QUESTION: I am Cuban and I received a parole for 1 year at the port of entry and I have to appear before an immigration judge at the end of this month. My questions are:
What should I do?
REPLY: In response to your first three (3) questions the answer is yes. You can attend your first scheduled Master Hearing before the Immigration Court alone, without a lawyer, and explain to the Judge that you would like additional time to find a lawyer. Such requests are almost always granted at the first hearing. If, however, this is the second or third time that you are asking the Judge for time to hire a lawyer, s/he may not like that you have taken so long already to find a lawyer without success.
I cannot advise you regarding your questions about asylum or the Cuban Adjustment Act because I know nothing about your particular case. If you would like to submit additional information about your case and receive a complete professional analysis, please consider contacting my office to set up a consultation.