North County Legal, APC

Concerned about the upcoming Prop 19 changes? See how the changes may affect you. https://www.boe.ca.gov/prop19/

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

Executive Order "Suspending" Immigration has been signed The EO is effective at 11:59 pm (ET) on April 23, 2020. It will expire 60 days from its effective date and may be continued. The suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 applies to individuals who:... - are outside the United States on the effective date of this proclamation; - do not have an immigrant visa that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation; and - do not have an official travel document other than a visa (such as a transportation letter, an appropriate boarding foil, or an advance parole document) that is valid on the effective date of this proclamation or issued on any date thereafter that permits him or her to travel to the United States and seek entry or admission. The proclamation includes several exemptions: - it does not impact any applications for residency pending within the US - it does not impact any spouse or minor child of US citizen, even if they are out of the United States today - it does not impact any spouse or child of someone in the Armed Forces - it does not impact people who are lawful permanent residents https://www.whitehouse.gov//proclamation-suspending-entr/

WASHINGTON U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today plans to implement a revised version of the naturalization civics test. The agency first announced plans to revise the civics test in July 2019. USCIS revised the civics test as part of a decennial update to ensure that it remains an instrument that comprehensively assesses applicants’ knowledge of American history, government and civic values. The civics test is administered to applicants who apply for U....S. citizenship and is one of the statutory requirements for naturalizing. Applicants who apply for naturalization on or after Dec. 1, 2020, will take the updated version of the test. Those who apply before Dec. 1, 2020, will take the current version of the test. Click here to read the full announcement: https://content.govdelivery.com//USDHSC/bulletins/2ac5c11

On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, we should know more details about who and how President Trump’s 60 day Immigration ban will truly affect. https://apple.news/ACjeyPxGJTVGRUHU5g3YD9g

During this crisis we have seen first-hand the importance of the agriculture workers who put food on our table, healthcare workers who care for the sick, scientists and researchers searching for a cure, and the factory workers and truck drivers providing critical supplies. Regardless of where we were born, we all have an important role to play in building a better future.

This is not a time to inflict additional fear. Safety precautions have already been instituted based on limited travel around the globe, consular closures, USCIS field office closures, and limits on the types of people who are allowed to travel at this time. Completely shutting immigration down while allowing States within the U.S. to start reopening, is not the answer. AILA Urges Rational Response on COVID-19 and Immigration Policy; Condemns Divisive Presidential Tweet to Su...spend Immigration AILA Doc. No. 20042106 | Dated April 21, 2020 Washington, DC - The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has been closely following the latest tweet from President Trump announcing his plan to sign an order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States. To date, the White House has issued no further details as to the scope and breadth of the proposed Executive Order. AILA urges the White House and agencies to implement rational, policy-based measures that promote the public health and economic interests of our country during this national crisis rather than resort to distraction and political theater. Marketa Lindt, AILA President, noted, The latest announcement to suspend immigration is not a legitimate policy plan to respond to the current COVID-19 crisis. At this critical time, we need to focus our time and resources on policies that spur innovation and economic growth and that promote the health and safety of the American people. A rational immigration policy is a critical component of successfully addressing our nation’s public health needs and spurring an economic recovery. Ben Johnson, AILA Executive Director, added, Unfortunately, the President’s tweet is not a surprise. In the face of growing questions and criticism about his handling of the COVID-19 crisis, it was only a matter of time before President Trump resorted to distraction, blame, and fearmongering. The heroes of this crisis include the agriculture workers who have kept us fed, the healthcare workers saving lives, the scientists and researchers searching for a cure, the factory workers and truck drivers providing critical supplies. Regardless of where we were born, we all have an important role to play in building a better future. Now is the time for us to stand shoulder to shoulder and work toward the day that this crisis is behind us. Measures that isolate America won’t make America stronger; fear and division can’t take the place of unity and determination. Cite as AILA Doc. No. 20042106.

https://www.cnn.com//donald-trump-immigration-h/index.html

First day of virtual school for my 1st grader and some new online puzzles for my 3 year old. I know we are all finding our way in this crazy new world, but remember TODAY is be kind to lawyers day!

I have been getting a lot of calls about estate planning during this time and continue to help those who want to get their plans and health care directives in place. I have also been informed that a lot of lawyers who do not do estate planning, are now starting to offer estate planning since this is one area of law that happens to be busy at the moment. I have to caution those who choose to go with a lawyer who has not had estate planning as a primary practice in the past and... is just now jumping on board. Estate planning is not one sized fits all. It is not just filling out forms. It takes years of practice and continuous education to know how to properly draft plans that work. Just because a business lawyer went to law school, does not mean they are qualified to practice estate planning, and vice versa. Just how a podiatrist who went to medical school doesn't mean they are qualified to practice ophthalmology. We all have our own areas of expertise. We cannot be great at everything, which is why we choose to focus on one or two areas, and to learn to become great in those areas. When choosing a lawyer to do your estate planning, or help you in any other area of the law, please make sure they are qualified to practice in the particular discipline you need help with. Picking a lawyer who is not qualified, could cost you and your family greatly down the road. We are happy to help you with your estate planning needs, and if you are looking for a business lawyer or any other kind of lawyer, we are happy to provide you with a proper referral.

USCIS has received enough electronic registrations during the initial period to reach the FY 2021 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap). We randomly selected from among the registrations properly submitted. We intend to notify petitioners with selected registrations no later than March 31, 2020, that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration. Registrants’ online accounts will now show one of the fo...llowing statuses for each registration (that is, for each beneficiary registered): Submitted: A registration status may continue to show Submitted after the initial selection process has been completed. Submitted registrations will remain in consideration for selection until the end of the fiscal year, at which point all registration statuses will be Selected, Not Selected, or Denied. Selected: Selected to file an FY 2021 H-1B cap-subject petition. Denied: A duplicate registration was submitted by the same registrant for the same beneficiary, or a payment method was declined and not reconciled. If denied as a duplicate registration, all registrations you submitted for this beneficiary for the fiscal year are invalid. Only petitioners with selected registrations may file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2021, and only for the beneficiary in the applicable selected registration notice. For more information, visit the H-1B Electronic Registration Process page

Effective March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is suspending in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices and Application Support Centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This suspension of services will be effective until at least April 1. In the meantime, USCIS will provide limited emergency services. Please call the Contact Center for assistance with emergency services. USCIS field offices will send notices to... applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments and naturalization ceremonies impacted by this closure. USCIS asylum offices will send interview cancellation notices and automatically reschedule asylum interviews. When the interview is rescheduled, asylum applicants will receive a new interview notice with the new time, date and location of the interview. When USCIS again resumes normal operations, USCIS will automatically reschedule ASC appointments due to the office closure. You will receive a new appointment letter in the mail. Individuals who had InfoPass or other appointments must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center once field offices are open to the public again. Please check to see if your field office has been reopened before reaching out to the USCIS Contact Center. Education and precautions are the strongest tools against infection. Get the latest facts by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 website. Continue to practice good health habits, refrain from handshakes or hugs as greetings, and wash hands and clean surfaces appropriately. USCIS will provide further updates as the situation develops and will continue to follow CDC guidance. Please also visit uscis.gov/coronavirus for updates. Please do not reply to this message. See our Contact Us page for phone numbers and e-mail addresses. USCIS signature