For those who are looking to immigrate to the United States or for those who are living in the U.S. and seeking to help their loved ones come to the country, it can seem like immigration laws and policies are constantly in flux. With tens of thousands of people looking to enter the U.S. each month and many more attempting to cross the border without authorization or being detained and deported by immigration officials, it can be difficult to determine the rules that must be followed and the issues that could prevent a person from entering or remaining in the United States. However, this process may soon change for certain immigrants due to new policies being put in place by the administration of President Joe Biden.

Options for Parole for Certain Immigrants

Over the past few years, millions of immigrants have been detained, deported, or expelled from the United States after entering the country without authorization. In an attempt to help reduce these numbers and allow people from countries with potentially dangerous conditions to seek safety in the U.S., the Biden administration is implementing a new policy that will allow some immigrants to receive parole. This policy will apply to people from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

Under the new policy, the United States will accept up to 30,000 people each month from these countries. When parole is granted to a person, they will have authorization to travel to and from the United States and work for employers in the U.S. for two years. To be eligible for parole, a person must meet the following criteria:

If you are considering a divorce in Illinois, if you have separated from your spouse and are preparing to file for divorce, or if you have already begun the divorce process, it is important to understand the laws that will apply to you and the requirements you will need to meet. If you and your spouse have children, there are a number of issues that you will need to address during your case, including creating a parenting plan. This plan will outline the rights and responsibilities of both you and your spouse in regard to your children, as well as the rules that will apply to both of you. By understanding what must be included in your parenting plan, you can make sure issues related to child custody will be handled correctly during your divorce.

The Purpose of a Parenting Plan

A parenting plan serves as a blueprint outlining how you and the other parent will share responsibilities and decision-making authority regarding your children’s upbringing. It also sets forth provisions related to parenting time, holidays, vacation plans, and rules you will follow as you raise your children, provide care for them in your homes, and attend to their personal, medical, and educational needs. The goal of a parenting plan is to ensure that both parents will be actively involved in raising your children after your divorce is finalized.

During the divorce process, you and your spouse may negotiate the terms of your parenting plan, and if you are able to reach agreements, you can submit a parenting plan to the court together. However, if there are disagreements, you can each submit your own proposed parenting plan and ask the court to make decisions about which terms should be included in the final parenting plan. To resolve any outstanding disagreements, a judge may order the two of you to participate in mediation. If an agreement still cannot be reached, a trial may be held, and after reviewing evidence and testimony presented by both sides, the judge will make the final decisions about the terms of the parenting plan.

Abusive marriages are more common than most people realize. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) estimates that 10 million people in the U.S. are victims of physical abuse each year, with women making up the majority of this group. Unfortunately, many victims remain in or return to abusive relationships because they feel trapped by their economic and immigration statuses.

Fortunately, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides a way for victims of abusive marriages to self-petition for permanent resident status. VAWA enables eligible individuals to file without their spouse’s involvement, meaning they don’t have to rely on the abuser in order to pursue immigration relief.

VAWA Adjustment of Status

Typically, the family-based immigration process requires permanent residents and U.S. citizens to file a petition for their non-citizen spouses. Unfortunately, abuse victims may be unable to get an abusive spouse to help them petition for permanent residence. An abusive spouse may even withhold help as a way to further control the victim.

Losing a loved one in an accident brings not only deep sadness and grief but also a sense of injustice - especially if the death of a family member occurred as the result of another’s negligence. When an Illinois resident dies due to someone else’s carelessness, legal options may be available for the surviving family members.

The two primary types of legal claims that can be brought by a decedent’s family are wrongful death claims and survival actions. Both are means of pursuing monetary damages after an avoidable death.

Taking Legal Action Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act

Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, a wrongful death claim can be brought by the representative of the deceased person's estate. The purpose of this action is to seek compensation for losses related to the death. Compensation may be available for:

Immigrants who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents face numerous challenges and anxieties. For many people, the possibility of deportation is a constant threat. Cancellation of removal is a form of relief from removal (deportation) and can be granted to immigrants who demonstrate that they have been in the United States for a certain period of time and meet other criteria.

One key factor when applying for cancellation of removal as a non-permanent lawful resident is demonstrating hardship. To demonstrate this, applicants must provide evidence to the immigration judge of the negative effects their removal would have on their family members.

Qualifying for Cancellation of Removal

Individuals living in the United States without legal status have to deal with the stress and fear that comes from knowing that their lives could be uprooted at any moment. For those placed in removal proceedings, the threat of deportation is very real.