Anyone who has watched any TV cop show knows “You have the right to remain silent.” This right stems from the famous Supreme Court case of 1966 known as Miranda v. Arizona. For nearly half a century, police have been required to give Miranda warnings to criminal suspects. When Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests an immigrant, there is no right to remain silent. But is this just?
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the recording of John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme, right here in New Jersey. It is well established as one of the greatest recordings of all time. As the father of a ten year old boy who plays jazz piano and saxophone with extraordinary ability, I have rediscovered John Coltrane, with my son. And as the leader of a team of Immigration Lawyers Who Love What We Do, I often think of A Love Supreme. It is a rare thing to love what you do all day.
For one, I would like to be an optimist about immigration reform. I really wish that immigration reform would pass already. We have been waiting since Section 245 (i) left the Immigration and Nationality Act on April 30, 2001. Gone are the days when immigrants paid a $1000 penalty in their green card applications through work and family as a trade-off for crossing the border.
