Posted on July 10, 2020 in Immigration

Many people who were born in other countries dream of coming to the United States to live. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is an agency within the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that manages the country’s naturalization and immigration system. In some situations, immigrants to the United States may be deported if they are found to be there illegally. To begin the immigration removal process, DHS will typically issue a Notice to Appear or NTA. An NTA can be delivered in person or via mail by an immigration officer, and it contains important information about the removal proceedings. There are different types of hearings that can be scheduled as part of the process, such as individual hearings, bond redetermination hearings, and rescission hearings. Regardless of the type of hearing, it is imperative to be prepared to secure a positive outcome.

Preparation Is Key

An immigration hearing can last several days, and statements are given under oath. It is an opportunity to build a strong defense against deportation and convince the government that you deserve to live and work legally in the United States. A DHS attorney will question you, any witnesses, and submit documentation and arguments in opposition to the requested grant of relief.

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 Posted on July 09, 2020 in Family Law

Despite our very best efforts to mentally prepare for the emotional pain that accompanies divorce, it is difficult — if not impossible — to brace ourselves for the outcome, no matter how hard we try. Even couples who split amicably, and are still on good terms after the decision to end their marriage, are often surprised by the emotional tide they find themselves swept up in during and after the divorce proceedings. In reality, the end of a marriage takes a toll on anyone who experiences such a transition, but adopting some healthy coping strategies early on in the process can help pave the way for a less painful road to recovery.

What Does it Mean to Cope in a Healthy Way?

There are all kinds of ways people cope during a loss or major disappointment in life and some of those strategies end up causing more harm and more problems when used consistently. Overeating, binge drinking, or excessive spending can all backfire when used as a way to regulate our emotions. In contrast, coping in a healthy way promotes self-care and helps to relax and support our mental, physical, and spiritual health. Throughout the divorce process, practice the following tips to cope with any painful, uncomfortable emotions in a healthy way:

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 Posted on July 08, 2020 in Personal Injury

For many Americans, driving or riding in a car or other vehicle is crucial to go about our daily life. We need to ride in vehicles to get to and from our homes, schools, jobs, and everywhere else. We are so accustomed to vehicles that we sometimes forget how dangerous they can be. Car accidents can produce many types of injuries ranging from simple bruises and superficial scrapes to more serious injuries, such as broken bones, brain injuries, or in some major vehicle collisions, even crush injuries.

What Is a Crush Injury?

A crush injury occurs when a person’s body is stuck between two objects and excessive force is applied. These types of injuries are not uncommon in car accidents and though they can occur anywhere on the body, they most frequently occur to the extremities such as the arms, hands, feet, and legs. Symptoms of a crush injury can include:

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 Posted on July 02, 2020 in Family Law

Regardless of whether or not the decision to end your marriage is mutual, once the agreement to divorce has materialized, both parties can feel as if the worst part — the big decision — is over. However, the reality of divorce says otherwise. It is often the moments leading up to, and those immediately after the litigation process, that can sneak up and cause conflict. Couples who have managed to remain civil and those who are experiencing existing tension have the opportunity to lessen the chances of a contentious divorce by looking for signs of underlying tension.

Signs Your Divorce May Take a Turn

While no two divorces look alike and every couple’s circumstances differ, the following signs are common red flags that may point to conflict on the horizon:

1. Custody Disputes - Anytime children are involved in a divorce, the emotions and stakes are always heightened. While many parents choose to find ways to cooperate with one another for the sake of the kids, the smallest of disagreements when it comes to parenting plans or parenting time can quickly take a turn for the worst. This is especially true if the reason for the divorce was particularly damaging, due to infidelity or an intimate betrayal of some sort. Be sure to address your concerns with your attorney if you or the other parent are beginning to lose your patience with one another in front of the children and you are noticing that you are not seeing eye to eye on parenting issues.

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 Posted on June 30, 2020 in Personal Injury

Contrary to popular belief, slip and fall injuries in the workplace occur throughout the entire year, not just in winter. Though ice, snow, and adverse weather conditions can make slips and falls more likely to occur without proper precaution, many slip and falls accidents occur within the controlled environments of indoor offices. A common cause of slip and fall injuries is wet, slippery floors without proper signage of the hazard. Wet floors are not the only everyday materials that can cause such injuries. Improperly anchored carpet or extension cords and freshly mopped and waxed flooring can cause employees to lose balance, resulting in minor to serious injuries. Controlled office environments may not be absent from such dangerous conditions, but some occupations bring a higher risk of injury than others.

Industries with High Incidences of Workplace Injury

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that falls, slips, and trips accounted for 14 percent of all fatal workplace injuries in Illinois in 2018. It is also the third most common type of workplace fatality. Though injuries in the workplace are generally evenly distributed across industries and occupations, there are several outliers that exceed the average rates. The following are occupations in which workers may be at a higher risk for a fall, slip, or trip:

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 Posted on June 26, 2020 in Immigration

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an administrative change that is aimed to allow for more flexibility during the processing of employment authorization documents (EADs) for asylum applicants by removing the existing required 30-day time frame. This rule will become effective as of Aug. 21, 2020. Depending on their situations, certain aliens who are living in the United States temporarily may be eligible for a work permit. They can request work authorization using Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Once approved, these individuals will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to work in the country. U.S. employers have a duty to check that all employees, regardless of their nationality or citizenship status, are allowed to work in the country. If someone is not a citizen or a lawful permanent resident (LPR), he or she can still work in the United States if he or she has a valid EAD.

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 Posted on June 25, 2020 in Personal Injury

The roads in Illinois -- especially those closer to larger cities such as Chicago - are rarely empty. They are usually teeming with cars full of people trying to get to work, school, appointments, and everywhere else. Lately, however, the roads have been much less crowded -- and noticeably so. This was to be expected because of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the country. Illinois issued a stay-at-home order in mid-March that prohibited non-essential travel and work, which greatly cut down on vehicles on the road. Despite the drop in traffic, the number of speeding tickets and speeding-related accidents has increased greatly. An Illinois car accident injury lawyer can assist you with pursuing compensation if you are injured in a vehicle crash caused by speeding.

Traffic Fatalities Increase in Illinois

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 Posted on June 25, 2020 in Family Law

Similar to other kinds of losses, a divorce never looks or feels exactly the same for every person. We all grieve and process that grief differently, and because the divorce experience can vary in complexity depending on the circumstances of a given relationship, the journey can be especially unique and challenging to navigate. Emotional setbacks throughout a divorce are common and to be expected, regardless of your circumstances. The key to having victory over those setbacks and keeping them from controlling you begins with having coping strategies in your arsenal when times get tough.

Conquering the Tide of Discouragement

Thankfully, there have been countless studies on the psychological ramifications of divorce and the most effective ways to manage the stress, disappointment, and setbacks they entail. Psychologists recommend the following to heal, stay positive, and move forward, despite the emotional roadblocks you may experience along the way:

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 Posted on June 19, 2020 in Family Law

Among the many concerns divorcing parents have throughout the process of ending their marriage, establishing a solid parenting plan that equips them to effectively care for their children after the separation is often the most worrisome. This is particularly true for those experiencing a contentious divorce, as relationships with more tension tend to lead to major disagreements, especially when it comes to sensitive subjects like custody and parenting arrangements. However, creating a fair, realistic parenting plan that supports your children’s health and well-being is possible as long as you are able to keep things in perspective in the midst of your divorce.

Acting on Behalf of Your Children’s Best Interests

Checking in with yourself is key as you begin to work on constructing a parenting plan during your divorce. Here are three ways to help you determine whether or not your parenting plan arrangements truly have your children’s best interests at heart:

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 Posted on June 19, 2020 in Immigration

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The agency is responsible for protecting the United States by enforcing border control, customs, trade, and immigration laws for public safety and national security. ICE officials detain those individuals who are considered a “flight risk” and may move to another place within the country or who may be a danger to others. By being detained, the government ensures that the non-citizen will appear before the Immigration Court to plead his or her case. It is crucial that immigrants seek professional legal counsel for guidance on their options.

Grounds for Detention

If a person is detained by ICE officials, it does not mean he or she will automatically be deported. A detainee can plead his or her case to an Immigration Judge, who will make the final decision. There are several grounds that an immigrant can be detained, including:

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