Kreis & Sykes, Pllc

02/21/2017

New DHS rules unfortunately are expanding the government's policies toward detention and removal of immigrants on a vast scale. Kreis & Sykes continues to advise our clients to be vigilant and avoid any actions which could result in a simple citation from police, particularly in more rural areas. Sadly, a simple speeding ticket or a burned out headlight could lead to someone being arrested, detained, and deported from the United States under this new policy.

Under this policy, someone who has been in the United States for 2 years, perhaps even with a U.S. citizen baby and U.S. citizen spouse, could be arrested by police for speeding, detained by immigration, and deported from the United States *without ever having the opportunity to see an immigration judge or have a day in court*. This unfortunate and malevolent policy will no doubt be challenged in the courts, but for now, it is the policy of the U.S. government.

The rules authorize expelling undocumented immigrants who have committed even minor offenses. And they make it easier to deport people immediately.

02/09/2017

"It's free game out there now." - quote from an ICE enforcement officer regarding apprehension and detention of immigrants for offenses as mild as speeding

01/30/2017

It has come to our attention that ICE detainers are being issued for simple traffic offenses.

Kreis & Sykes, PLLC advises all of our clients to check the policies and procedures of local police departments before traveling within the U.S. Traveling through non urban areas appears to pose the greatest risk.

Mayor Strickland and the Memphis Police Department's policy is very clear and was reaffirmed over this past weekend. MPD correctly understands that it is not their job to enforce federal immigration law. Generally, MPD will not contact ICE regarding the immigration status of an arrested person unless the crime committed is of sufficient severity to establish some danger to the community if they are released. Traffic citations, shoplifting, and other similar misdemeanor offenses will often not result in an immigration detainer being placed on someone in MPD custody.

01/28/2017

http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/jan/28/immigration-case-pending-teen-detained-/

This story out of Little Rock marks a major behind the scenes shift on immigration enforcement. The 2014 "enforcement priorities" memorandum has been quietly rescinded. That means *anyone* could now qualify as an "enforcement priority" for ICE, no matter whether they are a non-criminal, a child, a battered woman, an applicant for asylum, or an applicant for permanent residence.

Federal immigration officials in Little Rock on Friday morning detained an 18-year-old woman whose court case as an unaccompanied alien child is pending, indicating a shift in immigration-law enforcement under President Donald Trump's new policy directive, attorneys said.

01/27/2017

We have become aware that immigration has suddenly changed enforcement priorities. We learned today of an 18 year old girl with a pending application and court case who was detained at a check-in appointment with ICE. *Having no criminal record and a pending application was no protection, though it always has been.* If you or someone you know has a check-in with ICE, please beware.

09/15/2016

Hi! Hola     Cazateatro is a cultural and educational non-profit organization with the mission of building bridges between the Latino community and the community at large, primarily in Memphis, Tennessee.    Our activities consist of a great variety of cultural performances, from bilingual pla...

07/29/2016

Spouses of permanent residents may soon be eligible for a 601A waiver!

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a final rule expanding the existing provisional waiver process to allow certain individuals who are family members of U.S. citizens and lawf

07/20/2016

It's moving time, so we will be closed through the weekend. Our phones are still currently operating and they should remain so until Thursday evening. Apologies for any inconvenience. We'll be back up at our new office (with the same phone number) in East Memphis near Poplar and 240 on Monday the 25th.

06/25/2016

We're moving! Starting July 25th, our new address will be 5583 Murray Rd, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38119. We will still be at the Sycamore View office until the 21st of July. Our new office is conveniently located at I240 and Poplar. Our phone number will stay the same.

06/23/2016

What does the Supreme Court's decision mean for you or your loved ones? Read more below.

1) If you already have DACA or will be eligible for DACA under the 2012 provisions (at least 15 years old, student or HS graduate, no substantial criminal record), you will still be eligible to continue with your current status or to apply for DACA for the first time when you turn 15.

2) If you were hoping to apply for DAPA (parent deferred action) or the expanded version of DACA for later arriving students, unfortunately today's ruling will prevent you from applying.

3) If you are a U.S. citizen, now is the time to get out and vote! Only Congress, working with our president, will be able to expand the availability of work permits and other immigration documentation.

The 4-4 tie dealt a sharp blow to an ambitious program that the president had hoped would become one of his central legacies.

04/18/2016

Today is a big day at the Supreme Court. The Justices will hear oral arguments on the challenge to the proposed 2014 expansion of the DACA (deferred action) program. The final decision will not be released today, however, but should come this summer.

The justices will weigh whether president ignored Constitution by sidestepping Congress.

03/25/2016

USCIS is moving to downtown Memphis. The move is currently scheduled to occur this year and will result in USCIS and the Court both being housed in Brinkley Plaza on Monroe.

The Memphis field office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will be taking up the seventh floor in the Downtown Class B building.