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American Opportunity in this Recession

As the recession continues, many have tired to find solace by looking at the good that has come out of previous economic downturns. Many have commented that the majority of today’s leading companies were started during economic down turns. Sunday’s Thomas Friedman article looks a bit deeper into that statement, and believes that innovation …

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White House Conference on Immigration Reform

Yesterday President Obama met with key members of Congress to discuss moving immigration reform legislation forward. Although President Obama’s comments were very promising, comments made by his Chief of Staff were not.

Earlier in the day, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel commented that there were not enough votes in Congress to pass a comprehensive …

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Premium Processing is Back

Starting on June 29th, the USCIS will allow certain I-140s (employment-based) petitions to be premium processed. For an additional fee of $1000, premium processing guarantees a government decision within 15 days! Petitions that can be premium processed include:

EB 1-1, Foreign nationals with Extraordinary Ability; EB 1-2, Outstanding Professors and Researchers; EB 2, Professions with …

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Humans Caught in Immigration Bureaucracy

Two stories crossed my desk recently that remind me what consequences the United States’ bureaucratic immigration process has on humans. First there is the case of Diane Williams, who was recently deported to Honduras following her drug-related arrest in the United States. Although not a model citizen, Ms. Williams is a U.S. Citizen. Despite …

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USCIS Reverses Course on Widow Penalty, Temporarily

In a welcome and overdue move, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano has announced that her department will suspend its enforcement of the “widow penalty” for a period of two years. The “widow penalty” is the consequence of deportation that widows and widowers face when their U.S. Citizen spouse dies before the couple is …

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Is a Volunteering Monk an Unauthorized Employee?

In an excellent article (and photo gallery), the Wall Street Journal chronicled the bizarre story of Buddhist Monk Phra Bunphithak Jomthong. Monk Jomthong is facing deportation because, according to the government, he engaged in unauthorized employment at his temple. What did he do? Monk Jomthong was “volunteering his religious services and physical energy to make …

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Historical Immigration Documents Sent to National Archives, Opened to Public

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service recently announced that it has begun sending historical immigration files to the National Archives. These files will provide a significant amount of information to genealogist and historians and will add to the historical understanding of America. Going forward, the Service will transfer individual files to the National Archives one …

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Government Contractor E-Verify Requirement Delayed, Again

The Federal Acquisitions Regulatory Councils have again delayed the implementation of regulations that would require federal government contractors and subcontractors to use USCIS’s E-Verify system. The implementation date has been pushed back to September 8, 2009.

E-Verify is a government system that allows employers to quickly verify that new hirers are authorized to work, …

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DOJ Reverses Bush Era Ruling On Immigrants Facing Deportation

In a decision that was expected by most immigration practitioners, Attroney General Holder has vacated a ruling that former Attorney General Mukasey made just days before President Obama’s inauguation. Mukasey’s ruling, which overturned long standing precedent, determined that individuals in deportation hearings were not entitled to legal counsel. Holder’s order withdrawal’s Mukasey’s ruling and states …

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Bill Introduced to Give Gay Couples Immigration Rights

Adding to the already contentious debate surrounding Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Senator Leahy introduced a bill to the Senate that would allow for gay couples to receive the same immigration rights as married, heterosexual couples currently possess. Currently, gay couples – even those legally married in their home state – are unable to obtain immigration …

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New Border Rules Take Effect Today

If you are crossing the border today, expect delays. To see how long of a delay you might expect, check the real time border crossing updates.

Why the delays? Today, the Government is implementing new documentation rules for US CITIZENS entering into the United States by land. These rules, which have been delayed …

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