Legal Radar

Obama Planning of Refugee Program in Central America

President Obama recently said that the United States may be creating a limited refugee program in Central America that allow individuals for entry application to the country without having to dangerously trek their way to the U.S.

If the plan does come through, the program will be part of an effort to block a surge of lone minors and families crossing into the U.S. border illegally.

Obama indicated the possible program in the White House after meeting with three other Presidents from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

The Obama administration hopes that the program would prevent individuals who aren’t qualified for refugee status from gaining entry into the United States.

The four nation leaders talked about the expedition mechanisms utilized to see whether persons can stay in the U.S. or not. Such mechanisms can take years in the current system.

The U.S. has installed refugee camps before in Haiti, the former Soviet Union, and Vietnam. But it will be the first program to be in Central America.

Bankruptcy Consultants for American Airlines Seeking $400 Million

A fee examiner who was tasked to keep costs down in the bankruptcy of American Airlines, made a recommendation this week that a court approve close to $400 million in costs and fees by professionals, who have structured the most efficient airline restructuring case on record.

An attorney hailing from Maine, Robert Keach, made a request in numerous filings this week in a Manhattan-based U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Keach made a recommendation to pay fees of $371 million as well as over $16 million of costs to 40-plus firms which include accountants, attorneys, aircraft advisers, and other consultants. The request also covers other firms who have sent fees after the deadline.

A last overall and cost tallies covered work starting in November 2011 in the beginning of ex-American Airlines parent, AMR Corp’s Chapter 11 case, via approval of its bankruptcy exit blueprint 23 months later.

A historic merger helped American Airlines exit from bankruptcy with U.S. Airways Group --- forming the biggest airline in the world.