June 26, 2015

NYREJ – Ling of First Nationwide Title Agency: The rule of the Four S’s

Congratulations to Margaret Ling for her recognition by the New York Real Estate Journal as one of the 2015 Women in Real Estate!

Margaret is one of our Board Directors and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Real Estate Committee. She has been a long-time supporter of AABANY is an extremely active bar leader. To read more about Margaret and her many accomplishments, click on the link in the title.

She also shares her favorite quote:

“The attributes of a great lady may still be found in the rule of the Four S’s: Sincerity, Simplicity, Sympathy and Serenity.” ~ Emily Post

June 26, 2015

DHS Announces Temporary Protected Status Designation for Nepal

From U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services:

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson announced his decision to designate Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months based on the conditions resulting from the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, and the subsequent aftershocks. As a result, eligible nationals of Nepal residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Federal Register notice published today provides details and procedures for applying for TPS.

The TPS designation for Nepal is effective today, June 24, 2015, and will be in effect through December 24, 2016. The designation means that, during the designated period, eligible nationals of Nepal (and people without nationality who last habitually resided in Nepal) will not be removed from the United States and may receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The 180-day TPS registration period begins June 24, 2015 and runs through December 21, 2015.

To be eligible for TPS, applicants must demonstrate that they satisfy all eligibility criteria, including that they have been both “continuously physically present” and “continuously residing” in the United States since June 24, 2015. Applicants also undergo thorough security checks. Individuals with certain criminal records or who pose a threat to national security are not eligible for TPS. The eligibility requirements are fully described in the Federal Register notices and on the TPS Web page atwww.uscis.gov/tps.

Applicants may request that USCIS waive any or all TPS-related fees based on inability to pay by filing Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or by submitting a written request. Fee-waiver requests must be accompanied by supporting documentation. USCIS will reject any TPS application that does not include the required filing fee or a properly documented fee-waiver request. All USCIS forms are free. Applicants can download these forms from the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/forms or request them by calling USCIS toll-free at 1-800-870-3676.

Applicants seeking information about the status of their individual cases can check My Case Status Online or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) at no cost.

For more information about USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), Facebook (/uscis), and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

June 26, 2015

Press Release: NAPABA Applauds U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision on Marriage Equality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2015

Contact: Tina Matsuoka
(202) 775-9555

WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which requires states to license marriages between same-sex couples or recognize such marriages performed in other states.

“NAPABA has been a longstanding supporter of marriage equality because Asian Pacific Americans were long denied equal access to fundamental rights, including the fundamental right to marry. Today’s landmark decision is an important step toward eliminating discrimination and achieving equality under the law for all Americans.” said NAPABA President George C. Chen.

Obergefell is the consolidation of four separate lawsuits from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee in which same-sex couples challenged their states’ refusal to recognize their marriages or permit them to marry in those states. The Court’s decision nullifies the bans against marriage equality in 14 states.

NAPABA has joined numerous amicus briefs supporting the marriage rights of same-sex couples, including in the cases consolidated in Obergefell. Recognizing that broader equality for the LGBT community has yet to be achieved, NAPABA is committed to challenging other laws that deny equal rights for LGBT Americans.

###

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 40,000 attorneys and approximately 70 national, state, and local bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government. NAPABA engages in legislative and policy advocacy, promotes APA political leadership and political appointments, and builds coalitions within the legal profession and the community at large. NAPABA also serves as a resource for government agencies, members of Congress, and public service organizations about APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.