March 2024

Transcending BordersSM

Contents

International Protection Practice

  • Pro Bono Case Makes Headlines
  • Grossman Speaking at Yale about Interpol Abuse


Original Content

  • Our Immigrant Stories – Meet Yeon Me Kim
  • Private Bills – A Last Resort for Citizenship
  • Video: Private Bills
  • Navigating the Green Card Journey: Challenges and Recent Changes for Non-Dual Intent Statuses

Policy Updates

  • DED for Palestinians


Firm News

  • GYH Welcomes New Attorneys
  • GYH Launches New Website
  • GYH Ranked in Chambers Global


Guest Feature

  • Publicity for O-1 Visas – By Promo Panda

International Protection Practice

Pro Bono Case Makes Headlines


A tragic and impactful pro bono case handled by the ACLU and GYH made headlines when NBC News published the story of Jessica Barahona-Martinez’s six-year battle to be freed from ICE detention, where she was held largely on the basis of an illegitimate INTERPOL Red Notice.


Co-Managing Partner Sandra Grossman has been fighting bogus Red Notices for more than 15 years, but she describes this case as one of the most egregious examples she has seen.

Grossman and associate attorney Ariel Rawls were able to get the Red Notice deleted in just three weeks, a process which usually takes nine months, paving the way for Ms. Barahona-Martinez’s release in 2023.


Attorneys Patrick Taurel and Ariel Rawls were instrumental parts of the legal team handling this meaningful pro bono case.


SkyNews also covered the story in detail on its podcast Dirty Work – The Misuse of Interpol Red Notices. In the podcast’s fourth episode, entitled "One of the Worse,” you hear Ms. Barahona-Martinez describe her harrowing experience in her own words. You also hear attorneys Grossman and Rawls explain the legal challenges Ms. Barahona-Martinez continues to face and the nuances of handling cases involving INTERPOL. 


Grossman Speaking at Yale about Interpol Abuse


Partner Sandra Grossman and Dr. Ted Bromund are speaking at a special colloquium event for International Security Studies at Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs on the topic of “Fighting INTERPOL Abuse – How to Make a Career, and a Difference, by Understanding International Organizations.”


The event is open to the Yale community. More information: Here

Original Content

Our Immigrant Stories – Yeon Me Kim

By Michael Scott, Legal Intern


For many, going through the U.S. immigration process is stressful, dehumanizing, and demoralizing. Having an attorney who is not only tenacious, but has firsthand knowledge of the immigrant experience, can make a world of difference. At Grossman Young & Hammond, many of our attorneys, paralegals, and staff are immigrants themselves. They have experienced the immigration process as legal practitioners and as applicants for immigration benefits.


A South Korean immigrant herself, Senior Attorney Yeon Me Kim helps foreign nationals through many of the same immigration processes she experienced directly. Yeon Me has held many different types of visas including B-1/B-2, F-1, F-2, J-1, and H-1B, and has been through the employment based green card process. This issue of “Our Immigrant Stories” details Yeon Me’s experiences both as an immigrant and as an attorney.



Read more…

Private Bills - A Last Resort for Citizenship

By, Michael Scott, Legal Intern


While the United States accepts more immigrants than any other country in the world, many foreign nationals still have no feasible path to citizenship. When all standard immigration pathways fail, one last (and rarely successful) option exists to gain citizenship – a private bill.


Read more...

Attorney Hallie Cohen explains Private Bills, a last resort option for citizenship.

Navigating the Green Card Journey: Challenges and Recent Changes for Non-Dual Intent Statuses


Obtaining a green card while in non-dual intent statuses such as J-1, F-1, or H-2B can be a daunting and challenging journey. These visa categories are designed for individuals with specific, non-immigrant intent, making the transition to permanent residency complex. One significant hurdle is the requirement to prove non-immigrant intent during the initial visa application process, which involves demonstrating strong ties to one's home country. One cannot obtain a non-immigrant visa if one has immigrant intent at the time of applying for the visa; however, intent can change, and it can be possible for such a person to apply for a green card after they have entered the US. 


Recent changes to State Department guidance bring a glimmer of hope to international students in the U.S. who aspire to obtain green cards.


Read more…

Policy Updates

DED For Palestinians


On February 14th, President Biden announced that the U.S. will defer for 18-months the removal of any Palestinian, subject to some exceptions. This is known as deferred enforced departure (DED). It is similar to Temporary Protected Status (TPS), except that it is not based in regulation but, rather, is an executive action.


Read more…

Firm News

GYH Welcomes New Attorneys

GYH is excited to welcome Anne Rowley as Counsel to the firm’s business immigration practice! Anne counsels clients on a variety of employment-based visa categories. She has over a decade of experience representing foreign nationals and employers in a range of immigrant and nonimmigrant matters and has supported clients in various industries, including financial services, retail, entertainment, heavy machinery, clean energy, communications technology and computer software, semiconductors, and athletics, among others.

GYH recently welcomed Marcela Villeda Sanchinelli as the newest attorney in the firm’s Bethesda office. Marcela assists clients with challenging persecutory INTERPOL Red Notices, complex inadmissibility waivers, and humanitarian relief applications, such as asylum, humanitarian parole, and temporary protected status. 

GYH Launches New Website


Keen observers may have noticed that GYH updated its firm colors and logo in 2023. Early this month, GYH closed out its rebranding project with a new and improved website! Our new website more accurately reflects our firm structure and showcases the full breadth of GYH services.


Some notable changes include the addition of the International Protection Practice (IPP). IPP encompasses Interpol defense, international human rights, asylum, complex consular processing, and more. Keep an eye on our Interpol Blog and Interpol Resources page for updates about Interpol reform and transnational repression.


The new site also includes an updated list of representative clients, new testimonials, and a streamlined design. 

Visit our Website

GYH Ranked in Chambers Global 2024


GYH is pleased to announce that the firm and Co-Managing Partners Becki Young and Sandra Grossman were recognized by Chambers Global 2024!


Chambers Global rankings are based on in-depth interviews with clients and attorneys to assess lawyers’ legal knowledge, experience, ability, effectiveness, and client service.

Guest Feature

Publicity for O-1 Visas


By Derek Sturman, CEO, Promo Panda


Strategic media coverage is indispensable for O-1 visa aspirants. It serves as a robust endorsement of the applicant's exceptional status and broad recognition.

Such coverage not only demonstrates an individual's significant contributions to their field but also satisfies key criteria of the O-1 visa application, offering tangible proof of the applicant's extraordinary ability.


The journey to obtaining an O-1 visa comes with its financial demands. While there are a plethora of public relations firms that can help with media generation, exceptional individuals may in fact have opportunities to strategically secure their own media coverage.

And, contrary to what you may think, not all of these opportunities require significant time investment.


Here are some practical tips for achieving media visibility with minimal investment of time and resources…


Read more…

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