In the business of deporting people from the United States it seems to me there are two types of officials entrusted to do it. Because the vast amount of people encountered are deportable without any relief available, some officials become so used to deporting people that they zealously pursue any advantage and make any argument to make sure as many of those they encounter end up deported. Others are willing to show humanity and compassion to those who are eligible…

Lawyers depend on referrals. At least this one does. The line, “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” could be referring to my need for referrals as much as to the New Jersey statue. It is also flattering when a peer places his trust in you enough to “send someone over.” My…

In the earlier days of my practice of immigration law, everything seemed possible when it came to helping foreigners to stay in the United States. Waivers were readily available for many grounds of inadmissibility, cases could be reopened based on changed circumstances, appeals could be taken to fight injustices, and laws often changed, either by legislation, regulation, or judicial rulings, to make things easier, not harder, for foreigners. The rules of the game have gotten steadily worse over the years…

Charlie Sheen Charlie Sheen, also known as Carlos Estevez, was convicted by virtue of a no-contest plea to a charge of battery with serious criminal injury on June 10, 1997. He received a sentence of confinement of one-year, which was suspended. If he were a foreigner, he would be deportable on two separate grounds. Firstly, for having committed a crime of domestic violence, INA § 237(a)(2)(E), as he was dating the victim, for which a pardon under INA § 240A(a)…