front desk meaning: definition, quotations

front desk

nounalso spelled front-desk

The reception of an office, hotel, or the like.

verb

Of a claim for legalization To be denied by an INS agent without filing because the officer believes the application invalid at face value.

Immigration law

The Supreme Court pointed out a possible exception: "front-desking" may also produce the concrete effects necessary for a claim to be ripe.1998, Bernard D. Reams, American international law cases. Ser. 3, 1994, 6, page 3208:
Under the Supreme Court's holding, the LULAC stay order survives only for the small group of cases in which aliens were front-desked by the INS in their application for legalization.1998, P. J. Patel, Patel's Immigration Law Digest:

2 more examples

Moreover, the Government has represented to Federal courts its willingness to accept applications of any alien who alleges he or she was "front-desked."2001, Labor Law Reporter Employment Practices:
Under the court's order, front-desked class members may have had the right to file and have the Immigration Service process their amnesty applications, and to be issued or reissued work authorization.2003, Immigration Legislation Handbook, page 8-211: