Immigrants and State Courts

Speakers discuss the intersection of the state laws and federal immigration laws – with a focus on the family court act. State Court decisions impact immigrants both positively and negatively. Immigrants who are survivors of violence or witnesses to crime may be able to legalize their immigration status by submitting crucial court documents in support of their applications for VAWA self-petitions or U visas. Likewise, young people who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by at least one parent may be able to obtain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status upon findings by the family court judge. Conversely, some family court dispositions can render an immigrant deportable, trigger an immigration detainer or impair an immigrant’s ability to successfully obtain a green card or naturalization certificate.

Speakers

Terry Lawson, Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder of Co-Counsel NYC

Denise Kronstadt, Executive Director, Fund for Modern Courts