OUTCOME: Deportation Proceedings terminated and client obtained Permanent Residence
Client's Adjustment of Status and Waiver for fraud in entering the country was denied prior to my taking the case. Client subsequently ordered deported based upon denial of fraud waiver and overstay. ... I won the appeal to the Board because qualifying hardship was to a different family member with different adverse circumstance in her life than client's first wife. I filed a second I-130 spouse petition, USCIS denied it. USCIS suddenly changed its mind after reading the appeal and approved the petition. Client then filed a second fraud waiver in Immigration Court based on marriage to his second U.S. Citizen wife. Waiver and Adjustment of Status approved by Immigration Judge approximately 5 years after client's initial denial.
Criminal defense
State of Georgia vs. JM
Oct 05, 2010
OUTCOME: All charges dismissed
Client accused of contributing to the delinquency of minor, driving without a license in Clayton County, Georgia. I filed a demurrer and argued that "truancy" is not found in criminal code of Georgia a...nd thus cannot be the necessary element for prosecution for 'contributing to the delinquency of a minor.' Prosecutor reluctantly agreed.
Immigration
BRG vs SKINNER, U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
May 18, 2010
OUTCOME: Client released from ICE custody and given 4 work permits despite valid order of removal.
Client entered the U.S. illegally from Latin America, was caught at the border and allowed to go live with his mother. The Immigration Judge in Atlanta gave him 120 days to leave the country voluntari...ly in 2005, which became a deportation order when he did not leave. Client's family came to me in 2010 to seek my assistance to allow client to finish high school because client was arrested by Cobb County Police for a minor traffic violation. I wrote an "exhaustion of administrative remedies" letter asking that he be released from DHS' custody only to finish high school. In the "exhaustion of administrative remedies" letter I threatened habeas corpus case in Federal Court if ICE would not comply. As usual, ICE ignored the letter. Family then hired me on a Friday morning to file a writ of Habeas Corpus, challenging the legality of the stop of the vehicle which led to client's detention in the Stewart Detention Center by ICE. I alleged racial profiling based on 2 facts that were presented to me. Upon filing a hasty Habeas Corpus petition, Federal judge agreed that the stop may have been tainted by racial profiling and immediately halted deportation less than 2 hours before client's scheduled deportation flight. After granting habeas petition, Federal judge ordered a hearing on racial profiling facts but U.S. Attorney instead filed a motion to dismiss . The Obama Administration eventually intervened in the litigation, released him from the detention center, and gave him a 1 year work permit. Client has since received 2 more work permits under the precursor to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ("DACA"). Client now enjoys the privilege to stay in the U.S. with a work permit under the formal DACA program for 2 more years.
Workers compensation
MS v. Employer
Aug 01, 2008
OUTCOME: Case settled for more than $321,000.
Client lost arm in factory accident. Client benefited from complete wage, benefits and rehabilitation, including prostheses and psychologist. Case eventually mediated
Criminal defense
Rollins v. State, Georgia Supreme Court, 2000
Jun 01, 2000
OUTCOME: Client eventually obtained green card
Acted as co-counsel in Georgia Supreme Court and consultant to case which first established principle in Georgia that misrepresentation of immigration consequences of plea of guilty to criminal defenda...nt amounted to ineffective assistance of counsel under Sixth Amendment to US Constitution. Case has helped hundreds avoid deportation consequences of bad immigration advice by criminal lawyers
Immigration
Anonymous asylum case from Afghanistan
Mar 02, 1998
OUTCOME: Client obtained green card
Client was granted asylum in 1989 by Immigration Judge (I.J.). Former INS, now ICE, appealed. By time appeal was decided, Communist Government was overthrown. On remand, client attempted to apply for a...sylum based upon religious persecution. IJ disallowed application, ordered client deported. More than nine years after case started, client granted asylum by Board of Immigration Appeals based on severity of past persecution.
