Godfrey Muwonge, Attorney at Law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Immigration Attorney Godfrey Y. Muwonge introduces new “Fresh Start” Flexible Billing Plans

Immigration Attorney Godfrey Y. Muwonge introduces new “Fresh Start” Flexible Billing Plans for all New Clients.

“Retaining and affording a lawyer can be difficult and stressful in many circumstances. However, our goal is to assist as many clients as possible. So, flexible payment plans, individually-tailored installment payments, flat-fee agreements, hourly-fee agreements, and even success-based fee options are available under certain circumstances,” said Godfrey Y. Muwonge, Attorney at Law.

“That’s the driving force behind our new ‘Fresh Start’ billing plans. As everyone’s legal case is different and requires an individually-tailored strategy, so do financial situations and circumstances; and our new payment plans offer our clients exactly that—the amount of the flat fee and/or hourly billing will vary depending on the case and client.”

Said Muwonge, “at the Law Office of Godfrey Y. Muwonge, LLC., we fully understand that not all clients are able to pay all fees upfront. Therefore, flexible payment arrangements are available.” He added that the fees vary depending on what is agreed between the firm and the client, whether the client pays a lumpsum upfront and then pays small installment payments on a weekly or monthly basis. “A lumpsum at the beginning may be required as the retainer fee to assure us that we will be covered as far as the initial hours of our services are concerned, when most cases require immediate and time-consuming attention,” he said. “It is what seals the relationship between attorney and client,” he added.

Mr. Muwonge said that part of his legal-fees philosophy arises from what the Milwaukee community has given him. “Therefore, our goal is to give back.” He went on to say, “not everyone will qualify for a payment plan, but we work with our clients and their means whenever we can.”

Mr. Muwonge said he does not charge for initial consultations typically but, if a case involves complex issues that require initial investigation before retention, a fee for the necessary research may be levied. In most cases, if a fee is charged for conducting an initial assessment of the case’s viability, that fee will become part of the overall sum charged either as a retainer fee or flat fee.

The Law Office of Godfrey Y. Muwonge, LLC., first helped clients in 1997 in the areas of citizenship through operation of law, and naturalization; protection from fear of danger in foreign countries; deportation/removal defense; green cards; work permits; worker visas; investor visas; victims of crime green cards; victims of domestic violence green cards; ICE detention and bonds; and appeals at the immigration and federal-court levels.

On a personal note, Mr. Muwonge is himself an immigrant and a naturalized citizen of the United States. As such, he has an inside view of and personal experience with the American immigration system and is keenly aware of the immense value of an attorney’s care and a non-citizen having competent representation while navigating the shoals of this system.

His Law Blog is located at: https://GodfreyMuwongeBlog.blogspot.com

*** Godfrey Y. Muwonge is an immigration attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Education: Marquette University Law School, Juris Doctor (1997). Author of “Immigration Reform: We Can Do It, If We Apply Our Founders' True Ideals, Revised Edition” (Univ. Press of America, 2010), which was selected as one of top-10 Books that Drive the Debate (2009) by U.S. Chamber of Commerce's National Chamber Foundation. See https://www.amazon.com/Immigration-Reform-Apply-Founders-Ideals-ebook/dp/B00D79W838

References

https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-muwonge-785a519

https://GodfreyMuwonge.blogspot.com

https://hype.news/godfrey-muwonge-attorney-in-wisconsin-usa/

https://solomonlawguild.com/godfrey-muwonge

Godfrey Muwonge is an attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Author of “Immigration Reform: We Can Do It, If We Apply Our Founders' True Ideals, Revised Edition” (Univ. Press of America, 2010), which was selected as one of top-10 Books that Drive the Debate (2009) by U.S. Chamber of Commerce's National Chamber Foundation. See https://www.amazon.com/Immigration-Reform-Apply-Founders-Ideals-ebook/dp/B00D79W838

Godfrey Y. Muwonge examines the Deportation Defense Remedy called "Deferral of Removal"

DEFERRAL OF REMOVAL

In this continuation of the Instruction Series on various forms of “Relief from Removal,” Immigration Attorney Godfrey Y. Muwonge, Esq. examines the Deportation Defense Remedy known as Deferral of Removal

In his newest published article, continuing the Instruction Series on “Relief from Removal,” Attorney Godfrey Y. Muwonge examines the Deportation Defense Remedy called "Deferral of Removal." The complete article will appear on the Blog of Mr. Muwonge at https://GodfreyMuwonge.blogspot.com.

On December 10, 1984, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT). It is intended to prevent torture, which is defined—here I paraphrase—infliction of severe pain and/or suffering, whether physical or mental, and other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The torture need not be by government alone—it can be by private individuals or organizations, with sanction or acquiescence of the government. As a signatory to the treaty, the United States has incorporated the CAT into its regulations governing practice in the Immigration Court where the immigration judges can grant a non-citizen (known there as the respondent) whom they have determined to be removable, relief from removal under the CAT.

Godfrey Muwonge explains that there are two forms of relief the Immigration Judge can grant a respondent under the CAT. The Immigration Judge can grant (1) withholding of removal, which is open to those respondents who can prove that it is more likely than not that they would be subject to torture in the country to which removal is directed by the Judge, regardless of whether torture would occur on account of race, nationality, religion, membership in a particular social group or political opinion, if the respondent is not disqualified by certain bars to relief; and (2) deferral or removal, which is open to respondents who can prove that it is more likely than not that they would be subject to torture in the country to which removal is directed by the Judge, regardless of race, nationality, religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, but the respondent is disqualified from withholding of removal by certain bars such as criminal convictions that include aggravated felonies (this category of crime does not mean a regular felony under ordinary criminal law because a misdemeanor under regular criminal law can be an aggravated felony under immigration law, and one is advised to consult an experienced immigration attorney for the difference) and terrorism.

A recipient of deferral of removal has no right, necessarily, to release from custody, especially if the Department of Homeland Security determines that he or she is a threat in the his or her community. In addition, he or she, is not entitled to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR) which leads to citizenship. Finally, deferral of removal can end abruptly when, upon periodic review, it is determined by the Immigration Judge in what is known as a de novo (completely new) hearing that the respondent is no longer in danger of torture. The fact that a respondent is no longer in danger can be because the government in the country to which removal was directed has changed and the new government does not torture its citizens. Also, deferral of removal does not guarantee that the respondent will remain in the United States. If there is a third country willing to take him or her, the respondent will be removed to that country.

There are many ways a respondent can prove that a government tortures its citizens, or that private entitles do with the acquiescence of government. The following are some of them:

1. Reports by governmental entities — the United States Department of State publishes a report on human rights on an annual basis which contains assessment of whether torture is an issue on a per country basis, and so do other countries of the world such as the United Kingdom.

2. Reports about torture in particular countries, by private human rights watch dogs such Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and others, which are found at their websites on the internet.

3. Past instances of the respondent’s suffering of torture.

4. Torture that the respondent’s family members have suffered, which can be entered into the record through affidavits of those family members.

5. Torture that persons who have been granted asylum, withholding of removal, and withholding of removal under the CAT have suffered in the country to which removal is directed have suffered, which can be entered into the record through affidavits.

6. Expert opinions by college professors specializing in studies of particular countries, and others with particular knowledge of countries in which torture occurs.

There are countries in which it is presumed that a respondent will be subjected to torture. For instance, countries in which a criminal deportee is subject to imprisonment upon return are deemed countries in which respondents will suffer torture. One court has held that an HIV/AIDS sufferer whose removal was directed to Haiti would face torture there and, therefore, deserved relief because that respondent would die quickly upon return because the respondent would be imprisoned upon return. Another respondent was able to show a court that return to Nigeria would result in incarceration under that country’s mandatory detention of citizens deported as a result of criminal conviction, and the respondent won deferral of removal on that basis.

Mr. Muwonge points out that this is a comment on the law and not legal advice. If the reader seeks legal advice on deferral of removal, the reader should consult with an experienced immigration attorney on the subject. - The complete article will appear on the Blog of Mr. Muwonge at https://GodfreyMuwonge.blogspot.com.

References

https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-muwonge-785a519

https://GodfreyMuwonge.blogspot.com

https://hype.news/godfrey-muwonge-attorney-in-wisconsin-usa/

https://solomonlawguild.com/godfrey-muwonge

Godfrey Y. Muwonge publishes instructional article on Social Security Number

HOW TO OBTAIN A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

To clarify process, immigration attorney Godfrey Y. Muwonge publishes instructional article on Social Security Number.

One hurdle that all newly arriving foreign workers face is the Social Security Number. In his newest article, immigration lawyer Godfrey Muwonge explains.

To assist foreign workers who just arrived in the U.S., Milwaukee immigration attorney Godfrey Muwonge has published an instructional article to explain the process of obtaining a Social Security Number when one holds a U.S. work visa. The complete article will be published on the blog of Mr. Muwonge at https://GodfreyMuwonge.blogspot.com.

A Social Security Number (SSN) is essential in the United States for all kinds of purposes. One usually needs it to obtain a driver license, to register for health benefits, and to open a bank account. If one is not a United States citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR or green card holder), one must meet certain requirements to obtain a SSN. In general, one must demonstrate that one is authorized under federal rules to accept gainful employment in the United States and is in proper status. For example, a non-citizen in the L-1 employment category (intra-company transferee), who has been processed overseas at a United States consulate and completed the customs form aboard the aircraft as it approached a United States airport, can print his or her I-94 arrival/departure record at the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov, and take that printout to a Social Security Administration office to apply for a SSN (along with the passport & visa).

In the past, the I-94 form was a white card that upon arrival was stapled into the non-citizen's passport. It showed the arrival date, the final date of his or her authorized stay, and the class in which he or she was admitted (such as visitor for pleasure (B-2), visitor for business (B-1), student (F-1), and so on), as well as the port of entry. These days, a stamp showing the dates of admission and the end of the authorized stay, and class of admission is entered on a page in the non-citizen’s passport. The stamp does not show the I-94 number, and the non-citizen has to go to the CBP website and enter the required information (Name, date of birth, passport number, and the country which issued the passport). This measure was apparently taken to combat fraud — anyone to whom the I-94 form is presented can now log onto the CBP website and verify the authenticity of the I-94 information.

The information on the I-94 will show the class of admission, and along with the passport and visa it will let the SSA official determine whether the non-citizen is authorized to work in the United States and eligible to get a SSN. The first-time applicant for an SSN must do so in person at an SSA office, and the closest SSA office can be determined by calling toll free 1-800-772-1213 and following the prompts. Alternatively, one can locate the nearest SSA office by visiting the SSA’s website www.ssa.gov. The application for an SSN is made on a Form SS-5.

There is a backlog in the issuance of SSNs, and one may have to wait a couple of weeks or possibly even months to receive it. SSA must verify the application information with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

There are situations in which USCIS will be unable to immediately verify the non-citizen’s eligibility to work in the United States even if that individual has been processed at a United States consulate abroad. For instance, an E-2 work visa holder will sometimes have to provide the SSA with additional information to prove that he or she is authorized to work in the United States. The reason is that most work visas (such as H-1B or L-1) are first processed through USCIS (and USCIS thus has a record), but E-2 work visas may be issued directly by a U.S. Consulate (and USCIS thus does not have such record).

About Godfrey Y. Muwonge

Godfrey Muwonge is an immigration attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Education: Marquette University Law School, Juris Doctor (1997). Author of “Immigration Reform: We Can Do It, If We Apply Our Founders' True Ideals, Revised Edition” (Univ. Press of America, 2010), which was selected as one of top-10 Books that Drive the Debate (2009) by U.S. Chamber of Commerce's National Chamber Foundation. See https://www.amazon.com/Immigration-Reform-Apply-Founders-Ideals-ebook/dp/B00D79W838

References

https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-muwonge-785a519

https://GodfreyMuwonge.blogspot.com

https://hype.news/godfrey-muwonge-attorney-in-wisconsin-usa/

https://solomonlawguild.com/godfrey-muwonge