The Law Offices of Melissa Gawelek and team

04/13/2022

Congratulations to our client who just got his learner’s permit! Sometimes parts of my job are really fun! But I shouldn’t have had to get involved. Hey Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, stop discriminating against refugees and honor their I-94s regardless of the year they were issued. A court has already ordered you to do so. https://www.ablelaw.org/news-resources/posts/2020/july/refugees-court-victory-will-ensure-equal-access-to-ohio-drivers-licenses/

Read Cmty. Refugee & Immigration Servs. v. Registrar, Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Case No. 2:18-cv-1189, see flags on bad law, and search Casetext’s comprehensive legal database

02/10/2022

“The Biden administration has lifted most of its visa sanctions on Laos, marking a significant step for thousands of Southeast Asian Americans, many of them refugees, and their families in the immigration process, experts say.

The development, announced Monday, ends a Trump-era immigration ban that effectively halted the issuing of any travel or immigrant visas to people in Laos. The sanctions, largely seen as a retaliatory measure used to pressure Laos into accepting more deportees, could reunite some 2,000 people with loved ones.”

The measure is a "great first step to undo some of the harm that’s been done by the Trump administration," Kham Moua, of the nonprofit Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, said.

01/11/2022

Super excited to announce my selection as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in immigration for 2022!

05/06/2021

It’s been a very busy few months, but the highlight is that I’ve handed out four green cards this week. A big thank you to one family for this absolutely stunning forever rose and the lovely sweets from Jordan we will enjoy sharing. Congratulations, everyone!

03/09/2021

TPS for Venezuelans has been passed. Call our office to schedule a consultation if you think you may qualify.

President Joe Biden gave thousands of Venezuelans in the U.S. the chance to apply for Temporary Protected Status.

09/16/2020

This isn’t my first rodeo and we have what it takes. I sign my emails with “in your corner” and I mean it. An actual thing I said to my client yesterday: “No ethical lawyer can truly tell you what is going to happen, but we’re here for you, no matter what. You’ve hired a lawyer who cares and who worries about you possibly just as much as you do.” We haven’t updated social media in a while or sent out beautiful newsletters like I would love to, but we’re here. Call for a consult if you’re looking for lawyers like us. (216) 307 7789

In your corner, Melissa. ❤️🙏🏻

PS. The receptionist team se habla espanol and Kalpana speaks Nepali.

08/14/2020

The federal agency tasked with offering green cards and visas plans to furlough about two-thirds of its workers at the end of the month.

07/14/2020

Breaking News

A federal judge is expected to hear arguments Tuesday in a lawsuit challenging a new Trump administration policy requiring international students to transfer schools or leave the country if their colleges hold classes entirely online this fall amid the pandemic.

06/19/2020

Hey everybody!

I'm just taking a quick moment to say congratulations to all of those who have been advocating and fighting for . This morning, the Supreme Court issued a decision in favor of DACA, finding that the Trump administration failed to adequately abide by the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act and therefore it appears that those of you who currently have DACA may continue to renew it.
We believe that this also means that new applications can go forward, though we're asking that you give us a couple of days to continue to digest this information and get more guidance on how that's going to be rolled out. So we recommend that you begin preparing documents and locate an experienced immigration attorney who is licensed. And again, congratulations to DACA recipients and their families on this win today!

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Hola a todos, felicitaciones a  los que han estado defendiendo y luchando por el programa DACA.
La Corte Suprema dictó la decisión a favor de Daca y constató, que la Administración Trump no cumplía adecuadamente las disposiciones y procedimientos administrativos. Por lo tanto, los que actualmente tienen DACA pueden seguir renovando. Creemos que esto también significa que las nuevas aplicaciones pueden avanzar, aunque pedimos que nos den un par de días para seguir estudiando y obtener más orientación sobre cómo se va a llevar a cabo. Recomendamos  preparar los documentos y encuentrar a un abogado de inmigración con experiencia. Una vez más, felicitaciones a los beneficiarios y a sus familias por esta victoria.

06/02/2020

We stand united with our Black clients and their families. We’re listening.