs Enforcement, the detainee normally may request a bond hearing before an immigration judge in Immigration Court. The judge may grant bond if the person is not subject to mandatory detention. Mandatory detention applies to people with certain crimes or who are applying for admission at…

SGG Wins Appeal for Abused Spouse https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/SGG_logo.jpg 316 403 Andrew Grzegorek Andrew Grzegorek https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/04e1b23b6e5b9057556a3c6cabe3c843?s=96&d=mm&r=g December 7, 2017 June 4, 2019

Andrew Grzegorek
December 7, 2017

SGG Wins Appeal for Abused Spouse

“Rebecca” is a Canadian national who came to SGG for help after her marriage-based green card case was referred to the Fraud Unit (FDNS) for investigation of her marriage. FDNS conducted two surprise home raids after Rebecca and her husband’s green card interview, suspecting that her marriage was not real but was entered into for…

Pro Bono Win Helps Family of U.S. Army Veteran https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/uscis_data_on_application_and_petition_processing_times_feature.jpg 1000 559 Andrew Grzegorek Andrew Grzegorek https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/04e1b23b6e5b9057556a3c6cabe3c843?s=96&d=mm&r=g December 7, 2017 June 4, 2019

Andrew Grzegorek
December 7, 2017

Pro Bono Win Helps Family of U.S. Army Veteran

At one of the many legal clinics SGG presents in immigrant communities, SGG attorneys met “Clara,” who had entered the United States without inspection as a teenager in the late 1980s. She had married a U.S. citizen, “Dave,” in 2008 and they wanted to know how she could obtain permanent resident status based on their…

Urban Rock “n” Roll and O-1 Visas https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/pexels-photo-96380.jpeg 1125 750 Helen A. Sklar Helen A. Sklar https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a76e9a2a354e70a9b491efb865885c18?s=96&d=mm&r=g December 7, 2017 June 4, 2019

Helen A. Sklar
December 7, 2017

Urban Rock “n” Roll and O-1 Visas

Through several visa categories, U.S. law recognizes the important contributions made by individuals who possess extraordinary ability in arts. Within these categories, sponsors may petition to bring musicians who possess the requisite ability to perform on American stages. Due to the enriching effect of cultural engagement with such musicians, we at SGG are especially proud…