Shautsova Newsletter

December 2017 

Published by the Law Offices of Alena Shautsova, 2908A Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11235  

175 Eileen Way, Syosset NY 11791 

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“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”  
― Mahatma Gandhi 

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Watch our videos: 

 

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Legally Speaking: How to Prepare for your Asylum Interview 

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Legally Speaking: What to do if you were referred to Immigration Court 

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1. SUCCESS STORY: WINNING ASYLUM FOR AN LGBT UKRANIAN CLIENT 

I remember the day when client X came to my office in despair: the client was from Ukraine, and belonged to the LGBT community and reached the point when returning to Ukraine would mean harassment, physical harm and, most importantly, mental torture on every level. I, myself, originally am from Belarus, one of the countries of the former Soviet Union, and know very well how persons that belong to the LGBT community are beingtreated, and how those who support them are being treated.  I know that many countries of the former Soviet Union made considerable progress towards Democracy, but LGBT issues are not the area where any progress was made. In some countries, a person can simply be murdered in the streets for being gay or looking gay.  

I knew that X could not go back, the only things that would wait for X there would be despair, pain and sheer darkness.  We submitted X’s claim and started waiting for the interview. The biggest challenge, in this case, was to convince a US Asylum officer to look at more than the official reports of the new Ukrainian government that announce improvement with regard to the LGBT’ rights. In addition to the official reports we presented the stories of real people who got hurt, the media reports that quote Ukrainian officials using derogatory language when speaking about LGBT rights.  

After the interview, we received an approval. The officer did consider all the materials we presented, including the recent news articles. I was and still am very happy for X who now will start a new, happy life in the USA, X’s new home.   

2. 5 Things You Need to Know if You Will Be Representing Yourself in Immigration Court 

Author: US Immigration Attorney Alena Shautsova  

If you are considering representing yourself in Immigration court, you need to educate yourself on some important points. You should know that in a hearing that will take place, you will be the only non-legally trained person, apart from your interpreter (if you will need one). It means that you have to be prepared to understand at least some of the legal language that will be used and will have to learn some of the procedure that is taking place in court. For example, if your defense to the removal is asylum, you need to know that when you respond to the notice to appear allegations, you should decline to designate a country for removal. An “adjournment” means that the hearing will be postponed to a later date.   

1. FOLLOW THE IMMIGRATION COURT PRACTICE MANUAL 

All filings in Immigration Court are done according to the Immigration Court Practice Manual. This manual is available online and determines when and how you can submit documents to the court, which documents can be submitted, etc.  The Immigration Court Practice Manual provides for samples of a cover page, table of content and in detail describes how to assemble the documents.  

2. GIVE THE GOVERNMENT A COPY  

It is very important to know that whatever documents or correspondence you send or file with the Immigration court, copies of the same have to be provided to the prosecutor. Your submissions to the Immigration court have to be accompanied by the proof of such service.  

3. FILE APPLICATIONS WITH USCIS IF NEEDED 

Some applications that you file with Immigration court and the government representative in Immigration court must also be filed with USCIS.  Usually, you will receive instructions about this in the Immigration Court. It is very important to file such applications with USCIS after you file them with the Immigration Court because if you do not do it, the filing will not count.  

4. PREPARE FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S AND COURT’S CHALLENGE  

During the individual hearing, a government representative will challenge your story and documents. The documents can be challenged if they are not properly authenticated, for example. Your testimony can be challenged if it is inconsistent or lacks details. Your written affidavit will be a lot of help here, as it will help you to look at your testimony critically, and try to see where a government representative will trychallenging you.  

5. MEET THE DEADLINES  

The deadlines are very important. You can lose your case without even seeing a judge if you miss a hearing; come late for a hearing; fail to file documents within deadlines; fail to file a witness list within deadlines, etc. Some of the deadlines are established by the Immigration Court Practice Manual, some by law, and some are by the judge.  

If you have questions regarding the Immigration Court hearings, please consult with us: call 917 885 2261.  

Visit our resources on Asylum, Recent Changes in Immigration laws and Processing times: 

1. Asylum Library 

2. Youtube channel  

3. Legal Resources  

1. Visa Bulletin: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/law-and-policy/bulletin.html 

1. Processing Times THE USCIS PROCESSING TIMES: 

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplay.do 

2. The Administrative Appeals Office  http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=dfe316685e1e6210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=dfe316685e1e6210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD  

Processing times http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=8ff31eeaf28e6210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=dfe316685e1e6210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD 

3. Labor Department Processing Times 

The following link provides approximate times for PERM processing periods: 

http://icert.doleta.gov/#fragment-2 

4. Nonimmigrant Visa Wait Times 

Depending on your location, the US Department of State provides the following approximate visa wait times:  

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4788.html?post=Kyiv&x=86&y=13 

Watch our Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSrIQswMdYh_T1qToEZRrQ  

Read our answers on AVVO and Law Q&A!