Category Archives: Immigration News

Who Can Vote in Presidential Elections?

Before You Start – Make Sure You Are Eligible!

Unlawfully voting in an election or claiming to be a U.S. citizen, in order to vote, is a violation of federal law punishable by fines and imprisonment. It may also affect your eligibility for certain immigration benefits and lead to removal proceedings. If you have any questions about your eligibility to vote, please contact an experienced immigration attorney.

To Vote In U.S. Federal Elections You Must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
  • Through Birth In The U.S.¹
  • Through Birth Overseas To A U.S. Citizen Parent²
  • Through Naturalization³
  • Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) cannot vote in federal elections, though they may vote in some local elections.
• Meet Your State’s Residency Requirements
• Be 18 Years of Age On or Before Election day
  • You may be able to register before the election if you will be 18 years old on Election Day; check your state’s requirements here: https://www.usa.gov/voter-registration-age-requirements .
• Register to Vote by Your State’s Deadline
  • https://www.usa.gov/election-office

Some State Laws Place Restrictions on Voting Base On:

• Felony Convictions
• Mental Incapacity

If you have questions about whether you may vote in your state, contact the election officials in the jurisdiction (usually the county) where you wish to register and vote.

Ways To Vote

• Vote in person at your designated polling place on Election Day
• Vote early in person at your designated early polling place
• Request a mail-in/ absentee ballot if available and vote by mail

1,2,3 View the printable factsheet for additional information on U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization requirements for voting.

Questions About Your Voting Eligibility? Contact An Experienced Immigration Attorney

Unlawful voting may affect your eligibility for certain immigration benefits and lead to removal proceedings. If you or your family members have any questions about your voting eligibility, it is important to consult with a qualified immigration attorney. Call immigration attorney Jessie M. Thomas at (214) 838-0045 or schedule a consultation.

Printable Factsheet To Help You Understand Who Can Vote In The U.S. Presidential Elections

View online, download, or print and share with others

Who Can Vote in The U.S. Presidential Election?

What is New

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented a new rule, effective February 24, 2020, to decide who will be considered a “Public Charge” (someone that is likely to need financial assistance from the government). The Department of State (DOS) also implemented an interim final rule, effective February 24, 2020, to align DOS’s public charge standards with those of USCIS.

How Does This Impact You

If you or your employee are seeking to remain or come to the United States either temporarily or permanently and are not in one of the exempt categories below, the rule will apply to you if you file on or after February 24, 2020. You will need to provide additional information and documents to USCIS as part of your application. This includes information about your health, family, education, income, assets, liabilities, receipt of any public benefits, and an Affidavit of Support from a financial sponsor. If you are found to be inadmissible as a Public Charge, you may be able to pay a bond and still adjust, change or extend your status.

Not everyone is subject to the public charge rule. The most common exceptions are the following:

• Asylees and Refugees
• Applicants for U or T Nonimmigrant Status
• VAWA Self-Petitioners
• Special Immigrant Juveniles
• Applicants seeking Temporary Protected Status
• Applicants under the Cuban Adjustment Act
• U.S. citizens, including naturalized citizens
• Lawful Permanent Residents (note: if you plan to be abroad for more than 180 days, please talk to your attorney)

What Should You Do Now?

Talk to your lawyer about how the new rule affects you.

• Talk to your lawyer about any past receipt of benefits and before applying for any new benefits.

What Benefits Are Problems for Public Charge?

• Cash Assistance for Income Maintenance (includes TANF, SSI, and federal, state, and local assistance programs)
• SNAP or Food Stamps
• Medicaid (with exceptions listed below)
• Housing Assistance (Public Housing or Section 8 Housing Vouchers and Rental Assistance)

What Benefits May You and Your Family Still Receive?

Any benefits not on the above list are NOT considered as public
benefits under the public charge rule, such as:

• Benefits received by the immigrant’s family members
• Benefits received by U.S. Armed Forces Service Members
• Emergency medical assistance
• Medicaid received by (1) children under 21; (2) during pregnancy or within 60 days of pregnancy; or (3) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Heath Insurance under the Affordable Care Act
• Social Security and Medicare
• WIC
• CHIP
• Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
• Pell grants and student loans
• Worker’s Compensation or Unemployment Benefits
• Tax-related cash benefits

Questions About Public Charge? Contact An Experienced Immigration Lawyer

If you or a family member have any questions about public charge and how the new public charge rule affects you, it is important to speak with a qualified immigration lawyer. Call immigration attorney Jessie M. Thomas at (214) 838-0045 or submit your questions online at www.staylegally.com/contact/ .

Printable Factsheet To Help You Understand How The New Public Charge Rule Affects You

View online, download, or print and share with others

How Does the New Public Charge Rule Affect You?

Attorney and Practice Magazine has recognized the exceptional performance of Texas Immigration Law Attorney Jessie M. Thomas with the 2019 “Top 10 Immigration Law Attorney” award.

The Attorney and Practice Magazine Top 10 Immigration Law Attorney Award is an achievement reserved for only those attorneys who have demonstrated the highest degree of excellence in his or her area of law. Because of their stringent standards, less than 1% of attorneys nationwide are included in this list published online and in their quarterly magazine.

The list recognizes the significant achievements of those attorneys whose practice elevates the standards of their State’s Bar as well as provided a benchmark for other practitioners. The list encompasses industry leaders who have been featured on networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, FOX, the New York Times, The Washington Post, Time and Newsweek.

Attorney and Practice Magazine is a quarterly publication and monthly blog. The selection process is conducted by an independent firm that determines which lawyers in Texas have attained a high degree of peer recognition & professional achievement.

Jessie is honored to have received recognition as an Attorney and Practice Magazine Top 10 Immigration Law Attorney.

Immigration Legal Questions? Contact Jessie M. Thomas directly at (214) 838-0045 or via her immigration law office website profile page at https://www.staylegally.com/lawyer/jessie-m-thomas/ .