immigration Policy
Thank you to the Denver City Council for unanimously approving changes to the city municipal code that will reduce the maximum possible penalties for certain criminal convictions. Read the full Denver Post article here.
These changes will reduce the chances of deportation for immigrants, whether documented or not, convicted of relatively minor crimes.
Timothy R. Bakken
All people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. Constitutional rights. If you are undocumented and immigration (ICE) agents knock on your door, know that you have rights. Please find the full information in this document that you can download and print.
Timothy R. Bakken
Lawyer
BAKKEN LAW: Trump has been one of the least effective presidents early in his first term when it comes to tangible legislative and policy results. However, he has been extremely effective at creating a climate of fear and anxiety in immigrant communities as well as in businesses and industries that rely on immigrants. Read this CNN article about Trump's first 100 days here.
Time will tell if this anti-immigrant tone and approach will translate to comprehensive changes in the law. At the very least, it seems likely that the United States under Trump will be less welcoming to, and provide less opportunities for, immigrants whether they seek to enter the U.S. to protect their lives, to support their families, or to contribute positively in all the ways immigrants have for centuries.
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder
Contrary to some reports, the H-1B visa program does not punish U.S. workers or unfairly benefit foreign workers. My clients include companies with employees holding H-1B visas alongside a far-majority of those companies’ workforces who are U.S. citizens. U.S. companies using the H-1B visa program properly do so by hiring highly educated, highly skilled, and very well-paid H-1B employees who fill very specific needs for the companies and their customers.
As explained in this letter to the editor in the Washington Post, we should not punish innovative and successful U.S. companies who are committed to following our immigration laws simply because an extremely small number of businesses use the H-1B program improperly.
Read the full Washington Post article "The H-1B visa program is not 'much abused'" here.
Timothy R. Bakken
