Torres Law Firm

02/02/2021

FACT SHEET: President Biden Outlines Steps to Reform Our Immigration System by Keeping Families Together, Addressing the Root Causes of Irregular Migration, and Streamlining the Legal Immigration System | The White House

White House Fact Sheet on Immigration policy changes coming out at 5:00 today. This is ALL good news. It includes agency review of the Trump Administration Public Charge Rule which created the absurdly long and burdensome Form I-944 for adjustment of status cases. We look forward to that ridiculous, inefficient Form I-944 being a thing of the past! https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/02/02/fact-sheet-president-biden-outlines-steps-to-reform-our-immigration-system-by-keeping-families-together-addressing-the-root-causes-of-irregular-migration-and-streamlining-the-legal-immigration-syst/

Biden-Harris Administration Forms Family Reunification Task Force and Issues Executive Orders on Regional Migration and Legal Immigration On January 20th, the Biden Harris Administration took the first steps in a broad, whole of government effort to finally reform our immigration system, including s...

01/22/2021

‘We can breathe:’ Biden immigration plans could affect SC immigrants

Attorney Marco Torres on Live 5 News discussing President Biden's Executive Actions and proposed immigration bill
https://www.live5news.com/2021/01/22/we-can-breathe-biden-immigration-plans-could-impact-sc-immigrants/

President Joe Biden has already signed dozens of executive orders including some that could impact immigrants all around the country.

01/21/2021

Preserving and Fortifying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) | The White House

President Biden's executive order yesterday pledging to Preserve and Fortify the DACA program.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/preserving-and-fortifying-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-daca/

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:

01/20/2021

FACT SHEET: President Biden Sends Immigration Bill to Congress as Part of His Commitment to Modernize our Immigration System | President-Elect Joe Biden

See below link for overview of Immigration Bill President Biden Plans to send to Congress today! This has the potential to bring much needed change and improvement to our immigration system. But.... its got to get through Congress first! https://buildbackbetter.gov/press-releases/fact-sheet-president-biden-sends-immigration-bill-to-congress-as-part-of-his-commitment-to-modernize-our-immigration-system/?fbclid=IwAR1AssUi0SfXwmTQU1gfrASLWU6Aac-g_d2bPuawPs4yhLr2rzF5lsqkYaM

January 20, 2021Press Releases FACT SHEET: President Biden Sends Immigration Bill to Congress as Part of His Commitment to Modernize our Immigration System The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 establishes a new system to responsibly manage and secure our border, keep our families and communities safe, a...

01/19/2021

Biden to propose overhaul of immigration laws on first day in office

It looks like its going to be an eventful week in the Immigration Law world! We will post updates here as we see the Executive Orders come through later this week. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-immigration-plan/2021/01/18/f0526824-59a8-11eb-a976-bad6431e03e2_story.html?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2XRmWoqYiWnC3A2DLg3wRtZxJ1mKwRDTQOt67Z7Io6z4rPCrot6_7bCvo

The effort would allow millions of immigrants here to start on a path to citizenship and expand refugee admissions as well as deploy technology to guard the border.

12/08/2020

Update: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

USCIS has (finally!) announced it will start accepting NEW, FIRST TIME DACA APPLICATIONS! Also - DACA renewals returned to 2 year time period. Call 843-720-3732 for an appointment if you would like help with an initial DACA application!

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/12/07/update-deferred-action-childhood-arrivals?fbclid=IwAR1A3470bsg1GKkPHRcdk0t9UH_TVqnc0oEQLli6zyvUZ-J6AEkPHidh3Oo

On November 14, 2020, Judge Nicholas George Garaufis of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York issued an opinion regarding the July 28, 2020 memorandum signed by Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf. On December 4, 2020, Judge Garaufis required the Department of Homeland Security to r...

12/07/2020

A Federal Court in NY ruled on Friday that USCIS must start accepting new INTIAL DACA applications. We are waiting to see what happens next, will the Trump administration appeal? Or will they do what the Federal Judge ordered them to do and update their website to state they are taking new applications? Stay tuned here for updates. When USCIS starts accepting new applications we will post an update... This judge also ordered USCIS to reinstate DACA renewals to TWO years rather than the one year, but again, we have to see if an appeal is filed to see what happens next.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/04/us/daca-reinstated.html?searchResultPosition=1

11/09/2020

The Biden Plan for Securing Our Values as a Nation of Immigrants | Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website

Lots of questions coming in today about what the Biden win means for Immigration... here is a link to Biden's website about his policy goals for immigration. Big changes we anticipate after Jan 20th include: restoration of TPS, end of the new and burdensome public charge policy, and continued protections for DACA recipients. https://joebiden.com/immigration/?fbclid=IwAR27XfWxrAEKxrqGuBbKVQVvAAIafZ-DKk8kRN57EuPux09-igmnrOV7oNY

It is a moral failing and a national shame when a father and his baby daughter drown seeking our shores. When children are locked away in overcrowded detention centers and the government seeks to keep them there indefinitely. When our government argues in court against giving those children toothbru...

09/23/2020

It was an honor to be with this client at his citizenship interview and swearing in ceremony today in Charleston! He has been our client since staring his Legal Permanent Resident application and it was a very happy moment to be able share the citizenship ceremony with him today!! (Yes, we wore matching outfits..)

09/04/2020

A reminder to anyone who is considering applying for immigration benefits that USCIS will be dramatically increasing the application fees for many important benefits on October 2, 2020. For example, the application fees for citizenship applications will rise by 83%, as will application fees for work authorization cards. Therefore, if you, a family member, or a friend is eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, permanent residency (a green card), or need to renew or apply for a work permit, do it before October 2nd and save a significant amount of money.
Un recordatorio para aquel que esté considerando solicitar beneficios de inmigración, que USCIS aumentará drásticamente las tarifas de procesamiento para muchos beneficios importantes a partir del 2 de octubre del 2020. Por ejemplo, la tarifa de procesamiento para la solicitud de ciudadanía aumentará un 83%, y también aumentarán las tarifas de procesamiento para permisos de trabajo. Por consiguiente, si usted, un familiar, o un amigo es elegible para solicitar la ciudadanía estadounidense, residencia permanente (tarjeta verde), o necesita renovar o aplicar por un permiso de trabajo, hágalo antes del 2 de octubre y ahorre una significativa cantidad de dinero.

08/24/2020

USCIS Implements DHS Guidance on DACA

USCIS formalizes new DACA policy. One year renewals only. Renewals need to filed between 120 and 150 days (4-5 months) before expiration date. No AP unless extreme circumstances like needing to help with the medical care of a parent or child in the home country. https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-implements-dhs-guidance-on-daca?fbclid=IwAR3jj0wg9ET-9wx2sczFxMaby_fsEv0sj4YniUP1832bBnnla9D8V8KD17c

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today provided guidance on how it will implement Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf’s July 28 memorandum regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.

08/17/2020

Over the weekend we got A BUNCH of Biometrics appointment notices for pending applications... FINALLY! We are glad they are scheduling these fingerprint appointments again at the Charleston Application Service Center and this will get applications that were on hold during the COVID shutdown moving forward!

08/11/2020

The Torres Law Firm is helping to sponsor this upcoming event for free COVID-19 testing on August 15th on John's Island- spread the word! https://www.facebook.com/EnNuestroEstado/photos/a.643126536161050/943134169493617/?type=3&theater

#COMPARTE: Pruebas GRATIS de COVID-19 el próximo 15 de Agosto en:
Haut Gap Middle School
1861 Bohicket Rd.,
Johns Island, SC 29455

También estaremos distribuyendo:
- Mascarillas
- Desinfectante de manos
- Papel Higiénico
- Pañuelos desechables
- Unas cuantas verduras

Este evento sera estilo drive-thru (servicio de ventanilla).
Se sugiere que traiga una identificación de cualquier país, pero no es requisito. Solo ocupamos escribir bien su nombre.

08/06/2020

This week we received two AOS interview notices for the Charleston USCIS Field Office that are rescheduling March 2020 AOS interviews that were cancelled due to the USCIS Covid closures. This is good news and we are glad the local office has been able to restart these interviews!
In other news, I got tired of using law-related photos for posts. So, here is the newest member of the Torres family... Moonlight the kitten.

07/31/2020

La Isla Magazine

Attorney Marco Torres discussing the DACA events that happened this week.

#Daca con el Abogado de inmigración Marco Torres Torres Law Firm 8437203732

07/30/2020

Tune in to Facebook Live Friday July 31st around 8:30 AM to hear attorney Marco Torres discussing the DACA developments this week with La Isla Magazine.
Mire en Facebook en vivo el viernes 31 de julio alrededor de las 8:30 a.m. para escuchar al abogado Marco Torres discutir los desarrollos de DACA esta semana con La Isla Magazine.

07/30/2020

DACA UPDATE:
On July 28, 2020 DHS issued a memo stating USCIS would REJECT any initial DACA applications and would limit any future DACA renewals to one year (rather than two).
So, for the time being, NO NEW DACA applications can be filed. Pending DACA Renewal Applications and future renewals limited to one year. Look for more federal lawsuits to be filed against USCIS in the near future and this likely will change YET AGAIN in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

ACTUALIZACIÓN DE DACA:
El 28 de julio de 2020, el Jefe interino del DHS emitió un memorando que USCIS rechazaría cualquier solicitud inicial de DACA y limitaría cualquier renovación futura de DACA a un año (en lugar de dos).
Por lo tanto, por el momento, NO se pueden presentar NUEVAS solicitudes de DACA. Las solicitudes de renovación de DACA pendientes y las futuras renovaciones están limitadas a un año. Busque más demandas federales contra el USCIS en el futuro cercano y esto probablemente cambiará DE NUEVO en las próximas semanas, ¡así que esté atento!

07/21/2020

DACA UPDATE!
After the Federal Court order on Friday instructing USCIS to accept initial DACA Applications, our office will be moving forward with preparing and filing initial DACA applications this week. If you have questions about whether you qualify for DACA, and would like to set up a phone or video consult with one of our attorneys to discuss DACA and get ready to apply, call us at 843-720-3732 or email our legal assistant Samantha at [email protected].
¡ACTUALIZACIÓN DE DACA!
Después de que el viernes la orden del Tribunal Federal ordenara al USCIS que aceptara las solicitudes iniciales de DACA, nuestra oficina continuará con la preparación y presentación de las solicitudes iniciales de DACA esta semana. Si tiene preguntas sobre si califica para DACA, y desea configurar un teléfono o video, consulte con uno de nuestros abogados para hablar sobre DACA y prepararse para presentar una solicitud, llámenos al 843-720-3732 o envíe un correo electrónico a nuestra asistente legal Samantha en [email protected].

07/18/2020

Federal Court Orders Trump Administration To Accept New DACA Applications

DACA Update! TODAY a Federal Court ordered USCIS to follow the US Supreme Court's recent DACA decision and start accepting new DACA applications. We anxiously await the update to USCIS's website for first time DACA filing specifics... if you are working on getting your documents together for a first time DACA applications, keep pushing forward and call us with questions! We will continue to post updates here.
https://www.npr.org/2020/07/17/892413311/federal-court-orders-trump-administration-to-accept-new-daca-applications

The U.S. District Court in Maryland orders the Trump administration to restore DACA fully and begin accepting new, first-time applicants.

07/01/2020

Here is Kelly (safely) taking care of business today at our patio table! We never thought we would use this cement table so much but it’s a great place for outdoor meetings to sign documents. Call us if you are ready to start an application! We are here and ready to help you move forward (safely!)

06/23/2020

Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak | The White House

Well... its another "feeling angry" post from the Torres Law Firm. Trump's "Proclamation" suspending many types of immigration has been extended through Dec. 31, 2020 and expanded to most types of employment based visas. Again, this does NOT impact the spouses and children of US Citizens, but does impact just about every other category of family and employment related immigration. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-aliens-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-following-coronavirus-outbreak/?fbclid=IwAR1-3SjLfhWI33kAmAsch1fFEdQC3-f7oyVQRjKtZJlcwx1hxo-uoMwJYJI

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has significantly disrupted Americans' livelihoods. Since March 2020, United States businesses and their workers hav

06/20/2020

USCIS Statement on Supreme Court’s DACA Decision

USCIS posted this ABSURD statement yesterday which indicates they disagree with the U.S. Supreme Court's DACA Decision this week! It is not the job of USCIS to agree or disagree, but to administer the laws as they exist, and Thursday, the US Supreme Court said that DACA exists. We are doing consults to screen individuals who want to file initial DACA applications and providing document checklists to help people get prepared to file, but at this moment we do not have clarification from USCIS about WHEN or IF we will be able to file initial DACA applications, and yesterday's statement is creating a lot of questions. https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-statement-supreme-courts-daca-decision?fbclid=IwAR3zENNobofIkdpmTME4VXH978sLY3eDG51dKSpXnHjKkMzhpXA9g-3Jfj4

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Deputy Director for Policy Joseph Edlow issued the following statement on today’s Supreme Court decision on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals progr

06/18/2020

Supreme Court rules Trump cannot end DACA in big win for ‘Dreamer’ legal immigrants

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-rules-trump-cannot-end-daca-big-win-dreamer-n1115116

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration cannot carry out its plan to shut down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which has allowed nearly 800,000 young people, known as "Dreamers," to avoid deportation and remain in the U.S.

06/13/2020

The Charleston USCIS Field Office reopened on June 4th... just a little tiny bit. They will be scheduling individual naturalization oath ceremonies in the coming weeks, and handling individual Infopass appointments made through the USCIS Customer Service number. We have not yet seen any notices for Adjustment of Status interviews.... but we anticipate they will be resuming interviews later this month. Keep an eye your mailbox AND your phone if you had an interview that was cancelled due to COVID-19. They will likely call and mail a notice to reschedule you.

06/04/2020

La Isla Magazine

https://www.facebook.com/LaIslaMagazine/videos/281582293034548/

En entrevista con Marco Torres de Torres Law Firm Abogado de #Inmigración, #criminal #DACA analizando la situación durante el #COVID19 sí tiene una consulta llama a 8437203732

04/28/2020

USCIS Response to COVID-19

USCIS in-person interview and biometrics update: USCIS announces it will remained closed for in-person appointments until "at least June 4, 2020" However, USCIS continues to accept new applications and also to process DACA and other EAD renewals quickly, so reach out to us if you need help with filing an application, or a DACA or EAD renewal!
https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-response-covid-19

On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended routine in-person services to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS plans to begin reopening our offices