From Your Friendly Naples Florida Immigration Attorney: Republicans Still Don’t Get It. Latino Voters Don’t Vote Republican for a Reason.

March 3rd, 2010

The Center for Immigration Studies, a conservative think tank linked to nativists and other unsavory characters, has discovered that Latino voters don’t like politicians who don’t like Latinos.  Surprised? Don’t think so.

The  demographics of the new Latino voters is generally pro-immigration, pro-reform, pro-family unity and against anti-immigration demagogs and closet-racists.  In other words, the CIS recommends that the Republican Party write off the Latino voter and continue to be the party against immigration reform, against family unity and against the largest minority group in the US.  What has happened to the Grand Ol’ Party?

Article is below:

http://immigrationimpact.com/2010/02/23/nativist-group-discovers-most-immigrants-don%e2%80%99t-vote-republican/

Haitians Helping Haitians : TPS

January 16th, 2010

Moving at “warp speed”, the Dept. of Homeland Security granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haitians in the US.  Illegal Haitians who register for TPS can work, obtain a social security number, pay taxes and send money back to Haiti.  Haitians helping Haitians .

The Economics of Immigration Reform: Dollars, Cents and Common Sense.

January 12th, 2010

The debate over Comprehensive Immigration Reform is going to get nasty.  Now, let’s look at the economic benefits to the US.  In this recession, sources of new income are critical to the US so consider this UCLA study which uses figures like $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years with  a comprehensive legalization program.  Enjoy.

http://pr.thinkprogress.org/

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill Proposed!

December 23rd, 2009

Well, it has finally happened.  Rep. Luis Gutierrez (Dem-IL) has fired the first shot across the bow of the Congress with his Comprehensive Immigration Reform ASPA Act of 2009.  91 other Congressmen joined as co-sponsors.

I know this is boring legal and political stuff but worth the read.  If you are serious about immigration you need to know how politics works inside the Wash. DC. beltways.  Here is Lesson No. 1. 

http://immigrationimpact.com/2009/12/22/a-closer-look-at-immigration-reform-legislation-in-the-new-year/

Anti-Immigration CNN “Anchor”, Lou Dobbs, Steps Down

November 13th, 2009

The most visible and often virulently anti-immigration, anti-reform anchor on CNN has stepped down.  After Sept. 11, Lou Dobbs abandoned the traditionally objective stance of news anchors and embraced an activist, editorial role of demonizing immigrants.   Although all the Sept. 11 terrorists were from Arab countries and held valid US visas,  Lou Dobbs’ vented his wrath principally upon  Hispanics. 

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”), of which I am a member, dogged Mr. Dobbs’ broadcasts by countering  inaccurate statements with documented facts, exposing his information sources as biased or out-and-out wrong, responding to manipulative “editing” by only participating in “live” interviews, and  insisting that both sides of a story be told.  Read more below:

http://ailaleadership.blogspot.com/2009/11/watch-out-for-lou-dobbs-next-move.html

Who Do You Believe? Local Police or Anti-Immigration “Talking Heads”?

November 9th, 2009

The Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”) has a section allowing local police to enforce Federal immigration laws.  This is thru a program known as 287(g).   In other words, your local  cops may have to do their job (protecting you, arresting  bad guys, patroling your community, investigation crimes, going under-cover, preventing gang violence, etc.) AND that of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“USICE”).  Plus, the local police receive all of 6 weeks training!!!  I have been practicing immigration law for over 30 years and I still have a hard time understanding some of the immigration rules.

But don’t take my word for it, listen to Chief William J. Bratton of the LAPD, formerly Police Commissioner in Boston and New York.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-bratton27-2009oct27,0,2619437,print.story

New Visa Waiver Problems (Nov. 2009)

November 6th, 2009

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“USCBP”) has announced that visa waiver applicants must update their Electronic System for Travel Authorization (“ESTA”) registration if they have a visa application pending.   Pending applications at the US Embassy are considered “denied” if you travel to the US on the visa waiver while your application is still pending.  And, you must revise your ESTA registration.  Read more as this is complicated stuff that could result in your being stopped at the airport!  

http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=30480

H-1B Visas For Businesses

November 4th, 2009

Latest visa count for H-1b specialty occupation professional visas for businesses. 
 http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=28663

End of the Widow’s Penalty

November 4th, 2009

FAQ on New Law to End the Widow Penalty by Surviving Spouses Against Deportation
On 10/29/09, Surviving Spouses Against Deportation (SSAD) issued a FAQ on the new law that contains a provision to end the widow penalty. Brent Renison, pro bono counsel for SSAD.

Immigration Reform to Princeton Group

November 4th, 2009

New Immigration Presentation on Reform

Casey Wolff, Esq. addressed the Princeton Club of Southwest Florida on 3 Nov. 2009 on Immigration Reform: Why or Why Not?