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WE DEFEND THE AMERICAN DREAM®
DEC 2020
STERN Law News
CRIMINAL DEFENSE CHARGES FOR NON-U.S. CITIZENS WeUnderstandtheConsequences
to get involved and connect with our clients at a much deeper level. Immigration work allows us to work with the same clients for years at a time; we watch their families grow and expand. We can see that what we do has a positive influence, not just for them personally, but for their loved ones as well. It makes the work we do extremely fulfilling. There needs to be someone standing beside our clients to protect them and not let discrimination and institutional racism or predjutice get in the way of them leading normal, fulfilling lives. That is our team. Our reputation is that we will not take “no” for an answer. Our clients have too often heard “no:” “No, this is impossible,” or, “no, you’re not worthy,” or, “no, you do not have this opportunity.” When there is a criminal issue that took place in their history or their present that creates an obstacle to improving their circumstances or immigration status, we stand with them and fight for a better way. We’re able to resolve what otherwise may have seemed impossible and help our clients achieve a future and a life for themselves that they may have never experienced. It is our clients’ belief in themselves, the drive to ensure they do everything they can to have the opportunity to fight, and their trust in us that allow us to do great work and make an impact.
For U.S. citizens, facing serious criminal charges can be one of the most difficult and terrifying moments in their lives. But for non-U.S. citizens, it’s even worse. A person from another country may find themselves facing a legal system they don’t understand, that isn’t spoken or written in their native language. When someone doesn’t understand
We realized the need to serve the unique challenges for non-U.S. citizens and fully understand the consequences of immigrants facing criminal charges. It became obvious that our STERN Law team should focus exclusively on defending non-U.S
the extra burden placed on non-U.S. citizens, it can lead to severe constitutional violations, ruined lives, and harm to their human spirit. This is why STERN Law exists. We are here to provide consistent and thorough protection and guidance for immigrant clients who are so much more than what they’re accused of doing.
citizens. We didn’t want to be distracted by working on standard criminal defense work without an immigration component, so we established ourselves as a CrImmigration law firm. Our focus is entirely on criminal defense for immigrants and fighting deportation charges and other issues that can naturally result from being charged with a crime.
“We’re able to resolve what otherwise may have seemed impossible and help our clients achieve a future and a life for themselves that they may have never experienced.”
STERN Law was founded in 2013, and after five years of focusing on criminal defense work for clients of all kinds, we realized there was a significant gap in representation for people who are not U.S. citizens. The criminal justice system already poses numerous challenges for standard U.S. citizens, but there are added pressures and consequences for immigrants. For them, a criminal charge could mean being separated from their families, losing a chance to live in the U.S., or having their legal status impacted based on that charge or potential conviction.
The move from criminal defense work to exclusively CrImmigration has been immensely rewarding. It is something
we have done for years and will continue to do as long as people
need our help. We’re Criminal defense attorneys at the foundation of STERN Law, but we have the ability to work with families who are closely tied to their situation. We have the opportunity
—Jessica Stern STERNLAWFIRM.US
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WE THANK YOU FOR YO 6 Organizations for E As we come to the end of a very challenging year, our team at STERN Law wants to take this time to thank the many organizations who work to make sure we have a better and brighter future. PROJECT SOUTH This organization was first founded in 1986 as the Institute to Eliminate Poverty & Genocide. Their mission is to strengthen leadership and to provide political and economic education for personal and social transformation. When the pandemic hit, Project South launched into action by providing six weeks of free testing and increasing their mutual aid efforts throughout South Atlanta. Find them at ProjectSouth.org. GLAHR The Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights was established in 2001 and works to educate, train, and organize the Latino community in Georgia to defend and promote their civil and human rights. You can join their fight for immigrant rights, volunteer at events, and participate in community meetings by visiting their website: GLAHR.org. ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE For nearly 30 years, the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) has fought for Asian Americans’ civil and human rights throughout the country. AAJC has five affiliating organizations across the country that all strive to help Asian Americans create a better future by increasing awareness, creating stronger ties, and educating people about their rights. Visit their website at AdvancingJustice-AAJC.org.
WINTER ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED A Driver’s Guide to Safe Holiday Travels On Sept. 24, 2019, more than 2.5 million people passed through TSA checkpoints at airports across America. On the same date this year, those terminals saw just 826,316 travelers — a nearly 70% drop. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Americans have been thinking twice about air travel, and this holiday, millions of would-be flyers will set out on road trips instead. Road tripping is a great way to avoid contact with a lot of people, but it can also be dangerous, especially in winter weather. Fortunately, you can take several steps to keep your family safe. Getting your car checked before you go, for example, can save you a lot of hassle on the road, as can investing in a set of snow tires. It’s also smart to take precautions such as letting a friend or family member know your route, predicted arrival time, and where you plan to stop for gas along the way. Apart from that, one of the best things you can do is pack an emergency kit. AAA sells premade kits through outlets like Amazon, and you can find a basic kit with things like jumper cables, ponchos, rope, batteries, pliers, zip ties, and a first-aid kit at pretty much any Walmart or sporting goods store. You could even save a life by adding a few more essentials to your kit, like a blanket, snacks, and an extra cellphone charger. At this point, you’re almost a safety black belt. But to take your kit to the next level for winter driving, there are three more little- known items you should stash in your trunk: a shovel, a bag of sand or cat litter, and an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid. If you get stuck in a snowbank, the shovel will help you dig your way out without risking frostbitten fingers. The sand or cat litter will boost your traction if you sprinkle it around your wheels in an icy spot, and the extra wiper fluid will make all the difference if you run out during a snowstorm.
BRAIN BREAK!
• CAROL • CHEER • COCOA • FAMILY • GIFT • HOLIDAY
• HOLLY • PEACE • SHOVEL • SLEDDING • SNOW • TURQUOISE
Once you’re prepared, crank up the Christmas carols and get driving!
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WE DEFEND THE AMERICAN DREAM®
CAN’T AFFORD THAT NEW LAPTOP FOR CHRISTMAS? THERE’S STILL HOPE!
OUR CONTINUED FIGHT
Equal Human Rights
NAACP Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has over 2,200 branches across the country and over two million activists, making it the largest and most prominent civil rights organization in the U.S. Their goal is to create a society that guarantees equal human rights for all individuals without discrimination. To learn more and get involved, visit them at NAACP.org. ACLU GEORGIA This organization works toward defending the rights and civil liberties of all persons in the state of Georgia through legal action, civil education and engagement, and legislative and community advocacy. Their vision is to ensure Georgia is a state that guarantees all persons have the rights and civil liberties contained in the U.S. and Georgia Constitutions and Bill of Rights. Learn more at ACLUGA.org. GIDEON’S PROMISE & PUBLIC DEFENDERS Gideon’s Promise is a public defender organization working toward reshaping the justice system. They ensure that marginalized communities not only have access to representation when faced with entering the criminal justice system, but they are also represented fairly and equally. Stay up to date with their events and catch their latest podcast at GideonsPromise.org. Each of these organizations has promised to continue fighting for the people who have faced discrimination in their lives until they have equal rights. STERN Law is proud to fight alongside them.
How Buying Secondhand Can Save Your Wallet and the Planet
If your spouse wants a new tablet for Christmas, your daughter wants an iPhone, and your son is dying for a laptop, odds are it won’t be long before your gift budget runs out. High-tech presents add up fast, particularly this year when so many have fallen on hard times. Luckily, there is a way to get all of the gadgets you need without breaking the bank: refurbished or secondhand tech. Refurbished electronics are an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to the shiny newmodels. When something is labeled “refurbished,” it was returned to the manufacturer, fixed, and put back on the market. Sometimes these products are restored to like-new condition — Apple and Samsung, for example, will go so far as to include batteries and put their products in brand- new boxes — while other times, they’re fully functional but without the bells and whistles, like charging cables. While refurbished technology isn’t brand-new, it’s pretty darn close. You can find almost any piece of everyday technology refurbished or secondhand, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, PCs, TVs, and digital cameras. According to Money Crashers, these gently used electronics are often discounted up to 50%, helping your Christmas budget stretch further. The best place to shop for refurbished products is directly from the manufacturer. Amazon, Apple, Walmart, and Best Buy all have sections for refurbished products on their websites. Overstock. com is another great place to check, and you can buy or sell secondhand items on sites like Decluttr.com, BuyBackWorld.com, and Gazelle.com.
NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S FRUITCAKE Inspired by SimplyRecipes.com Fruitcake gets a bad rap, but when made correctly, it’s delicious! Try this recipe to upend your preconceived dessert notions.
INGREDIENTS •
1 tsp baking soda 1 cup sour cream
•
2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• •
3 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit of your choice, chopped 1 cup nuts of your choice, chopped
• • • • •
1 stick butter 1 cup sugar
1 egg, room temperature
•
Zest of 1 orange
1 tsp salt
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with greased baking paper. Ensure the piece running the length of the pan stands 1 inch above each side to form “handles.” 2. In a small bowl, mix baking soda and sour cream. 3. In a second bowl, combine fruit, nuts, and 1/4 cup flour. 4. In a third bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg, zest, and sour cream mixture. Then, add remaining flour and salt. Mix, then add fruit mixture. 5. Pour batter into lined pan. Fill up a separate loaf pan halfway with water. Bake both pans in oven for 1 1/2–2 hours or until a skewer leaves the cake clean. 6. Use “handles” to remove cake from pan and cool completely on a rack before serving.
All that said, saving money isn’t the only perk of refurbished and secondhand electronics. These devices are also better for the planet! By buying pre-owned tech, you can rescue an old device from the landfill and save the resources that would have been used to make a new one. This is a bigger deal than you might think. Mother Jones reports that a United Nations study found “the manufacture of one desktop computer requires 48 pounds of chemicals, 1.7 tons of water, and 529 pounds of fossil fuels — about 10 times the weight of the computer itself.” By shopping secondhand this Christmas, you can save money and be both Santa and an eco-warrior. It doesn’t get much better than that!
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PAGE 2 Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed
PAGE 2 We Thank You for Your Continued Fight PAGE 2 Word Search
PAGE 3 Not Your Grandma’s Fruitcake PAGE 3 How to Save Money on High-Tech Gifts This Christmas
PAGE 1 Criminal Defense Charges for Non-U.S. Citizens
BOBBY GREEN’S REMARKABLE RELEASE: HE’S HOME SAFE AND SOUND
It’s Vital to Protect Yourself With the Right Attorney
C hristmas is always a special time of year, but this year is truly special for us and for our clients. At the beginning of December, three of our clients — with very difficult CrImmigration cases —were released from custody. After kept apart from their families for so long, they are now home, safe and sound, just in time to enjoy the holidays. These three aren’t the only ones either! Another client, Bobby Green, was released a month ago after fighting (for almost one year in ICE detention) against 20-year-old criminal convictions for which he long-ago served his sentence. Bobby Green is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a U.S. Army veteran, and runs a nonprofit (with his wife) which aims to help low- income communities with health disparities. Two decades ago he was charged with criminal offenses. Both convictions took place around the same time, during a difficult period of his life. He and his family later had become homeless and were struggling financially. Although the criminal convictions were severe, Bobby didn’t realize they would impact his legal residency status at that moment or ever in the future. The lawyer he hired at the time worked out a great resolution for his case that didn’t require Bobby to go to jail. He served and finished his probation, then continued on with his life, believing that chapter of his life was over. Twenty years later, Bobby was at home with his wife and children when there was a knock on the door. It was the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and they detained him for charges of deportation. Bobby was detained in a time of his life when, for the past two decades, had lived a law-abiding life and improved the community around him. Yet, in that moment, his life completely changed. To fight against his deportation charges, he began working with another attorney, but quickly learned that his criminal convictions of 20 years prior didn’t allow his immigration attorney to fight his deportation case. His criminal conviction is considered the most severe
type of conviction – an “aggravated felony.” That is why it didn’t allow Bobby— a lawful permanent resident with a green card — any option to fight against his deportation. Had Bobby known that when he decided to plead guilty to his charges, he would eventually find himself in this situation (unable to defend himself or get himself out of immigration jail), he would never have agreed to it. However, his attorney didn’t give him the chance to make that decision. They defense lawyer did not tell Bobby that, at some point in the future, he would face mandatory deportation. Bobby was referred to STERN Law, and our team found a way to go back, even 20 years later, and challenge those convictions in a criminal court. Our legal team proved that his rights were violated, and his conviction was removed! By showing that Bobby not only served his debt to society, but that he’s also contributing to his community in terms of his nonprofit, the prosecutor dismissed the charges. After almost a year of being held in immigration custody, he was finally released. Today, Bobby is now home with his family, still a legal resident, and on his way to becoming a U.S. citizen; but that’s not all: Bobby wants to share his experience spent in immigration detention, hoping that his story helps other individuals understand why it’s so important to take criminal convictions seriously, even if they have a green card. He hopes that people will also understand why it’s essential to protect yourself with the right attorney. This case was a huge victory for Bobby and his family, and we are happy to have helped get him home in time for the holidays. He can now celebrate Christmas and greet the new year side-by-side with the people he loves.
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