English
School's out just in time for the Obama Administration to announce today in an interesting political move that it will grant deferred action status for would-be DREAM Act students. (See Spanish version of the announcement.) I say "would-be" DREAM Act students because Congress never did pass the DREAM Act. Various versions of the DREAM Act would have provided a path to legal status and citizenship for many young people whose parents brought them to the US illegally at a young age (or they … [Read more...]
Immigration and Firm News
July 4, 2011 by ·
I am sipping an early morning Starbucks bold Italian brew on this gorgeous Seattle Fourth of July and reflecting on what it means to be a U.S. citizen. Today, across the country, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will be holding large-group naturalization ceremonies in stadiums, concert halls and other big venues to coincide with our country's independence day. The ceremonies will be solemn on the one hand, and full of pomp and circumstance on the other, as those taking the oath of … [Read more...]
January 13, 2011 by ·
In a few earlier posts, I discussed how the permanent immigration quota system works, or doesn't work because of its impact on illegal immigration. In my recent post, Why Don't They Just Come Legally? - Myths Part II, I mention that two of the causes of illegal immigration are due to there being no lines for legal visas to get into in the first place because there are no categories for certain employment and family categories. And, in cases where there are applicable categories, the lines can … [Read more...]
December 24, 2010 by ·
The Senate's failure to enact the DREAM Act was a blow to the young people who would have qualified and to their many supporters. The DREAM Act would have put young people living in the U.S. without status who came to the U.S. at an early age with their parents on a long 13-year path to legal status and citizenship if they commit to going to college or join the military. Other DREAM Act supporters included their families, employers looking for more college graduates and leaders, the military … [Read more...]
December 18, 2010 by ·
The Senate voted Saturday not to move on the DREAM Act, H.R. 5281 by 55-41, just five votes shy of what was needed to move the bill. Senator Reid from Nevada had previously filed a cloture motion. Since the Senate failed to achieve the 60 votes needed, the bill will not proceed further. The new Congress is likely to enact enforcement-only legislation, but immigration rights groups, educators, business and other groups, emboldened by new organizing efforts, and who support immigration reform … [Read more...]
December 13, 2010 by ·
The anti-immigrant rhetoric about the DREAM Act lately is disingenuous, to say the least, and completely false in other cases. Unlike experienced immigration lawyers, most legislators just don't have the day-to-day experience of implementing or using the laws they create, so they may not fully appreciate the real impact the laws they enact have on real people, families, employers, and the community at large. I show below how some of the anti-DREAM Act arguments being made by certain … [Read more...]
December 9, 2010 by ·
On December 9, 2010, the Senate voted to withdraw its version of the DREAM Act, S. 3992, and to take up the House version, H.R. 6497, that was passed on December 8. The Senate still needs to plow through other tough legislation before it will vote on DREAM, but it is anticipated DREAM will be voted on next week. In the meantime, supporters should continue to fax or email the Senate in the next few days because at least 60 votes are needed to pass DREAM. The House version has the two … [Read more...]
December 9, 2010 by ·
Today the House of Representatives bravely passed the DREAM Act by 216 to 198. It has taken a decade to get to this point. The bill, known as Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2010, was attached to H.R. 5281 and was originally filed as H.R. 6497. This bill differs from the Senate bill S. 3992, which will be voted upon tomorrow morning. The Senate needs 60 favorable votes to pass. Keep making those calls to the Senate: 1-866-966-5161 or email. Key differences in the two … [Read more...]
December 8, 2010 by ·
The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the DREAM Act later this morning. This is the first significant piece of legislation to actually help immigrants in over a decade. On Monday, over in the Senate, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) filed a cloture motion to end debate to avoid a filibuster on S. 3992. Another attempt to get 60 votes is anticipated for this afternoon. Supporters should call or email Congress this morning: Representatives: 1-866-967-6018 Senators: 1-866-966-5161 Email … [Read more...]
December 2, 2010 by ·
A good mind is a terrible thing to waste, especially the mind of a motivated young person. And, I'm not talking about wasting a brain to drugs or crime. Instead, I'm talking about wasting the minds of tens of thousands of young people in the U.S. every year who have grown up here and are anxious to contribute to America, but who cannot go to college, get jobs, drive cars, or join the military simply because they lack papers to be here lawfully through no fault of their own. Most came when they … [Read more...]
