Immigration Updates

By: Norka M. Schell | August 11, 2026 Is Your Family at Risk? How ICE’s Controversial Memo is Fueling Mandatory Detentions It started with a simple, two-page memo. Today, that single document is causing a nationwide crisis. It is tearing families apart across the country and stretching federal courts to their breaking point. If you…

By Attorney Norka M. Schell | Law Offices of Norka M. Schell, LLC | July 24, 2026 Expanding your business or relocating your family from Brazil to the United States is one of the most transformative financial and personal decisions you can make. However, navigating the intersection of U.S. immigration laws, cross-border corporate structuring, and…

By: Norka M. Schell, Esq. | July 22, 2026 Imagine the relief of walking out of a courthouse in Miami or New York with a signed divorce decree in hand. For most, this marks the final chapter of a difficult journey. But for binational couples or expats with ties to Brazil, that decree might be…

Autora: Norka M. Schell | Advogada Quando a vida familiar e as fronteiras internacionais se cruzam, as disputas legais assumem uma complexidade única. Para imigrantes brasileiros vivendo no estado de Nova Iorque, enfrentar uma crise familiar — como um divórcio litigioso, uma disputa pela guarda dos filhos ou violência doméstica — traz um peso adicional…

Com a globalização, os casamentos transfronteiriços e a aquisição de patrimônio em múltiplos países tornaram-se realidades comuns. No entanto, quando esse vínculo se desfaz, a dissolução do matrimônio deixa de ser apenas uma questão emocional e passa a ser um complexo xadrez global de bens. Em um divórcio internacional, a definição de onde o processo…

By: Norka M. Schell | July 1, 2026 On June 30, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its highly anticipated decision in Trump v. Barbara, striking down Executive Order No. 14160 and firmly protecting the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. For immigrant communities across New York and global citizens with ties to…

By: NORKA M. SCHELL, ESQ. | JUNE 19, 2026 1. Introduction: The Power of Place In the architecture of International Private Law (Direito Internacional Privado), the determination of applicable law hinges upon the “connecting factor.” While many jurisdictions traditionally adhered to the nationality of the individual, the Brazilian legal system underwent a foundational shift. As…

By: Norka M. Schell, Esq. | June 19, 2026 If you are a Brazilian expatriate or dual citizen filing for divorce in New York State, you are likely facing a critical question: Can a New York judge divide the apartment I own in São Paulo, my investments in a Brazilian bank, or the inheritance I…

By: Norka M. Schell, Esq. | June 07, 2026 Moving money between the United States and Brazil is a routine process for expats, investors, and families. However, both the IRS and the Central Bank of Brazil (Banco Central do Brasil, or Bacen) monitor international capital flows closely to prevent tax evasion and money laundering. The…

By: Norka M. Schell, Esq. | May 23, 2026 Navigating USCIS policies can often feel overwhelming, but understanding the legal reality of your options is the first step toward securing your future. If you are deciding how to apply for your green card, you must understand how the government views your application. Applying for lawful…