IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL PENDING
AVOID FRAUD BY CONSULTING AN ATTORNEY
The Senate is considering a sensible immigration reform bill that, when signed by the President, will help legalize millions of immigrants. The House of Representatives will begin debate on this Bill in July and the President has indicated his desire to approve immigration law reform before he leaves office in January.

Avoid being defrauded by non-attorneys with their empty promises; Hill, Piibe & Villegas will keep its website updated with news on the immigration reform laws, and will properly advise people on whether they qualify for benefits. In the meantime, you cannot suspend or terminate your immigration court case to wait for the new laws. Do not wait to file anything – you should act now and file any applications for which you are eligible

TPS FOR SALVADORANS, HONDURANS AND NICARAGUANS EXTENDED FOR 18 MONTHS
The DHS has once again extended TPS status for immigrants from the 3 Central American countries.  For Hondurans and Nicaraguans, TPS currently expires July 7, 2007.  For Salvadorans, TPS currently expires September 9, 2007.  The re-registration period will begin shortly.  Contact Hill, Piibe & Villegas to start the process.

IF YOU HAVE TPS, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A GREENCARD
If you are being petitioned by a U.S. citizen spouse, parent or child, and you were told that you had to leave the U.S. to get your green card, then good news!  You may be able to apply for permanent residency here in the U.S. without the dangers of leaving the country!  Contact Hill, Piibe & Villegas to start the process.

SALVADORANS WITH ASYLUM CASES PENDING
You should apply for late TPS immediately to maximize potential benefits!

USCIS PROPOSES SIGNIFICANT FEE INCREASES  GET YOUR APPLICATIONS IN NOW!!!!
On February 1, 2007 the Immigration Service proposed huge increases in fees for applications– some as much as $300 extra!  Applications that will be affected include family petitions, labor petitions, naturalization, and other many common benefits.  The earliest that this hike could take place is June 1, 2007, so get your applications in NOW to avoid these huge fees!

CRIMINAL LAW & IMMIGRATION
Too often, an old criminal conviction prevents a good person from legalizing.  If you have been told “there’s nothing you can do,” you got the wrong advice.  Hill, Piibe & Villegas has had many successes in getting convictions reduced or vacated and thus saving an immigration case.
Special Note: Partner Veronica S. Villegas, a former INS prosecutor, led a workshop for the Latina Lawyers Bar Association.  The workshop focused on saving individuals with criminal convictions from deportation.

RECENT SUCCESS STORIES!
In the last months, the following victories occurred:
Pro Bono Asylum appeal from Liberia - Attorney Susan Hill supervised students in UCLA’s Asylum Law Clinic in winning asylum for a young Liberian man, even though conditions in that country are generally considered to be safe nowadays.
Notary Fraud - notary’s error on asylum application was not held against client in Court removal proceedings.
Cancellation of Removal - nine cases have been won/ reopened for new evidence.
Termination of Removal Proceedings - based on technicality of client’s criminal conviction .
Asylum from Guatemala - based on sexual orientation.
PERM Labor Cases - three cases granted, with two being granted in less than 25 days.
Asylum from Armenia - appeal overturned Judge’s finding that client was untruthful.
Adjustment/Green Card - five cases granted
Termination of Removal Proceedings - to allow client to pursue green card application outside of court
Asylum from Ethiopia/Eritrea - new hearing granted based on faulty transcript
Expedited diversity lottery/adjustment in court - case expedited due to prior outstanding removal order in 2003
Motion to Reopen - Judge granted reopening where prior attorney failed to file appeal on time
Dismissed Drug Case - Criminal Judge agreed to overturn 1984 drug case and the prosecutor agreed to dismiss.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ATTORNEYS
Visit our website, www.hillpvlaw.com, and click on the Attorney Profiles section for information about our experienced attorneys.  General information on immigration law is available on the website as well.