2.20.2013

Lane Powell Aids in Successful Outcome for Firm Client in Deferred Inspection Case

Lane Powell Counsel to the Firm Margaret Stock assisted Firm client Carlos Solórzano, a U.S. veteran who honorably served in the Marine Corps, in being readmitted to the U.S. after he was threatened with deportation upon returning from vacation in Mexico. Solórzano moved from Mexico to the U.S. when he was a child and had obtained a green card. He faced the possibility of deportation due to what Stock says is an increase in the government’s pursuit of deportation cases based on redefined criminal law terminology, as well as more stringent interpretation of immigration laws. Solórzano appeared for a “deferred inspection” hearing on February 11 in Anchorage, Alaska. Customs and Border Protection agents refused to allow Stock to appear at the “deferred inspection” with Solórzano (the agency claimed that there is no right to counsel in “deferred inspection” cases), but she provided him a packet of materials that included a legal memo and other information to support his case. The inspection was conducted by a Customs and Border Patrol agent and lasted approximately 10 minutes before the case against Solórzano was dropped. Stock is now assisting Solórzano in his application for U.S. citizenship.

Lake County News discussed this case in a February 9 article titled “Veteran Faces Potential Deportation Due to Tougher Immigration Law Interpretation,” and a February 12 article titled “Deportation Case Dropped Against Veteran; Citizenship Application Pending.”

Stock also commented on the case in a February 22 Alaska KTVA Channel 11 News segment titled “Marine Veteran Faces Deportation.” Watch the segment.