Jun
15
Univision Campaign Encourages US Citizenship
Filed Under Immigration News, US Citizenship | Leave a Comment
Spanish-language television giant Univisión is encouraging Spanish-speaking peoples in the US to apply for US citizenship as part of its Ya Es Hora (”Now is the time”) campaign.
The campaign, which started this January (07) in Los Angeles is now in a dozen US cities, including Miami. Univisión officials started the campaign to show Hispanic people the significant power they would have as voters if they became citizens.
According to federal immigration data, the majority of the eight million legal residents in the US eligible to apply for US citizenship are Hispanic.
To become citizens, immigrants must be legal residents for five years before applying for citizenship. Univisión helps in this process by broadcasting live every Friday from a citizenship drive location where, for $25, prospective citizens can get help with their applications from volunteers.
Click here for more information on Univisión’s citizenship drive.
Jun
14
Pennsylvania Department of State Issues Voting Guide
Filed Under Immigration News, US Citizenship | Leave a Comment
The first ever Voting Guide for New Citizens was launched today at a naturalization ceremony in Philadelphia, by Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes.
The Department of State produced the Voting Guide for New Citizens with the help of the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Temple University’s Project SHINE.
The benefits of citizenship as well as step-by-step instructions on how to vote are outlined in the booklet, and approximately 1,600 people who took the oath of allegiance at the naturalization ceremony received copies of the booklet.
Cortes says, “The department encourages new citizens to actively participate in the electoral process and contribute to our government at the local, state and national levels. By providing this guide, we hope to help our newest citizens become fully engaged in the civic life of their communities.”
The Voting Guide for New Citizens is also available at http://www.votespa.com/.
Jun
13
Americans Back Immigration Reform
Filed Under Immigration News, Z Visa | Leave a Comment
A poll released by the Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg News shows that a majority of Americans are in favor of comprehensive immigration reform and support action to allow illegal immigrants to become legal US citizens.
Of those polled, only 23 per cent were opposed to immigrants becoming legal citizens after paying the appropriate fines, learning to speak English as well as other requirements outlined under the StriveAct, or ‘Z’ Visa.
Despite the many requirements that would need to be fulfilled before citizenship is granted, many Republicans accuse the bill of being ‘Amnesty’.
The poll also shows that President George Bush’s approval rating has fallen from 45 per cent last September (06) to 34 per cent, and his approval rating amongst Republicans has fallen from 83 per cent last year (06) to 70 per cent.
To read more about this story, click here.
Jun
12
USCIS Launches Immigrant Assimilation Projects
Filed Under Immigration News, US Citizenship | Leave a Comment
A new United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) press release has outlined four new projects to help immigrants assimilate in the US as part of the Task Force on New Americans initiative.
As well as launching a website called WelcometoUSA.gov - a website created specifically to assist immigrants and new US citizens - three other projects have been announced to help immigrants understand the meaning of being an American.
Another major initiative is the New Americans Project, which strives to encourage a sense of civic duty and responsibility in new immigrants through volunteerism and integration into their communities.
USCIS Director and Task Force Executive Secretary Emilio Gonzalez says, “When President Bush formed the Task Force, he did so with a charge to work together to find ways to increase opportunities for new immigrants to learn as much as they can about our Nation’s civic values and its rich history. We have accomplished a great deal in just one year, but we’re not done, our plans include even more opportunities for American citizens and community groups to help newcomers integrate into American society.”
For more information about the Task Force, including information about the remaining initiatives, go to www.WelcometoUSA.gov.
Jun
11
Latino Leaders Meet at Immigration Summit
Filed Under Immigration News, US Citizenship | Leave a Comment
In the wake of the comprehensive immigration reform bill (aka the Strive Act or ‘Z’ Visa) defeat in the US Senate, leaders of the US Latino community will meet at a summit in Washington D.C on Monday (11JUN07) to try to jump start the defeated bill again.
The summit is co-sponsored by the University of California’s California Policy Research Center (CPRC) and Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas en Norteamerica (COFEM), the largest US-Mexican immigrant organization.
CPRC director Andres Jimenez says, “The time has come to fundamentally rethink the current approach to immigration reform. We must redirect the debate in Congress to reflect the importance of keeping families together, protecting immigrant worker rights, creating a reasonable pathway to citizenship, and encouraging a balanced relationship with Mexico, and the Central American and Caribbean nations.”
To read more about this story, click here.
Jun
8
Z Visa Suffers Defeat in Senate
Filed Under Immigration News | Leave a Comment
US President George Bush, along with millions of illegal immigrants in the US, was left disappointed yesterday after the new comprehensive immigration reform bill (aka the ‘Z’ Visa) was defeated in the Senate.
A combination of Democrats and Republicans destroyed the bill, which would have created a path to legal citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants in the US.
Democratic leader in the senate Harry Reid blamed inaction of President Bush’s part for the defeat of the bill.
Reid said, “We are finished with this for the time being. This is the president’s bill. Where are the president’s people helping us with these votes?”
To read more about the defeat of the ‘Z’ Visa, click here.
Jun
7
Thousands of British and Irish students have arrived in New York seeking work and accommodation for the next four months.
The students, aged between 18-22, are traveling to the US on a J-1 visa, a student work/travel visa. Under the J-1, a student who is currently in college or has completed their degree with the guarantee of a job back home can live and work legally anywhere they choose in the US for four months, as well as enjoying a month of grace in which to travel or just relax.
Although there was a definite slump in the number of British and Irish students applying for the J-1 visa since 9/11, the numbers are back up again.
Lisa O’ Regan, the marketing manager of an Irish travel agency, says, “We are delighted that the numbers are strong this year and several Irish students are heading to the states for the summer.”
To read more about this story, click here.
Jun
6
USCIS Director Honors USCIS Staff
Filed Under Immigration News | Leave a Comment
The United States Citizenship and Immigration service (USCIS) Director Dr Emilio T. Gonzalez held the annual Director’s Award Ceremony yesterday (05JUN07) at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the work of USCIS’ many hardworking employees.
Awards were given to staff who have provided several innovative and unique solutions to the many complex problems the USCIS faces on a daily basis. Emphasis was put on customer service, organization and national security.
26 awards in 12 categories were given out by Director Gonzalez, Chief of Staff and Master of Ceremonies Tom Paar and Deputy Director Scharfen.
Jun
5
President George W. Bush met with a number of pro-immigration business leaders - including the representative for Western Growers - on Friday (01JUN07) to discuss their support of the comprehensive immigration reform bill, also known as the ‘Z’ visa.
Western Growers, an agricultural trade association whose members grow, pack, and ship half of the nation’s fresh produce, are responsible for over 90 per cent of all fruit, vegetables and nuts grown in California and 75 per cent grown in Arizona.
The organization is a huge supporter of AgJOBS, which would result in a stable and legal work force for the agriculture industry. According to Western Growers, any failure in the passage of an immigration reform bill will result in many farm operations shutting down in 2007, with even more being forced to close in subsequent years. Read more
Jun
4
US Senator John McCain has expressed his support for the current comprehensive immigration reform bill, also known as the ‘Z’ Visa, during a speech today in Florida.
McCain, who is in the race to become the next president of the United States, accused his fellow Republican presidential hopefuls of causing a great deal of harm by criticizing the immigration bill without offering any real alternatives.
The senator from Arizona is one of few Republican presidential candidates who support the ‘Z’ Visa, which would legalize millions of illegal immigrants and put them on the path to legitimate US citizenship.
McCain says, “To want the office so badly that you would intentionally make our country’s problems worse might prove you can read a poll or take a cheap shot, but it hardly demonstrates presidential leadership. To do nothing now would be an unconscionable abrogation of our responsibilities to defend the security, prosperity and values of our country. Amnesty is what we gave in 1986 - and it didn’t work. It was unconditional forgiveness for breaking our laws. “