Mirror of Justice

Immigrants in the Spotlight Again

July 17th, 2009 at 10:40pm Under Immigration Law

Jerry EricksonPublished: February 26, 2009

On Feb. 16, almost 200 people marched from Manassas Park to the Judicial Center in Manassas to bring attention to a case of alleged police brutality against a local immigrant and to Hispanic immigrant issues in general. 

The complaint that sparked the rally was made by a 38-year-old Salvadoran immigrant, Agueda Dominguez. She claimed that a Manassas Park police officer beat her during a routine traffic stop on Feb. 2 because she refused to sign a ticket for having a broken headlight. Ms. Dominguez maintained that she is able to speak English, but she could not understand the officer’s request.

In addition to protesting the treatment of Ms. Dominquez, the marchers were protesting local government policies enacted in the past year that they claim are anti-immigrant. One of these regulations is the 287(g) program of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows local law enforcement to team up with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce federal immigration laws.  The 287 (g) program is aimed at deporting illegal immigrants who have broken other laws. Members of the mostly Hispanic marching group chanted for “Justice!” in a call-and-response format, first in Spanish and then in English. One protest marcher’s sign read: “Nadie es ilegal (No one is illegal).”

Although it may be unrelated directly, on the following day, Feb. 17, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, via a “Staff Directive,” eliminated a new requirement that unincorporated business owners verify their immigration status in- person at county offices to apply for a Business, Professional and Occupational License. 

Now, instead of having to apply in person, these business owners will be able to check a box on their application certifying their lawful presence in the United States. 

Many critics had decried the county’s recent imposition of this regulation as an unnecessary government requirement intended to make members of the immigrant business community feel unwelcome in Prince William County.

The county’s sudden reversal of its requirement of in-person certification of legal presence for a business license may have been the result of community resistance to a perceived anti-immigrant measure.

Just as likely, the county may have changed their mind because they feared that the in-person application requirement was scaring away some applicants and their tax revenue.

At the heart of the Prince William County and Manassas debate on immigration is the economy. Factions on both sides of the issues claim that immigration in recent years has had a serious effect on the local economy.

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart had predicted that the current weakened state of the economy would prevent the county from addressing the increasingly controversial proof of legal presence requirement. When quoted in the Washington Post recently, Chairman Stewart said, “I don’t think anyone is going to have the stomach to reopen this right in the middle of a tough budget cycle.” Contrary to his assessment, the county acted to eliminate the in-person requirement at issue the following week. 

Like Chairman Stewart, those in favor of tougher anti-illegal immigration measures often argue that by not better controlling our nation’s borders, the U.S. is allowing immigrants to take away the jobs of native-born Americans. They also often view increased immigration as a stress on our national and local benefit systems. 

Those advocates fighting for the rights of immigrants counter that immigration actually feeds economic growth and contributes to tax revenues. On Feb.11, New York Times Op-Ed columnist Thomas Friedman represented the viewpoint of those who contend that increased immigration will equal a healthier economy. He pointed to smart, diverse and energetic immigrants as the source of much American economic success and job creation in the past. He noted that in the last decade immigrants founded half of the Silicon Valley start-up companies. Friedman maintained that protectionist impulses only serve to stifle economic growth by shutting the borders to some of the world’s brightest entrepreneurial minds. He argued that our faltering economy must be stimulated “with green cards not just greenbacks, and with start-ups not just bailouts.” 

There’s no doubt that proponents on both sides of the question will continue to vigorously advocate their views, whether through legislation, editorials or protest marching. And, as the troubles of the economy continue to take center stage for all, it is certain that the issues surrounding immigration will continue to share the spotlight.

The above information is provided for informational purposes only.  The information should not be construed as legal advice and does not constitute an engagement of the Szabo, Zelnick & Erickson, P.C. law firm or establish an attorney-client relationship with any of its attorneys.  An attorney-client relationship with our firm is only created by signing a written agreement with our firm.

What Do We Do When a Group of People Have Their Rights Taken Away??

July 15th, 2009 at 08:54am Under Civil Rights Law

Law Courses and Career Scope

July 14th, 2009 at 05:38pm Under Administrative Law

If the world of law inspires you and the system of justice fascinates you, a career in law is for you. Legal profession is a fast growing, lucrative and the most respected career in India today. It is a very exciting and adventurous career. To pursue a career in law, one needs to pursue professional law courses. There are a number of institutes and universities in India that offer law courses. One could specialize into one of the various arms of law such as: corporation law, civil law, criminal law, and international law, labor law, patent law, tax law and so on.

In India, both government and private institutes offer under-graduate and post-graduate law courses to students. One could pursue LLB and LLM after graduation from these universities. Apart from the degree law courses, some institutes also offer diploma law courses in various disciplines such as Administrative Law, International Law, Labour Laws, Tax Laws and Corporate Laws. These small law courses are also helpful in building a successful career in law.

There are various branches of specialization in the field of law. These include civil law, criminal law, corporate law, property law, income tax law, marine law, public international law, family law, labour law, press law, excise law, constitutional law, administration law, sale of goods law, trade mark, copyright and patent law etc. Thus, there are numerous options for one to choose from. The eligibility to pursue LLB is 10+2. Course duration is 3-5 years and for a PG programme in law, the eligibility is LLB degree. Duration of LLM is two years. Once you pursue a course in law, you can opt for employment in different courts of law, in government service, as a law teacher, as a legal advisor to a company or a business house. One could also practice privately as a legal advisors advocate, solicitor etc.

On completion of the course, one can enroll with the local State Central Bar council. The Bar Council of India and the State Bar Councils are the statutory bodies that form a self regulated code of law for legal professionals practicing in India. Thus, all aspiring lawyers are required to enroll with these councils. Lawyers enjoy a position of reputation in the society and their services are required at different fronts in different situations of life. One falls back to the legal system when all else fails so the demand for legal practitioners is always high in society. During any dispute or a matter of legal concern, it is the duty of lawyers to counsel their clients about their legal rights. Lawyers suggest legal remedies and course of action in matters of contention. It is also the duty of lawyers to draw up legal documents like wills and contracts. Lawyers also represent clients in court and tribunal proceedings and conduct negotiations on behalf of their clients. .

To become a successful lawyer, just academic qualification is not sufficient. One needs to acquire professional competence through experience and practice under the mentorship of efficient lawyers. One learns the ropes of the profession and the shrewdness that is required with experience. The personal attributes that are required to be a good lawyer include communication skills, patience, logical reasoning, and a very good memory. A good lawyer would be well updated with the latest information on nay changes in law and would have done a fair amount of reading.

With a law degree, if one takes up additional qualification too, it will help in making the person eligible for a variety of employment opportunities such as government services where lawyers are appointed through UPSC and can join Indian Legal Service and serve as Law officers, Dy. Legal Advisors and Legal Advisors. One can also join judiciary where the posts are that of the magistrate, district and sessions judge, sub-magistrate, public prosecutor, solicitors, attorney general, advocate general, notary and oath commissioner. Then, there are law inspectors, legal officers in banks, judicial members of income tax, sales tax and excise departments, government advocates and staff in the registrar of companies’ office. Thus, there is no dearth of employment opportunities for those who have done law courses. With a law degree and an additional course, one can aspire to make a very successful career in the field of law.