So What Does Prosecutorial Discretion Mean (for me)?
Well the calls and reports have started. Friends, clients and people I have not heard from in years, have started coming out of the woodwork. I even heard from someone that they heard a radio report that Pres. Obama passed a new law that will allow all illegal immigrants to stay in this country as [...]
A Reason For Hope…New Approach to Discretion!
I am cautiously excited by the announcements today regarding how discretion may be applied to those without other forms of relief from immigration proceedings. Still, my trust is so low for the administration, that even something that looks good has to be taken with a big grain of salt.
I first got the news from Senator [...]
End Secure Communities
I am sitting at the Homeland Security Advisory Council Task Force on Secure Communities Meeting in Chicago. Its time to end this overbroad, ineffectual, unauthorized program. It is a shame that victims are afraid to call the police. People have been stopped for small traffic offenses and then even with relief, are forced to leave. [...]
2011 Sloan Award in Workplace Flexibility
I am very excited to have just received the 2011 Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility on behalf of AzulaySeiden. Ron Magers presented us and 21 other companies with awards based on a rigorous two-step process, that includes surveying the employees.
Congratulations to everyone at AzulaySeiden.
The Time for Immigration Reform is Now
Just got back from meeting with the White House Staff, members of the House and the Senate and their staff. The mood is extra confrontational. Some think immigration has a chance. Others think its way too polarizing. Some say only after the border is secure. Still others think they are actually doing a lot.
My take [...]
Prop 8 Overturned! Time for Immigration to recognize Same Sex Marriages!
Yesterday in a landmark decision, that most think will survive later challenges, Prop 8, a voter initiative in California that had removed same-sex marriages from the state, was struck down as unconstitutional. Amongst the points the decision made, was the inability of people to vote on issues that are rights. Since all have a right [...]
Why does it take so long to get it right?
Yesterday arguments were made in two separate cases as to why the Arizona law (SB1070) should not be allowed to go into effect on July 29, 2010. The judge did not make a ruling, and no one knows for sure when a ruling will be issued, but if the comments she made are any indicator [...]
Summer Swoon?
I need to find a way to have my home life not get in the way of my NEED to post at least one time every week (hopefully more often). Since I was here last my family welcomed a little baby boy to the mix. He is now five weeks old and mom, big sister and [...]
It is Really Hard
So much happens every day. Asylum cases that you believe should be approved are denied. You see bad choices being made, and people losing or being denied benefits because of them. Judges make bad decisions. People can not afford to challenge the system to make it right. Officers who think there is something sinister so [...]
Been too long – Too much to talk about
I was away for a short while and the world of immigration went crazy. I will try and touch on as much as I can as quickly as possible.
First, it looks like the lack of hiring has really impacted the Specialty Worker H1-B filings. There were very few (like 13,500) submitted. This is a great [...]
Lots of Immigration News
So much going on this week, I can’t wait to sit down and write in earnest. But sitting in the airport, I can’t wait.
Padilla was decided, and immigrants get some protection from bad plea advice. Illinois businesses will be getting together to support CIR. H-1B petitions for FY 2011 were accepted beginning 04.01.10. [...]
Senators Schumer & Graham on NBC’s Meet the Press
I was all excited when I heard that Senators Schumer and Graham were going to be on NBC’s Meet the Press this morning. For the last few months every time I have heard their names together it meant a discussion of the (hopefully) forthcoming proposal for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Less than two weeks ago they [...]
More Meetings about CIR
The week ended for me as it started. More meetings with Congressional Staffers. I was back in DC as part of the National Day of Action with AILA campaigning for comprehensive immigration reform. A large delegation descended on the Hill. From Illinois we had almost 20 people and met with someone in the office of [...]
What a day! Keep the Pressure on for CIR!
I am back in the airport after a long day of meetings with Congressional staffers. Our group met with staffers in the offices of IL Representatives Bobby Rush, Mike Quigley, Luis Gutierrez, Danny Davis, Dan Lipinski, Jan Schakowsky, Mark Kirk, Melissa Bean, Don Manzullo and IL Senator Dick Durbin. There were also meetings scheduled with [...]
Show your support for CIR
There were 200,000 people in DC today rallyingfor Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR). (Local DC Fox said 500,000.) Its time for each of us to stand up and be heard. We need to make sure that all of our reprsentatives and senators hear from us. We can not let the antis drown out our voices. Advocacy [...]
200,000 in DC March for America – CIR NOW!
I am in awe as I watch the 200,000 people, the congressional leaders, Pres. Obama, civic leaders, religious leaders, and the people. The masses and masses of people. To watch the news you might not know this was going on. CNN, MSNBC, Fox are all focused only on Health Care Reform, and don’t misunderstand, today [...]
Big Immigration Weekend Upon Us
So its March 20, 2010, and I am in Chicago. Looking outside for the start of spring and I am seeing snow. But I am all warm and giddy for spring. The season of rebirth. Seems appropriate when there is so much excitement in the world of immigration. Locally close to 200 buses are loading [...]
A Very Positive Sign for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Yesterday was a good day for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR). From all reports, most of the day at the white house was spent focused on this issue. Meetings with Senators (Schumer & Graham) and leaders from faith and grass roots organizations, and Obama reaffirmed his commitment to CIR. He also indicated that there needed to [...]
2010 Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame
I am honored to share that I have been selected to receive the Friend of the Filipino Award (Immigration Law) at the 2010 Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame Event, to be held this Saturday, March 13, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Downtown.
Thank you to Veronica Leighton, Joe Mauricio, VIA Times and CPRTV. It is [...]
I am a Hopeful Realist
I think that is the best way I can think of to describe my feelings about tomorrow. Hopeful Realism.
Rumor has it that Pres. Obama will be meeting with Sen. Schumer and Sen. Graham to discuss immigration, presumably with a significant emphasis on Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the status of the bill that has been talked [...]
