Murthy Law Firm Attorneys Speak in Tel Aviv, Israel
Posted May 01, 2009
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Attorneys Sheela Murthy and Aron Finkelstein of the Murthy Law Firm were invited to speak in Tel Aviv, Israel, at the AILA Rome District Chapter conference in April 2009. The overall program included meetings with consular officials at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and conference sessions with the Chief of the Consular Section in Jerusalem, as well as with a number of vice consuls. The goal was to provide perspectives from the consular viewpoint and the side of the lawyer / client, in order to enhance the working relationship and assist in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
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Topics spanned both nonimmigrant and immigrant visa matters. The discussions included concerns related to fraud, security, and insight into how consular officers review and analyze applications for nonimmigrant and immigrant visas. These issues are relevant to visa applications at all consulates worldwide.
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Panel on Comprehensive Immigration Reform
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Attorney Sheela Murthy spoke at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR). The purpose was to provide an overview with insight and analysis on the major points of CIR. President Obama's announcement on April 9, 2009 - just two weeks earlier - indicating that he intends to focus on CIR during his first year in office, was a surprise to many. Most believed that problems with the economy, healthcare, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan largely would consume the President's time and energy during his first year in office. Since CIR is on the horizon once again, and with a push from a popular President, it is appropriate to focus on the highlights of CIR and the heated debate that is expected to ensue.
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Panel on Ethical Issues for Lawyers
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Attorney Aron Finkelstein of the Murthy Law Firm participated in a panel on ethical issues in consular cases. Various legal and ethical concerns arise when representing clients. Lawyers want to help their clients accomplish the goal of obtaining the requested visa. As an officer of the court, however, a lawyer also has legal and ethical obligations. A lawyer cannot violate the law or knowingly provide any false information or make misrepresentations simply to help his or her client. A lawyer may assist with efforts to present the case in the best manner, and help to address potential problem areas. However, the facts and documents presented must be accurate. A lawyer cannot simply make up an explanation for the client to parrot back at the consular interview.
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Other Panels on Important Issues
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The panels covered topics related to fraud and security, as well as other concerns, in considerable detail. The consular officers provided their insight into factors that typically raise their levels of suspicion in both employment- and family-based cases. Some of these may trigger fraud investigations. Much of this information was similar to that shared with Attorney Murthy during her many discussions with consular officials during her visits to U.S. consulates in Chennai and Mumbai. Many of the problems are universal and applicants would be well advised to reconsider if they have any thoughts of making misrepresentations at any of the consulates.
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Conclusion
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We believe that the discussions between attorneys and U.S. consular officials were helpful. Such discussions assist us in being able to guide clients of the Murthy Law Firm with appropriate strategies to present stronger visa application cases at any U.S. consular post. Many of the problems and concerns are universal, with some local procedural and cultural nuances.