However, what was surprising about President Obama’s immigration comments [...]]]> Immigration garnered a mere paragraph or two in President Obama’s State of the Union on Tuesday night.  Given the scope of the topics discussed during the speech, it wasn’t expected that immigration (or any other subject) would garner much more than a few moments of focus.

However, what was surprising about President Obama’s immigration comments was its stark negativity.  President Obama mentioned the need for the United States to keep educated immigrants in the United States.  However, President Obama immediately followed up by saying [I am paraphrasing] that …if comprehensive immigration reform cannot be reached this year, then send me a version of the Dream Act and I will sign it immediately.

Although the President’s comments may be viewed as realistic or pragmatic, it is difficult to understand why the President wants to start the immigration debate without even attempting to get Comprehensive Immigration Reform, or even just highly-skilled immigrant legislation, passed.  Even if they are not going to pass, at least put them on the table for discussion, right?  Why just go for the Dream Act?  If the President believes that highly-educated immigrants are important to the United States, why not put out a better immigration plan and attempt to get it passed?

To help the confused, the USCIS recently [...]]]> Understanding public benefits and public charge is a difficult topic for immigrants (and immigration lawyers) to properly understand. Some programs are off limits to immigrants, while other programs are available to immigrants.  Further, the programs available to U.S. citizen children differ from what maybe available to their parents.

To help the confused, the USCIS recently issued an informational packet about public charge, and what types of public benefits are not considered a public charge.

The USCIS writes:

Introduction
Public charge has been part of U.S. immigration law for more than 100 years as a ground of inadmissibility and deportation. An individual who is likely at any time to become a public charge is inadmissible to the United States and ineligible to become a legal permanent resident. However, receiving public benefits does not automatically make an individual a public charge. This fact sheet provides information about public charge determinations to help noncitizens make informed choices about whether to apply for certain public benefits.
Background
Under Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an individual seeking admission to the United States or seeking to adjust status to permanent resident (obtaining a green card) is inadmissible if the individual “at the time of application for admission or adjustment of status, is likely at any time to become a public charge.” If an individual is inadmissible, admission to the United States or adjustment of status will not be granted. Immigration and welfare laws have generated some concern about whether a noncitizen may face adverse
immigration consequences for having received federal, state, or local public benefits. Some noncitizens and their families are eligible for public benefits – including disaster relief, treatment of communicable diseases, immunizations, and children’s nutrition and health care programs – without being found to be a public charge.
Definition of Public Charge
In determining inadmissibility, USCIS defines “public charge”as an individual who is likely to become “primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance, or institutionalization for long-term care at government expense.” See “Field Guidance on Deportability and Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds,” 64 FR 28689 (May 26, 1999). In determining whether an alien meets this definition for public charge inadmissibility, a number of factors are considered, including age, health, family status, assets, resources, financial status, education, and skills. No single factor, other than the lack of an affidavit of support, if required, will determine whether an individual is a public charge.
Benefits Subject to Public Charge Consideration
USCIS guidance specifies that cash assistance for income maintenance includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI), cash assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and state or local cash assistance programs for income maintenance, often called “general assistance” programs. Acceptance of these forms of public cash assistance could make a noncitizen inadmissible as a public charge if all other criteria are met. However, the mere receipt of these benefits does not automatically make an individual inadmissible, ineligible to
adjust status to lawful permanent resident, or deportable on public charge grounds. See “Field Guidance on Deportability and Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds,” 64 FR 28689 (May 26, 1999). Each determination is made on a case-by-case basis in the context of the totality of the circumstances. In addition, public assistance, including Medicaid, that is used to support aliens who reside in an institution for long-term care – such as a nursing home or mental health institution – may also be considered as an adverse factor in the totality of the circumstances for purposes of public charge determinations. Short-term institutionalization for rehabilitation is not subject to public charge consideration.
Benefits Not Subject to Public Charge Consideration
Under the agency guidance, non-cash benefits and special-purpose cash benefits that are not intended for income maintenance are not subject to public charge consideration. Such benefits include:

• Medicaid and other health insurance and health services (including public assistance for immunizations and for testing and treatment of symptoms of communicable diseases, use of health clinics, short-term rehabilitation services, prenatal care and emergency medical services) other than support for long-term institutional care

• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

• Nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)- commonly referred to as Food Stamps, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program, and other supplementary and emergency food assistance programs

• Housing benefits

• Child care services

• Energy assistance, such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

• Emergency disaster relief

• Foster care and adoption assistance

• Educational assistance (such as attending public school), including benefits under the Head Start Act and aid for elementary, secondary or higher education

• Job training programs

• In-kind, community-based programs, services or assistance (such as soup kitchens, crisis counseling and intervention, and short-term shelter)

• Non-cash benefits under TANF such as subsidized child care or transit subsidies

• Cash payments that have been earned, such as Title II Social Security benefits, government pensions, and veterans’ benefits, and other forms of earned benefits

• Unemployment compensation

Some of the above programs may provide cash benefits, such as energy assistance, transportation or child care
benefits provided under TANF or the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), and one-time emergency
payments under TANF. Since the purpose of such benefits is not for income maintenance, but rather to avoid the
need for ongoing cash assistance for income maintenance, they are not subject to public charge consideration.
Note: In general, lawful permanent residents who currently possess a “green card” cannot be denied U.S.
citizenship for lawfully receiving any public benefits for which they are eligible.

Last updated:05/03/2011

One Warning:  Job may include using hand tools such as knives, [...]]]> The United Farm Workers have started an ingenious campaign to help U.S. workers find work in the agricultural sector.  Are you unemployed?   Do you need a job?  Are you willing to work?   The United Farm Workers will help you find work on its website.

One Warning:  Job may include using hand tools such as knives, hoes, shovels, etc. Duties may include tilling the soil, transplanting, weeding, thinning, picking, cutting, sorting & packing of harvested produce. May set up & operate irrigation equip. Work is performed outside in all weather conditions (Summertime 90+ degree weather) & is physically demanding requiring workers to bend, stoop, lift & carry up to 50 lbs on a regular basis.

Many Americans claim that the US does not need immigration reform and that undocumented immigrants are only taking jobs away from American workers.   Here is a chance for those Americans to fight back and take back an American job.    According to the clip below, so far a total of three Americans have taken back an American job.

Former President Clinton also recently added his analytical take on immigration and the state of the [...]]]> During a rare Air Force One Question and Answer session, President Obama emphasized the need for comprehensive immigration reform, but questioned whether Congress had the political will to get it done this year.   If not now, when President Obama?

Former President Clinton also recently added his analytical take on immigration and the state of the United States, “I don’t think there’s any alternative but for us to increase immigration.”   Increased immigration, President Clinton said, is necessary for the economic growth needed to fix the long-term finances of Medicare and Social Security.

For more about the program, visit its website.

The program allows for foreign [...]]]> Last February the U.S. military instituted a pilot program to allow for certain temporary immigrants to enter into the Armed Forces in key, strategically important positions.  The program has been a great success and will hopefully expand in the coming years.  Over a thousand recruits have enlisted through the program.

The program allows for foreign nationals living in the United States on temporary visas to enter into the military if they possess certain language abilities or certain, in demand, skill sets (such as medical physicians).  The program is a win-win for both sides:  the military gets highly skilled and critically important recruits while the foreign nationals get the opportunity to become U.S. citizens at an accelerated speed.

The New York Times quotes military officials as saying these recruits score 20% higher on military entrance tests than regular recruits and have significantly more education than other recruits.

Let’s hope the program is full speed ahead in the years to come.