Our main office building, located at 500 Denny Way in Seattle, WA., is decorated with a collection of gifts from thankful clients.

February 7, 2017

Democracy and the Rule of Law are still alive in America.

Attorney Carol Edward appeared on Monday at SeaTac International Airport to help our client complete the legal process of lawfully entering the United States. He had been turned around 10 days earlier after the travel ban against 7 Moslem countries went into effect. Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Executive Director of Northwest Immigrants Right Project Jorge Baron, and Seatac Port Officials gathered to celebrate and welcome our client Isahaq Rabi..

Many immigrants are nervous since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. A number of his Executive actions feel like a door slamming in the faces of immigrants. The message being sent from The White House is not a happy one, and based upon our knowledge of how the Immigration System actually works, not even close to being accurate. After September 11, 2001, there were a number of changes made in the immigration laws that made information about applicants more accessible to all of the different U.S. agencies. This change alone could have prevented the 911 terrorists from entering the U.S.

U.S. Government officials who are long time employees of the U.S. government have assisted in helping Mr. Rabi get back into the United States, abiding by the Court Order entered by U.S. District Court Judge Robart on January 27, 2017. They also completed extensive vetting of Mr. Rabi to make sure he qualified as an immigrant. His return is a constitutional victory involving all three branches of government, including the help of U.S. Congresspersons, and specifically Senator Patty Murray and Representative Pramila Jayapal. To all involved we say thank you.

Most Americans are unaware of the extensive vetting that occurs before an immigrant, refugee, or foreign traveler is allowed to enter the U.S. through lawful channels. This kind of vetting also occurred when Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals applicants applied for a work permit. If you have questions about what happens, ask a government official who is involved in doing the security checks. For example, for Mr. Rabi, his name was screened with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services when his United States citizen sponsored him, and then again with the U.S. Department of State before a visa was issued. Finally when he was allowed to enter the United States on February 6, 2017, he was screened again by U.S. Customs and Border Enforcement. Most American citizens have never experienced this kind of background checks and vetting, unless they have applied for a top level security position.

As for refugees, many have fled horrific circumstances and have been vetted for years while living in refugee camps in squalor. There was no need for the Executive Order limiting the entrance of refugees, nor was there a need to stop citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen from entering the U.S.

To those who are concerned about security and safety, I can only agree that we need to make sure that our country is as safe as possible while still balancing our personal rights for liberty.

Our law offices are part of and support the series of lawsuits filed by Washington State Attorney General's Office and a coalition of non-profits, challenging these provisions as unconstitutional. While we fight these legal battles we want to issue words of caution. First, remember that the majority of the American public are behind immigrants, they themselves are the grandchildren or children of immigrants and most recognize the many contributions that immigrants have made to the United States.

With President Trump busily making changes, we urge immigrants to be cautious in their travels. If you need to leave the United States and you are a national of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen, we recommend that you do not leave the United States at this time. And that means not traveling to even Canada or Mexico. Permanent residents and citizens of the U.S. from these 7 countries may be okay; however, it is not a good time and we strongly suggest that you talk to an Immigration attorney before you leave. Other immigrants need to consider carefully their options when deciding whether travel is prudent.

Please remember that you have the right to reach out to your Congressperson, to protest in a lawful manner, and to let your voice be heard.

If you are interested in helping on these issues, we strongly suggest you let your Congressperson know how you feel, thank the Washington governor's office, and/or contact Northwest Immigrants Rights Project at nwirp.org and make a generous donation.

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Comments from clients include:

Thank you Carol L. Edward for helping me in times of Need.
January 2000. F.A. Z.K.

Thank you Carol for giving me a new life. L. M.

Among the success stories are:

J Vera-Villegas. From 1996 until 2004, Attorney Carol L. Edward continued her work on behalf of Mr. Vera-Villegas. Ultimately, he was granted lawful resident status after a long litigation history, part of which created new law. Vera-Villegas v. INS, 330 F. 3d 1222 (9th Cir. 2003).

T. Abraham. Jailed and torture by the government of Ethiopia for providing accurate and truthful reports to non-governmental agencies overseeing the attempted distribution of food to starving persons in Ethiopia. Now a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

S.A. Arrived in the United States as a child, arrested for criminal matters and deported from the United States. Attorney Edward was the third attorney on the case and discovered client had acquired status derivatively through the naturalization of her father.

T.B. Outstanding Researcher, developer of patents and new technology to combat lung cancer in children.

Published Cases:

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