Immigration Laws Overhaul may be delayed

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

Overhauling U.S. immigration laws may be postponed for another year because of the deteriorating economy. Advocates, lobbyists, and lawmakers on both sides agree that this is the highest unemployment rate in 25 years. Therefore, it would be difficult for President Obama to push a legislation to make a new guest-worker program and legalize millions of immigrants.

This month, Robert Gibbs (White House Spokesman) said that Obama will soon introduce plans to overhaul immigration. This is a legislative priority for major companies such as Western Union Co., the biggest money-transfer business in the world; Marriott International Inc., a big hotel chain; and Intel Corp., a huge chipmaker company.

Senator Jeff Sessions, Alabama Republican who opposed the immigration legislation considered in 2007, said “The debate has changed. The American people will not be happy about this, so I don’t think it will be a pleasant discussion.”

Last week in Mexico City, Obama said “I remain committed in fixing the broken immigration system.” Although the senate committee announced commencement of hearings next week, one senior White House adviser, David Axelrod, said that the president may have committed to begin discussions this year but whether it will be completed within the year is another story.

Tags: David Axelrod, Intel, Jeff Sessions, Marriott, Obama, Robert Gibbs, U.S. Immigration laws, Western Union
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Senators want to Protect American Workers

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

Senator Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin (Assistant Senate Majority Leader) introduced L-1 and H-1B Visa Reform Act. It’s a bipartisan legislation that reforms the programs for guest workers in the United States.

Under the current law, the H-1B program was made to help create American jobs. However, some companies are using this to outsource majority of these American jobs. Typically, they request the American workers to train the H-1B guest workers and then they fire the American workers so that they can outsource the work to a foreign country. This will get the same job accomplished for a lower wage. In other words, this loophole has allowed foreign workers to displace American workers who are qualified for the jobs.

According to Durbin, “This H-1B visa program should only complement U.S. workforce, not replace it. The original objective of this program is to help employers hire guest workers if they can’t find a qualified American worker. However, it’s now plagued with abuse and fraud.”

The Durbin-Grassley bill can address these problems because of the following provisions:

-All employers are required to make good-faith attempt to hire a qualified American worker first before recruiting an H-1B guest worker.They are prohibited from using these foreign nationals to replace qualified American workers.
-It is prohibited to display blatant job advertisements that include discrimination such as “H-1B visa holders only.”
-Also, if more than 50% of the employees are L-1 and H-1B visa holders, the company is no longer allowed to hire additional guest workers.

Tags: American workers, L-1 and H-1B Visa Reform Act, Senator Chuck Grassly, Senator Dick Durbin
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What does it take to be a U.S. Citizen?

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

In the United States, people who were born within its jurisdiction are called citizens of the country and the state where they reside. The law says that no state shall abridge the immunities or privileges of U.S. citizens nor shall they deprive anyone their life, liberty, and property without due process.

But even though some people cannot be citizens by birth, the U.S. government can bestow citizenship on these foreign nationals if they fulfill the requirements in INA (Immigration and Nationality Act) set by Congress. Naturalization requirements include:

• -Favorable disposition towards U.S.
• -Attachment to all principles of U.S. Constitution;
• -Good moral character;
• -Understanding and knowledge of U.S. government and history;
• -Has the ability to speak, write, and read English;
• -A resident of a particular U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services District before filing; and
• -Physical presence and continuous residence in the United States.

Truly, the most important benefit and most coveted gift that can be granted to an immigrant is citizenship. Moreover, in the year 2000, Congress recently passed CCA (Child Citizenship Act) – it allows any child below 18 years old to acquire immediate citizenship and immigrate to the U.S. when they’re adopted by existing citizens.

Tags: CCA, citizen by birth, citizen by naturalization, INA, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States
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United States Immigration Procedure

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

When foreign nationals are granted the privilege of working and living in the United States permanently, then they are called immigrants. In most cases, you need to go through multiple processes to become one.

The Citizenship and Immigration Services in the U.S. (USCIS) should first approve your immigrant petition (usually filled out by a relative or employer). Then, you must get an immigration number even if you’re already in the U.S. If you’re outside the country, you will be requested to proceed to your local U.S. consulate and complete the immigrant visa processing there. Later on, you may re-apply and adjust to a permanent resident status.

The law that governs U.S. immigration is found in “Immigration and Nationality Act.” To apply, all you need to do is fill out a form and submit all necessary application materials. You’ll be asked to appear before a USCIS officer to answer questions regarding your application.

Call the office of USCIS to follow up the status of your application. If you are denied, you can appeal within 33 days only. The appeal will be referred to Washington D.C. (Board of Immigration Appeals) when the appeal form and required fee are completed.

You can get further help and advice from any USCIS District Office. There are also non-profit, community-based organizations that can assist you.

Tags: Board of Immigration Appeals, Immigratiion and Nationality Act, Immigration, USCIS
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