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Recent Blog Posts
What Happens if ICE Comes to Your Work or Home?
When Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appear at a home or workplace in the Bay Area, it creates fear and confusion for families and employees alike. These encounters can happen without warning, especially given the Trump administration’s aggressive moves towards deporting immigrants. Knowing your rights is critical to protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Understanding what ICE can and cannot do — and how a San Francisco removal defense attorney can help if you are detained — will make all the difference in getting you through this stressful situation.
What Are Your Rights If ICE Comes to Your Home?
Federal law does not allow ICE agents to enter your home without proper authorization. In order to come inside, agents must have a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Many times, ICE officers will present an administrative warrant, which is not the same thing. An administrative warrant (Forms I-200 or I-205) is not enough to give them permission to cross your threshold.
Is the Trump Administration Taking Asylum Away?
Asylum in the United States has long been a legal pathway for people desperate to get away from violence, political oppression, and persecution. But many immigrants, especially from South Asian and Muslim-majority countries, have watched recent shifts in federal asylum policy with fear and confusion.
If you or your loved one is seeking asylum in the United States, particularly from regions like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, or India, it is essential to understand what has changed, what remains the same, and how a culturally attuned attorney can protect your rights. At Hafey & Karim, our Bay Area immigration attorneys offer legal services in English and Bengali and work with professional interpreters fluent in Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu to ensure clear communication for every client.
Who Qualifies for Political Asylum?
Political asylum allows people fleeing persecution to remain in the United States and build a new life in safety. For many immigrants in San Francisco and across the Bay Area, asylum is not just a legal process — it is a lifeline. It is also a legally complex and emotionally difficult journey that depends on meeting strict criteria and presenting a strong case supported by good evidence.
If you are seeking asylum because of political or religious persecution, targeted violence, or threats to your freedom or safety in your home country, you may qualify for this protection under U.S. immigration law. Our Bay Area immigration attorneys are here to help in English, Bengali, or with interpreters for Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.
What Does U.S. Law Require for Political Asylum?
To qualify for political asylum in the United States, you must demonstrate that you are unable or unwilling to return to your country of origin because of past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution. The persecution must be based on at least one of five protected grounds: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
ICE Raids: Know Your Rights and How to Stand Up for Our Communities
Over the past few days, ICE raids have taken place in Los Angeles and, more recently, right here in San Francisco. Many of us are understandably worried: Who is at risk?
If you have a deportation order, if you are out of status, if you missed court, or if your asylum claim was denied, you are at higher risk during these raids. Here’s what you need to know:
- Stay Calm and Respectful: First and foremost, remain calm and respectful. Know your rights and exercise them politely.
- You Have the Right to Remain Silent: You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, your immigration status, or how you entered the U.S. If you choose to answer, never provide fake documents. If you have valid status, carry those documents with you.
- If ICE Shows Up at Work or at Home: If you are an employer or if ICE shows up at your door, ask to see a search warrant signed by a judge. You do not have to open the door unless they present a valid judicial warrant.
Seeking Asylum? Know Your Rights, Eligibility, and the Legal Process
What is Asylum and Who Qualifies for It?
At Hafey & Karim, we specialize in helping individuals seek asylum in the United States. Asylum is a form of protection that allows people to stay in the U.S. if they fear persecution in their home country. But not everyone qualifies—there are specific requirements that must be met.
What Is Persecution?
Persecution means serious harm or threats against a person because of their identity, beliefs, or background. This can include physical violence, unlawful detention, torture, severe discrimination, or other forms of mistreatment that make it unsafe for them to stay in their home country.
Who Can Apply for Asylum?
To qualify for asylum, a person must show they have been persecuted or have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country due to one of the following reasons:
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Race – If someone faces threats or violence because of their racial background.
7 Immigration Policy Changes Trump May Reinstate and How to Prepare
With Donald Trump taking office in January, U.S. immigration policies will likely undergo drastic changes. At Hafey & Karim, we believe in the power of informed preparation and are committed to helping our clients navigate the challenges ahead.
Here, we break down seven key immigration policy areas Trump has promised to address. If you or someone you know is affected by any of these changes, now is the time to act.
1. MASS DEPORTATIONS
One of Trump’s most significant promises is to implement mass deportations, affecting an estimated 12 million undocumented people. This goal would require expanded detention centers, significant resources, and fast-tracking cases through immigration courts. For those impacted, the threat of deportation poses a direct risk to their families, livelihoods, and communities.
Take action now if you or a loved one is concerned about potential deportation. Consult an immigration attorney to understand available protections, options to adjust status, and any relief measures that may be available.
My Visa Expired. How Can I Avoid Deportation?
A visa is a travel document that allows a foreign citizen to enter the United States and remain there temporarily. When the visa expires, it means the holder no longer has permission to be in the country. If the foreign citizen continues to remain in the U.S., it is against the law and can have serious consequences. One of those consequences is deportation, which means being forcibly removed from the country. If your visa has expired, contact a California immigration attorney who can help you plan your next steps.
What Can Happen if I Stay in the United States on an Expired Visa?
Remaining in the United States on an expired visa is illegal and can have the following repercussions:
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Immigration authorities may launch deportation proceedings against you and have you removed from the country.
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Depending on how long you stay past your visa expiry date, you may be barred from re-entering the United States for several years.
What Is the Difference Between Asylum and TPS?
There are several ways to gain legal entry to the United States. Some are granted immigrant visas through family members, for example, while others are allowed residence for employment or education.
Some noncitizens come to the United States because of unsafe conditions in their home countries. In these cases, the applicant may apply for asylum or temporary protected status (TPS). The best way to determine which is right for you is to consult an experienced California immigration attorney. In the meantime, this article may help you understand the differences between asylum and TPS.
What Is Asylum?
Asylum means you are asking the United States government for refuge from persecution in your home country. When you apply for asylum, you need to prove that you might be oppressed if you return to your home country due to your:
5 Possible Defenses Against Deportation
The possibility of being deported can be a frightening and intimidating thought to a noncitizen. This is especially true for asylum seekers who might face persecution and harm if they return to their home countries. Fortunately, the law offers some defenses for deportation from the United States. Understanding these defenses and hiring a California immigration attorney are important first steps to take if you are facing deportation or removal.
Denial of Charges
The US government may try to remove a noncitizen from the country for one of the following reasons:
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He or she committed a crime for which the punishment is deportation.
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He or she presents a threat to public safety.
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He or she violated the terms of his or her visa.
If the charge you are facing is untrue, then denying it can be a good defense in immigration court. It is the Department of Homeland Security’s responsibility to prove that you committed the offense.
3 Key Steps Toward Understanding K-1 Fiancé Visas in California
Trying to navigate immigration law and get a K-1 fiancé visa can feel overwhelming, especially for those who do not speak English as a first language. If you want to bring your fiancé to the United States, legal professionals like immigration lawyers can be very helpful. Lawyers will help you understand your situation and can provide detailed help. Here are three example requirements couples need to meet to receive a K-1 fiancé visa.
Demonstrating Intent to Marry
When applying for a K-1 visa, you and your fiancé must show that you truly plan to get married. This is not just a promise that you will get married. The U.S. government needs proof. You can provide:
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Written statements from both you and your fiancé expressing your intent to marry within 90 days of your fiancé arriving in the United States.
Our firm provides representation for people throughout the United States. From our Concord office, we serve clients in San Francisco, Oakland, San Rafael, San Pablo, Richmond, Berkeley, Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont, San Bruno, San Mateo, Palo Alto, San Jose, Mountain View, Milpitas, Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Campbell. From our Dallas office, we serve clients in Plano, Frisco, Allen, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Richardson, Garland, Mesquite, Irving, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Euless, Bedford, Grapevine, Coppell, and Fort Worth.
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