Posts by Jason Hines
Federal Judge Rules DOJ Cannot Punish Sanctuary Cities by Blocking Public Safety Grant Money
In July 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice said that it will withhold federal grant money for law enforcement from cities that refuse to allow federal immigration authorities access to their jails. This was yet another volley in the back-and-forth conflict between President Trump and the sanctuary cities throughout the United States. A sanctuary city…
Read MorePresident Trump Ended the DACA Program with a Six-month Delay, Leaving DREAMers in Limbo
On Tuesday, September 5th, in a press conference at the Department of Justice, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that President Trump will be ending the DACA program, the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, with a six-month delay in implementation. The DACA program, which President Obama created as an Executive Order, contains protections for…
Read MoreCo-Parenting Tips for Starting the School Year Off Successfully
Kids are busy these days. They have band practice, Tae Kwon Do classes, dance classes, play dates, doctors’ appointments and baseball practice just to name a few of the extra-curricular activities that kids are involved in. There are also parent-teacher conferences, and school activities that you must coordinate with your ex so that you can…
Read MoreSan Antonio Human Smuggling Tragedy Leaves 10 Dead
The horrifying story of a tractor-trailer crammed with people being suffocated to death in the broiling heat of a Texas summer day likely pricked at the hearts of everyone who heard about it earlier this week. Each one of those 100 people—all undocumented immigrants from Mexico and Central America – risked their lives, and in…
Read MoreDivorce, Dissolution, Separation or Annulment: Which is Best for You?
If you’re like most folks who are considering the end of their marriage, you’re probably getting a lot of advice (wanted or not) from friends and family, and checking out a lot of blogs and stories online. This means you’ve probably seen the phrases “dissolution,” “annulment” and “separation” used interchangeably with the word “divorce.” We…
Read MoreWhat Does a “Bona Fide Relationship” Mean for Your Travel Plans?
So, you’re ready to come to America to be with your family, but the news seems to change every day. Can you still travel to the U.S.? Will you be allowed to stay? Let’s start at the beginning. As of today, everything that has gone into effect is temporary: The Supreme Court has ruled that…
Read MoreFactors in Tennessee Child Custody Decisions
In all Tennessee child custody cases, the court encourages parents to work out a custody plan that is in the best interests of the child (children). If an agreement cannot be reached, the court will decide what solution works best. Tennessee has two types of custody. Legal custody addresses which parent will make the health…
Read MoreAt Home or Abroad: How to Bring Your Foreign Fiancée to the US
Finding the person you want to spend your life with is one of the greatest of joys. That joy can be complicated, however, when the one you love is living abroad and does not yet qualify for US citizenship. There are options for bringing your foreign fiancée to the US, but they are complicated. An…
Read MoreUnderstanding Tennessee’s Custody Relocation Statute
Tennessee has a law that details what the moving parent must do if he/she wishes to move and take minor children with him/her—to another state or to a new location that is more than 50 miles away from the home of either parent. The parent who is moving must notify the non-moving parent of their…
Read MoreAn Explanation of Immigration Bonds for Detainees in Tennessee
In certain circumstances, individuals detained or arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency can be released before their court hearing. To do so, someone must obtain an immigration bond on the detainee’s behalf. ICE can release a foreign national based on his/her own recognizance. Otherwise, the immigration judge or ICE will set…
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