Lawsuit Says Sheriff Discriminated Against Latinos

Posted on May 11, 2012 by admin

The United States Justice Department filed a 32-page complaint  this past Thursday against Sheriff  Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona, the self-proclaimed “toughest sheriff in  America”.  The federal lawsuit alleges a “pattern of unlawful discrimination” by law enforcement officials toward Latinos. As per the Justice Department complaint, Sheriff Arpaio and his deputies waged a campaign against illegal immigration — through sweeps of homes and workplaces, and in traffic stops and jail practices, targeting Latinos, regardless of status or citizenship.

Read more:http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/11/us/justice-department-sues-arizona-sheriff-joe-arpaio.html

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US Revamps Student Work-Visa Program After Abuses

Posted on May 4, 2012 by admin

The State Department announced major changes this Friday to one of its premier cultural-exchange programs due to the release of several abuses by an investigation of  The Associated Press. The changes are the latest in a series of actions that the State Department has taken to fix the program since the release of the reported abuses. The investigation found that participants of the J-1 Summer Work and Travel Program  were working in jobs that they were not expecting to work and living in conditions that the State Department compared to indentured servitude. The new reforms for the Summer Work and Travel Program will ensure that students will be treated properly and that they will receive jobs where there will be interaction with Americans and exposure to U.S. culture.

Read More: http://www.dailynews.com/ci_20548706/us-revamps-student-work-visa-program-after-abuses?IADID=Search-www.dailynews.com-www.dailynews.com

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Fate of Brooklyn Mother is on ICE

Posted on May 4, 2012 by admin
Although Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced last week that it has reviewed nearly 220,000 cases at the request of President Obama who wants to focus on deporting people with criminal records, only 7.5% of those cases will be closed using prosecutorial discretion. Many law-abiding immigrants such as Sara Martinez, an Ecuadorian mother of a 6-year-old US citizen daughter will not qualify for the exercise of prosecutorial discretion. Although Ms. Martinez has some health issues and has sole custody of a young US citizen daughter, ICE has denied her request for prosecutorial discretion three times despite Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s support.

 

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Fewer Illegal Immigrants Stopped for Traffic Violations Will Face Deportation

Posted on May 2, 2012 by admin

According to US Department of Homeland Security officials, fewer undocumented immigrants stopped by police for minor traffic violations will be held for deportation under sweeping changes announced on Friday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/28/us/politics/traffic-violations-wont-earn-illegal-immigrants-deportation.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

 

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Temporary Protected Status Extended for Salvadorans

Posted on February 24, 2012 by admin

On January 10th, 2012, Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible Salvadorans for an additional 18 months beginning on March 10, 2012 and ending September 9, 2013. Those Salvadorans who currently have TPS must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs through March 12, 2012. The 18-month extension will allow TPS re-registrants to register for a new Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If re-registered on time, eligible beneficiaries will receive a new EAD expiring on Sept. 9, 2013.  USCIS encourages eligible beneficiaries to register as soon as possible  before the due date of March 12, 2012.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=047a6ad5809c4310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

 

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Proposed Bill Would Give Visas to Foreigners Who Purchase US Property

Posted on October 29, 2011 by admin

Senators Chuck Schumer and Mike Lee have co-authored a bi-partisan bill intended to spur foreign investment in the U.S. This new bill proposed by the US Senate would offer residential visas to immigrants purchasing eligible property in the US. The bill would require foreign nationals to purchase real estate for $500,000 USD or more. At least $250,000 of that total must be used to purchase a primary residence; the remainder of the money could be spent on investment properties. According to proponents, this bill may be part of the solution to the US real estate crisis.

Link to article

Photo © wsj.com

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Potent Weapon to Stem Sex Slavery Often Left Unused-MSNBC

Posted on July 12, 2011 by admin

A recent MSNBC article highlights the plight of immigrant women tricked into coming to the United States, only to be forced into a life of prostitution and shame by their captors. Not surprisingly, many of these victims fear law enforcement as well as possible deportation from the US. However, their refusal to cooperate with the authorities often leads to freedom for their captors and human traffickers. T visas, available to immigrant victims of human trafficking, who assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of such trafficking is a path to freedom for many of these victims.

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Federal Authorities Drop Deportation Case Against Same-Sex Partner

Posted on July 1, 2011 by admin

The Newark, New Jersey Office of the Chief Counsel has exercised prosecutorial discretion and has administratively closed removal proceedings against 27-year old Venezuelan salsa dancer, Henry Velandia. Mr. Velandia and his spouse, American Josh Vandiver are legally married in Connecticut. However, the federal Defense of Marriage Act does not recognize gay marriage. A recent memo from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton calls for ICE to focus on enforcement priorities such as dangerous criminals. A grant of administrative closure will not grant Mr. Velandia lawful permanent residence.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/06/30/new.jersey.deportation.case/index.html?eref=rss_us&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_us+%28RSS%3A+U.S.%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

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Parts of Georgia Immigration Law Blocked by a Federal Judge

Posted on June 30, 2011 by admin

The New York Times reported on Monday that a temporary injunction has been issued against two controversial sections of the tough new Georgia immigration law. These provisions would have required law enforcement to check the immigration status of suspects who cannot produce identification as well as punish suspects who transport or house someone in the country illegally. Proponents of the law claim victory highlighting the fact that the judge did not issue an injunction against the entire law. Georgia is now the fourth state to face legal challenges to new immigration laws.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/28/us/28georgia.html?_r=1&ref=illegalimmigrants

 

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National Initiative to Combat Immigration Services Scams

Posted on June 23, 2011 by admin

The US government recently unveiled a multi-agency, nationwide initiative to combat immigration services scams. This initiative targets immigration scams involving the unauthorized practice of immigration law by non-attorneys or individuals who are not accredited representatives yet who provide legal representation to immigrants. Many of these illegal immigration services take advantage of unsuspecting, vulnerable immigrants. The purpose of the USCIS initiative is to educate the public and to make it easier for individuals to report fraud and/or scams perpetrated by such individuals.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=01083ffa91570310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

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