Miami Immigration Lawyers Blog

Miami immigration lawyer Antonio Revilla appeared on Noticias 41 to discuss the Obama administration's announcement that it will begin reviewing the case files of the estimated 300,000 illegal immigrants in deportation proceedings to determine which individuals' cases should be administratively closed and possibly be allowed to obtain work authorization.

Click here to view the Noticias 41 segment on Obama's immigration policy.

This new immigration policy could result in significant and positive changes to thousands of deportation cases in the United States. However, it is important to note that it is not amnesty nor is it immigration reform. The policy also does not provide for legal status in this country. Therefore, individuals with questions about their immigration matter should contact an experienced immigration attorney to evaluate their case.

For more information about this new policy and a Free Case Evaluation, contact Antonio Revilla at Revilla Law Firm (305) 858-2323.


Antonio Revilla, el abogado de inmigración en Miami, apareció en Noticias 41 para discutir el anuncio del gobierno de Obama de que va a comenzar a revisar los expedientes de los cerca de 300,000 inmigrantes ilegales en proceso de deportación para determinar qué personas deben ser liberadas y, posiblemente, permitidas a obtener autorización de trabajo.

Para más información sobre esta nueva política y si califica, póngase en contacto con Antonio Revilla en Revilla Law Firm (305) 858-2323.

About Antonio Revilla
Antonio Revilla is a Former U.S. Immigration Prosecutor and Miami Immigration Lawyer. Mr. Revilla founded his immigration law practice, Revilla Law Firm, when he saw a dire need for aggressive immigration representation and deportation defense in order to keep families united.

If you wish to receive more information about any immigration issue, you can contact Revilla Law Firm at 305-858-2323 to speak with Antonio Revilla. He can also be reached via email at arevilla@immigrationmiami.com or by phone (305) 858-2323.

Miami immigration lawyer Antonio Revilla appeared on Channel 41 to discuss a proposed immigration bill introduced by U.S. Rep. David Rivera. Rivera's bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to rescind the adjusted state of Cubans who return to the island before they obtain their U.S. citizenship. Cubans generally need up to five years to become U.S. citizens.

The current wording would require Cubans to wait five years, instead of the current one year and one day, before they are covered by the CAA, receiving immediate U.S. residency and other benefits.

For more information about this proposed immigration bill, contact Antonio Revilla at Revilla Law Firm in Miami at (305) 858-2323.

About Antonio Revilla
Antonio Revilla is a Former U.S. Immigration Prosecutor and Miami Immigration Lawyer. Mr. Revilla founded his immigration law practice, Revilla Law Firm, when he saw a dire need for aggressive immigration representation and deportation defense in order to keep families united.

If you wish to receive more information about any immigration issue, you can contact Revilla Law Firm at 305-858-2323 to speak with Antonio Revilla. He can also be reached via email at arevilla@immigrationmiami.com or by phone (305) 858-2323.

The Obama administration announced today that it will begin reviewing the case files of the estimated 300,000 illegal immigrants in deportation proceedings to determine which individuals should be released from custody and possibly allowed to obtain work authorization. The administration said the move is an attempt to concentrate resources on criminal aliens who pose a high risk to the country and national security.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will also begin prioritizing its enforcement procedures to ensure "low-priority" illegal immigrants, those who pose no public safety risk, or who likely came to the country unlawfully only to work, do not enter the deportation process in the first place.

"We are taking steps to maximize the extent to which the folks in the deportation caseload are consistent with our highest priorities and to keep folks who are not consistent with those priorities out of the caseload in the first case," an official who spoke on background told reporters during a conference call.

DHS officials stressed, however, that the decision does not translate to automatic legal residency or amnesty, but instead the cases will be "stayed." They could be reopened if the government finds reason to do so. Work authorization will be determined on a case-by-case basis and is not automatic, they said.

White House and immigration officials said they would exercise "prosecutorial discretion" to focus enforcement efforts on cases involving criminals and people who have flagrantly violated immigration laws.

Under the new policy, the secretary of homeland security, Janet Napolitano, can provide relief, on a case-by-case basis, to young people who are in the country illegally but pose no threat to national security or to the public safety.

The new policy is expected to help thousands of illegal immigrants who came to the United States as young children, graduated from high school and want to go on to college or serve in the armed forces.

About Antonio Revilla
Antonio Revilla is a Former U.S. Immigration Prosecutor and Miami Immigration Lawyer. Mr. Revilla founded his immigration law practice, Revilla Law Firm, when he saw a dire need for aggressive immigration representation and deportation defense in order to keep families united.

If you wish to receive more information about any immigration issue, you can contact Revilla Law Firm at 305-858-2323 to speak with Antonio Revilla. He can also be reached via email at arevilla@immigrationmiami.com or by phone (305) 858-2323.

Miami Herald 8/17/11

U.S. Rep. David Rivera said Tuesday he wants to sanction Cuban Americans who return to the island less than five years after they left, alleging that they are abusing a loophole in the Cuban Adjustment Act and helping the country's communist system.

The South Florida Republican submitted a bill on Aug. 1 to deal with the growing complaint that Cubans benefit from the CAA as refuge-seekers but then return to the island just to visit relatives or even to vacation.

Approved in 1966 for the tens of thousands of Cubans who were fleeing the communist government at the height of the Cold War, the CAA offers U.S. residency 366 days after arrival and other benefits. Citizens of no other country receive such benefits.

"The original intent of the CAA was to provide status to Cuban refugees because they were not able to return to Cuba," Rivera told El Nuevo Herald. "That political situation remains the same today, with a communist totalitarian dictatorship in power."

"We have to do something about those who avail themselves of an act designed to protect them from persecution and then travel back to the persecuting country in an obvious abuse of the law," he added.

Criticism of the CAA has been building in recent years around the United States and even among South Florida's older Cuban exile community, as growing numbers of Cuban arrivals argue that they left the island for economic rather than political reasons. About 300,000 Cuban-Americans visited the island in 2010, and the Raúl Castro government has said it is reviewing migration regulations -- a possible hint that more will be allowed to return in order to help boost the island's economy.

"The Castro dictatorship is hoping for a lifesaver with increased travel," Rivera said. "This bill will hopefully throw it an anchor."

Rivera's bill, HR2771, requires the Department of Homeland Security to rescind the adjusted state of Cubans who return to the island before they obtain their U.S. citizenship. Cubans generally need up to five years to become U.S. citizens.

The current wording would require Cubans to wait five years - instead of the current one year and one day -- before they are covered by the CAA, receiving immediate U.S. residency and other benefits. The new wording, emailed by Rivera's office to El Nuevo Herald, says Cubans will be ineligible for CAA if they return to the country before their status is adjusted.

Congress watchers said the bill has a chance of passing because it could be perceived as both tightening U.S. immigration regulations and taking a jab at the Cuban government.

For more information about this immigration bill, contact Revilla Law Firm for a free in-office consultation at (305) 858-2323.

About Antonio Revilla
Antonio Revilla is a Former U.S. Immigration Prosecutor and Miami Immigration Lawyer. Mr. Revilla founded his immigration law practice, Revilla Law Firm, when he saw a dire need for aggressive immigration representation and deportation defense in order to keep families united.

If you wish to receive more information about any immigration issue, you can contact Revilla Law Firm at 305-858-2323 to speak with Antonio Revilla. He can also be reached via email at arevilla@immigrationmiami.com or by phone (305) 858-2323.

Immigration matters can be complex, stressful, and overwhelming, which is why the immigration attorneys at Revilla Law Firm are committed to clarifying legal issues for those in need of immigration assistance. Our goal is to help you understand immigration procedures and to provide the professional guidance you need to achieve the best outcome in your case. Please take a moment to read through the following Frequently Asked Questions about immigration and feel free to contact our office for further assistance.

What are removal proceedings?
These are proceedings conducted in Immigration Court to determine a person's removability or inadmissibility to the United States. In these proceedings a person can apply for certain benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act which may give the person legal status in the U.S.

Do I need to hire an immigration attorney for removal proceedings?
Yes, removal proceedings involve complex areas of immigration law. Removal proceedings are very important in that they determine whether or not somebody will be deported from the United States. At a removal proceeding, an Immigration Judge will determine whether you are ordered deported from the United States. It is highly recommended that you retain an experienced immigration attorney.

What is a master calendar hearing?
This is preliminary hearing where the charges of inadmissibility or removability are addressed by the Immigration Court. At this hearing, the Immigration Court will also determine a person's eligibility for relief under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This hearing is generally held along with many other individuals who are also scheduled for master calendar hearings.

What is an individual hearing?
This is a hearing where the Immigration Court hears testimony and reviews evidence to determine if a person should be granted relief. The Immigration Court will also hold an individual hearing to determine whether a charge of removability or inadmissibility should be sustained. This hearing is generally held outside the presence of other Respondents.

What if I have an order of removal or deportation and I am now married to a United States citizen or a Cuba resident?
You may be able to motion the court to reopen (or eliminate the order of removal or deportation) your removal proceedings so that you may be able to apply for residency. It is often the case that a person will need the agreement of the Office of the Chief Counsel to motion the Immigration Court to reopen a case.

What is a motion to reopen?
This is where the court is requested or moved to reopen removal proceedings where a decision is final. This often occurs when an order of removal has been issued and it is requested that the court rescind or eliminate the order of removal.

What is a joint motion to reopen?
This is a motion to reopen that requires the agreement of the Office of the Chief Counsel because of time or numerical limitations placed on motions to reopen by the Immigration and Nationality Act.

If you require additional information about any immigration issue, contact Revilla Law Firm today for a free in-office consultation (305) 858-2323. Our Miami Immigration Lawyers are committed to protecting our clients by providing aggressive representation in all immigration matters.

Miami Immigration Lawyer and Former U.S. Immigration Prosecutor, Antonio Revilla, is the founder of Revilla Law Firm, a full-service immigration practice with an excellent reputation throughout the legal community for handling immigration matters. Mr. Revilla is a passionate advocate for Immigration Reform and has dedicated his career to helping people stay in the United States through aggressive and competent legal representation. With over 18 years of litigation experience and extensive knowledge about immigration procedures, Mr. Revilla is a seasoned litigator known for successfully handling complex immigration cases.