Lily S. Axelrod, Immigration Attorney / Abogada de Inmigración

07/02/2021

Proposing Changes to the Department’s Policies on Gender on U.S. Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad - United States Department of State

Good news: the State Department will allow a third gender marking of "X," in addition to male and female gender markings, on US passports.

Buenas noticias: el Departamento de Estado permitirá otra opción de género, la letra "X," además de feminino y masculino, en pasaportes estadounidenses. https://www.state.gov/proposing-changes-to-the-departments-policies-on-gender-on-u-s-passports-and-consular-reports-of-birth-abroad/

The Department of State will be taking further steps toward ensuring the fair treatment of LGBTQI+ U.S. citizens by beginning the process of updating our procedures for the issuance of U.S. Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.

06/22/2021

Town hall held on the ‘State of Race Relations and Policies’ | New Orleans' Multicultural News Source | The Louisiana Weekly

"Another participant in last month’s virtual town hall was Lily Axelrod, an immigration defense attorney in Memphis....

Axelrod echoed Snowden’s belief that modern systems that are inequitable and discriminatory... In this case, she said, the long-established immigration system has resulted in inadequate laws that provide no way for people to seek citizenship legally, depriving them of their political rights despite the fact that those same people contribute greatly to the national economy and culture.

“The laws were not written that way by accident,” Axelrod said. “Our immigration laws are entwined with racist exclusion and racist policing from the start [resulting in] overpolicing in communities of color and then extremely harsh consequences for non-citizens once they're in the courts.”

American society is slowly undergoing positive change toward racial equity and justice, but many more bold actions are needed to solve the institutional challenges facing the country, said panelists in a recent online town hall hosted by the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn.

06/17/2021

Skepticism abounds of Biden moves to reform ICE, immigration courts

I’m quoted in this story about the Biden administration’s new guidelines for prosecutors in immigration (deportation) court. They’re much more generous than Obama’s guidelines, but still leave many people out for no good reason.

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Me citaron en esta historia sobre el nuevo guión de la administración de Biden para los fiscales en las cortes de inmigración (deportación). El guión es mucho más generoso que la política de Obama, pero todavía no ayuda a todos, sin razón.

https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/558640-skepticism-abounds-of-biden-moves-to-reform-ice-immigration-courts

Advocates are expressing skepticism that steps taken by the Biden administration to address the immigration court backlog will have much impact for the more than 1.3 million people waiting to have their cases decided.

06/10/2021

Lily S. Axelrod on Twitter

I'm live-tweeting DHS Secretary Mayorkas' Q&A with the American Immigration Lawyers Association:
https://twitter.com/LilySAxelrod/status/1402987699603001352

“Thread: DHS secretary Mayorkas is about to speak to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and answer questions. I'll live tweet here.”

06/09/2021

TPS y la Corte Supreme - ¿Qué pasó?

Explico la reciente decisión de la Corte Suprema Estadounidense acerca de residencia para personas con TPS.

06/07/2021

AILA - AILA Recognizes Lily S. Axelrod with the 2021 Sam Williamson Mentor Award

This week I'm honored to accept an award for mentoring my colleagues, fellow immigration lawyers. We've all needed to support each other and share information to better serve our clients through these tough years, and I'm touched that my colleagues have recognized my efforts.
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Esta semana tengo el honor de aceptar un galardón por mis esfuerzos ayudando a colegas, otros abogados/as de inmigración. Todos hemos necesitado apoyarnos y compartir información para servir a nuestros clientes durante estos años difíciles. Me conmueve el reconocimiento de mis colegas.

https://www.facebook.com/AILANational/posts/10159139051548632

AILA recognizes Lily S. Axelrod of Memphis, TN, with the 2021 Sam Williamson Mentor Award, in acknowledgment of her outstanding efforts and excellent counsel to immigration attorneys by providing mentoring assistance.

05/27/2021

Reinstating the LIFE Act and Eliminating Entry Bars Would Allow Millions of Immigrants To Stay With Their Families - Center for American Progress

The Center for American Progress cited me in this important piece about the unfair 3/10 year bars which prevent so many folks from being eligible for green cards, and the proposal to improve the system with a new extension of the 245(i) legalization program.
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El Centro Para Progreso Estadounidense me citó en este artículo importante acerca de la injusticia de los castigos de 3 y 10 años que hacen ineligibles tantas personas que quieren residencia, y la necesidad de mejorar el sistema con una extensión del programa de legalización 245(i).

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2021/05/27/500074/reinstating-life-act-eliminating-entry-bars-allow-millions-immigrants-stay-families/

Reinstating the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act or eliminating the three- and 10-year entry bars, or making both changes, would allow many undocumented immigrants to gain legal status.

05/07/2021

‎I Am Attorney Jessica: EP04: Biden's First 100 Days and The Status of Immigration Reform in 2021 - Part 1 on Apple Podcasts

I was honored to appear on a podcast with fellow immigration attorneys and a BIA accredited rep to discuss Biden's first 100 days and immigration reform. A Spanish version should be released soon.

Tuve el honor de participar en un podcast con otros abogados de inmigración y un representante acreditado del BIA para platicar de los primeros 100 días de la presidencia de Biden, y reforma migratoria. Una versión en español debe ser disponible pronto.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep04-bidens-first-100-days-status-immigration-reform/id1560872912?i=1000520664003

‎Show I Am Attorney Jessica, Ep EP04: Biden's First 100 Days and The Status of Immigration Reform in 2021 - Part 1 - May 7, 2021

04/07/2021

The TikTok trend that has immigration lawyers worried

I'm quoted in this important story about deceptive immigration attorney advertising.

"On TikTok, Twitter, and elsewhere, some immigration lawyers have started raising red flags about trends like arreglar sin salir. 'We have a responsibility to do our best and keep each other accountable because the system often won’t,” says Lily Axelrod, an immigration lawyer who recently appeared in a YouTube video debunking assurances that seem too good to be true. “Especially those of us working with survivors who have often been controlled and kept in the dark. And part of the role of the attorney is to make sure that you’re not replicating that dynamic.' ”

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Me citaron en este artículo importante acerca de anuncios de abogados de inmigración:

"En TikTok, Twitter, y otros lugares, algunos abogados de inmigración han alertado contra frases como 'arreglar sin salir.' 'Tenemos una responsabilidad de hacer todo lo posible para hacernos responsable a nosotros mismos, porque el sistema frecuentemente no lo hará,' dice Lily Axelrod, una abogada que recientemente apareció en un video en YouTube desmintiendo garantías que son demasiado buenas para ser ciertas. 'Especialmente los que trabajamos con sobrevivientes que muchas veces han sido controladas y mantenidas desinformadas. Parte del papel del abogado es asegurar que no estamos replicando este dinámica.' "

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/04/the-tiktok-trend-that-has-immigration-lawyers-worried/

Flashy ads promise easy visas and green cards. There's a reason they seem too good to be true.

03/26/2021

I'll be speaking virtually at the University of Memphis this afternoon on one of my favorite topics: the intersection of criminal law and immigration law.
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Voy a hablar en un panel virtual esta tarde en la Universidad de Memphis, presentando acerca de un tema favorita: la intersección de la ley de inmigración con el sistema penal.

03/25/2021

Know a smart law student interested in immigration or federal litigation? We have an immediate opening for a part-time law clerk to assist our team with drafting complaints on major lawsuits challenging State Department visa policy.

This position is entirely remote. We will require a commitment of 10 to 15 hours per week with a flexible schedule, beginning April 5 through May.

Any US law student or recent graduate may apply; 2L or 3L preferred.

Please send a resume and short (1 – 2 page) writing sample to [email protected], with subject line “law clerk.” Your writing sample does not have to be a legal document.

You can read more about our lawsuits in progress at
https://www.visalaw.com/onboarding-mass-litigation-clients/

03/23/2021

Sometimes the government gets it wrong, and we have to fight back! My clients and their previous lawyer did everything right, but the immigration office misunderstood a key foreign document in their case, and denied it without giving them an opportunity to explain. An appeal can be stressful, but I enjoy analyzing the government’s errors and giving my clients a second chance to win.
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¡A veces el gobierno comete errores, y tenemos que pelear! Mis clientes y su abogado previo hicieron todo correctamente, pero la oficina de inmigración no entendió un documento extranjero que fue clave para su caso. Negó el caso sin darles una oportunidad para explicar. Una apelación puede ser estresante, pero me gusta analizar los errores del gobierno y aportar a mis clientes una segunda oportunidad para ganar.

03/20/2021

Happy Nowruz to our friends and clients celebrating today!

03/18/2021

I'm so proud to participate in this lawsuit. Already I'm moved by our plaintiffs' stories -- a gay journalist who cannot return home after coming out, an engaged couple who are both doctors fighting COVID-19, a young child who lost her first pet and wishes her grandfather could be with her to share her grief. We are suing the Department of State for illegally blocking visa processing for hundreds of families and businesses.

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Me da mucho orgullo poder participar en este litigio. Las historias de nuestros clientes ya me han conmovido -- un periodista homosexual que no puede regresar a su país después de declararse, una pareja comprometida de dos doctores peleando COVID-19, una niña que perdió su primer mascota y quiere que su abuelito este presente para compartir su dolor. Estamos demandando al departamento de estado que está ilegalmente bloqueando a estas visas para cientos de familias y empresas.

Can we help get your case un-stuck? Our Immpact litigation team is preparing to sue the State Department again on behalf of applicants in ALL visa categories (family, employment, DV, and humanitarian) whose cases are stuck at the NVC, KCC, or consulate due to the ongoing COVID-19 travel bans. More information including FAQ and the sign-up process are available here: https://www.visalaw.com/regional-travel-ban-schengen-litigation-onboarding-page/

03/10/2021

TPS para Venezuela

¡Por fin, los venezolanos en EEUU calificarán para TPS! Contesto preguntas comunes como:
¿Si ya tengo permiso de trabajo, debo solicitar TPS?
¿Puedo solicitar TPS si tengo doble nacionalidad?
¿Debo solicitar TPS si ya tengo un caso de asilo pendiente?
¿Qué es la diferencia entre DED y TPS?

Nuestro cuestionario gratis para evaluar su elegibilidad para TPS: https://gsiskind.app.law/venezuela-tps-espanol-v2

Para programar una consulta conmigo: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=15226327&appointmentType=7360093

03/10/2021

En menos de una hora, estaré aquí en vivo, contestando sus preguntas frecuentes acerca de TPS para Venezuela:
¿Si ya tengo permiso de trabajo, debo solicitar TPS?
¿Puedo solicitar TPS si tengo doble nacionalidad?
¿Debo solicitar TPS si ya tengo un caso de asilo pendiente?
¿Qué es la diferencia entre DED y TPS?

Por lo mientras, puede utilizar nuestro cuestionario gratis para analizar si Ud. califica para solicitar TPS: https://gsiskind.app.law/venezuela-tps-espanol-v2

03/05/2021

¿Se puede arreglar sin salir? A veces sí, pero ten cuidado.

¿Se puede arreglar sin salir? A veces sí, pero ten cuidado. Muchos abogados en las redes sociales prometen que todos pueden "arreglar sin salir" osea ganar su residencia sin salir del país, a pesar de haber entrado a los EEUU sin permiso. En este video explico que esto a veces es posible, pero hay que tener cuidado con publicidad que no explica cómo funcionan estos tipos de aplicaciones.

03/04/2021

How you REALLY can get your green card without leaving the U.S

[español abajo] Lawyers on social media are saying you can get a green card without leaving the US, even if you entered without permission. This is sometimes possible, but don’t be fooled by overly-simple marketing gimmicks. Here fellow immigration attorney Law Offices of Joshua L. Goldstein, P.C. and I explain what’s really possible, and what’s not. I hope to do a Spanish version of this video shortly - this version has Spanish subtitles available in the settings.

Algunos abogados en los redes sociales dicen que se puede ganar la residencia sin salir de los Estados Unidos, incluso personas que entraron sin permiso. Esto a veces es posible, pero hay que tener cuidado con promesas sencillas. En este video, junto con abogado Joshua Goldstein, explico qué es posible en la realidad, y qué no. Espero publicar una versión en español pronto - este versión está disponible con subtítulos en español.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IplQtA2R70c

ARREGLAR SIN SALIR - Getting your green card without leaving the country“No one should have to go to Juarez to get their green card! I wouldn’t go to Juarez....

03/02/2021

I just had the honor to lead a panel on creative strategies to protect survivors of violent crime, trafficking, and domestic violence in removal (deportation) proceedings, with fellow attorneys Anita Mukherji and David Wilson, for the American Immigration Lawyers Association Mid-Winter Virtual Conference.

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Acabo de tener el honor de dirigir una presentación acerca de estrategias creativas para defender los sobrevivientes de delitos violentos, trata de personas, y violencia doméstica quienes están en procedimientos de deportación, con otros abogados Anita Mukjerji y David Wilson, para la Conferencia Virtual de la Asociación Estadounidense de Abogados de Inmigración.