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Atty. German Castillo
on Immigration Issues
An interview by Beth Dae Joson,
Asian American Times Editor
on Immigration Issues
An interview by Beth Dae Joson,
Asian American Times Editor
We are interviewing today Mr. German Castillo
an immigration attorney who might already be
known to some in the community. He has now
opened his own independent law firm in Sugar
Land, Texas and we would like to know some of
his views and goals.
an immigration attorney who might already be
known to some in the community. He has now
opened his own independent law firm in Sugar
Land, Texas and we would like to know some of
his views and goals.
ANSWER: Unfortunately those views are largely based on misinformation and incorrect
assumptions. No one can dispute that America is a nation of immigrants and that if we are a
strong nation today it has had very much to do with the hard work of many past immigrants. For a
lot of us, even as citizens, we owe today’s success to the sacrifice of our immigrant parents,
grandparents, or other forefathers.
Where the dialogue on immigration breaks down is often with the unspoken belief that today’s
immigrants are somehow less willing to bear their U.S. civic duties and to earn an honest living.
There are misconceptions that immigrants do not pay taxes and present a drain on government
coffers.
The truth is that generally no one can avoid paying their sales taxes, their payroll taxes, other
special taxes on items like cigarettes and gasoline, and, directly or indirectly even their property
taxes (since the landlord will pass them on to the tenants).
The misconception that immigration was good in the past but bad today is exposed as an error
when one considers past anti-immigrant cycles against the very groups we now acknowledge as
having helped fuel America’s rise in the 20th century. In spite of today’s praises, each wave of
European immigrants caused backlashes and fomented fears of crime, the loss of the English
language, and even the mixing of the races.
With proper dialogue, the immigration debate should come to a rational conclusion and hopefully a
comprehensive immigration reform bill will emerge from the house and senate.
QUESTION: In this climate what do you feel you can offer the new immigrant?
ANSWER: The practice of law is not an exact science. No one can honestly guarantee results,
particularly where issues are gray and open to some level of discretionary interpretation. However,
past experience with a wide range of fact patterns, adjudicating officers, and analysis of the law is
the best basis for providing counsel to a prospective client. As such, I seek to offer solutions one
case at a time—just as I have been privileged to have done hundreds of times in the past.
QUESTION: Some of your client’s have noted that you use the strength of the law to champion
their interests. What do they mean by this and is not possible that connections to key government
personnel can further a client’s interest with more guarantee of success?
ANSWER: What clients mean by their statements is best answered by them. However, I believe
they refer to how I research and analyze the law and apply it to their case in the most beneficial
manner possible within the limits of the law.
Political connections come and go; however, the fundamental precepts of the law do not vary much.
When an immigrant benefit is gained through favoritism it often happens that the benefit can be
lost upon future review or investigation.
Most immigrants to the U.S. come seeking a better life where the rule of law is paramount. The
last thing most immigrants want to hear is that our system is no better and that they must
contribute to perpetuate the same ills they sought to leave behind. In that vein, I do what is
within my means to see the rule of law is followed in each client’s case.
Most case adjudications have several levels of checks and balances. There are almost always
proper channels accessible to all to see that justice is done to a case. Therefore, what matters
most is largely the will of the client and the attorney, to carry through to the end. I am reminded,
particularly now with India’s Independence Day near, of a quote from a famous attorney, Mahatma
Gandhi: "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."
QUESTION: Those are very impressive ideals. I hope you are able to carry them out. But to close
out this interview, can you give us a quick summary of the focus areas in your practice.
ANSWER: I have dealt with literally hundreds of cases in the area of employment immigration—
investors (E-2), business exectuives and managers (L-1A & EB-1-3), H-1B professionals, individuals
of extraordinary ability or exceptional ability with a national interest waiver, religious workers (R-1
& EB-4) and even some million dollar investors (EB-5).
I am also a registered patent attorney who worked on several high technology patents in the Silicon
Valley.
In conclusion, we endeavor to provide professional legal services to the community.
-Atty. German Castillo is practicing Immigration Law and Patent. His law office is located at 14090 SW
Freeway, Suite 300, Sugar Land, TX 77478. He can be reached at tel. (281) 980-1385. For a free
evaluation of your case, visit his website at www.gcastillolaw.com or e-mail questions@gcastillolaw.com.
assumptions. No one can dispute that America is a nation of immigrants and that if we are a
strong nation today it has had very much to do with the hard work of many past immigrants. For a
lot of us, even as citizens, we owe today’s success to the sacrifice of our immigrant parents,
grandparents, or other forefathers.
Where the dialogue on immigration breaks down is often with the unspoken belief that today’s
immigrants are somehow less willing to bear their U.S. civic duties and to earn an honest living.
There are misconceptions that immigrants do not pay taxes and present a drain on government
coffers.
The truth is that generally no one can avoid paying their sales taxes, their payroll taxes, other
special taxes on items like cigarettes and gasoline, and, directly or indirectly even their property
taxes (since the landlord will pass them on to the tenants).
The misconception that immigration was good in the past but bad today is exposed as an error
when one considers past anti-immigrant cycles against the very groups we now acknowledge as
having helped fuel America’s rise in the 20th century. In spite of today’s praises, each wave of
European immigrants caused backlashes and fomented fears of crime, the loss of the English
language, and even the mixing of the races.
With proper dialogue, the immigration debate should come to a rational conclusion and hopefully a
comprehensive immigration reform bill will emerge from the house and senate.
QUESTION: In this climate what do you feel you can offer the new immigrant?
ANSWER: The practice of law is not an exact science. No one can honestly guarantee results,
particularly where issues are gray and open to some level of discretionary interpretation. However,
past experience with a wide range of fact patterns, adjudicating officers, and analysis of the law is
the best basis for providing counsel to a prospective client. As such, I seek to offer solutions one
case at a time—just as I have been privileged to have done hundreds of times in the past.
QUESTION: Some of your client’s have noted that you use the strength of the law to champion
their interests. What do they mean by this and is not possible that connections to key government
personnel can further a client’s interest with more guarantee of success?
ANSWER: What clients mean by their statements is best answered by them. However, I believe
they refer to how I research and analyze the law and apply it to their case in the most beneficial
manner possible within the limits of the law.
Political connections come and go; however, the fundamental precepts of the law do not vary much.
When an immigrant benefit is gained through favoritism it often happens that the benefit can be
lost upon future review or investigation.
Most immigrants to the U.S. come seeking a better life where the rule of law is paramount. The
last thing most immigrants want to hear is that our system is no better and that they must
contribute to perpetuate the same ills they sought to leave behind. In that vein, I do what is
within my means to see the rule of law is followed in each client’s case.
Most case adjudications have several levels of checks and balances. There are almost always
proper channels accessible to all to see that justice is done to a case. Therefore, what matters
most is largely the will of the client and the attorney, to carry through to the end. I am reminded,
particularly now with India’s Independence Day near, of a quote from a famous attorney, Mahatma
Gandhi: "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."
QUESTION: Those are very impressive ideals. I hope you are able to carry them out. But to close
out this interview, can you give us a quick summary of the focus areas in your practice.
ANSWER: I have dealt with literally hundreds of cases in the area of employment immigration—
investors (E-2), business exectuives and managers (L-1A & EB-1-3), H-1B professionals, individuals
of extraordinary ability or exceptional ability with a national interest waiver, religious workers (R-1
& EB-4) and even some million dollar investors (EB-5).
I am also a registered patent attorney who worked on several high technology patents in the Silicon
Valley.
In conclusion, we endeavor to provide professional legal services to the community.
-Atty. German Castillo is practicing Immigration Law and Patent. His law office is located at 14090 SW
Freeway, Suite 300, Sugar Land, TX 77478. He can be reached at tel. (281) 980-1385. For a free
evaluation of your case, visit his website at www.gcastillolaw.com or e-mail questions@gcastillolaw.com.
- This interview appeared in Asian American Times' August 2006 issue
and also published in Indo-American News' August 18, 2006 issue.
and also published in Indo-American News' August 18, 2006 issue.
To schedule a consultation, please call
tel. (281) 980-1385 or (281) 340-2027.
tel. (281) 980-1385 or (281) 340-2027.
| Investing in the United States: Basis for an E-2 Visa Click here to see full article |
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
| Immigration Law and Intellectual Property |
| A P r o f e s s i o n a l C o r p o r a t i o n |
GERMAN CASTILLO LAW OFFICE, P.C.
| 14090 Southwest Freeway, Suite 300, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Tel (281) 340-2027; (281) 980-1385; Toll Free Fax 1 (866) 416-0059; California: Tel (650) 270-5239 INTERNATIONAL OFFICE: PHILIPPINES: 6/F Padilla Building, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines Tel (63-918) 906-8142 Fax (63-2) 631-1546 |
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WRITTEN BY ATTY. CASTILLO