Virtual Office Attorney

President Obama makes serious commitment to immigration reform

Hopefully, there will be immigration reform soon....there is much chatter in the media.

    From a recent New York Daily news article:

Opinion polls show time and time again that the majority of the American people favor a fair and compassionate immigration reform law with a path to citizenship. Recent polling conducted by the Benenson Strategy Group shows that - despite conventional wisdom to the contrary - even Republican voters overwhelmingly support comprehensive reform, reject enforcement-only approaches and believe reform will help the economy.

See the link here.

President Obama makes serious commitment to immigration reform.

Army extends immigrant recruiting - Los Angeles Times

Saturday at a dinner party, someone who knows that I am an immigration attorney asked me.....are there any work related visas available?  Yet another asks on Sunday. 

This same person works as a professional in the healthcare industry.  Employers and individuals  frequently contact me.  Immigrants who desire to be employed or Employers who desire to employ immigrants, but are frustrated by the system.  

Here is a link from the LA Times....which highlights of a current pilot project of the Army which is a quick pass to permanent residency and citizenship.

Army extends immigrant recruiting - Los Angeles Times.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform for 2009 - Coming Soon??

I agree with many, that the current system is broken.   I frequently take calls for many times from people who want to come to the U.S. legally, but there is no way for them to do so.  Additionally, I have received calls from potential employers who want to put people to work in jobs, but there are no visas currently available for the employment classification. 

The most heartbreaking stories are those of undocumented people who are here in the United States  and they have children who are citizens.  Are they to leave the U.S.  and potentially be told they can not return for five, ten or maybe never?  The parents may have been working and financially supporting the child or children with the wages they earn here in the United States.  If they leave to return to their home country, there may be not enough wages to send back to the child in the U.S.  Instead, should they leave with their child and most surely reduce the child's potential opportunities in life to keep the family together outside the U.S.?

There are no easy answers.  However, I hope the House, the Senate and President Obama are brave enough to tackle this politically unpopular issue NOW.  

In any case,  see the link here for Business Week's  take on the potential for Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2009. 

 A Makeover for Immigration Policy?.

Border Patrol Agents Allegedly Smuggle Immigrants

This is NOT what you want to see from the people who are supposed to be protecting us from terrorists and stopping illegal immigration.

In the link below, two Border Patrol agents allegedly helped immigrants from Brazil come into the United States without permission.  

Many immigrants come to the United States expecting agents of the United States government to uphold the law without nepotism, bias or bribes.  Some even leave home for the United States because they don't think they will have a fair chance at success if they stay.  Let's set a good example for our immigrant brothers and sisters -- the world is watching.

National Briefing - West - California - Accused Smugglers in Court - NYTimes.com.

First Child Naturalized Overseas

Congratulations to Martin Miles Ulsano who became the first child naturalized overseas!  See the link below fromt he USCIS website. 

First Child Becomes a U.S. Citizen Overseas<br /><i>USCIS Naturalization Ceremony Held in Japan</i>.

An Immigration Attorney Is Accused of Being a Fraud, and His Clients Scramble for Help - NYTimes.com

Stories like this one are play out every day, including here in East Texas.  Please, avoid people who are not licensed attorneys who claim to be immigration consultants, notarios, etc.  This is the unauthorized practice of law. 

Seek assistance only from Board of Immigration Appeals representatives or licensed attorneys, preferably with experience in immigration law.  Working with someone not familiar with immigration could lead to costly mistakes that could jeopardize your immigration case. 

An Immigration Attorney Is Accused of Being a Fraud, and His Clients Scramble for Help - NYTimes.com.

Economic Stimulus Bill has Immigration Component

The state of the United States economy is a topic of interest to everyone in the United States.  The country is suffering with record unemployment and the Congress is working on a stimulus package.  Some want E-Verify to be a mandatory component of the bill. 

I don't know about you, but I want to know who's driving this bus?

Immigration debate surfaces in stimulus bill - San Bernardino County Sun.

Catholic Charities - Tyler featured in Vita Latina Magazine

As you may know, I have been a Pro Bono Attorney assisting Catholic Charities Dallas and Tyler since 2006. 

Recently, representatives Alma Browning, Claudia Meaux & Nydia Mungia were featured in the February 2008 Issue of Vita Latina Magazine.  Call 903-258-9492 if you need assistance.

Kudos to Catholic Charities for their work with immigrants!

See the link here. 

USCIS Update: USCIS Changes Filing Location for EB-5 Related Items

Per USCIS, petitions and applications related to the Alien Entrepreneur (EB-5) immigrant classifications and Regional Center Proposals under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Pilot Program must be filed at the California Service Center (CSC). A Federal Register  notice announcing the change was published on Jan. 9, 2009. 

USCIS Update: USCIS Changes Filing Location for EB-5 Related Items.

US Customs and Border Protection deactivate SENTRI cards

See the link here:

CBP to Deactivate Older SENTRI Frequent Traveler Cards - CBP.gov.