| Welcome to the United States Immigration Newsletter |
This is NOT spam. You have been sent this email
because you have subscribed to the U.S. Immigration Newsletter or placed an
order with U.S. Immigration Support. All email addresses are stored and used
solely by U.S. Immigration Support in accordance with United States legislation
and the Data Protection Act. If you do not wish to receive further emails from
us, logon to your account and
unsubscribe from the newsletter.
THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION NEWSLETTER IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH. |
|
Congress members continue to introduce immigration reform bills
 WASHINGTON, DC
- Senator Ken Salazar is seeking the help of supporting Democrats, Republicans
and even evangelical leaders. Salazar sees the need to secure America’s borders,
enforce immigration laws and deal with the estimated 12 million immigrants in a
humane way. Meanwhile in the House of Representatives, Republican Jeff Flake of
Arizona and Luis Gutierrez of Illinois have come together to propose another
bill. The Flake-Gutierrez legislation calls for the opportunity for
illegal
immigrants in the U.S. to gain permanent residency after paying fees and leaving
the United States temporarily. However, their return to the country must be
legal. In addition, restrictions on the number of family members the immigrants
could bring into the U.S. would be limited to how many they could support
financially. Other components of the bill include added security, a
guest worker
program for up to 400,000 immigrants and the introduction of a biometric e-card
system. The card system would allow employers in the U.S. to check the legal
status of immigrants. Representatives Flake and Gutierrez feel that such bill is
balanced as it pleases both sides by reaching a compromise between those against
granting amnesty and those against
deportation. |
|
Tougher sentences for employers hiring illegal immigrants
 LOS ANGELES, CA
- Golden State Fence Co., the largest builder of fences in Southern California,
had enjoyed their growing success until recently. Their revenue grew from $60
million in 1998 to $150 million six years later. Thirty percent of their
revenues came from government contracts. One of their contracts included
building part of the fence along the Otay Mesa border
crossing which was
completed in 1998. During previous audits the government found no
illegal
immigrants were hired to build the fence. However, 2004 and 2005 government
audits at two offices found a high number of
illegal immigrants hired. The
government also found that at least three people who had been flagged in 1999
were still working for the company in 2005. The company was specifically warned
to not rehire the illegal employees in 1999. Golden State Fence Co. pleaded
guilty to willingly hiring illegal immigrants from the period of 1999 to 2005
and agreed to a $4.7 million fine. The founder and another top executive were
fined $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. In addition, they each received three
years of probation and over 1,000 hours of community service. The company
founder, Mel Kay, was given a six month home confinement. Golden State Fencing
Co. lost all of its government contracts and other key clientele and had to lay
off 150 employees. |
|
Pilot program helping to capture criminals in Florida
 MIAMI, FL
- The U.S. Customs and Border Protection introduced a pilot program on October
15, 2006 at Florida’s international airports to deport criminals attempting to
enter the country. The program specifically targets permanent residents or
Green
Card holders who are wanted by law enforcement authorities. Names of
Green Card
holders are checked against criminal databases, court databases and terrorist
watch lists. Individuals with matches are issued Notices to Appear by
immigration officials. The notice allows officials to start the deportation
process. Some are detained at the airport and others are given orders for an
immigration hearing. The spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection
commented that the policy is not new and the existing law is now being actively
enforced. She also mentioned that many of those caught by the new pilot program
have been sexual offenders along with other types of criminals that should not
be in our communities. The program will continue for an indefinite period due to
the positive results. |
|
Washington State to be first to try out Real ID
 SEATTLE, WA
- The Department of Homeland Security has recruited Washington State to help
promote the new pilot program Real ID. The pilot program introduces a more
advanced driver’s license that will also be a valid proof of American
citizenship. The
driver’s license will be accepted at border crossings and will
be yet another safety measure against terrorists and other criminals. Starting
January 2008, individuals trying to get into the United States by land will have
to present proof of citizenship. Acceptable identifications will include U.S.
passports, the new passport card, and other biometric credentials. However,
these new requirements have been met with opposition. Officials from border
states are concerned about constituents having to deal with the bureaucratic
hassle and cost of obtaining the new documents. In addition, some feel such
requirements will have a negative impact on travel and trade. The Department of
Homeland Security hopes that the adoption by Washington State will result in
other states following. The new license will cost slightly more than the current
license and its security features will resemble that of an American passport. A
Real ID applicant will have to submit proof of identity, residency and
citizenship. |
|
Maine legislators say “no” to Real ID
 AUGUSTA, ME -
While Washington State has chosen to implement the new pilot program, others
states have chosen not to because it is on a voluntary basis. Back in January
legislators from Maine voted against a federal mandate that would have required
states to issue the Real ID. The Maine legislators saw the implementation of
such program as a waste of taxpayers’ money. Introducing the more advanced
driving licenses in the United States would come with a hefty price tag of $11
billion. In the first five years of the program’s implementation, the taxpayers
of Maine would have had to pay $185 million. Besides the money issue legislators
feel that implementation of a Real ID program would not make its people safer
and that privacy would be threatened. For example, privacy concerns could arise
because birth certificates and similar documents would be stored electronically
at the state’s department of motor vehicles for identification purposes. |
|
Boat filled with Haitian immigrants reaches Florida
 WASHINGTON, DC
- Many immigrants are willing to put their lives at risk to reach American soil.
One of the most recent displays of this included a boatful of about 100
immigrants. The immigrants thought to be from Haiti reached the Florida shore in
their unseaworthy boat. Some jumped off the boat and swam to the shore while
others remained in the boat until it landed. The U.S. Coast Guard who patrols
the waters took them in. A body was found washed up on the beach so at least one
person is believed to have died on the voyage. According to a Border Patrol
spokesman, the large group spent several days at sea until finally reaching
their destination. However, it is highly unlikely that the immigrants will
remain in the United States since most coming from the Caribbean end up being
deported. On the other hand,
Cubans reaching Florida shores in similar
conditions are generally allowed to remain in the U.S. due to current policy. In
2006 about 6,000 immigrants were intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard along the
waters of the Caribbean, Florida, and South Carolina. Of those 6,000 about
nearly 800 were from Haiti. |
|
Thousands Rally In Support Of Immigration Reform
 DALLAS,
TX - Thousands of people wearing white shirts and waving American flags are
staging a rally in downtown Dallas Sunday. It's part of continuing push for
immigration reform for the millions of
illegal immigrants already living in the
United States. Many in the crowed estimated at more than two thousand held signs
that read "No to 2903." It refers to an ordinance in the Dallas suburb of
Farmer's Branch that would make it illegal for landlords to rent apartments to
illegal immigrants. Speakers also asked those who were already citizens to vote
and asked those already in the country legally to be sure and vote. A year
ago, tens of thousands gathered for a massive march and rally in downtown Dallas
that was part of a series of coordinated national protests intended to raise
awareness on the issue of
immigration reform. |
|
HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE:
If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter,
click here to unsubscribe. |
|
|
|
DISCLAIMER:
This newsletter is published by U.S. Immigration Support, an independent organization. U.S. Immigration Support is not affiliated with the United States government. Please review our disclaimer for more information. |
|
|
|
|
|
The U.S. Immigration Newsletter is published by:
U.S. Immigration Support
511 Avenue of the Americas # 45
New York, NY 10011
Web: www.usimmigrationsupport.org
Email: info@usimmigrationsupport.org |
