Jul
31
Immigrant families in the US are concerned at the number of recent crackdowns and deportations of illegal immigrants, fearing their families may be split up.
According to US law, any child born in the US is automatically a US citizen, which results in families that consist of legal as well as illegal immigrants. Often when illegal immigrants are deported to their country of origin, their children are left behind.
Executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center in Miami Cheryl Little says, “We’ve taken lots of statements from mothers and fathers about what happens when there’s a knock on the door in the wee hours in the morning and their lives are turned upside down. It’s heartbreaking.”
To read more about this story, click here.
Jul
30
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced the implementation today (30JUL07) of their new fee structure.
The USCIS Press Release is as follows:
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds the public that its new fee schedule is effective today, July 30, 2007. Applications or petitions postmarked or otherwise filed on or after today must include the new fee. USCIS will reject applications or petitions containing an incorrect fee.
USCIS announced the new fee schedule in May 2007 following a comprehensive review of nearly 4,000 public comments. The final fee schedule includes a reduction in fees for some families applying for adjustment of status, expands fee waiver and exemption eligibility, allows a one-time free extension of orphan petitions for prospective adoptive parents, and replaces old fees on various petitions and applications with new fees that ensure appropriate funding to meet national security requirements and customer service needs, and modernize an outdated business infrastructure. Read more
Jul
27
Fee Hike Causes Visa Application Rise
Filed Under Immigration News, US Citizenship | Leave a Comment
A new hike in US immigration fees has resulted in the number of visa applications rising sharply as people try to avoid the new fees structure.
As of July 30, US immigration fees will rise by 66 per cent, with applications for a first-time green card rising from $325 to $1,010, $255 to $710 for for temporary resident status, and an extra $100 for naturalization.
Immigrants wishing to avoid the hike have rushed to hand in their applications before the deadline.
Servico de Inmigracion owner Manuel Vigil says, “We’re swamped, totally swamped.”
To read more about this story, click here.
Jul
25
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that an accurate I-485 form is now available on the USCIS website.
The USCIS had put up a version of the form earlier this month (23JUL07) reflecting the fee increase which will go into effect at the end of the month (30JUL07).
According to the new announcement, the fees are as follows: a $325 base fee plus a $70 biometric fee if applicant is between 14 and 79 years of age. There is no fee if applicant is filing as a refugee under sec. 209(a) of the INA.
To find out more and download form I-485, visit www.uscis.gov.
Jul
24
Al Sharpton and Wal-Mart CEO Team up for Immigration Bill
Filed Under US Citizenship, Z Visa | Leave a Comment
Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott and civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton joined forces on Tuesday in a call for the US Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
Sharpton and Scott were speaking before the National Council of La Raza, the largest U.S. Hispanic civil rights organization, in Miami Beach, Florida.
Scott says, “Congress needs to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill now.”
Sharpton says, “I want to say what a lot of people won’t say. The immigration debate is not simply about border security, it is a problem of America dealing with race.”
To read more about this story, click here.
Jul
23
Nancy Pelosi Encourages Potential New American Citizens
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US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is urging legal immigrants to apply for US citizenship, highlighting the important part immigrants have had to play in US history and culture.
Pelosi gave a speech at a citizenship workshop in San Francisco on Saturday (21JUL07), encouraging the immigrants to contribute to US democracy.
Pelosi says, “Good morning, and welcome to our Second Annual District Citizenship workshop. This event is about lending a hand to those who seek to become part of the beautiful mosaic that is America. I am honored to be a part of it. Those here today — who will become the newest Americans — exemplify what our great nation is all about. You have brought your hopes and dreams to a land where hopes and dreams can come true. I am proud to help you on your way to becoming American citizens. Read more
Jul
20
USCIS Fee Hike To Begin in Ten Days
Filed Under US Citizenship | Leave a Comment
Ten days are left before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) put a 66 per cent visa application fee hike into effect.
All applications received by the USCIS on or after July 30 2007 will be subject to the new fee system. The new system also holds benefits for families with children as well as expanding the number of fee waivers and exemptions available to immigrants.
For more information, visit www.USCIS.gov.
Jul
19
President Bush Defends Immigration Bill
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US President George W Bush has defended the comprehensive immigration reform bill (aka the Strive Act, or Z Visa) recently defeated in the US Senate.
President Bush expressed his deep disappointment in the lack of support for the bill, and predicted that many people who opposed the immigration reform would regret it when the US faces labor shortages.
President Bush says, “I can make you a prediction … that pretty shortly people are going to be knocking on people’s doors saying, ‘Man we’re running out of workers.’ ”
To read more about this story, click here.
Jul
18
USCIS Revises Visa Processing Procedure
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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a revision to current permanent visa application allowances after mistakenly announcing their backlog had cleared.
Here is the new announcement in full:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, beginning immediately, it will accept employment-based applications to adjust status (Form I-485) filed by aliens whose priority dates are current under the July Visa Bulletin, No. 107. USCIS will accept applications filed not later than August 17, 2007. Read more
Jul
16
New York filmmaker Sebastian Cordoba’s documentary film detailing the difficulties homosexual couples have with emigrating to the US is set to premier at the annual gay and lesbian film festival in Los Angeles, California.
“Through Thick and Thin” highlights the barriers facing homosexual couples as a result of the federal government only giving immigration benefits to those with “valid” marriages to US citizens.
Tim Miller, a US citizen whose partner will have to return to Australia when his visa expires, says, “U.S. laws are creating pointless heartache for thousands of American citizens.”