Chapter chair Laura Kelley was part of a delegation of immigration attorneys representing the South Florida chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) who traveled to Tallahassee to promote positive reforms in state immigration laws.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) celebrated its 45th Annual South Florida Immigration Law Update on February 8th, 2024.

The USCIS fee schedule, effective April 1, 2024, introduces significant changes to various immigration and naturalization filing fees. Notably, the fees for some applications have increased substantially, while a few have decreased. For example, the fee for Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) has increased notably. On the other hand, the fee for Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) has decreased. It is important for clients to be aware of these changes, as they may significantly impact the cost of their immigration process. Urging clients to file applications before the new fees take effect could be beneficial financially.

The Doyle Memo states that individuals who entered prior to November 01, 2020 are not a Civil Enforcement priority. However, this is not the only consideration as to whether an individual may be granted prosecutorial discretion. The Department of Homeland Security will also consider a Respondent’s criminal history and whether there is any threat to national security posed by the individual. Because requests for prosecutorial discretion are determined on a case-by-case basis, it is fundamental that a licensed and experienced immigration attorney analyze each case.