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By immigration lawyer Natalia Segermeister, who is barred and practices in the state of New York, with The Visa Firm.

The Supreme Court overturned a Ninth Circuit ruling from 2015 that held that immigrants held in custody awaiting a removal hearing were entitled to a bond hearing after six months of detention, and then every six months after that, finding instead that no such right existed, and remanded the decision back to the Ninth Circuit for a ruling consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision.

Currently, immigrants who are detained by immigration enforcement officials can be detained indefinitely while awaiting a hearing to determine whether they should be removed.

There is no consistency in determining who is released while awaiting hearings and who is detained. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of numerous detained individuals seeking to ensure that those detained had a bond hearing.

“What this means is that all immigrants should be aware of their current status, and know that arrest for even minor violations could result in long-term detention,” said Natalia Segermeister, an immigration law attorney with The Visa Firm in Washington, DC. “No final decision has been made, but the Supreme Court has made it clear that they believe the Constitution does not provide a right to a regular bond hearing. This creates serious jeopardy for any immigrant that is detained. The current administration’s approach to immigrants only increases their anxiety.”

The ACLU estimates that 10 to 20 percent of the 36,000 immigrants currently detained and awaiting hearing have been detained longer than six months. (more…)

This column is written and sponsored by D.C. real estate agent and Edgewood resident Jessica Evans. Email her questions at  [email protected].

We’re flying through the steps of the home-buying process with just a few more to go. If you have missed any or want to start at the beginning, you can do that here.

Now that you’ve made it through the home inspection, and have a ratified contract on a home, we’re on to part 2 of the financing process. Financing part 1 was choosing a lender and pre-approval. Now that you have a home lined up to purchase, it’s time for part 2, the loan application and other steps needed to receive your financing on the settlement day.

The loan approval process is in many ways very similar to the loan pre-approval process. In addition to filling out a loan application you will be requested to submit documents. Depending on your financial situation this may be the same documents requested for pre-approval or many more.

Expect your entire financial (and tax) situation to be examined under a microscope with numerous requests for documentation. During this time it is important that there are no substantial changes to your financial situation, in particular:

• Don’t move any funds without discussing with your lender.
• Don’t make any large deposits unless you are able to document the source of the funds.
• Receiving gift funds? These need to be properly documented. Do not accept or deposit gift funds without speaking to your lender.
• Do not apply for new debt of any kind. This includes credit cards, car loans, or refinancing any of your existing loans (unless recommended by your lender).
• Consider credit monitoring (during your search and through settlement) to make sure that there are no unauthorized changes to your credit score.

While the the information that you provide your lender will confirm that you qualify for your loan, the other part of the equation is making sure that the property that you are purchasing qualifies.

Since the property you are purchasing will be collateral for your loan, the bank wants to make sure that your loan is based on the market value and that there are no conditions that would have a substantial impact on their ability to sell the property in the event of foreclosure.

How does a bank know what the home your buying is worth? This is where the appraisal comes in. Your lender will order your appraisal, and it will be conducted by a third party service provider. The appraiser will have a copy of the sale contract. They will visit the home to take measurements, document the size and condition, and note any adverse conditions. (more…)

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If you’re craving a meal that spans the globe, Taste of 8th is where you need to be on Saturday, April 28 from 1-4 p.m.

Your culinary journey begins near Eastern Market Metro station on Barracks Row (8th Street, SE). The event will feature 24 nearby restaurants serving up tapas sized samples of everything from Greek and Korean to Belgian and Serbian.

Past participants include Ambar, Cava, Matchbox, Souk, Pineapple and Pearls, Nooshi Sushi, Medium Rare, Lavagna, and many more.

Guests need not pick just one cuisine! By purchasing a 5 Pack of tasting tickets you can curate your own international lunch, course by course. Early bird pricing of $15 for 5 tickets ends on April 20. The price then increases to $20 until midnight April 27. Tickets are available to buy at the event for $5.00.

The annual event is sponsored by Barracks Row Main Street, which celebrates the area’s historic buildings and businesses, including over 30 restaurants. Tickets sales will benefit the group’s year-round work to maintain a clean and safe community.

This is guaranteed to be your best lunch deal in D.C. that day — don’t miss it.

By employment law attorney Tom Spiggle, who is barred and practices in the state of Virginia, with The Spiggle Law Firm.

Arguments in a lawsuit filed by a D.C. neighborhood commissioner in her individual capacity against the D.C. Zoning Commission were heard by the D.C. Court of Appeals.

The suit, filed by Bertha Holliday, alleges that the development proposed by Vision McMillan Partners (VMP) is racially discriminatory because it segregates the housing for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) supported individuals from the non-HUD housing, and therefore should never have been approved.

Ms. Holliday, in making her case, claims that 90 percent of the individuals that receive housing assistance from HUD are African-American. VMP’s proposed plan shows the low-income housing units of its development being in one area, having their own entrance, common areas, elevators, and ventilation units. The effect, she said, was to segregate African Americans from others.

“Race is a protected class under the United States Constitution, meaning that any attempt to discriminate based on an individual’s race may be found unconstitutional and unlawful,” said Tom Spiggle, an employment law attorney with The Spiggle Law Firm. “This lawsuit is against the D.C.  Zoning Commission, alleging that, in approving the proposed development, the Commission is allowing discrimination based on race.”

“Racial discrimination claims are very complex and require a very involved understanding of the Federal laws governing those claims,” said Mr. Spiggle. “Ms. Holliday’s claim, however, seems to satisfy many of the requirements of a prima facie claim, including the individuals being members of a protected class, the discriminatory result, and the fact that there are other alternatives to the layout of the development that do not require separation of low-income housing from non-low-income housing.”

In addition to being complex, each Federal Appeals Court Circuit has different standards for successful claims of discrimination. This means that a plaintiff in one of these actions must know the specific standard they must use to show for a prima facie case of racial discrimination. However, as a general rule, the complainant must show that he or she was the member of a protected class (race in this instance), that the law or rule in question had a discriminatory effect, and that discrimination caused injury to the complainant.

In the meantime, the development of the 25-acre tract being questioned by Ms. Holliday is on hold, and has been on hold since 2016, when the Appeals Court entered an indefinite stay on construction. At the very least, the site will not be developed until a decision regarding its discriminatory nature is reached.

District Floor Depot is a new hardwood flooring retail store located at 1600 Rhode Island Ave. NE.

We sell quality hardwood floors directly to customers at every day low prices. After years of renovating hundreds of houses, we have developed a passion for home renovation and interior design. Flooring choices can build the foundation for a great design and influence the character of the rest of the house.

We started District Floor Depot to help customers make great design choices and to make the best flooring options accessible to them at a great price.

We opened our first store in March of 2017. District Floor Depot has over 300 styles of top quality flooring available including everything from hardwood to bamboo and reclaimed to vinyl. We offer fast-delivery, installation services, a local showroom and can beat the prices of local contractors with mill-direct prices.

The flooring choices we offer are responsibly sourced, giving our customers peace of mind. Our design consultants and associates are professional, knowledgeable and detail oriented to best help you with your next project. We would be happy to personally visit your work site and bring any samples you’re interested in. (more…)

By personal injury lawyer Cade Parian, who represents clients in Georgia, Alabama and America with The Parian Law Firm.

Fighting the opioid crisis in America should be a priority for every health official in this country. Dr. Jerome Adams, the U.S. Surgeon General, hopes to prevent deaths resulting from an opioid overdose by advocating for Americans to carry Naloxone, the “overdose antidote”.

At the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit, which took place in Atlanta on April 2-5, Dr. Adams discussed his new health advisory. The annual Summit’s mission is to discuss prevention and treatment for health issues in the United States.

Naloxone, which costs $80 for a single dose and is covered by insurance, is an injectable medication given to someone who is overdosing on an opioid — either a prescription opioid or heroin. It can also be sprayed in the nose. It is referred to as an opioid antagonist and can reverse the effects of the drug and restore normal breathing.

Dr. Adams says that all opioid users and their family and friends should have access to the antidote, which is available over the counter. According to the nation’s head doctor, 77 percent of these overdoses occur outside of any type of medical setting, away from any health professionals, so having greater access to this medication may save lives.

People who do not have insurance, can obtain this medicine from local health programs for free or a reduced cost. Dr. Adams also wants more federal money to go towards enabling this access.

“The opioid crisis in this country is a sad but growing reality in this country, and it affects us here in Georgia,” said Cade Parian, personal injury lawyer at The Parian Law Firm. “Giving those affected by this terrible crisis the option to carry Naloxone and use it if the need arises is a positive step towards preventing fatal overdoses and should be encouraged. Contrary to what many people believe, these deaths do not result only from heroin overdoses; often they are the result of a doctor legally prescribing pain medication for an injury and not properly overseeing a patient’s usage and dosage, resulting in an overuse and addiction. These doctors and drug companies who promote the drugs’ overuse should be held responsible.”

Naloxone, also called Narcan, can be bought in the District of Columbia and in all but the following states at either CVS or Walgreens pharmacies:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

In 2016, more than 42,000 Americans died because of an opioid overdose, up from 33,251 in 2015. Hopefully solutions like this will help to bring this number down.

As wedding season approaches, a local company is offering a unique way for engaged couples to meet potential planners, vendors and local sponsors, Chacho USA, Sankofa Beer Company and Capital Aesthetic + Laser Center.

An Artistic Wedding Experience on H Street is taking place at Gallery O on H on April 22 from 2-6 p.m. The interactive wedding-themed day party will feature live music performances, food and cocktails, fashion and art exhibits, and live beauty demonstrations, including a men’s’ grooming lounge, for ample wedding inspiration.

Most importantly, it’s a chance for couples to interact with top wedding planners, culinary experts, jewelers, stylists, designers and other specially-curated professionals. Guests can also sign up for demonstrations, stage a pop-up wedding shoot and rate their favorites to win prizes.

The one-of-a-kind experience is hosted by Bespoken DC, a D.C. based company that specializes in high-end “experience curation” for parties, elopements and travel adventures. General admission tickets are $40 per person and include complimentary cocktails, hors devours, and desserts. Guests who spring for $50 VIP tickets will also get a tailored gift bag, exclusive access to event partners and a guided tour of Gallery O on H’s carriage house.

The chance to meet the perfect professionals for your dream wedding? Priceless.