News
Under the United Nations Refugee Convention and U.S. Immigration law, an individual in the United States who expresses a fear of harm or torture upon their return to their home country is afforded the opportunity to apply for asylum protection. In order to qualify for asylum in the United States, a person must demonstrate that […]
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Managing Partner David Kolko was honored by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”), along with a host of other volunteer attorneys, for his efforts in coordinating pro bono efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis along our southern border. AILA recognized 16 attorneys, largely based in Colorado, for being “First Responders” and coordinating immediate leal […]
Continue Reading Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson has determined that the conditions that warranted the designation of Nicaragua and Honduras for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in 1998 – i.e., Hurricane Mitch – continue to exist and that because of these conditions, these two countries remain unable, temporarily to adequately handle the return of their […]
Continue Reading Marriage equality is now the law of the land in Colorado! This morning, the United States Supreme Court declined to review seven cases involving marriage equality decisions. By declining to hear the cases, this gave the legal effect of marriage equality in Colorado and several other states. County clerks around the state are now scrambling […]
Continue Reading The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act was signed into law in 2006 with very good intentions. However, in the realm of immigration, part of the Adam Walsh Act prohibits some United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from filing visa petitions for their family members if they have been convicted of a crime […]
Continue Reading Colorado and Washington have recently legalized marijuana use and possession in small quantities. In fact, they join a total of 23 states and the District of Columbia which have some sort of permissible marijuana use, including medical marijuana. 14 states have decriminalized its possession or use. However, marijuana possession and use are still crimes for […]
Continue Reading Under the Colorado Employment Verification Law (C.R.S. 8-2-122), all public and private employers who contract business in the state of Colorado are required to complete and retain the Colorado Affirmation Form for each employee hired on or after January 1, 2007. The Colorado Affirmation Form must be completed by the employer within 20 calendar days […]
Continue Reading Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson has determined that the ongoing armed conflict and other extraordinary and temporary conditions in Sudan and South Sudan prevent nationals of those countries from returning to these states in safety. In light of this, the Secretary has announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan […]
Continue Reading Under Federal Law, all U.S. Employers are required to complete Form I-9 in order to verify that their employees are authorized for employment in the United States. Every newly hired employee must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 on the first date of hire, and the Employer must verify the employee’s authorization for employment by […]
Continue Reading This week, the Board of Immigration Appeals issued a landmark ruling, Matter of A-R-C-G, recognizing domestic violence survivors as a particular social group under American asylum law. The decision expands the domestic violence social group and clarifies the state of the law for other people seeking refuge in the United States when their governments […]
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Earlier this month, Customs and Border Protection launched a mobile app to expedite the entry process into the United States. The app can only be used for entry at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for now as part of a pilot program, but shows the direction CBP is moving with regard to paperless travel […]
Continue Reading Kolko & Associates, P.C. is pleased to announce that its own Senior Associate Attorney Bryon M. Large is being named Attorney of the Year by the Colorado GLBT Bar Association. Bryon’s work over the past year is being recognized for his advocacy in the field of LGBT immigration, as well as for assuring access to […]
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