Over the past decade, immigration has been a major political issue. With millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States and thousands more attempting to enter the country on a daily basis, government officials are seeking to implement policies that will address these concerns while also protecting people's humanitarian rights. The administration of President Donald Trump sought to detain and deport many undocumented immigrants, but President Joe Biden's administration has attempted to make changes to these policies. While these policies have been challenged, a recent Supreme Court decision has allowed the administration to focus on protecting public safety as it enforces immigration laws.

Biden Administration Allowed to Set Priorities for Immigration Enforcement

During the Trump administration, immigration officials took a hard-line approach to immigration enforcement. The administration stated that any immigrants who were in the United States without authorization could be detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and they would be subject to deportation proceedings. These policies led to large numbers of immigrants being detained, resulting in criticisms about the humanitarian treatment of detainees and the separation of families.

Once President Biden took office, his administration sought to change these policies, addressing both humanitarian concerns and public safety. Because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has limited resources, the administration chose to prioritize deportations for undocumented immigrants who had a history of violent crime, while also addressing people who had recently entered the United States. While this has resulted in a decline in deportations, it has also helped focus on people who could potentially put others at risk while also addressing the increase in migrants who are attempting to enter the country without authorization.

Divorce can be a complex and emotionally difficult process, especially when it comes to dividing marital assets. In some cases, one spouse may attempt to dissipate or waste marital assets to prevent the other spouse from receiving their fair share of the property the couple owns together. Thankfully, Illinois law provides remedies to address the dissipation of assets and ensure a fair distribution of marital property.

What Is Dissipation of Assets?

Dissipation of assets refers to the intentional wasting, depleting, or hiding of marital assets by one spouse during the breakdown of a marriage or during the divorce process. This can include excessive spending, gambling, giving away assets, or transferring funds to other accounts without the other spouse's knowledge or consent. It is important to note that dissipation can only occur after the marriage has begun to permanently break down.

When one spouse dissipates assets, they are essentially depriving the other spouse of their fair share of the marital estate, which goes against the principle of equitable distribution in Illinois. Equitable distribution requires marital property to be divided fairly, but not necessarily equally, based on factors such as each spouse's needs and their contributions to the marriage.

It is well known by riders and non-riders alike that motorcycles can be dangerous. However, a good portion of that risk can be attributed to how drivers in cars and trucks behave around motorcyclists. Many drivers are not as committed to sharing the road safely and responsibly as they should be. Without the protection of an auto body around you, any collision with another vehicle can be exceedingly dangerous. A large percentage of motorcycle accidents occur during the summer time, when the warm weather attracts more riders. While the weather may be safer for motorcyclists when the roads are not icy or snow-covered, others on the road continue to pose a large risk. If you were injured by a careless driver while riding a motorcycle, it is important to speak with a qualified motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Involving an attorney quickly can allow them to gather important evidence from the scene of the accident before it disappears and to interview witnesses while their memory is fresh. 

Statistics Every Motorcyclist Should Know 

Motorcyclists are generally at far greater risk than those riding inside cars or trucks. Some alarming statistics about motorcycle accidents you should know include: 

• 82,528 injuries - In 2020 alone, 82,528 motorcycle riders were injured in accidents. The state of Illinois alone saw 153 accidents that year, 13% of which were fatal. The sheer number of people who have been injured while riding motorcycles speaks to the dangers riders face.

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Obtaining a temporary visa can be a great choice for those planning a longer visit to the United States. A temporary visa can allow you to stay in the country for quite some time legally. Many people who are coming to the U.S. for business or educational purposes need temporary visas that last longer than most tourists are permitted to remain in the country. Temporary visas are often non-immigrant visas. They are intended for temporary use. However, it sometimes happens that a person visiting on a temporary visa decides they would like to remain in the U.S. after their temporary visa expires. This could be because they are extending their trip, or because they would like to immigrate and become a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. 

If your temporary visa is expiring in the next few months but you do not want to leave the U.S., you may have options. Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can guide you in choosing the best option for you. 

Legal Options for Temporary Visa Holders 

If you currently have a temporary visa and would like to prolong your visit or begin the journey towards citizenship, you likely have legal options. The first option is to extend your stay without beginning the immigration process. To do this, you will need to fill out Form I-539, the Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. There are a few requirements. Your nonimmigrant visa must still be valid when you apply, so it is important to begin the application process early. You must also have complied with any conditions of your temporary visa and must not have committed any crimes that render you ineligible. This may be your best option if you intend to return to your home country, but need to stay longer than anticipated. 

There are numerous expenses involved in raising children. They can start even before a child is born as parents address the costs of medical treatment during pregnancy, labor, and delivery and purchase baby products. Throughout childhood, parents will be required to pay for things such as clothing, school supplies, dental and orthodontic treatment, and activities, not to mention the ongoing costs of maintaining a home and feeding a family. Married couples will usually combine their incomes and other resources to ensure that their children's needs are met, but when a couple chooses to get a divorce, conflict may arise regarding how various child-related expenses will be divided between parents. In these situations, it is important to understand how parents' child support obligations will address different types of expenses.

Basic Child Support Expenses

The Illinois child support guidelines, which are detailed in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA), provide a method for calculating a "basic child support obligation" that will take the income earned by both parents into account. Each parent will be responsible for a certain percentage of this obligation. This amount is meant to cover the essential costs of raising a child, including necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, and some ordinary medical expenses.

Medical Expenses

Parents will need to ensure that children will receive sufficient medical care at all times, and to address the costs of this care, they will usually be required to ensure that children are covered under a health insurance plan. Monthly insurance premiums to provide coverage for children through a parent's employer or other health plans will generally be divided between the parents. Other medical expenses, such as deductibles, co-pays, medications, or treatment not covered by health insurance, may also be shared by both parents.