Amaryllis Law attorney Christine Poarch was selected as a Super Lawyer by the Virginia Super Lawyers Magazine. Our firm was recognized for our excellence in the practice area of immigration.
Super Lawyers selects attorneys using peer nominations, evaluations, and independent research. Only 5% of attorneys are selected to Super Lawyers and 2.5% to Rising Stars. The full list of recognized attorneys can be found here:https://www.superlawyers.com/about/digital_magazine.html
Immigration attorneys have been getting many questions about unemployment benefits, the stimulus package and what it might mean for them. This blog discusses the most common questions regarding the stimulus package as a result of COVID-19.
1: Do US citizens who filed joint taxes with their immigrant-spouse receive a stimulus check?
Similar to the 2008 stimulus package, the current stimulus package, also known as the CARES Act, does not include taxpayers who filed joint taxes with their spouse who does not have a social security number. If the immigrant-spouse using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) number filed joint taxes with the US citizen-spouse, the US citizen-spouse who would otherwise be eligible for a stimulus check will not be eligible to receive a stimulus check. The only exception to this rule is for military families. With the filing deadline extended, we recommend you talk with an accountant.
2: Is receiving a stimulus check considered a public benefit for purposes of inadmissibility?
USCIS has not explicitly answered this question but many immigration attorneys believe the answer is no. First, the stimulus check is not means-tested and, therefore, is not considered a public benefit. Second, the USCIS Policy Manual in Chapter 10 explains that “cash assistance for income maintenance” is a public benefit for purposes of the public charge inadmissibility. However, it also explains that “USCIS considers any other federal, state, and local tribal cash assistance for income maintenance (other than tax credits).” The stimulus check is considered to be a tax credit for 2020 paid in advance without an option to return it. Thus, it is not considered income maintenance but rather a tax credit which would not be considered a public benefit.
3: Can I receive unemployment benefits and will it be considered a public charge for purposes of inadmissibility?
Similar to receiving a stimulus check, unemployment benefits are not means-tested and therefore not considered a public benefit. To be eligible for unemployment benefits, all workers (whether citizen or noncitizen) must meet certain requirements as determined by state law. Noncitizens with valid work authorization and social security numbers who have met state requirements may receive unemployment benefits without being considered inadmissible. USCIS considers unemployment as an earned benefit which is excluded from the public charge assessment.
Amaryllis Law attorneys, Christine Poarch and Jaime McGuire, attended Virginia Women’s Attorney Association’s (VWAA) Success Project Luncheon last Wednesday, January 29th 2020.
The main speakers for the Success Project Luncheon event were Roanoke/Salem attorneys, Christine Poarch and Elizabeth Perrow. Though both attorneys practice different areas of law, Christine practices immigration and adoption law while Elizabeth practices medical malpractice defense, both women have built successful careers in their practice area. Alongside extensive lists of accolades attached to Christine and Elizabeth’s careers, both women are known as frequent lecturers and speakers at conferences across the Virginia and the rest of the United States.
At the Success Project Luncheon, Elizabeth and Christine shared stories about their journeys as attorneys in their respective fields. Though both took different paths to get to where they are today, both women connected on the importance of authenticity when leading a law firm and attempting to create a supportive and nourishing office culture for both the client and those who work there. They also touched on different strategies in maintaining a purposeful client base and the importance of creating, implementing, and reworking marketing strategies when leading a law firm.
Virginia Women Attorney Association (VWAA) strives to assist and foster the person and career of the women who make part in Virginia’s attorney work force. Through events like last Wednesday, Success Project Luncheon, VWAA helps these women attorneys by giving them access to a supportive community, in developing their professional practice, and helping them achieve their potential.
Christine Lockhart Poarch founded Poarch Law (now, Amaryllis Law) in 2003. She practices immigration and adoption law at Amaryllis Law.
Elizabeth Guilbert Perrow is a trial lawyer who practices primarily in the area of medical malpractice defense. She is a principal attorney at Woods Rogers Attorneys at Law.
Last year brought exciting changes, confirmed and tested our faith, strengthened our unity as a tribe and offered opportunities for gratitude for each other and the clients and communities we serve. Even though Year 2020 has only been with us for twenty-one days, this year has already proven to be full of news and excitement.
We have added three members to our team: Sidney Clinevell, Karla Garcia, and Joey Poarch. Sidney is our adoption paralegal and Karla is our newest asylum paralegal. Joey’s title at the firm has changed from “occasional technology consultant” at Poarch Law to Chief Information Officer at Poarch Thompson. Each of these folks brings new energy, perspectives, strengths, and life to our office team of six attorneys and now, eighteen staff, and we cannot wait for you to meet them.
Former Rail Yard Dawgs Head Coach Sam Ftorek talks briefly on Roanoke’s SPHL club team, its players and the impact of Poarch Law and their legal services.
This practice advisory, written by Legal Aid Justice Center, Ayuda and the Poarch Law Firm, helps advocates make persuasive arguments to keep the courthouse doors open for immigrant children statewide.
Hemos recibido varias solicitudes para un documento que permitirá al TUTOR o TUTORA DE RESERVA que ayude si ICE detuviera a uno o dos de los padres o guardia. Preguntamos a uno de los abogados locales que crea un documento que nombrara a un Tutor o Tutora de reserva como Tutor o Tutora temporal. Lo proevemos aquí por GRATIS En Vista de que hemos escuchado de personas que no son abogados cobrando por este mismo documento. No dude en comunicarnos si tiene un menor con discapacidades serias o se le gustaria saber si tienes opciones para tener status en los Estados Unidos. En proveerle este documento, no le estamos dando consejos legales, sino respondiendo a la necesidad urgente que sienten los padres en designar un Tutor o Tutora de reserva sobre los niños con la incrementa fuerza inmigratoria. Si usted tiene un menor con discapacidades serias o necesidades especiales o si usted busca más consejos sobre este tipo de Tutor o Tutora, favor de comunicarse con un abogado o llamenos para una referencia con unos de nuestros abogados experimentados sobre estos asuntos.
El documento se puede acceder aquí: ESPANOL-STANDBY CHILD GDN DESIG PL
We’ve received a number of requests for a document that would permit a “standby” guardian to step in should ICE detain a child’s parent or guardian. We asked one of our local attorney colleagues to devise a form that would at least indicate parental choice of a temporary guardian. We provide it here for free in light of multiple reports that non-attorneys are charging to produce similar documents. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have a child with serious disabilities or if you would like to explore whether you have options for gaining status in the U.S. By providing this form, we are not giving anyone legal advice, but rather, responding to the urgent need some parents feel to make a designation in light of increased immigration enforcement. If you have a child with special needs or a disability, or if you seek further advice about this sort of “standby” guardianship, please consult an attorney or call us for a referral to a seasoned attorney experienced in these matters.
