Summary of the proclamation suspending entry of immigrants issued April 22, 2020
President Trump signed an Executive Order on immigration on April 22, 2020. The order becomes effective at 11:59 p.m. tonight, April 23, 2020, and will last for 60 days, if not renewed. According to the text, the official goal of the order is to protect “disadvantaged and unemployed Americans from the threat of competition for […]
USCIS extend COVID-19 closure to June 4, 2020
On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is readying offices to re-open in compliance with local and state orders, on or after June 4. Employees in these offices are continuing […]
USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is readying individual domestic offices to reopen to the public on or after June 4, after it suspended routine in-person services to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). In offices that remain closed to the public, USCIS staff are continuing to perform duties that do not involve face-to-face contact […]
SCOTUS rules decision to end DACA was unlawful
Earlier today, in an historic victory, the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration’s decision to end the DACA program was unlawful. We would like to again extend our congratulations to our Dreamer clients and friends. With this decision, current DACA-holders may continue to renew their employment authorization. And most importantly, people who never previously applied […]
Consulates Authorized to Give Fiancée Visas High Priority
As U.S. consulates resume normal operations, the Department of State has authorized consular officers to give K visas high priority. The directive also allows consular officers to revalidate an approved petition in four-month increments due to delays caused by COVID-19 travel restrictions and closures. The K visa is a visa category for foreigners, and their […]
DHS to update Form I-9
An updated version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, will be released by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) this coming August. One notable change is a checkbox for E-Verify-enrolled employers to demonstrate that they have inspected identity and employment authorization documents remotely. With news about the revised I-9, DHS also announced that it will […]
Resumo da Proposta de Lei Imigratória de Joe Biden
Imediatamente depois de tomar posse, o Presidente Joe Biden enviou ao Congresso uma proposta de reforma imigratória que visa legalizar milhões de pessoas indocumentadas nos Estados Unidos que estavam presentes no país desde 1 de janeiro de 2021. É importante ressaltar que a proposta, enviada ao Congresso, embora represente significativo avanço na política imigratória, possivelmente […]
Decisão Niz-Chaves abre possibilidade de residência permanente para determinados indivíduos
Na quinta-feira, dia 29 de abril, a Suprema Corte Americana emitiu uma decisão no caso Niz-Chavez v.. Garland, confirmando o que a corte já havia decidido anteriormente em outro caso semelhante (Pereira v. Sessions), e reafirmando a possibilidade de legalização para certos indivíduos que estejam em processo de remoção e residam há mais de dez […]
Attorney Lima Pacheco Speaks at BWC
August 17, 2023: Attorney Amandha Lima-Pacheco presenting a session to students of the Youth Summer Program at the Brazilian Worker’s Center, in Allston, MA. Amandha discussed the daily life of an immigration attorney and her own journey—as a daughter of immigrants—to becoming one.
Attorney Viana becomes a JFS Board Member
June 11, 2023: Antonio Viana is named a board member of the Jewish Family Services of Metrowest at the Annual Meeting of the organization, held at Temple Beth Elohim, in Wellesley. JFS’s mission is to provide vital social, health and community services to alleviate suffering, enhance lives and support people in need. For a full […]
Attorney LaRocca Leads Infosession to Ukrainian Refugees
May 11, 2023: Attorney Amanda LaRocca running an info-session for Ukranian refugees, organized in partnership with Jewish Family Services of Metrowest, in Framingham, MA, at the new Fuller Middle School.
Attorney Viana Presents on the History of Immigration
May 10, 2023: Back to Milford High School for a presentation about the history of immigration and to discuss potential paths to permanent residency with students and their families. Attorney Viana presented a history of immigration, since 1780 to the present day. Students discussed the first American census, the Alien and Sedition Act, the Chinese […]
Attorney Viana Speaks to Adult Students at Fuller ESL
March 21, 2023: Pathways to Citizenship workshop held in partnership with Framingham Adult ESL+ at Fuller Middle School. Sharing knowledge and information is one of the basic premises that underpin our social mission. The event was attended by over 400 participants in person, and dozens more online through live casting.
Massa Viana attends Whitcomb Middle Fair
March 16, 2023: Attorneys Amandha Lima-Pacheco, Antonio Viana, and Amanda LaRocca, together with Communication Team Leader Stephany Miranda, participating and answering legal questions at the 2nd Annual Wellness and Family Fair, at the Whitcomb Middle School, in Marlborough, MA.
Team Massa Viana at the Framingham Fair
November 20, 2022: Team Members and their families at the Health and Immigration Fair, at Saint Tarcisius Church in Framingham, MA.
Massa Viana Kicks Off High School Workshop Series
November 17, 2022: Amandha Lima-Pacheco leads the way at the Framingham High School Immigration Workshop, the first workshop of Massa Viana’s High School series, a pro bono program instituted to educate youth about the challenges of the immigration system, as well as inform them of alternatives for families seeking to obtain lawful status in the […]
Attorney Viana Discusses TPS for Salvadorians
November 12, 2022: Attorney Viana presents at the non-profit CENTRO, in Worcester, MA, during the Consulado Movil de El Salvador event. The attorney discussed TPS for Salvadorians, as well as Juvenile Status, among other forms of immigration relief. Members of the firm also gave pro-bono consultations to those attending.
Antonio and Gabriella Viana Canvassing on Behalf of Question 4
October 22, 2022: Canvassing with State Senator Jamie Eldridge and State Representative Dan Sena in support of ballot Question 4, the Work and Family Mobility Act, which was on the ballot for the November 8 midterm elections. The legislation allowed the state to issue driver’s licenses irrespective of someone’s legal immigration status.
Massa Viana Gathers Leaders for Driver’s Licenses Campaign
October 17, 2022: Massa Viana convened community leaders to discuss how to best organize and help educate our communities about ballot Question 4, the Work and Family Mobility Act, which was on the ballot for the November 8 midterm elections. The legislation allowed the state to issue driver’s licenses irrespective of someone’s legal immigration status.
Attorney Viana at BINCA once again
BINCA – Event at the Boston International Newcomers Academy, a public school in Dorchester, MA, with Cecilia Viana, staff member, Marcony Almeida-Barros, deputy chief of staff for Governor Maura Healey, and Cristina Aguillera Sandoval, Executive Director for the Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI)
Attorney Viana Speaks to Students at BINCA
April 14, 2022: Attorney Viana is a guest at the Boston International Newcomers Academy, a public school in Dorchester, MA, where he spoke to students from several countries, about their civil rights and obligations, as well as relief alternatives to those seeking a permanent immigration status. @bincabps.
Brazilian Independence Day in Allston
September 12, 2021 – Staff members and their families together at the Brazilian Independence Day Festival in Allston, MA. Yearly, Massa Viana is present at the festival, connecting with community leaders and the local members of the Brazilian-American community. The firm offers pro-bono consultations at the festival organized by the Brazilian Women’s Group.
Massa Viana and MAPS at Health and Immigration Fair
November 20, 2022: Members of the Massa Viana team together with employees of the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) at the 2022 Health and Immigration Fair, in Framingham, MA. Attorney Viana serves as board president of MAPS, an organization that works with and for local Portuguese-speaking communities to increase access and remove barriers to […]
COVID did not stop DACA Clinic
July 11, 2020: Despite Covid restrictions, the Massa Viana Team went ahead to run and organize a clinic to file new DACA applications during the brief period when USCIS accepted those applications in 2020, as a result of the lifting of a federal injunction. Unfortunately, many of those DACA applications are still sitting in limbo […]
Students Learn the Workings of a Law Firm
February 26, 2020: Students from McAuliffe Charter School visited our Framingham location to learn more about how a law firm works and discuss the challenges that new immigrants face when seeking permanent residency after moving to the United States.
Human Rights Heroes Presentations Begin
January 28, 2020: Human Rights Heroes Event at Christa McAuliffe Charter School, in Framingham, MA. The event, organized by humanities teacher David Behrstock allowed students to learn about the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human’s Rights and discuss how it applied to their communities in the areas of Food Insecurity, Racism, Homelessness, and Immigration. Speakers […]
Health and Immigration Fair is a Success
November 24, 2019: Attorney Viana, center, together with dozens of volunteers, at the 2019 Framingham Health and Immigration Fair, hosted by Saint Tarcisius Church. Massa Viana staff was present to provide pro bono legal advice to those present. Many other organizations, including health and pro-bono orgs were also present on the event which now happens […]
Framingham ESL Clinic Provides Pro-Bono Help
November 19, 2019: Attorneys Antonio Viana, Caryn Sigurdson and Amandha Lima-Pacheco at the end of a pro-bono clinic, together with dean of students Debbie Centamore, Executive Assistant Claudia Calderon, and the staff at the Framingham Adult ESL Plus. More information about the Framingham ESL clinic at https://patch.com/massachusetts/framingham/immigration-clinics-offer-framingham-adult-esl-students-guidance.
Team Shines at the 2019 Brazilian Festival
September 8, 2019: The team at the Brazilian Independence Day Festival, at Soldiers Field Road, in Allston, MA. Yearly, Massa Viana is present at the festival, connecting with community leaders and the local members of the Brazilian-American community. The firm offers pro-bono consultations at the festival organized by the Brazilian Women’s Group.
Creating New Partnerships at the BWC
June 12, 2019: Visit to long-time partners at Brazilian Worker Center, in Allston, MA, to discuss future pro-bono clinics. Prior to law school, Attorney Viana was a community organizer and worker’s rights advocate at the Brazilian Worker Center and the organization has a long history of advocacy in the Brazilian Community. Natalicia Tracy, former executive-director […]
Citizenship Classes? Yes, We Are on It!
April 4, 2019: Attorney Viana together with students and teachers of Brazilian American Center (BRACE) in Framingham, MA. The group was assembled to discuss immigration and naturalization as part of a course to teach civics in preparation for the naturalization exam.
Mayor Spicer present at Health and Immigration Fair
November 18, 2018: The Massa Viana team together with Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer and City Councilor Margareth Shepard at the Framingham Health and Immigration Fair, hosted by Saint Tarcisius Church. The office was present to provide pro bono legal advice to those present.
Student Immigrant Movement presente at Boston Rally
June 30, 2018: Attorney Viana together with youth from the Student Immigrant Movement, at the Rally against Family Separation where thousands gathered at the Boston Common to protest the Trump administration immigration policies, including termination of TPS benefits and separation of children from their parents at the border.
Attorney Viana Rouses Thousands at the Common
June 30, 2018: Attorney Viana speaks at the Rally against Family Separation where thousands gathered at the Boston Common to protest the Trump administration immigration policies, including termination of TPS benefits and separation of children from their parents at the border.
Viana Speaks at Boston Fundraiser
June 7, 2018: Attorney Viana speaks at ‘Give Liberty a Hand,’ the MIRA Coalition’s annual fundraiser, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, in Boston. The event recognizes champions for immigrants in the Commonwealth—leaders in government, business and advocacy who “give liberty a hand” by working to advance the rights and integration of immigrants and refugees. Antonio […]
DACA Clinic with BWC is a Success
April 4, 2018: Visit to long-time partners at Brazilian Worker Center, in Allston, MA, to jointly run a pro-bono DACA clinic, where we helped several students file their DACA applications.
Attorney Viana Speaks About Trump’s Policies in Malden
March 23, 2017: Attorney Viana speaks at the Allan Kardec Spiritist Society of Massachusetts in Malden, MA, about the new policies of the Trump adminstration and how immigrant communities could protect themselves during the new government who was adopting a series of restrictive immigration policies.
More than 500 present to Discuss new Immigration Policies
March 21, 2017: Attorney Viana speaks to students at the Framingham ESL+ program at the Fuller Middle School, in Framingham, MA, as students had several questions about what was going to happen with immigration during the Trump administration. During those first months of 2017, many immigrant communities were concerned about the proposed policies of the […]
Viana is Guest at Boston Law School Panel
November 19, 2015: Attorney Viana was proud to be a guest at the Boston College Law School panel to discuss immigration and DACA together with professors Mary Holper, Daniel Kanstroom, and Ân H. Lê, communications and community engagement liaison for the Boston Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement.