Immigration Resources
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by lauraj on Mar.04, 2010, under EB 5 Visa, Green Card, Law and Policy
Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Richard Luger (R-IN) introduce a new bill in the Senate that would make obtaining the EB5 investment visa easier by loosening the requirements already in place. The EB 5 investor visa program is an excellent opportunity for foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency and a US Green Card through a qualifying financial investment in the United States.
by elianaphelps on Feb.11, 2010, under Law and Policy
This report provides estimates of the unauthorized immigrant population residing in the United States as of January 2009 for periods of entry and leading countries of birth and states of residence.
DHS estimates that the unauthorized immigrant population living in the United States decreased to 10.8 million in January 2009 from 11.6 million in January 2008.
by lauraj on Dec.16, 2009, under EB 5 Visa, Law and Policy
The EB 5 investor visa program is an excellent opportunity for foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency and a US Green Card through a qualifying financial investment in the United States. In order to be eligible, foreign individuals are required to invest a minimum of $500,000 in certain qualified investments or Regional Centers in the United States. Qualifying Regional Centers are designated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) department and are essentially any economic program, private or public, that promotes economic growth, productivity, creates at least 10 jobs and increases the domestic capital investment.
by lauraj on Dec.14, 2009, under Law and Policy, criminal immigration
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency arrests 300 in California over a three day sweep.
According to ICE, the nearly 300 arrested had a serious criminal record or criminally violent background. One third of those arrested have already been deported and the remainder are awaiting deportation processing. ICE defends its position on continued sweeps in the illegal immigrant community in an ongoing effort to improve public safety. However, skeptics question the validity that these sweeps are only targeting illegal criminals and not the entire illegal immigrant community.
by elianaphelps on Nov.20, 2009, under E-Verify, Law and Policy
The New York Times is reporting that the ICE are about to audit 1,000 companies for illegal workers.
“An audit consists of ICE officials checking each worker’s Employee Eligibility Verification Form, known as an I-9, to determine what steps were taken to confirm the person was eligible to be hired. If irregularities are found, the companies may then be fined for lax monitoring.
The strategy is part of the Obama administration’s effort to reduce illegal immigration by forcing companies to fire unauthorized workers rather than by conducting raids at the workplace, actions that are often accompanied by great personal trauma, including deportation and the dividing of immigrant families.”
The knock-on effect of this initiative is that employers are firing illegal workers. Already American Apparel in LA fired 1800 workers after inconsistencies were detected in a similar audit in September 2009.
by lauraj on Sep.29, 2009, under Law and Policy, U Visa
What is a U visa?
A lesser known visa, the U non-immigrant visa, was established for illegal immigrants who are victims of crimes. While living illegally here in the U.S., these victims must have endured mental or physical abuse and be willing to help law enforcement and government officials investigate and prosecute the abuser. The U non-immigrant visa was established in 2000 but put on hold until 2007. It was created to persuade illegal immigrants living in the U.S. to report violent crimes. Most criminal activity against illegal aliens in the U.S. goes unreported and undocumented due to the threat of deportation if the victim comes forward.
by elianaphelps on Aug.12, 2009, under Deportation, Law and Policy
Even as a victim of a crime or traffic violation, an immigrant can be arrested, detained and possibly deported when law enforcement is involved.
The fastest way to inform the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) of your illegal immigrant status or your past/present violation of the immigration laws is to interact with police, prosecutors or jail personnel without legal representation.
A simple traffic violation will be the beginning of a hard and very stressful battle to remain in the U.S. when ICE is notified of the nationality of the violator. In a matter of minutes, the traffic violator is questioned, arrested and held in the custody of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency while awaiting the issuance, service and filing of a Notice to Appear, which initiates the person’s removal from the United States.
by lauraj on Aug.01, 2009, under Asylum, Deportation, Law and Policy
What is asylum and who qualifies?
Asylum was created for those individuals already residing in the U.S. who need protection from persecution in their home country due to their race, religion, nationality or political views. The asylum program also applies to individuals that are seeking asylum at a port of entry to the United States who can prove that they have just cause. Asylum is applicable to any individual regardless of their home country or their immigration status. Even if an immigrant has entered the U.S. illegally, they are still eligible to apply for asylum and present their case. The asylum process can be complex and time consuming; therefore, it is essential to have an immigration attorney that is experienced and knowledgeable with asylum policies and procedures.
by lauraj on Jul.31, 2009, under Deportation, E-Verify, Immigration Law Reform, Law and Policy
What has caused the drastic decline in illegal immigration from Mexico?
In the past year, the number of illegal immigrants crossing the border into the U.S. has reached the lowest level of the past ten years. With the tough economic environment continuing in the U.S., it comes as no surprise to see that fewer immigrants are taking the risk of illegally crossing the border into the U.S. in order to find work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) placed the unemployment rate for June at 9.5 percent or 14.7 million unemployed people with the prediction of ending the year at an estimated 10.5 percent. Many of the sectors that have been hardest hit tend to employ a large percentage of undocumented workers such as construction and landscaping.
by lauraj on Jul.21, 2009, under E-Verify, Law and Policy
The Department of Homeland Security announces additional support for E-Verify.
Although immigration reform is starting to draw the attention of Congress and the Obama administration, any formal U.S. policy changes will most likely not be seen until sometime next year. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Administration have been focused on reinforcing current immigration policies and strengthening newer programs such as E-Verify. The verification program, run by the Department of Homeland Security in conjunction with the Social Security Department, allows businesses to check a job applicants legal status by comparing a worker’s I-9 form against a database at the federal government in order to ensure a legal workforce. E-Verify is a web-based program free to businesses that wish to participate.