It seems that the White House is serious this time about a comprehensive Immigration reform, that would not just “patch” a torn tuxedo, but will give it a million dollar “face- lift.”
Here you can find a transcript of Obama’s today’s speech on Immigration Reform.
We all agree that we need an Immigration reform. It seems that a real breakthrough was achieved today… However, is it really possible to have a reform, and what main areas of law I believe need to be “reformed”?
First, I believe the rules of the adjustment of status have to be changed, allowing EWI (those who crossed the border) to get their green cards. I am not encouraging this type of “immigration”, but for many people who honestly worked and paid taxes and do not have criminal convictions, it would be a great help in trying to concentrate on their US citizen families and not on whether or not there is ICE behind the door.
Author: New York Immigration Attorney Alena Shautsova
I was very excited to learn a couple weeks ago that the USCIS will provide its 800 service on Saturday.
I was very disappointed yesterday to learn that the Saturday service is useless if you are an attorney. A “TIER 2” Rep is required to answer the call when an attorney is on the online, and because a “TIER 2” Rep is not available on Saturdays, hence, I have to call back during the week.
Sometimes people filing sexual harassment claims are concerned about keeping the filing confidential. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), EEOC employees must keep the matter strictly confidential during the investigation. However, once charges are filed, the law requires the EEOC to disclose a copy of the charges to the employer and at that point all details about alleged discrimination and the person filing the charges are disclosed. The employer has the opportunity to review the information and dispute the charge.
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It’s just not so long ago, that DACA beneficiaries received hope that they will be able to get driver’s license and ability to travel outside the US.
But some States do not support Federal decisions, and refuse to issue driver’s license to DACA beneficiaries. This seems to be absurd in the light of the fact that it is Federal government that decide whether or not somebody is legal in the US. Of course, issuing a driver’s license is a state prerogative, but it is based on Federal determination of whether or not somebody is granted a status in the US. As such, States should not be allowed to deny valid applications for license to otherwise qualified applicants.
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What are the odds of getting asylum in the United States? According to the latest report, they are pretty good.
Asylum denials rates are at their historic low. The statistics released by TRAC Immigration shows that the odds of an asylum claim being granted reached a historic high in FY2012, with only 44.5% being turned down.
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A coalition of Hispanic labor organizations and civil rights groups has begun mobilizing for immigration reform. The coalition consists of the National Council of La Raza, Service Employees International Union, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, Mi Familia Vota, Voto Latino and the Hispanic Federation. The Arizona Daily Star reported about the coalition’s nationally launched campaign for immigration reform legislation in 2013.
New program to facilitate business relationship between the USA and Mexico has been implemented that will speed up visa processing for employees:
“The United States Embassy is pleased to announce the expansion of its Business Facilitation Program (BFP) that allows access to expedited visa processing for employees of qualifying firms traveling to the U.S. on company business. The BFP will provide time-saving benefits for businesses whose employees need to travel to the U.S., and highlights the United States’ commitment to deepening trade and economic engagement with Mexico.
The BFP is open throughout Mexico and is available at all U.S. Consulates and the Embassy. The BFP requires interested firms to register with the U.S. Embassy’s or Consulates’ Consular Section.
As one year ends and the next year ushers in, we like to take stock and evaluate, which help provide an analysis for future planning. While the Obama administration again promises immigration reform, statistics indicate that deportation during for the period of the President’s term and in particular deportation statistics during 2012 reached an all time high.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that the fiscal year ending deportation statistics were as follows:
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USCIS Frequently Asked Questions on Provisional Waiver I-601A are available here