Speak Up, Be Heard, and Demand Change with Congress!

Attorney Foley with Congressman Stephen Lynch at a New England Council meeting

I was able to catch up with Congressman Stephen Lynch of South Boston at a recent New England Council meeting in Boston. Always quick with a joke, Congressman Lynch said “the presidency is supposed to age the occupant of the office, not us!” He talked about the “frustration of Washington” where everything ended in a battle based on political party lines and “nothing gets done.”

I updated the Congressman on a couple of immigration matters in his district and invited him to an upcoming immigration forum at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton which is part of his district. I asked about the possibility of immigration reform under the Trump administration and Congressman Lynch said “I don’t see it but it’s early (in the administration) yet.” He talked about areas, like infrastructure improvement where there could be agreement with the Trump administration “to get something done.”

I told the Congressman that the phones in our law office were ringing off the hook and that people with immigration issues were scared. I also told the Congressman that in many cases there was little that I or any immigration lawyer could do to help. Congressman Lynch said it was the same in his office and that “these are indeed scary times.”

U.S. immigration law is federal law, as opposed to state or local law, so making changes to it must be done on the federal level by the U.S. Congress. For that reason, I believe it is important to continue to meet with and encourage our Congressional delegation to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. The only way forward is to speak up, to be heard, to demand change.

If you or a family member has immigration issues, let me know if I can help.

I look forward to speaking with you.

John Foley

Foley Law Offices, P.C.