Archive for the ‘Politics/Current Events’ Category
Federal Judge Shuts Down Immigration Scam
A Federal Judge in a U.S. District Court in Nevada has shut-down an immigration scam at the request of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The scam had consumers paying fees ranging from $200 to $2500 that purportedly covered USCIS application processing costs.
The defendants set up websites that mimicked official government sites and then used fake sites to steer consumers to its deceptive operations. Telemarketers would provide legal advice when individuals called and filing fees were taken from individuals without ever being sent to the USCIS as part of an immigration application.
The defendants named in the case are Immigration Center; Immigration Forms and Publications, Inc; Charles Doucette, individually and doing business as Telestaffing; Immigration Forms and Services and Immigration Form Processing; Deborah Stilson aka Deborah Malmstrom; Alfred Boyce; Thomas Strawbridge; Robin Meredith; Thomas Lawrence; and Elizabeth Meredith.
The FTC charged the defendants with violating federal law by misrepresenting:
• that they were authorized to provide immigration and naturalization services;
• that they were affiliated with the U.S. government; and
• that the fees paid by consumers would cover all the costs associated with submitting immigration documents to the USCIS.
Tags: FTC, Immigration Center, Immigration Forms and Publications, immigration scam
Posted in Politics/Current Events, USCIS | Read More »
Help HAITI Act of 2010 Now In Effect
The USCIS has announced the implementation of the Help HAITI Act of 2010, which grants permanent residence to certain orphaned Haitian children who were paroled into the U.S. after the January 2010 earthquake. To obtain more information about the eligibility requirements and the new law, please see www.uscis.gov/adoptions/haiti.
Tags: earthquake, Help Haiti Act of 2010, orphan
Posted in Immigrant Visas, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
Senate Ruins DREAM, But Obama Promises Reform
On Saturday, December 18, 2010, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the DREAM Act, one of the most important immigration measures to come before Congress this year.
The DREAM Act would have provided green card status to certain undocumented youth who, as children, were brought to the U.S. If the youth completed high school, demonstrated good moral character, and completed at least two years of higher education or served for at least two years in the U.S. military, they would obtain a green card.
In a 55-41 vote, the Senate has prevented the DREAM from being realized for thousands, if not, millions of Americanized undocumented youth who have known only the U.S. as their home.
President Obama told representatives of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus December 21, 2010 that he is not giving up on the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. He reiterated his support, pointing out that we can no longer perpetuate a broken immigration system that is not working for our country or our economy. He said that the issue should remain a “top priority” in the next Congress.
Tags: Congressional Hispanic Caucus, DREAM Act, President Obama, Senate
Posted in immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
Call Your Senators! They Will Vote on the Dream Act Saturday
Senators are expected to vote on the DREAM Act on Saturday, December 18, 2010. Senate Majority Leader Reid filed cloture for this Act, which is a process aimed at bringing debates to quick end. The Senate will need 60 votes for DREAM Act to move forward.
The DREAM Act would provide lawful permanent residence (i.e. green card status) to certain undocumented youth who, as children, were brought to the U.S. The criteria to qualify include: completing high school; demonstrating good moral character; and completing at least two years of higher education or serving for at least two years in the U.S. military.
We urge you to call your senators today in support of this important Act!
Tags: DREAM Act, Majority Leader Reid, Senate
Posted in Alerts, Immigrant Visas, immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg Calls for Immigration Reform
On Friday evening, December 10, 2010, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg made an economic argument for immigration reform to several business professionals at the annual meeting of the Partnership for New York City, a business group. He told his business peers, including media titan Rupert Murdoch (CEO of the News Corporation), that if they care about NYC and their companies, they needed to support his call for comprehensive reform. He pleaded for top business professionals to bring common sense and economic experience to the immigration debate, which he called the most important issue facing this country.
Mr. Bloomberg focused his speech on the fact that talented entrepreneurs are taking their ideas and ambitions to other countries openly willing to host them. Recently, during a speech at the NYC Stock Exchange, he stated that “If we keep the best and the brightest out of this country, all the next big things will happen outside this country… You look at people who say, ‘Oh, no, immigrants are going to kill us,’ and you wonder — they haven’t read history…They don’t understand anything about business. And it’s up to us educate them.”
Mr. Bloomberg has formed a task force of leaders, including mayors and CEO’s, to call for a path to legalization for the millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. He has also called for less restrictive green card requirements to allow more educated and highly skilled immigrants to move here.
Tags: immigration reform, Mayor Bloomberg, Partnership for New York City, Rupert Murdoch
Posted in immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
House Passes DREAM Act But Senate Delays
On Wednesday night, December 8, 2010, the House of Representatives passed its version of the DREAM Act by a 216 to 198 vote. The Senate was scheduled to vote on its version by this morning at 11AM EST but instead has withdrawn its version by a 59-40 vote and will be focusing on the House version of the bill, which it tabled for now. The Senate will likely resolve other issues first, such as tax cuts, before voting on the DREAM Act.
The DREAM Act would provide lawful permanent residence (i.e. green card status) to certain undocumented youth who, as children, were brought to the U.S. The criteria to qualify include: completing high school; demonstrating good moral character; and completing at least two years of higher education or serving for at least two years in the U.S. military.
Please stay tuned for updates on the Senate’s actions with respect to this important and historical legislation.
Tags: DREAM Act, House, lame duck, Senate, Senator Reid
Posted in Alerts, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
DREAM Act to Be Raised During Lame Duck Session
Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has stated that he will bring up the DREAM Act during the lame duck session. A “lame duck” session occurs post-election when Congress meets after its successor is elected, but before the successor’s term begins. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, rallied behind Senator Reid, advocating for the DREAM Act introduction during lame duck.
The DREAM Act is an immigration bill that would provide legal status to undocumented teenagers who have been here almost all their life, graduate from high school and pursue college or U.S. military service. In September 2010, Senate Republicans blocked the Defense Authorization Act, which had the DREAM Act as an amendment.
Many immigration advocates believe the lame duck session is the best chance for the DREAM Act to succeed into law since Democrats still have the House and Senate. Stay tuned for updates about this important bill.
Tags: DREAM Act, lame duck, Nancy Pelosi, Senator Reid
Posted in immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
The 9th Circuit Invalidates Arizona Election Law Requiring Proof of Citizenship
On Tuesday, October 26, 2010, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, California invalidated parts of Arizona’s Proposition 200, a voter-approved measure requiring residents to show proof of citizenship when voting. The Ninth Circuit concluded that the election law conflicts with the intent of the Federal National Voter Registration Act to streamline the voting process with a simple form, removing state-imposed registration obstacles. The Ninth Circuit left intact the requirement that voters show photo identification.
Current Federal Law requires voters to attest to their citizenship under “penalty of perjury,” which the 3-judge panel concluded is enough. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor sat on the panel as a retired justice, voting with the majority. She was a state senator and judge in Arizona before being nominated by President Ronald Reagan to the Supreme Court in 1981.
Tags: 9th Circuit, Arizona, proof of citizenship, Proposition 200, voting
Posted in Alerts, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
President Obama Tells the Truth About Passing Reform
In a recent backyard discussion in Albuquerque, New Mexico, President Obama stated in response to an audience member’s question about comprehensive immigration reform that there are simply not enough votes in the Senate in favor of immigration reform at this time. Specifically, he commented:
“Frankly, the problem I’ve had right now is that — and I don’t want to get into sort of inside baseball by Washington. But basically the rules in the United States Senate have evolved so that if you don’t have 60 votes, you can’t get anything through the United States Senate right now. And several years ago, we had 11 Republican senators who were willing to vote for comprehensive immigration reform, including John McCain. They’ve all reversed themselves. I can’t get any of them to cooperate. And I don’t have 60 Democrats in the Senate.”
We will keep readers posted if conditions improve. For now, we continue navigating the maze that is the current system. Please don’t hesitate to contact our San Francisco immigration law firm if you need assistance with an immigration matter.
Tags: Albuquerque, immigration reform, President Obama
Posted in Alerts, immigration reform, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
Comprehensive Immigration Bill Introduced in Senate
Yesterday, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced S.B. 3932, also known as The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010. The bill makes several proposals for reform in specific areas of immigration currently plagued with dysfunction. It addresses border and interior issues, as well as worksite enforcement, legalization and the future flow of immigrants to the U.S.
With this bill now introduced, both the House and Senate have comprehensive immigration bills on the table (Congressman Luis Gutierrez introduced a similar bill in the House in December 2009). Both political parties have already recognized the need for comprehensive reform. Let’s hope they finally move from recognition to action. America’s businesses, families, and economy cannot sustain the current system much longer.
We will post any updates on this bill and the House bill as soon as they are available.
Tags: S.B. 3932, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Robert Menendez, The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2010
Posted in Alerts, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
