Attorney Teresa Rowe-Dages addressed the McDonald County Coalition meeting on April 15. Rowe-Dages is an immigration specialist and practices immigration law. Rowe-Dages informed the coalition that she handles all aspects of family-based immigration starting from the family petition to eventual citizenship. She stated she also handles employment and work-based immigration matters in addition to representing clients regarding removal proceedings.
Rowe-Dages said April 17 would be a day of significant interest to the immigrant community since it was the day the federal judge would be rendering a decision regarding the temporary injunction relating to the President Obama executive orders for Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs. These programs were blocked by United States District Judge Andrew Hanen ruling that the administration had failed to comply with the Administrative Procedure Act, which calls for the White House to afford a longer notification and comment period before taking action.
Rowe-Dages said that her objectives are to provide the four-state area with the best quality, comprehensive, professional, affordable and competent representation regarding immigration. Rowe-Dages said she hopes to educate the communities through presentations about immigration and what rights immigrants and non-immigrants have as well as educate the community leaders on how they can help immigrants integrate into their communities. She said she also hopes to bring awareness of programs and visas that can possibly assist illegal non-immigrants that have been victimized.
Rowe-Dages said she is continuously developing, as an immigration attorney, to meet the needs of the area.
"As a fellow attorney once told me, the practice of law is continuously learning, practicing and developing," Rowe-Dages said. "Unfortunately I am not always able to help everyone, but I wish I could, so I strive to educate others so that they have a possible future without the mistakes others have made."
Rowe-Dages is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, commonwealth of Virginia and now the state of Missouri. Additionally, she is a member in good standing with the American Immigration Lawyers Association of both the District of Columbia and the state of Missouri.
She earned her juris doctorate from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in addition to attending a full-academic year of post-graduate studies at Oxford University - New College with the International Institute of Law and Justice.
During her time in England, Rowe-Dages was privileged to intern for a nonprofit organization, Bail For Immigration Detainees (B.I.D.), assisting in the representation of detainees at bail hearings in various immigration courts. Stemming from her work with B.I.D. volunteer attorneys, she was invited to intern with a London barrister.
Rowe-Dages said her passion for immigration law stemmed from these experiences and the continuing knowledge that people need honest, compassionate and sound legal advice and representation. She said she continually endeavors to be that kind of attorney.
Rowe-Dages's colleague, Kirk Wattman, attorney from Anderson, also addressed the coalition. Wattman covers the consequences of criminal activity as it relates to immigration.
"In January of this year, an unlikely relationship between a general practice auto-accident attorney and an immigration specialist was formed when it was discovered that Teresa and I had graduated from the same law school," Wattman said. "I have a juris doctorate degree from Western Michigan University -- Cooley Law School and I am licensed to practice law in the state of Missouri."
Wattman is also a nationally registered paramedic and holds a paramedic license in the states of Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma
"Teresa is an immigration specialist,and only she has the ability to practice immigration law," Wattman said. "However, because specific areas of immigration law overlap with criminal law, Teresa asked me to assist her in speaking about criminal bars to the deferred action programs."
Wattman said his wife, Jennifer, is his law partner and their law practice opened in Anderson in 2013 (Wattman & Associates, LLC).
"Jennifer graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law and both of us are McDonald County graduates," Wattman said. "Jennifer's father is Mayor John Sellers of Anderson."
"My entire life has been dedicated to helping people and I have selected careers and have been given opportunities to do this," Wattman said.
Community on 04/23/2015