News, Insights and Resources

As LGBTQ Pride Month comes to a close, June has been a time to celebrate the accomplishments, resilience, and diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. As we revel in the progress made and honor the pioneers who fought for LGBTQ rights, WR Immigration wants to recognize that LGBTQ Pride is also an immigration issue. The fight for LGBTQ rights has been closely intertwined with the struggle for immigrant rights, and many notable LGBTQ activists and contributors have been immigrants themselves. In this post, we will celebrate the lives and achievements of some queer immigrants who have made a difference in the United States and explore the connection between LGBTQ and immigrant rights.   The Intersection of LGBTQ and Immigrant Rights   Queer immigrants have faced numerous challenges in the United States, from discriminatory policies to social stigma. Despite these obstacles, they have contributed significantly to the fight for LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and queer immigrations rights. Their battles have led to positive changes that benefit not just the LGBTQ and immigrant communities, but society as a whole.   For instance, the first gay rights group in the U.S., The Society for Human Rights, was founded by German American immigrant […]

Juneteenth is a momentous occasion commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. On this day, we celebrate the long-overdue recognition of freedom and acknowledge the resilience and strength of those who fought tirelessly to end the abhorrent institution of slavery. In honor of Juneteenth, WR Immigration delves into the lives and legacies of three remarkable immigrants—Sojourner Truth, José Martí, and Olaudah Equiano—who played crucial roles in the abolitionist movement and the pursuit of freedom. Sojourner Truth: Originally from West Africa, Sojourner Truth was born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree and escaped to freedom to become one of the most influential abolitionists and women’s rights activists of her time. After escaping slavery in New York, she embarked on a lifelong journey to advocate for the abolition of slavery and the rights of African Americans and women. Her powerful speeches, including her iconic “Ain’t I a Woman?” addressed at the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention in Ohio, challenged prevailing notions of race and gender. Truth’s commitment to equality and her relentless advocacy for the abolition of slavery contributed to the broader movement and ignited a passion for justice among her contemporaries. José Martí: José Martí, a Cuban immigrant and […]

We are thrilled to announce that Miki Kawashima Matrician, a Co-Managing Partner of WR’s Boston office, has been elected to the position of Chair-Elect of the New England Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA New England) , effective June 1st, 2023. This is a significant accomplishment, and we are proud to have Miki represent WR Immigration in this prestigious role.   As Chair-Elect of AILA New England, Miki will play a crucial role in supporting AILA’s mission to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law, and enhance the professional development of its members. Founded in 1946, AILA is a national association of more than 16,000 attorneys practicing immigration law. The New England chapter is comprised of approximately 900 members across 5 states in New England, including Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.   Together with the rest of the Executive Committee, she will oversee over 30 committees, liaise with government agencies, and collaborate with Members of Congress to further legislative initiatives. This position highlights Miki’s commitment to the field of immigration law and her dedication to serving the immigrant community.  Miki has a wealth of experience […]

Previous U.S. Presidents’ worksite enforcement activities have run the gamut from K-9 helicopter operations to round after round of I-9 work authorization verification raids. New guidelines under the Biden administration for immigration enforcement priorities are set to take effect November 29, 2021. Additional policy memos are expected soon, but it’s clear that the new guidelines focus on national security, public safety, and border security, and emphasize prosecutorial discretion. What can employers expect? Good News: No More Blanket Worksite Raids The good news for employers is that the Biden administration has made clear that it is not interested in conducting blanket raids in which hundreds or even thousands of noncitizens are rounded up, torn from their jobs and families, and deported, according to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. “For the first time, our guidelines will, in the pursuit of public safety, require an assessment of the individual and take into account the totality of the facts and circumstances” to ensure that the agency’s resources are focused most effectively on those who pose a threat, he said. Secretary Mayorkas even acknowledged that most of the more than 11 million undocumented or removable noncitizens in the United States “have been contributing members […]