Yuma Legal Blog

Because Arizona is one of the states that shares a border with Mexico, residents in Arizona often feel directly impacted by any government decision or action that impacts immigrants, especially those who come into the United States from Mexico or other Central American countries.

The ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government is the latest action to have a direct impact on people as all immigration courts are closed until the government shutdown ends or some other resolution is achieved. One exception to this is the processing of visas. This will still be allowed as this is a process which generates income and, therefore, it is allowed to continue.

It is no secret that the current political climate in the United States may make it seem more difficult than ever before to find employment as a non-citizen. If you are an international student graduating from a U.S. college or university and are seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) status, you may be anxiously searching for companies that would be open to interviewing you. Although it may feel like all hope is lost, applying a good strategy can help maximize the effectiveness of your job search. Consider the following suggestions:

Many in Yuma may hear the word "refugee" and immediately envision hordes of impoverished people crowded into planes or on boats rapidly embarking on precarious journeys away from their countries of origin. While many in this scenario may fit the definition of a refugee, the definition itself is not limited to one's socioeconomic status. In reality, people from all walks of life can become refugees, and their status in the United States in protected by the principle of asylum.

How does one qualify to be classified as a refugee? According to the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, a refugee is one who is outside of their country of origin and is unwilling to return to (or avail themselves of the protection of) said country for fear of persecution due to any of the following:

• Race
• Religion
• Nationality
• Political opinion
• Association with any particular social group

Obtaining permanent residency in the U.S. can be a long, drawn-out process, yet one that many in Yuma may be willing to undertake in order to protect their immigration status. Compliance to immigration rules and regulations during this process may be vital to ensuring its success, as any infractions (no matter how major or minor they may be perceived to be) can place the outcome in doubt. Once one does have negative elements on their record, they may be closer to being deported than they are securing legal resident status. 

Being accused of criminal activity might easily derail one's attempt to remain in the U.S. Indeed, several men were cited for immigration violations in conjunction with a drug arrest that took place near Yuma. The incident began when border patrol agents ordered the inspection of a car stopped at an immigration checkpoint that they suspected was carrying drugs. Their suspicions were verified when over 30 pounds of crystal meth was found in the vehicle. The five men in the car were arrested and now face drug charges. Of the five, only one (a man from Mesa) was reported to be in the U.S. legally.