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    <channel>
        <title>The Latest News from the Desk of Thomas Esparza, Jr.</title>
        <description>Collection of the latest news and articles related to Immigration and Nationality Law.</description>
        <link>http://www.tomesparza.com</link>
        <copyright>Copyright 2008 Star Light Press.</copyright>
        <language>en-us</language>
        <managingEditor>jonny@starlightpress.com</managingEditor>
        <pubDate>Mon, 24 Apr 2007 17:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
        <webMaster>jonny@starlightpress.com</webMaster>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Child Status Protection</title>
            <description>CSPA Review Checklist</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/ChildStatus.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 April 2008 9:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: USCIS MODIFIES APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION</title>
            <description>U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has revised Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/USCISUpdate24Apr08.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 April 2008 9:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: How can you tell someone that they cannot be deported if they remain silent?</title>
            <description>The Department of Homeland Security has authority to start deportation proceedings against people who are not U.S. citizens.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/advice.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 April 2008 9:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of Juan Carlos RIVERA-VALENCIA, Respondent</title>
            <description>In a decision dated September 13, 2007, an Immigration Judge sustained the charges of deportability against the respondent and ordered him removed from the United States.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/MatterJuanCarlosRIVERA.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 April 2008 9:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Please Urge Your Senator Today to Help Protect Women Asylum-Seekers</title>
            <description>Please urge your Senator today to endorse a bipartisan “sign-on” letter asking the Attorney General to review the flawed legal decision in Matter of A-T-.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/womenasylum.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 April 2008 9:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: May 1 March and Rally for Immigrant Rights</title>
            <description>Please join the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition on May 1st for a rally and march for immigrant rights.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/May1.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 17 April 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: 240AB Cancellation Brief</title>
            <description>Evidence and Precedent (Yolanda Valdez)</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/240ABCancellationBrief.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 17 April 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: NATURALIZATION THROUGH MILITARY SERVICE</title>
            <description>Members and certain veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to apply for United States citizenship under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/MilitaryNaturalizationFactSheet.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 17 April 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: USCIS Update on processing petitions for U visa</title>
            <description>USCIS ANNOUNCES UPDATE FOR PROCESSING PETITIONS FOR NONIMMIGRANT VICTIMS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/USCISUpdate10Apr08.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 17 April 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Western Hemisphere Priority Date Cover Letter </title>
            <description>Enclosed please find two applications for adjustment of status for the above named individual and her spouse in the 4th preference petition.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/Westernprioritycoverletter.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 7 April 2008 8:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Guide for Processing I-90 IDENT Applications</title>
            <description>ASC SOP issued October 2006 instructs ASCM to forward the I-90 applications to the local field officse for resolution in cases where the BBSS check for an I-90 applicant results in an IDENT response that cannot be resolved at the ASC level.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/guideI-90IDENT.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 7 April 2008 8:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYERS: DHS Rule Extends OPT for Certain F-1 Students</title>
            <description>On April 4, 2008, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule which allows for the extension of post-graduation optional practical training (OPT) employment authorization for many F-1 students.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/dhsrulef1students.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 7 April 2008 8:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: USCIS FBI Name Check and Natz Process Updates</title>
            <description>USCIS UPDATES PROJECTED NATURALIZATION CASE PROCESSING TIME</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/NewsReleaseProcessingProjection2Apr08.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Thurs, 3 April 2008 12:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of Juan Carlos RIVERA-VALENCIA, Respondent</title>
            <description>A judgment of guilt that has been entered by a general court-martial of the United States Armed Forces qualifies as a “conviction” within the meaning of section 101(a)(48)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(48)(A) (2000).</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3607.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Thurs, 3 April 2008 12:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: CIS memo on Us</title>
            <description>Provides clarification on eligibility requirements for qualifying family members who were granted interim relief</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/AFMUpdate_Ch39.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 2 April 2008 10:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR DALLAS: ICE AILA Meeting Answers</title>
            <description>AILA / ICE Liaison Meeting March 12, 2008</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/AILAanswersMarch2008.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 2 April 2008 10:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Cuban Parole Memo</title>
            <description>Processing of Initial Parole or Renewel Parole Requests Presented by Natives or Citizens of Cuba to USCIS Field Offices</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/CubanParole_4Mar08.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 2 April 2008 10:30:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYERS: For some companies, visas harder to find than worker</title>
            <description>Some employers would like to see US allow more skilled foreigners to enter country</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/Visashardertofind.jpg</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 31 March 2008 9:33:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Update: I-130 Filing Instructions</title>
            <description>USCIS REVISES FILING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/USCISI-130filinginstructions.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 31 March 2008 9:33:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Unlawful Entry</title>
            <description>9th Cir. decision on the issue of lawful entry for AOS purposes</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/OrozcovMukasey.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Fri, 28 March 2008 8:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Gonzales-Garcia vs. Gonzales</title>
            <description>Stopping provision attaches new legal consequences to actions completed before its enactment and because Congress has not expressly made it retroactive, the statute is impermissibly retroactive and Gonzalez is entitled to seek 212(c) relief.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3603.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Fri, 28 March 2008 8:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of Baires-Larios, 24 I and N Dec. 467 (BIA 2008) Interim Decision 3603</title>
            <description>A child who has satisfied the statutory conditions of former section 321(a)of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1432(a) (1988), before the age of 18 years has acquired United States citizenship, regardless of whether the the naturalized parent acquired legal custody of the child before or after the naturalization.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3603.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Fri, 28 March 2008 8:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Practice Advisory on BIA decisions</title>
            <description>In Matter of Carachuri and Matter of Thomas</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/PRACTICEADVISORYCARACHURI.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Fri, 28 March 2008 8:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: VAWA Notes</title>
            <description>VAWA Breakout Session</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/vawabreakoutsession.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Fri, 28 March 2008 8:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Community Tax Centers in English and in Spanish</title>
            <description>Locations until April 15, 2008</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/taxcenters.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Fri, 28 March 2008 8:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Special Report December 2006 UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN TEXAS</title>
            <description>A Financial Analysis of the Impact to the State Budget and Economy</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/UndocumentedImmigrantsImpact.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Fri, 28 March 2008 8:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: How ICE handles the I-90</title>
            <description>Official USCIS Policy on Handling I-90 applications with criminal records</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/POLICY20080104165313.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Fri, 28 March 2008 8:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYERS: Free business workshops</title>
            <description>In English and in Spanish</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/Microenterpriseflierfinal0208.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 24 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Overcoming the Presumption of a Fradulent Marriage</title>
            <description>Notice of Intent to Deny appeal Brief, BIA Decision</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/presumptionfraudmarriage.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 24 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: 1997 Virtue memo on aged out cases and CSPA</title>
            <description>Preservation of INA section 203(a)(2) adjustment applications filed by child applicants</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/1997Virtuememo.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 24 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: BIA on an Abusive immigration judge</title>
            <description>Date of Notice: 03/07/2008</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/BIAdecision.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 24 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: TX Immigration Law Alert - January</title>
            <description>87 month sentence upheld in federal court for illegal entry after deportation</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/janalert.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 12 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: VAWA EWI Adjustment Update</title>
            <description>We wanted to let you know that, thanks to your calls and letters to your Congresspeople on behalf of your clients (and the threat of litigation), we have the attention of the powers-that-be at CIS headquarters on the VAWA EWI adjustment issue.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/vawa.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 12 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: An Inspiration Video</title>
            <description>The Lubbock Cactus Cuties from the Texas Tech Lady Raider game on Jan. 20 vs. UT</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/cactuscuties.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 12 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: ACIA Bylaws</title>
            <description>Attached is the ACIA Bylaws approved at the last Commission meeting, which was forwarded to the City Clerk's office for their record.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/Bylaws_ACIA_2008.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 04 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: CBP Inspector's Field Manual on the web</title>
            <description>AILA member Charles "Chuck" Miller (a former INS attorney) managed to obtain much of the current IFM through a FOIA request.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/cbpfeb2008.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 04 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: New DHS Policy on over due Name Checks</title>
            <description>Field Director Albert W. Blakeway gave us the following points regarding the Aytes memo</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/dhspolicy.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 04 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: eoir virtual law library (VLL)</title>
            <description>The Immigration Court Practice Manual</description>
            <link>http://www.usdoj.gov/eoir/vll/OCIJPracManual/ocij_page1.htm</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 04 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Keep 'La Migra' Offices out of County Jails</title>
            <description>Immigration and Customs Enforcement (formerly, the Immigration and Naturalization Service) has the undistinguished reputation of an agency that operates with impunity, outside the parameters of the U.S. Constitution.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/lamigra.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 04 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: The Sheriff has Not Seen This Story or Has He</title>
            <description>JUDGE SHAMBURGER’S UNIQUE CASE.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/shamburger.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 04 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Microenterprise Tax Preparation Assistance</title>
            <description>Tax assisstance.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/Microenterprise0208.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 04 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Collaborating with ICE Has Consequences</title>
            <description>The Travis county jail/ICE collaboration was picked up by a reporter of ColorLines, a highly respected national newsmagazine on race and politics.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/icecon.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 04 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: We can Stop the Hate</title>
            <description>We Can Stop the Hate: NCLR Aims to "Take the Hate Out of the Immigration Debate"</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/stophate.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 04 March 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Free Citizenship Toolkit for Community Based Organizations</title>
            <description>One initiative of the Task Force on New Americans is the “Civics and Citizenship Toolkit” which contains all the educational materials from the Office of Citizenship as well as “A Promise of Freedom”, the new 12-minute video that was made in partnership with the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen</description>
            <link>http://www.citizenshiptoolkit.gov</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 26 February 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>Thank you from Darlene Bryne</title>
            <description>Judge, 126th District</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/DarleneByrne.jpg</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 26 February 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Official launch of Language Portal: A Translation and Interpretation Digital Library</title>
            <description>The Portal is a free, digital library of close to 600 resources relating to the use of language access services in social services and public safety agencies.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/portal.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 26 February 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch</title>
            <description>Dying professor teaches about life and childhood dreams.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/portal.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 26 February 2008 9:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Selected Immigration Consequences of Certain Federal Offenses</title>
            <description>by Dan Kesselbrenner and Sandy Lin of the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild on behalf of the Defending Immigrants Partnership</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/TABLECIMTANDAGGFELONY.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Thurs, 21 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>Thank you from Will Wynn</title>
            <description>Mayor of Austin</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/WillWynn.jpg</link>
            <pubDate>Thurs, 21 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>Thank you from Michael Esposito Director of CLE</title>
            <description>Continuing Legal Education</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/MichaelEsposito.jpg</link>
            <pubDate>Thurs, 21 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Fed Admit to Illegally Detaining Citizens</title>
            <description>A top Immigration and Customs Enforcement official acknowledged Wednesday that his agency has mistakenly detained U.S. citizens as illegal immigrants, but he denied that his agency has widespread problems with deporting the wrong people.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/illegallydetained.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Thurs, 21 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYERS: Biometric appointment letters for concurrently filed I-485s and I-140s</title>
            <description>USCIS CONSOLIDATES BIOMETRICS APPOINTMENT LETTER INTO ONE NOTICE FOR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS APPLICANTS</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/USCISbiometricchanges.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Thurs, 21 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Fed's Access to Jail</title>
            <description>Reply to Feb 6th Article Critics: Rethink Fed's access to Travis Jail</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/publicsafety.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Thurs, 21 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: PUBLIC SAFETY</title>
            <description>Sheriff to let federal immigration agents set up office in jail. Agents will look for undocumented immigrants</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/FedAccesstoJail.jpg</link>
            <pubDate>Thurs, 21 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Community Tax Centers Austin Texas</title>
            <description>Free Income Tax Preparation in Austin. Click here for a map, office hours and address for the Community Tax Center nearest you?</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/maplayers3.jpg</link>
            <pubDate>Fri, 16 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Asian Law Caucus Q and A in Response to the Vietnamese Repatriation Agreement</title>
            <description>Great ideas and lesson plans for teaching children from Kindergarten to 12th grade about immigrants and immigration.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/QAVietnameseRepatriation.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 13 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Frank Howard Statement</title>
            <description>Frank Howard, former CARECEN legal director, on the origins of the 107 and 108 A#s</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/FrankHowardStatement.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 13 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Immigration Resource Guide for Teachers</title>
            <description>Great ideas and lesson plans for teaching children from Kindergarten to 12th grade about immigrants and immigration.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/2008TeachersResourceGuide.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 13 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Immigrants sue Azarmehr</title>
            <description>Labor Department Induces Visa Abuse, Citizen Field Hands Say</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/azarmehr.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 13 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of BABAISAKOV, 24 I and N Dec. 306 (BIA 2007) - missing in action</title>
            <description>A single ground for removal may require proof of a conviction tied to the statutory elements of a criminal offense, as well as proof of an additional fact or facts that are not tied to the statutory elements of any such offense.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3585.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 13 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Cristo Vive/Raul Garcia Decision</title>
            <description>This disciplinary action was brought by the Commission for Lawyer Discipline against Raul Garcia, a Texas-licensed attorney, for violations of rules 5.04(a), 5.04(b), 5.05(b), and 7.01(a) of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/GarciavCLD62907.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 13 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of Kelly, 24 I and N Dec. 446 (BIA 2008) </title>
            <description>If an Immigration Judge includes an attachment to a decision, particular care must be taken to insure that a complete record is preserved.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3598.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 13 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of Anifowoshe, 24 I and N Dec. 442 (BIA 2008)</title>
            <description>An alien child who was adopted under the age of 18, and whose natural sibling was subsequently adopted by the same adoptive parent or parents while under the age of 16, may qualify as a “child”.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3597.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 13 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYER: DHS PROPOSES CHANGES TO IMPROVE H-2A TEMPORARY AGRICULTURAL WORKER PROGRAM</title>
            <description>The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today a series of proposed rule modifications to provide employers with a streamlined hiring process for temporary and seasonal agricultural workers under the H-2A program.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/agriworker.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 13 February 2008 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: New Passport Fee Schedule Starting February 1, 2008</title>
            <description>Beginning February 1, 2008, the Department of State will institute a new fee schedule for passport services.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/newpassport.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 06 February 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Sheriff's cooperation with immigration agents welcome</title>
            <description>Travis county sheriff Greg Hamilton's decision to allow US agents to screen jail inmates for illegal immigrants isn't ideal, but it makes sense.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/SheriffICE.jpg</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 06 February 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Group opposes jail access plan</title>
            <description>An Austin immigration attorney is organizing opposition to the Travis sheriff's decision to give federal immigration agents more access to the county jail.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/DWI.jpg</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 06 February 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Critics Rethink fed's access to Travis Jail</title>
            <description>Critics of the Travis County sheriff's decision to allow federal immigration agents fulltime access in the county jail urged county commissioners Tuesday to ask the sheriff to reconsider.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/ICE-2.jpg</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 06 February 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: There will be a meeting of THCDLA and ACDLA members (as well as other attorneys) and community leaders this Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) 600 River Street</title>
            <description>I need the help of austin immigration attorneys for an upcoming meeting. The travis county sheriff, greg hamilton, has just signed an agreement to allow ice to put an officer in the travis county jail 24/7 with their stated intent to put "holds" on every immigrant, legal or not, to review their status.  This will be a disaster for all concerned for a variety of reasons as i am sure you are well aware. There will be a meeting tomorrow night. Would you send out a blast to all concerned to invite them to this meeting and please come yourself if you can. We are working on a strategy to reverse this change. Thank you in advance. -Tom</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/I551Update_13dec07.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 30 January 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR MILITARY: NATURALIZATION THROUGH MILITARY SERVICE</title>
            <description>Members and certain veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to apply for United States citizenship under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/20080128_ Naturalization.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 30 January 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of Liduina De Fatima GARCIA-MADRUGA, Respondent</title>
            <description>A “theft offense” within the definition of an aggravated felony in section 101(a)(43)(G) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 101(a)(43)(G) (2000), ordinarily requires the taking of, or exercise of control over, property without consent and with the criminal intent to deprive the owner of the rights and benefits of ownership, even if such deprivation is less than total or permanent.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3596.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 30 January 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: USCIS AMERICAN IMMIGRATION LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (AILA) MEETING, SEPTEMBER 25, 2007</title>
            <description>The announcement by the Department of State of employment-based visa availability in all categories but EB-3 “Other Worker” with Visa Bulletin 107 resulted in the filing of an unprecedented number of adjustment of status applications.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/USCIS_AILA 9_25_07.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 30 January 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Department Announces Award of Passport Card Contract</title>
            <description>The Department of State is pleased to announce the award of a five-year (base year plus four option years) contract to General Dynamics Information Technology of Fairfax, Virginia to integrate the production of the new passport card into the Department’s existing passport book processes.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/awardpassport.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 22 January 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Notes from the Q and A session on U visas with DHS officials in Lexington, KY</title>
            <description>U Visa Q and As.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/UVisaQAs010308.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 22 January 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: As a Matter of First Impression, the 5th Circuit Held that Conviction for Misusing Social Security number Obtained by Fraud Constitutes Crime Involving Moral Turpitude</title>
            <description>Hyder v. Keisler, 506 F.3d 388 (5th Cir. Oct 25, 2007)</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/firstimpression.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 22 January 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Cite as 24 I and N Dec. 432 (BIA 2008) Interim Decision 3595</title>
            <description>When an Immigration Judge issues a decision granting an alien’s application for withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, without a grant of asylum, the decision must include an explicit order of removal.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3595.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 22 January 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: DHS RELEASES REAL ID REGULATION</title>
            <description>Core 9/11 Commission Finding to Secure Drivers’ Licenses Nationwide.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/idregulation.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 22 January 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Domestic Violence Act May Not Apply To Illegal Immigrants Seeking Citizenship </title>
            <description>More than a decade ago, Congress passed a law providing a path to citizenship for certain married immigrants who were victims of domestic violence.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/violence.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 22 January 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Citizenship via Grandparents</title>
            <description>Israeli Parents Make Use Of U.S. Clause That Lets Kids Become Americans.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/grandparents.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 22 January 2008 12:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYERS: USCIS Extends Suspension of Premium Processing Service for Religious Workers (R-1) Nonimmigrant Visa Classification</title>
            <description>U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that suspension of premium processing services for religious worker (R-1) visa petitions will be extended until July 8, 2008.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/ContinuedSuspension.DOC</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 14 January 2008 13:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: APD News Release: APD Victim Services seeks Crisis Response Team volunteers</title>
            <description>The Austin Police Department’s Victim Services Division is seeking volunteers to join its Crisis Response Team.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/122107victimservicesdivision.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 14 January 2008 13:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: 2007 DMN Texan of the Year</title>
            <description>The Illegal Immigrant.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/texanoftheyear.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 14 January 2008 13:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: The Great Divide</title>
            <description>Yesterday The Times published a highly informative chart laying out the positions of the presidential candidates on major issues.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/greatdivide.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 14 January 2008 13:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of MARTINEZ-ZAPATA, 24 I and N Dec. 424</title>
            <description>Any fact (including a fact contained in a sentence enhancement) that serves to increase the maximum penalty for a crime and that is required to be found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt, if not admitted by the defendant, is to be treated as an element of the underlying offense, so that a conviction involving the application of such an enhancement is a conviction for the enhanced offense.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3594.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Thurs, 03 January 2008 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: USCIS Issues Update on Permanent Resident Card Replacement Proposal</title>
            <description>On August 22, 2007, USCIS published a proposed regulation in the Federal Register that, when implemented, would require lawful permanent residents to replace permanent resident cards (Form I-551) with no expiration date.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/permres.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Thurs, 03 January 2008 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: New procedure at CD Juarez as of today</title>
            <description>This service is no longer available for Cd. Juarez I-601 waiver filers. Beginning December 17, 2007, you must call 1-900-476-1212 from the US or 01-900-849-49-49 from Mexico. To use a credit card, call 1-800-919-1754 from the US or 01-477-788-70-70 from Mexico. Those persons that already have an InfoPass appointment do not need to make a new appointment.</description>
            <link></link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 17 December 2007 15:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of THOMAS, 24 I and N Dec. 416 (BIA 2007)</title>
            <description>The respondent’s 2003 Florida offense involving the simple possession of marijuana does not qualify as an “aggravated felony” by virtue of its correspondence to the Federal felony of “recidivist possession.”</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3593.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 17 December 2007 15:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of CARACHURI-ROSENDO, 24 I and N Dec. 382 (BIA 2007)</title>
            <description>Decisional authority from the Supreme Court and the controlling Federal circuit court of appeals is determinative of whether a State drug offense constitutes an “aggravated felony” under section 101(a)(43)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3592.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 17 December 2007 15:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: Proof of Citizenship When Traveling</title>
            <description>The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) remind the traveling public that as of Jan. 31, 2008, all adult travelers will be required to present proof of citizenship.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/proof.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Mon, 10 December 2007 15:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: New FOIA Address and Website</title>
            <description>Beginning October 1, 2007, please forward all new FOIA requests to the following address.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/foiaaddress.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 05 December 2007 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: USCIS Revises Filing Instructions for Petition for Alien Relative Form I-130s</title>
            <description>U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising the filing instructions for the Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130). Effective Dec. 3, 2007, all applicants filing stand-alone Form I-130s are encouraged to file their petitions with the Chicago Lockbox instead of a USCIS Service Center.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/FilingInstructionsI130.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 05 December 2007 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: U VISA REGULATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR IMMIGRANTS AND VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING</title>
            <description>Press Conference to address increased need for legal services for immigrant victims of crime.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/uvisapressrelease.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 05 December 2007 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYERS: Government Abandons No Match Rule</title>
            <description>Government Abandons Current “No Match” Rule Harmful to Legal Workers.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/nomatchrule.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 05 December 2007 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of Briones, 24 I and N Dec. 355 (BIA 2007)	ID # 3590</title>
            <description>Recidivist immigration violators, to be inadmissible an alien must depart the United States after accruing an aggregate period of “unlawful presence” of more than 1 year and thereafter reenter, or attempt to reenter, the United States without being admitted.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3590.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 05 December 2007 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of Lemus-Losa, 24 I and N Dec. 373 (BIA 2007)  ID # 3591</title>
            <description>An alien who is unlawfully present in the United States for a period of 1 year, departs the country, and then seeks admission within 10 years of the date of his departure from the United States, is inadmissible.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3591.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 05 December 2007 10:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYERS: Foreign Labor Certification</title>
            <description>Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 11-07</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/1220078H2aTAG.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Wed, 28 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: ICE issues guidance on raids</title>
            <description>The Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Department of Homeland Security has released Guidelines for Identifying Humanitarian Concerns among Administrative Arrestees When Conducting Worksite Enforcement Operations</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/guidanceraids.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: USCIS publishes new list of forms and corrections</title>
            <description>Form Updates</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/formupdates.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYERS: Handbook for Employers</title>
            <description>Instructions for Completing the Form I-9</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/RevisedEmployerHandbookI9.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYERS: Form I-9</title>
            <description>Employment Eligibility Verification</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/I9Revised1107.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYERS: Form I-9</title>
            <description>Employment Eligibility Verification</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/I9Revised1107.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Sample Brief</title>
            <description>RESPONDENT'S BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF FINDING THAT RESPONDENTS ALLEGED SUBSEQUENT DRUG POSSESSION OFFENSE IS NOT AN AGGRAVATED FELONY</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/MultipleDrugPossession_SampleBrief.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR FAMILIES: NATURALIZATION THROUGH MILITARY SERVICE</title>
            <description>Members and certain veterans of the U.S. armed forces are eligible to apply for United States citizenship under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/MilitaryNaturalization.DOC</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>
        
        <item>
            <title>FOR EMPLOYERS: USCIS REOPENS COMMENT PERIOD ON PROPOSED RULE FOR RELIGIOUS WORKER VISA CLASSIFICATIONS</title>
            <description>USCIS announced today that it is reopening the public comment period until November 16, 2007, on a proposed rule for special immigrant (SR/SD) and nonimmigrant (R-1) religious worker visa classifications</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/USCISUpdate1Nov07.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Proving the citizenship of a deceased person for a widow petiiton</title>
            <description>Beneficiary Applicant request for Evidence</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/I360widowpetition.doc</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: ABC Registration Memo</title>
            <description>Making ABC registration determinations</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/ABCRegistration6806.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Aggravated Felony Theft</title>
            <description>A single ground for removal may require proof of a conviction tied to the statutory elements of a criminal offense, as well as proof of an additional fact or facts that are not tied to the statutory elements of any such offense.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/24INDec306.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>
        
        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Crime of Violence - A New Case</title>
            <description>Perez - Munoz 5, 11-06-07</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/crimeoiviolence.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: LOCAL ATTORNEY SUED</title>
            <description>Labor Department Induces Visa Abuse, Citizen Field Hands Say.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/localsued.shtml</link>
            <pubDate>Tues, 20 November 2007 11:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

        <item>
            <title>FOR ATTORNEYS: Matter of C-W-L-, 24 I and N Dec. 346 (BIA 2007) Interim Decision 3589</title>
            <description>An alien who is subject to a final order of removal is barred by both statute and regulation from filing an untimely motion to reopen removal proceedings to submit a successive asylum application under section 208(a)(2)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1158(a)(2)(D) (2000), based on changed personal circumstances.</description>
            <link>http://tomesparza.com/documents/3589.pdf</link>
            <pubDate>Thu, 01 November 2007 09:00:00</pubDate>
        </item>

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