Articles Posted in News

How many times have I been getting complaints from clients about ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents harassing and violating rights of clients. There was this one client “under investigation” by ICE agents pretending to be a couple looking for a lost dog, asking him questions, only later to use without context in denying his adjustment case. Or the 3AM visit to a clients home, breaking and destroying personal property.

The average person/immigrant is terrified dealing with these agents. But read about this incident, Immigration Attorney, had an encounter with ICE agents at his private home that has led to his filing a complaint with DHS. Fortunately, the lawyer knows his rights, of course he does. Read the link from the ImmigrationProf Blog Here

A few days ago, USCIS issued an Update announcing revised filing instructions for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. As many of you may know, Form I-130 is the most common form to be used when filing a relative petition. Unlike immediate relative (Parents and Spouses) petitions that are normally files with the Chicago Benefits Center, all other relative categories (brother/sisters, children of USC’s over 21, spouses of US residents, etc), used to be filed with one of the 4 service centers (California, Texas,Vermont, and Nebraska).

Effective immediately, all petitioners filing stand-alone Form I-130s must file their petitions with the Chicago Lockbox instead of a USCIS Service Center.

Under the new rules, all stand alone I-130 petitions must be filed at the following address and only at this address:

I have been dealing with USCIS offices in all 50 states, but the one in Fresno has always been one of my favorites. We process many adoptions cases and family petitions at that office, and I often fly over there to represent local clients. Don Riding (The Chief) staff are always on the ball and very helpful. I wasn’t surprised to read about his unusual service to sick and elderly clients that can not come to the Citizenship ceremony:

When Freydoon Alexandrous, who grew up in Iran and lives in Turlock, heard his citizenship request had been approved, he no longer had the strength to attend the naturalization ceremony in Fresno. Heart and orthopedic problems and a recent fall made the 85-mile trek to the Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Fresno impossible.

So Don Riding, CIS field office director, came to him.

Arizona Law Mandating E-Verify went into effect on January 1, 2008 and is the nation’s toughest workplace enforcement law. It is aimed at punishing employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Many other states are watching Arizona’s example and considering similar legislation.

The AZ District Court Dismisses Challenge to Employment Verification Law by industry leaders and activist groups. This ruling is a negative sign as to what will happen in other States trying to enforce immigration law locally.

Read the Order here

I was featured on a special edition of the Rick Amato Show on Monday from 8pm-11pm immediately following the President’s State Of The Union speech. Scheduled guests included Congressman Bob Filner and Brian Bilbray. The president discussed the economy and Immigration in the speech. Listen to my commentary after the speech in the podcast below, (skip the first 15 minutes to listen to my discussion)
Click here to listen

Guess who else passed the US Citizenship test, before they change it in October. Late Night host Craig, originally from Scotland.

Watch this:

Immigration legal and illegal, provides one of the clearest contrasts between the parties. While both Democrats and Republicans advocate various enforcement measures, most of the Republican contenders refuse to accept legalizing an estimated 22 million undocumented immigrants now in the U.S.; all the Democratic contenders support it. GOP candidates have highlighted their hard line approach, while Democrats have generally avoided the topic unless asked.

Below is a CNN summary of the candidates’ take on immigration. Click here to read more

I was invited to comment on the State of Union speech yesterday on the Rick Amato Show, it was obvious that the President was going to mention the Immigration issue, and he did. He briefly mentioned that Congress has a responsibility to fix our broken system.

I am very optimistic, McCain’s win in Florida today maybe an indication that we are getting ready for a possible change. The foreign Born community in thid country will support the Candidate that will take a chance on immigration reform. Ruben Navarrette Jr.writes today:

For the foreign-born, many of whom care deeply about the immigration issue, maybe the person who deserves their support in November isn’t the candidate who voted to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border (Barack Obama) or the one who equivocated on giving illegal immigrants driver’s licenses only to cave in and oppose it (Hillary Clinton). Maybe it’s the guy who stuck his neck out and co-sponsored with Ted Kennedy, no less, a comprehensive immigration reform bill that offered a path to legal status and made him a pariah in his own party.

A few days ago, the government announced that Assistant Secretary Myers signed a memorandum of agreement with the Deputy Foreign Minister for Vietnam regarding the repatriation of Vietnamese nationals who have been ordered removed. The agreement will enter into force in 60 days.

The repatriation agreement is the culmination of almost a decade of negotiations between the United States Department of State and the government of Vietnam. Under this agreement, Vietnamese nationals who arrived in the United States on or after July 12, 1995 are subject to return to Vietnam. To date, this will affect approximately 1,500 Vietnamese nationals currently living in the U.S.

Read the press release Download file

It is amazing to see the reaction from the public across the globe to Heath Ledger’s death. Maybe it is because he is so different from the regular hollywood crowd, maybe because in this day and age he was really a nice guy.

I didn’t know him in person but, I was assisting a client working in the movie “Dark Knight” to obtain a work visa. The movie was filmed in Chicago this past summer. My client often told me about the work process and among other things working with the star Heath Ledger. He was such a kind talented star, everybody just liked him.

I send my deepest sympathy to his family and say to them that they are not mourning alone. The US also lost a great immigrant actor.