According to NewsWeek,"In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, pressure is intensifying on the Obama administration to grant temporary protected status (TPS) to undocumented Haitians living in the U.S. TPS, which is aimed at illegal immigrants who cannot return home safely due to natural and man-made disasters, would allow an estimated 30,000 Haitians to remain in the country for a defined period of time-most likely 12 to 18 months-and obtain work permits." * Update: Napolitano has granted TPS for Haitians in the US since January 12, 2010.

To read more about this article, click here.

If you or a loved one is having an immigration related issue, please contact our Immigration Attorneys at (405) 414-2222 or check out our immigration services.

Here in Oklahoma City many immigrants may think they know how to effectively represent themselves. This may be true, but immigrants should understand that statements they make at their personal interview may get them barred from the United States for many years, or even for a lifetime.  This is because Immigration is altogether different from any type of other legal proceeding a person may encounter.  Many people fail to realize that Immigration benefits are thought of as privileges not rights and therefore Immigration officers and judges are given wide discretion in the application of the laws.

For this, and many other reasons, it’s advantageous to hire a good immigration attorney. Immigrants who have capable and qualified counsel stand a better chance at succeeding in court over those who do not have an attorney.

An experienced immigration attorney will properly prepare an immigrant for the variety of questions they may be asked during their personal interview. While it is always recommended that an immigrant be completely truthful during their interview, sufficient preparation before the interview is critical to the immigrant’s remaining relaxed and composed despite how stressful the situation may be. Also, an attorney present during an interview is able to speak passionately on the immigrant’s behalf; often helping to convince the officer to grant’s the immigrant’s application.

In addition, an immigrant with legal representation is more likely to submit a correctly-filed and well-documented petition or application for the immigration benefit sought. Providing adequate documentary proof, in the first instance is vital in expediting the processing on a petition or application.  An incorrectly filed application or petition could adversely affect an immigrant in the future.    An attorney assures that this does not happen by preparing all documents needed to have an application or petition adjudicated as quickly as possible.  An experienced immigration attorney is important because they will present the evidence in a manner which establishes that the applicant meets the legal requirements and if necessary, expresses the hardship on a qualifying relative, highlight the alien’s rehabilitation or good moral character, and minimizes potentially negative aspects of the case.  Filing for immigration benefits may sound easy but the consequences of doing so incorrectly are great.  An immigrant should not risk their stay in this country if they have questions about the forms they are filing.

At Mazaheri Law Firm in Oklahoma City, we are experienced in dealing with immigration cases and can help you.

Discrimination in the workplace is illegal and can take many forms such as in hiring, promotions, termination and many other aspects of employment relationship. Protections are provided under certain laws when the discrimination is on the basis of a person's race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, or age, or there is retaliation against an individual for opposing such practices. Federal and state agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or an equivalent state entity are charged with investigating such claims.

In the case of religious discrimination, and disability discrimination, it may also be illegal for an employer to deny reasonable accommodations to an employee. For example, absent extenuating circumstances, an employer cannot require a person to violate his/her religious beliefs. Similarly, an employer must accommodate the disabilities of its employees if those disabilities meet certain standards. If a company terminates an employee without considering an accommodation, this too can be wrongful termination.

Laws

There are many laws that address employment discrimination and wrongful termination including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), as well as many state laws. The total number of employees can affect whether there is a claim or the amount which you can recover. If you have an employment discrimination, wrongful termination or workers' compensation claim, you should contact an employment lawyer as soon as possible. At Mazaheri Law Firm, we specialize in employment law, so contact us today if you feel that you've been discriminated against in the workplace.

If you're about to enter a divorce or family law proceeding in Oklahoma, there are a few important things to consider. Any parent who is engaged in any dealings of family law often encounters an emotionally and often financially draining experience. These high emotional costs and financial risks associated with family law require good legal representation. How does one find a good divorce lawyer, one who knows the laws well enough and can skillfully represent your interests and rights? Finding a lawyer with whom who can communicate well with, and work through all the details of these complex situations is critical.

Make A List of What You Want

An important first step when looking for a good divorce lawyer is to figure out what you want the attorney to do for you. You might think offhand that the attorney will simply "handle your case" but this is unreasonable without providing them your expectations. Develop a good relationship with your lawyer by explaining in detail your circumstances; you need to be clear yourself about expectations.

Consider the following questions when preparing to enter a family law dealing:

1. What level of involvement do you want? Should the lawyer run with your case and consult you only when necessary, or do you want more involvement?
2. Are you more worried about guarding your financial interests or about keeping a strong relationship with your children?
3. Would you be willing to look into alternative dispute resolution options such as mediation or arbitration instead of going to court?
4. Are you considering joint custody?
5. Is your impending divorce friendly, or will you end up arguing and fighting?
6. Do you think you will stay in the current area where your family lives, or will you be relocating after the divorce?
7. Is the cost of your attorney an issue?

One of the toughest challenges is narrowing the field of potential attorneys to a number from which you can select. At Mazaheri Law Firm we provide excellent representation in all areas of family law.

Finding a good employment lawyer in Oklahoma City can be challenging. In today's economy, it's becoming increasingly common for employers to abuse employee rights as they look for ways to cut costs. Strong legal representation is paramount to winning a legal battle. Employees face everything from employee discrimination, to sexual harassment, to unpaid overtime and wages, and wrongful termination. A "hostile work environment" may simply be a pattern of wrongful communications directed towards the claimant. A subtle but common type is sexual harassment; when left unchecked it creates an uncomfortable situation in the workplace that can be actionable. Discrimination based on gender, race, and/or national origin can be unfair and is protected under the law, as more people recognize its abusive nature and impact.

Our experience pertaining to employment laws in Oklahoma City covers a range of problems that have affected both the employee and employers. We encourage you to contact us if you feel that you have a valid claim so that we may fight to protect your rights and/or your business. Unfortunately, too often victims face termination based on whistleblower retaliation and harassment after their voices are squashed by their employers. This is not right.

Mazaheri Law firm provides compassionate and competent legal services from Oklahoma City employment lawyers, and holds employers responsible for abuses of employment law. We file suit on behalf of employees in Federal and State Court and strive for a fast and agreeable remedy. Federal and Oklahoma laws are complex and confusing. Focusing on the prevention and/or specific breach of employment laws can be tedious and frustrating for the average employee or employer. Mazaheri Law Firm understands the helplessness felt by a victim of unlawful discrimination or frivolous employment law suits.

Employment and discrimination laws contain general prohibitions against:
sexual harassment, race discrimination, age discrimination, and differential treatment on the basis of religion, national origin, or retaliation for reporting or making complaints regarding discrimination. If you believe you have been discriminated against by your employer or feel like an employee has unfairly accused you of wrongful termination, get an Oklahoma City employment lawyer today.

How H1-Bs can protect their status when laid off.

The economy has not left anyone untouched by its dramatic impact. Stories of banking crises, bailouts, rising unemployment, plummeting securities and housing prices, rising inflation, rising gas and food prices, recession, depression, and laid off of foreign employees in the US abound.

Among the many worries of foreign national workers in the US on H-1B, the most worrisome these days is a layoff. This problem is often compounded by undefined terms and often contradictory interpretations of the immigration laws. So what should you do in case of a layoff? First of all you need to know what the law really says; you need an attorney.

After a lay off: The following are suggested steps you should take in the event you are laid off:
Maintain Legal Status: You must show a good faith effort to stay in legal status in the country. You can do this in a couple of ways. If your H-1B status was not revoked when you were laid off you can find an new employer and file a change of employer petition. If you cannot find a new position and get a change of employer petition filed within thirty (30)days you should apply for a change of status to B-1/B-2 visitor status. You will need a copy of your itinerary showing intent to leave the US at the end of the requested B-1/B-2 status. You will also need financial proof, usually in the form of a bank statement, showing that you have enough money to stay in the US. If your former employer revoked your H-1B at the time you were laid off you need to file for a change of status to B-1/B-2 immediately.

Job Search: You should begin your job search as soon as you are laid off, even before you file for a change of status to visitor status. As you know, your job search will become your full time job until you find a new employer. NOTE: The amount of time that an H-1B worker may stay in the US after being laid off or terminated is not defined in the law or the regulations.

Application for Change of Status: Once obtain a new offer of employment; you should have the new employer submit an application to change H-1B employers as soon as possible.
Under AC-21, a worker may begin employment with the new employer as soon as the H-1B transfer petition is submitted to the USCIS. When the USCIS makes their decision on the new petition they have three choices. First, they can deny the petition, in which case you will have to depart from the US. Second, the H-1B transfer request will be approved. Or third, if the USCIS decides that too much time has elapsed since you were laid off or terminated, they will approve the H-1B petition and deny the application to change employers in the US. In this final scenario, after the Notice of Approval has been issued, you may depart the US and apply for a new H-1B visa abroad. If your old H-1B visa has not expired, you may be able to simply travel outside the US and return using your original H-1B visa and the original Notice of Approval (Form I-797) for your newly-approved H-1B petition.
For additional information on adjusting the status of you or someone you know, call us at 405-607-HELP or ask a lawyer at www.immigrationOKC.com.

Head scarfs are not as cool as torn jeans

A head scarf, also known as a hijab or chador, is an item of clothing worn by many Muslim women that represents a symbol of religious identity and observance of modesty.  As far as 2004, the head scarf has become a hot political topic in the Western world when France prepared to ban head scarves from public schools, along with other overt religious symbols.

A little closer to home, in Oklahoma, a case was recently filed against Abercrombie & Fitch clothing store at a Tulsa mall because a young muslim girl wore a head scarf to an interview and was denied employment due to her scarf violating their "look policy."

"An attorney for the EEOC claims that the company violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects workers from discrimination based upon religion in hiring.  Quoting EEOC senior trial attorney, Michelle Robertson, "It is unlawful for employers to treat applicants or workers differently based on their religious beliefs or practices in any aspect of employment, including recruitment, hiring, and job assignments."

Unfortunately, this is not the first time the EEOC has gone after Abercrombie.  In 2004, there was a similar suit based on their "look policy" that accused the company of promoting whites over minorities and cultivating a practically "all-white image."  To find out more about this article go to www.employmentokc.com

www.duiokc.com Now that school's back in, it will become increasingly important for college kids to be careful in either monitoring their drinking or taking a taxi if they have injested more alcohol beyond the legal limit.  However, with binge drinking becoming ever more prevalent I have posted a link to a drink wheel on my website that will help you figure out if you have gone over your limit to keep you from hurting yourself or others in the future.

However, if you or someone you know finds themselves in a situation involving drinking and driving or any misdemeanor charge, call us at (405) 607-4357 and we can help.