Posted on January 09, 2025 in Immigration

If it feels like our government is on the verge of a shutdown every time you turn around, you are not wrong. Over the last two decades, the government has shut down three times, but the number of times a shutdown has been threatened is far more, despite the fact that 75 percent of Americans find it unacceptable for Congress to threaten these shutdowns.

Few Americans may ever consider how a government shutdown impacts immigration issues. Since another potential shutdown battle is expected in March, knowing how this might affect employers and immigrants can be helpful. If a government shutdown might affect you, your business, or your employees, having an experienced Bloomingdale, IL immigration attorney can be extremely beneficial.

Necessary Employer Actions During a Government Shutdown

During an actual government shutdown, all but "essential" personnel are furloughed. Key immigration-related agencies may face shutdowns, and employers who employ immigrants may see processing times significantly affected. If this is true for your business, you should consider the following tips:

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 Posted on December 27, 2024 in Family Law

Decades ago, there was one type of marriage – a heterosexual marriage between a man and a woman. Since that time, societal expectations of marriage have vastly expanded, and marriage rates have significantly declined. In 2021, the U.S. marriage rate was 14.9 marriages per 1,000, down from 16.3 per 1,000 a decade earlier. Alaska and Utah have the highest marriage rates at 23.5 and 22.3 per 1,000, respectively. Puerto Rico had both the lowest marriage and the lowest divorce rates.

While marriage rates have declined, there is no indication that people are foregoing relationships. Unlike marriage, these relationships are more informal and less legal. This can lead to complexities when a couple wants to end a relationship other than a marriage. It can get even more complicated when a legal relationship in other states (like a common-law marriage) is not recognized in Illinois. If you are facing the end of a relationship that is not legally recognized in the state of Illinois, it is extremely important that you speak to an experienced Bloomingdale, IL family law attorney.

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 Posted on December 27, 2024 in Personal Injury

Being involved in an automobile accident can turn your world upside down. As if being hit by a negligent driver is not bad enough, what if you find out that the other driver does not have enough insurance to cover all your damages? Does this mean you are stuck dealing with the aftermath of severe injuries on your own? What about your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering? This can be a difficult, dark time for you.

Through no fault of your own, you are left with injuries that may not fully heal for a very long time – or ever – and cannot work and make a living for yourself and your family. If you find yourself in such an untenable situation, it is important to speak to a knowledgeable Lombard, IL personal injury lawyer who can help you explore every option for getting the settlement you need and deserve.

What Are Catastrophic Injuries?

Auto accidents can change lives instantly, particularly those involving semi-trucks, motorcycles, high speeds, or head-on collisions. Catastrophic injuries are those that will bring challenges and medical expenses for years or for a lifetime. Catastrophic injuries include:

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 Posted on December 27, 2024 in Immigration

Immigration issues have always been complex and are likely to become much more complex in the coming months and years. Some foreign nationals may be deemed inadmissible and ineligible to receive a visa that would allow them to enter the U.S. In other cases, a person may already be present in the United States and, if found inadmissible, may be subject to deportation/removal proceedings.

There are some options that may be available for a person who is inadmissible or ineligible. This is a very complex area of immigration law, and a single error in paperwork can have severe consequences. It is always a good idea to have an experienced Bloomingdale, IL immigration attorney who can assess your situation and determine the best options.

What Are Some Options for Ineligible or Inadmissible Immigrants?

Your specific situation will determine which option your immigration attorney chooses for you. Some of these options include:

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 Posted on December 12, 2024 in Immigration

The enrollment period for those who utilize the Affordable Care Act for their healthcare will close within the next month. While many issues related to immigration are now up in the air, on May 3, 2024, new regulations extended eligibility for the ACA Marketplace coverage to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

This was accomplished by changing the rules relating to who is lawfully present in the United States to include DACA recipients. This allows them to enroll under the ACA between now and January 15, 2025. Unfortunately, a number of states are challenging the decision to allow DACA recipients to sign up for ACA Marketplace healthcare coverage. If you have questions about your DACA status or other immigration issues, speaking to a Lombard, IL, immigration attorney can be advantageous.

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 Posted on December 11, 2024 in Personal Injury

While it may be the season of joy and love, every year, more than 18,000 people visit emergency rooms because of accidents related to  Christmas decorations. While many of these accidents occur in homes, as people put up their annual Christmas decorations, others occur in public places. For example, more than 277 children are injured each year while visiting Santa in a mall or retail store. These injuries are from falling off Santa’s lap and tripping over decorations in the area.

Many parents and grandparents experience slip-and-fall injuries from Christmas decorations and extension cords stretched across walkways while taking children to see Santa or shopping for Christmas presents. Stores tend to be less cautious during the holidays, often taking shortcuts when decorating that puts the public at risk.   

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 Posted on December 10, 2024 in Family Law

Most divorces are negotiated between the spouse’s attorneys, while some divorces utilize alternative dispute resolution like mediation and collaborative divorce. An older study found that about 86 percent of collaborative divorces resulted in full agreement on every issue by both spouses. The remaining 14 percent usually had at least a partial agreement on some issues.

While it is unclear what today’s agreement rates are when collaborative divorce is implemented, many couples have questions regarding what happens when this type of alternative dispute resolution is unsuccessful. If your collaborative divorce negotiations have come to a standstill, it is time to consult an experienced Bloomingdale, IL divorce lawyer from Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices.  

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 Posted on November 25, 2024 in Family Law

Perhaps you think you and your wife are simply going through a rough patch. It happens, right? Your wife appears to have emotionally withdrawn from you, and no matter what you say or do, you are unable to reach her. Unfortunately, many husbands who also thought they just needed to weather this phase of their marriage are blindsided with divorce papers.

A wife who seems increasingly distant and does not respond to her husband in any way until she suddenly files for divorce is a phenomenon often referred to as "walkaway wife syndrome." This syndrome is more common than you might think. Women are responsible for initiating as many as two-thirds of all divorces in the United States. While the reasons vary, some are tied to this very issue.  

This "walk away" movement seems to be spiking these statistics as women become loath to remain in a relationship in which they do not feel valued. If your wife is absolutely set on divorce, there are things you should know about walkaway wife syndrome. Having a Bloomingdale, IL divorce lawyer from Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can help you understand how to deal with a spouse who seems to wish you would disappear.

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 Posted on November 25, 2024 in Personal Injury

In early October, a truck driver caused a four-vehicle crash on IL Route 59. The truck driver later died at Northwestern Medicine, Central DuPage Hospital. Witnesses said the semi-tractor trailer was traveling south when it veered to the left, striking a vehicle. The semi then rolled, striking a commercial vehicle and a passenger car. Lane closures were necessary to remove collision debris from the road and begin a crash investigation.

The drivers of the other three vehicles suffered injuries, although none were life-threatening. What happens when a semi-truck driver is responsible for a multi-car accident? It can be difficult enough to be involved in a truck accident between the truck and one vehicle. Trucking companies tend to "circle the wagons" immediately to prevent injured parties from getting the settlement they need and deserve.

Trucking companies and their insurers rarely consider the best interests of truck accident victims. When a semi-truck is involved in a multi-car accident caused by the truck driver’s negligence, it is extremely important that all those involved have an experienced Lombard, IL trucking accident attorney to ensure their rights are protected and that they receive a fair settlement for their damages.

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 Posted on November 25, 2024 in Immigration

When immigrants arrive in a large city, they are often asked what would help them most. Their answers are usually the same—work. Immigration requirements are often an impediment that leads to the conclusion that the state of Illinois needs to come up with some unique solutions. Since August 2022, some 40,000 immigrants have arrived in the city of Chicago. Almost 10,000 seekers of asylum remain in shelters operated by the city.

Without a work permit, these people are unable to legally work. Without work, they are forced to rely on government assistance just to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. Most are desperate for resources, and some even begin panhandling because they are out of options. Others work for low, "under the table" cash wages. Immigration advocates urge state lawmakers to consider solutions, although federal immigration law governs work permits.

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