Comprehensive Immigration Reform Moves forward in the Senate. Yesterday (May 21, 2013) the Senate Judiciary Committee wrapped up weeks of work on immigration reform by passing S. 744 the "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act" out of committee with a bipartisan vote of 13 to 5. That bipartisanship is a good sign. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Leahy (D-VT) did an excellent job in moving this bill through committee. At the beginning of this process, there were nearly 300 amendments filed by Senators, many of which would have been detrimental to the effectiveness of the legislation and to our system of immigration. The committee stood firm against most of those detrimental amendments. The immigration reform bill now goes to full Senate for consideration. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has vowed to bring up the bill quickly. What does this mean for our clients? This progress is a huge step forward. If the Senate will pass a bill and if the House of Representatives will do the same, the two chambers of Congress will need to collaborate and agree on a common bill. Once such a bill emerges out of that collaboration, Congress can vote to pass a huge comprehensive immigration bill which President Obama is most likely to sign into law. Please use the Memorial Day recess to contact your Senators and Representatives to make your voices heard on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. And, please stay tuned. At this point NO ONE knows what a final law may look like until both the House of Representatives and the US Senate revise and pass it. We will keep you updated on our website and via emails to our clients. Find more information at www.mileybrown.com
Dallas Immigration & Naturalization Law Blog
Mr. Romney confuses immigrants and me
While listening to NPR this morning, I heard that Mitt Romney announced yesterday that he would be willing to allow the 2 year work authorization permits to continue for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program generously designated by President Obama on June 15, 2012. Mr. Romney also announced that he would have comprehensive immigration reform in place before the end of those 2 year work permits. Wow, what an agenda, and what promises. As an immigration attorney and as a caring human being, I would welcome any comprehensive immigration reform that was fair and charitable towards immigrants from either political party, but Mr. Romney has also been known to say he would veto the DREAM Act. Mr. Romney, I am confused.
First Undocumented Immigrant to Address Democratic Convention
This is definitely worth watching! This is the first time an undocumented immigrant has ever address the Democratic National Convention.
US Department of State Announces Visa Availability for June
"EMPLOYMENT SECOND PREFERENCE VISA AVAILABILITY - Continued heavy demand for numbers in the Employment Second preference category has required the establishment of a Worldwide cut-off date for the month of July. This action has been taken in an effort to hold number use within the annual numerical limit. Should there be an increase in the current demand pattern, it may be necessary to make this category completely "unavailable" prior to September 30, 2012. The China and India Employment Second preference categories are already "unavailable", and will remain so for the remainder of the fiscal year." - DOS, June 8, 2012.
H-1B Cap Reached
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap of 65,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2013. Yesterday, June 11, 2012, was the final receipt date for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY 2013 (typically October 1, 2012).
State Department Reminds of Diversity Visa Scams
Fraud Warning
Republican Attacks on Violence Against Women Act
You may be interested in the White House blog on the Republican attacks on the Violence Against Women Act.
China-Mainland & India Employment 1st & 2nd
According to information received by AILA from U.S. DOS, for Employment First, it may be necessary to establish a cut-off date at the end of the fiscal year in an effort to limit number use within the annual numerical limit. For Employment Second, it may be necessary to establish a cut-off date for all countries other than China and India. Such action may be required at any time during the next few months.
Important VAWA Vote
H.R. 4970 (Rep. Adams R-FL), the version of VAWA that will be debated and voted on in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, severely undermines protections available to vulnerable immigrant victims of violence and places victims at further risk of harm. This bill will literally place victims at further risk of harm.
Somalia TPS Extended
Released May 1, 2012
