Articles Posted in News

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.

Many of us living in border cities like San Diego are used to crossing the border to Mexico as a matter of routine. Upon entry all we had to do is state US Citizen, to the USCIS officer and he would let you in. This is all changing as of January 31, 2008. On January 31, DHS is ending this practice such that oral declarations alone to prove identity and citizenship will no longer be sufficient. Visitors will be asked to present certain documentation from a specified list when entering the United States at land or sea ports of entry.

Expect longer lines at the Ports of Entry.

Read the DHS press release here

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a few days ago a final rule establishing minimum security standards for state-issued drivers’ licenses and identification cards.

Homeland Security Secretary said the following:

“The American public’s desire for greater identity protection is undeniable,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Americans understand today that the 9/11 hijackers obtained 30 drivers licenses and ID’s,and used 364 aliases. For an extra $8 per license, REAL ID will give law enforcement and security officials a powerful advantage against falsified documents, and it will bring some peace of mind to citizens wanting toprotect their identity from theft by a criminal or illegal alien.”