Interview With Lisa Anderson: Immigration And Immigration Law

2427 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Comprehensive immigration reform

I interviewed Lisa Anderson who is an immigration lawyer that focuses on deportations, removal defense, immigration and non-immigrant visas. I chose to interview this lawyer because she is currently my parent’s immigration lawyer since the summer of 2012. Lisa Anderson graduated from UCLA School of Law with the goal to practice immigration law. She became interested in immigration specifically because she visited Central America in the late 80’s when the civil war was happening. When she came back to Los Angeles, she noticed that a lot of refugees were requesting for help, which why she gained a passion in wanting to work with that population. Upon her graduation, Lisa was selected for the Attorney Generals Honors Program at the U.S. Department of Justice where she served Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in Los Angeles for five years. Today, Lisa is now in the private sector since 2004 and she handles complex cases around deportation and exclusions, waivers, criminal convictions, asylums, citizenship and petitions. Lisa is authorized to practice law before all immigration courts across the United Stated, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Supreme Court of California and United States Court of Appeals for the 9th and 10th circuit. Lastly, she is a member of the California Bar Association and American Immigration Lawyers Association.
I interviewed Lisa on April 15th, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at her office at 3435 Wilshire Blvd. Suite #1010 Los Angeles, CA 90010. During the interview, I was very nervous because I knew she was busy, had a lot of clients and I had never approached her for a personal favor. Whenever I would ask Lisa a question she was very quick to respond to my questions, which threw me off guard because I tho...

... middle of paper ...

...ill not only help undocumented individuals come out from the shadows, it will also help the social, emotional, academic and financial well being of a child from a mixed-status family. Nearly a third of children of immigrants currently live with at least on undocumented parent, these children are worthy of consideration in current immigration policy discussions (Yoshikawa et al., 2013). A comprehensive immigration reform will provide an opportunity for these U.S. born citizen children to have parents enroll in programs they may be eligible for. A pathway to full citizenship has implications for the development of over 5.5 million children whom immigration reform may affect (Yoshikawa et al., 2013). The longer congress takes to create a comprehensive immigration reform, the greater consequences children of mixed-status families will face for their overall well-being.

Show More
Related

  • Bring Back the Bracero Program

    1545 Words  | 4 Pages

    children of immigrants will not be left behind by their parents. More children will have complete

    Read More

  • Essay On Dominican Immigration

    1068 Words  | 3 Pages

    As the Latino population in the United States continues to grow, U.S. Census Bureau, 2001, increasing attention is being turned toward understanding the risk and protective factors of immigrant Latino and U.S.-born Latino children and families. The demographic data relating to Latinos in the United States estimate that one of every two people added to the U.S population was Latino, in July 2009 Latino population was the fastest growing minority group U.S Census Bureau, 2010. Despite the increased risk of growing the immigrant families are in lower risk of Social Economic Status, having parents with less education and limited with language and knowledge about education. Immigrating to one place to another is often the most stressful event

    Read More

  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

    1150 Words  | 3 Pages

    Currently, there are 11.7 million undocumented immigrants in the United States; 6 million of those immigrants are Mexican-born (Preston). Within that undocumented population are individuals who were brought to the States as children. These individuals have grown up in the American culture and consider themselves American, but struggle with being treated as second class citizens due to their undocumented status. On June fifteenth of 2012, the Obama Administration announced the executive order Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This order will allow immigrants who were brought illegally to the U.S. as children to apply for work permits and avoid deportation (Hennessey and Bennett). President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is not only beneficial to it applicants but also to the United States as a whole.

    Read More

  • History of Latino/a Immigration to the U.S.

    1472 Words  | 3 Pages

    Eleanor Roosevelt said, “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” That statement holds strong for immigrants in America. Equal access to opportunities allows immigrants to achieve the American dream. Their success correlates with America’s success because of the contributions immigrants provide to America. Unfortunately, the current immigration policy in America denies many immigrants the American dream. It is crucial to understand the historical context of immigration in America. Initially, most immigrants were from Europe and were not restricted by any immigration laws. Now, most immigrants come from Latin America but are restricted to severe immigration laws. The Latino/a community is one of the most severely affected groups because the current immigration system disproportionally affects Latino/as. Recognizing how the experience of Latino/a immigrants have been both similar and different in the past from other immigrant groups and dispelling common misconceptions about Latino/as today bring an awareness how Latino/as are affected.

    Read More

  • Considering Children Of Illegal Immigrants by Frosty Woolridge´s Article

    1056 Words  | 3 Pages

    Wooldridge’s editorial is one of the controversial discussions both at the congress level and the country at large. This argument is one of those that thwart or impede the implementation of the DREAM Act which is to help the children of undocumented immigrants to enjoy some privileges such as obtaining in-state tuition and others.

    Read More

  • Community Support Can Help Integrate Immigrants By Daniel Gonzales Article Analysis

    861 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Gonzales article, “Community Support Can Help Integrate Immigrants”, he explains the challenges that undocumented immigrants in America endure. However, because of the relative complexity of creating new laws or reforms that would help these immigrants integrate into society, Gonzales specifies that he doubts Congress will be able to make any effective changes with the next few years. Instead, Gonzales proposes a few ways that different communities would be able to assist. For example, he mentions that at a local level, neighborhood institutions could provide job-training services, at schools, they could provide sensitivity-training for staff, and at a state-level, they could provide literacy programs. To conclude his article, Gonzales reiterates the overall benefit of providing aid to immigrants would lead to greater rewards. He does so by saying that undocumented immigrants contribute an estimated 11.64 billion a year to state and local taxes. However, he believes that with additional local benefits, their contribution would be even greater.

    Read More

  • Path To Citizenship Essay

    1059 Words  | 3 Pages

    “What makes someone American isn’t just blood or birth but allegiance to our founding principles and faith in the idea that anyone from anywhere can write the next chapter of our story.” - President Barack Obama. The United States is the melting pot of the world. The great country of American was built on immigration. Look around, so many people have ancestor that risked everything to come to the United States to make something of their lives, and the lives of their children. If it weren’t for immigration, we may not be where we are today. Immigration reform is the term used in political discussion regarding changes to current immigration policy of a country (Immigration Reform, para. 2). In 2013 the Senate passed the immigration reform bill that would give a path to citizenship to the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. If the government passed Immigration Reform there would be many benefits to our economy, and to the individuals looking for a better future. For example, immigration increases the efficiency of the U.S. economy, it enables entrepreneurs to come to America, it brings increased national security, and immigration reform can reduce the deficit (Furchtgott-Roth, 4

    Read More

  • Path To Citizenship

    897 Words  | 2 Pages

    However, others may disagree, but in addition to lacking nce their arguments are also insignificant. Although there is a controversy on this matter, America should welcome immigrants that are already here. Immigrants may earn legal status as well as cost just as much or less than deportation. But, so what? Why is this notable? Well, here’s why, the future is on the line and we have to take charge. If leading undocumented immigrants to a path to citizenship, includes all of the previously mentioned advantages, there is no point to do otherwise. If we don’t go through with this, imagine the troublesome possibilities, imagine the costs, imagine the risks. It is necessary to lead undocumented immigrants to a path to citizenship, and your help is needed. Share this essay, spread the outlook, get involved, and do what you can to make sure, we are where we need to be in our

    Read More

  • The Chameleon Case Study

    888 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout American history, many of different cultures and ethnic groups have been entering and settling down in many different states. As the centuries pass, we can honestly say that America is truly a country that’s made of immigrants. If we compare immigrants today, and immigrants before 1970’s we can see a clear difference when it comes to the treatment of people who come into America. In today's times immigrants are supported (even by other Americans), but still with all the support that they receive today, many of immigrants are still unhappy with the treatment and their culture not being acknowledged in America. When it comes to anyone’s child, a parent wants a child to learn and receive the best education possible and since America

    Read More

  • Immigration in the United States

    1133 Words  | 3 Pages

    The United States has often been referred to as a global “melting pot” due to its assimilation of diverse cultures, nationalities, and ethnicities. In today’s society, this metaphor may be an understatement. Between 1990 and 2010, the number of foreign born United States residents nearly doubled from 20 million to 40 million, increasing the U.S. population from almost 250 million to 350 million people. With U.S. born children and grandchildren of immigrants, immigration contributed to half of this population growth. These immigrants, consisting of mostly Asian and Hispanic backgrounds, have drastically changed the composition of the U.S. population. In 2010, Asians and Hispanics made up 20 percent of the U.S. population, in contrast to a 6 percent share of Asians and Hispanics in 1970. It is predicted that by 2050, the share of immigrants in the United States will increase to one half of the entire population. With this rapid increase in diversity, many citizens have opposing views on its impact on the United States. In my opinion, an increase in immigration does contain both positive and negatives effects, but in general it provides an overriding positive influence on America’s society (“Population”).

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Immigration Reform

    1098 Words  | 3 Pages

    can possibly be separated from their parents. Children suffer from their parents getting deported and not having a family member or guardian that can look out for them. Most families don’t have other family members in the U.S. because they come from other countries like Latin America and from Mexico. That leads for children to not have a second home to go to but to be put in an orphanage home. The children that get separated from their parents suffer a lot. They will no longer get to be with their fellow loved ones especially their parents. It’s not fair for parents to get deported and for their children to be left alone and not have someone to look for them or care. Who knows what will be next for those kids that are left without their parents. Kids suffer and are left with nothing but to hope one day they will reunite with their parents once

    Read More

  • The DREAM Act: A Better Life

    1125 Words  | 3 Pages

    About half a million children are born to undocumented immigrants every year. These children are not given the opportunities that they so rightly deserve. They spend their entire lives in the United States and are considered illegal immigrants. They are given no choice, but to live their life as an undocumented immigrant. That is what the DREAM Act is trying to solve. The DREAM Act, or Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors is a proposal that would provide permanent residency to undocumented immigrants who meet certain eligibility requirements (The DREAM Act). If the DREAM Act is approved, then the education will be improved. It will improve the economy, the military will receive a significant increase in recruitments, and the lives of undocumented immigrants will thrive.

    Read More

  • Welcome to the U.S.A.

    1093 Words  | 3 Pages

    Imagine yourself in a life of poverty. No healthcare, earning low wages in poor working conditions. This is the life of an illegal immigrant, surprisingly, in the United States of America. What, exactly, is an immigrant? According to the World Almanac of U.S. Politics 1997, “Not subject to any numerical limitation, immigrants [are] classified as immediate relatives (spouses, parents, or natural children) of U.S. citizens; returning permanent resident aliens; certain former U.S. citizens; and certain long-term U.S. government employees” (Wagman). The fear stemmed from being caught as an illegal immigrant hinders every decision of his livelihood, from education to employment—their whole lives are affected in a negative manner. No one needs to live that way. The solution, however, is not to simply accept every willing immigrant freely, but to give all foreigners a more fair and reasonable chance of becoming a citizen of the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” Strict enforcement of a more streamline verification process by the government in supervising legal immigration is needed to continue America’s evolution culturally and economically with the addition of individuals from foreign nations trying to properly enter the United States of America.

    Read More

  • The Issue of Immigration for Women

    547 Words  | 2 Pages

    This United States of America is not fond of undocumented immigrants, especially women. Cruel anti-immigrant laws, policies, and practices have had especially dramatic impact on immigrant women and their families. These measures force immigrant women to choose between the threat of an abusive husband and the threat of deportation if they call the police. Immigration policies can also make women sit in detention, thus leaving their children. During this time, some of the women might be raped by officers. This is because detention lacks sexual abuse prevention policies. These women who are in the detention centers are not dangerous, instead they are placed behind bars because of small crimes such as driving without a license or they are charged the civil crime for violating immigration laws.Women are faced with the emotional burden of separation from their families.

    Read More

  • Immigrant Parents Essay

    1049 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many Immigrant families have obstacles/challenges to confront as soon as they step into this Country. Not only the Illegal parent’s with the

    Read More

More about Interview With Lisa Anderson: Immigration And Immigration Law

Open Document