St. Laurent & AssociatesBaltimore Law Firm2024-02-02T20:59:46Zhttps://www.claytonstlaurent.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1100466/2019/05/cropped-favicon-1-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of St. Laurent & Associateshttps://www.claytonstlaurent.com/?p=2470722024-01-31T21:00:36Z2024-02-02T20:59:46ZMaintain permanent resident status
The main advantage of the reentry permit is that it preserves your permanent resident status. Without it, you could risk abandoning your green card if you leave the U.S. for longer than one year. The reentry permit allows up to two years of foreign travel without endangering your permanent resident status. This is crucial if you need to be outside the country for an extended time.
Simplify reentry into the U.S.
The reentry permit also makes returning to the United States much smoother. When reentering with an unexpired reentry permit, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not question your residency status. This avoids complications or delays when passing through customs and immigration.
Peace of mind
In addition, having a valid reentry permit gives you peace of mind knowing that you do not have to worry about inadvertently breaking continuous residency requirements while abroad. It provides legal protection and assurance.
For permanent residents who need to travel abroad extensively, the reentry permit is an essential document. It preserves your cherished green card status, simplifies reentry and provides peace of mind. With all these benefits, the permit is well worth obtaining before a long international trip.]]>On Behalf of St. Laurent & Associateshttps://www.claytonstlaurent.com/?p=2470692023-11-10T14:28:26Z2023-11-10T14:28:26Z1. North Avenue and Belair Road
The intersection of North Avenue and Belair Road stands out as one of the riskiest spots for drivers. Situated in the heart of the city, this crossing is a hotspot for accidents. The high volume of traffic, combined with aggressive driving behaviors, contributes to the dangers at this intersection. Pedestrians and cyclists are also at risk when navigating this area.
2. Harford Road and Moravia Road
Traveling through the intersection of Harford Road and Moravia Road poses a significant hazard for motorists. Here, the road design, marked by multiple lanes and complex turns, increases the potential for collisions. Careless driving, along with a lack of adherence to traffic rules, exacerbates the dangers.
3. Eastern Avenue and Ponca Street
Another problematic intersection in Baltimore is Eastern Avenue and Ponca Street. This crossing has narrow lanes, heavy traffic and a lack of visibility, which significantly increase the likelihood of accidents. Pedestrian safety is also a concern, as many people walk along Eastern Avenue, and drivers often overlook them due to the challenging conditions.
4. Reisterstown Road and Northern Parkway
The intersection of Reisterstown Road and Northern Parkway is a notorious spot for accidents. The presence of multiple lanes and turning options makes it a high-risk area. Reckless driving and the failure to yield the right-of-way often lead to crashes at this location.
Of the 108,365 traffic accidents that occurred in Maryland in 2022, 28,015 involved injuries. While driving comes with unknowns, knowing the more dangerous intersections may help increase your safety awareness.]]>On Behalf of St. Laurent & Associateshttps://www.claytonstlaurent.com/?p=2470682023-08-05T04:20:12Z2023-08-07T04:20:04ZWhat happens when you overstay your visa in the United States?
When you overstay your visa, immigration laws permit the government to bar you from receiving another visa to enter the United States for a period determined by the situation. An overstay that exceeds six months but is less than a year, and one that you end by returning home without legal intervention, results in a 3-year bar on your visa. Should you overstay your visa for more than a year, the government may institute a ten-year bar on your visa.
Can you extend your stay?
You may wish to request an extension for your stay or potentially change your immigration status. If so, submit the application and any necessary paperwork before your current visa expires. Doing so automatically institutes a stay on your visa until the immigration office reaches a decision on your application. The court typically will not consider an extension or status change if you apply after your visa expires.
Understanding the importance of your visa’s expiration date and your options for extension helps you protect your legal status in the country. Consider your current visa’s term and apply for an extension early if you might need it.]]>On Behalf of St. Laurent & Associateshttps://www.claytonstlaurent.com/?p=2470372023-05-08T20:39:01Z2023-05-08T20:39:01Zimpact of speed on car crash injuries, motorists can work to incorporate safer driving habits and reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents.
1. High force of impact
When a car travels at high speeds, the force of impact in a collision is much greater than at lower paces. The science behind speeding follows the laws of physics and includes several factors, including velocity, the car's weight and kinetic force.
2. Reduced reaction time
The risk of a fatal car crash increases considerably since the heavier the vehicle, the harder it is for the driver to brake. When a driver travels at high speeds, they have less time to react to roadway conditions or the actions of other motorists. Additionally, when a car accident occurs, the high speed reduces the time available for safety systems such as the car's airbags to deploy. This can further increase the risk of severe injury.
3. Increased severity of injuries
High-speed car crashes also tend to result in more severe injuries. For example, these types of accidents are more likely to cause traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or spinal cord injuries (SCI). These severe injuries can require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
4. Ejection from the vehicle
When a motorist drives at high speeds, the impact force can cause passengers to fly out of the vehicle. This especially happens in rollover accidents where the roof of the car collapses. Ejection from a moving vehicle dramatically increases the risk of severe injury or death.
Knowing the relationship between vehicle speed and injuries can promote roadway safety.]]>On Behalf of St. Laurent & Associateshttps://www.claytonstlaurent.com/?p=2470362023-01-30T23:03:19Z2023-02-02T23:02:22Zranked first among the cities with the most automobile accidents. Although avoiding one comes with no guarantee, knowing the top reasons may help you know what red flags to look for.
1. Driving over the speed limit
Since people could drive, speeding has come with the territory. No matter where you live, speeding often factors into any accident. Unfortunately, people feeling hurried ignore the speed limits designed to help ensure motorist safety. The faster you go, the harder it becomes to brake in time.
2. Giving into distractions
In this day and age, distractions happen for many reasons. The CDC categorizes distracted driving as cognitive, manual and visual. Cognitive relates to letting your mind wander from driving. Manual comes into play when taking your hands off the wheel, such as eating food or changing the radio station. A visual distraction means you visually focus on something other than the road and traffic around you. From cell phones to an accident on the side of the road, motorists face a barrage of potential distractions.
3. Navigating dangerous intersections
No matter how safely you drive, some intersections immediately increase your odds of something bad happening. Intersections with the most crashes include Gwynns Falls Parkway, Jones Falls Expressway, West Northern Parkway at Falls Road and I-95 exits, entrances and merging points. Heavy congestion at traffic lights, multiple lanes, truck traffic and more all contribute to making these hazardous driving locations.
Knowing what to watch out for can help keep you and your family safe on the road.]]>On Behalf of St. Laurent & Associateshttps://www.claytonstlaurent.com/?p=2470342022-12-19T21:09:33Z2022-12-19T21:09:33Zsome applicants may now file an online form for requesting asylum. Learn more about asylum and now to apply for it.
What is asylum? What is a refugee?
Asylum is the concept of a safe space where the United States government protects noncitizens from persecution. Persecution could be the threat of imprisonment, violence or other danger. A refugee is someone who "seeks refuge" (safe space) because of a credible fear of harm against their person.
Who is not a refugee?
Anyone who incites violence or persecution against a race, religious group, nationality, social group or those with a specific political opinion is not a refugee in the United States. The government looks closely at who is causing the harm and who is the victim. Only those with credible fears get asylum.
Do I have to be in the United States to apply for asylum?
Yes. The definition of asylum stipulates that you must have refugee status, be within the borders of the U.S., be a noncitizen of the U.S. and seek admission at a port of entry. You can not preemptively apply for asylum before you arrive in the United States.
Can I include my family in my asylum application?
Yes. A spouse and children who are your dependents, non-U.S. citizens and are physically present with you in the United States may join your application. The definition of a child is anyone under 21 years old and unmarried.]]>On Behalf of St. Laurent & Associateshttps://www.claytonstlaurent.com/?p=2470322022-11-27T00:59:22Z2022-11-27T00:59:22ZWhat is asylum status?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services grants asylum status to individuals who are subject to persecution in their home country. Filing an application for asylum requires you to be physically present in the United States. As an eligible asylee, you may remain in the country with your spouse and children, and you can apply for employment authorization to work within the United States.
How can you get your green card as an asylee?
Applying for a lawful permanent residence card as an asylee entails being present in the U.S. for 1 full year after receiving asylum status. You must also continue to meet eligibility requirements as an asylee. If the USCIS approves your application, you will receive your green card and can take steps toward becoming a naturalized citizen.
Asylum is an option that protects immigrants from persecution based on race, religion and other defining characteristics. Those who are in need of this protection can continue to stay in the United States by applying for a green card that allows for permanent residency.]]>On Behalf of St. Laurent & Associateshttps://www.claytonstlaurent.com/?p=2470302023-07-12T16:44:02Z2022-10-21T18:55:27ZWhat are backup cameras?
Backup cameras are special cameras attached to the rear of a vehicle, providing video to a display screen mounted on the vehicle's dashboard. The point of view given by a backup camera tends to be more useful in gauging the distance between your vehicle and other objects behind you as compared to your rearview mirror. Some backup cameras come equipped with backup warning systems and rear cross-traffic alerts.
How do backup cameras help prevent accidents?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provides statistics showing the effectiveness of various smart technologies in deterring crashes. This data shows that rearview cameras can lower the number of backup crashes by 17%. Backup systems with rear cross-traffic alerts are even more effective, decreasing the number of backing crashes by as much as 22%.
While backing crashes do not often result in catastrophic injury, that does not mean that drivers should neglect to do their part in preventing these types of accidents in the first place. Effective use of backup cameras can make roads and parking lots a little bit safer for everyone.]]>On Behalf of St. Laurent & Associateshttps://www.claytonstlaurent.com/?p=2468282022-08-17T19:43:59Z2022-08-17T19:43:59ZMaryland Department of Transportation, there are an average of 181 deaths resulting from distracted driving annually. Here are some important things that you need to know about one of the most dangerous hazards on the road.
Cellphones
Talking and texting on the phone is a common factor in accidents involving distraction. Statutory law prohibits the use of handheld devices while operating a vehicle. This legislation may have played a role in the decrease of accidents involving distraction since its enactment. Nevertheless, noncompliance with the cellphone ban is prevalent. In addition to refraining from using your phone when driving, you also need to be wary of other drivers in your proximity who appear to be on their phones and not paying attention.
Cognitive distraction
Letting your mind wander while you’re driving can be more dangerous than you might think, and it can happen easily. When you're thinking about other things instead of focusing on the road ahead, you could fail to observe hazards. Likewise, distraction could slow your reaction times and cost you whatever small window you may have to avoid an accident when another driver fails to follow traffic laws. Making a conscientious effort to stay attentive to what you’re doing and your surroundings can mitigate cognitive distraction risks.
Ultimately, good situational awareness and mindful driving habits can prevent serious accidents. When you get behind the wheel, staying vigilant about distractions will help you stay safe.]]>On Behalf of St. Laurent & Associateshttps://www.claytonstlaurent.com/?p=2468262022-08-05T22:05:59Z2022-08-05T22:05:59ZWhat are the benefits of being a DREAMer?
Filing for protection under DACA provides many opportunities and protections. Some benefits for DACA DREAMers include:
Unlawfully entered the United States before their 16th birthday
Lived continuously in the United States since June 15, 2007
Born on June 16, 1981, or after
Physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at request for consideration of deferred action with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012
Is enrolled in school, completed high school or a GED, or has an honorable discharge from the U.S. armed forces
Never convicted of a felony or a serious misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and does not pose a threat to national security or public safety
Filing for DACA status can protect you from deportation and allow you to freely pursue your American dreams.]]>