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 [...]
Detained and Deported: Failed By a Broken Immigration System
Please join me tomorrow for this lunch and learn session hosted by JCUA, and its Immigrant Justice Strategy Team. JCUA – IJST is one of the groups I am working with to raise awareness about the push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
Detained and Deported: Failed by a Broken Immigration System, Reflections and Testimonies on why we need Reform; [...]
March for America – Change Takes Courage
People should go to the Hull House located 800 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL on Monday February 22nd at 10:30 AM for the Press Conference on “March for America – Change Takes Courage” – and should volunteer to ride and donate to support immigration reform through the 100,000 person march planned for March 21, 2010 [...]
H1B Problems for 2011
Well here we go again. In 2007 and 2008 the H1B visas ran out the first day (April 1), and then last year companies were prevented from using the program (TARP funding), and the California Service Center went crazy with inappropriate Requests for Evidence. So its only natural as we look ahead to April 1, 2010, [...]
Don’t Give Up
There are a lot of people who want change to come to the broken immigration system who are out there, and who are disheartened by recent events and are prepared to pack it in and head home. To you I say – Don’t Give Up. The more I talk to people the key is to [...]
State of the Union
I wonder when immigration will be addressed. Lots of references to commissions and agenda items. Jobs, taxes, schools, college, healthcare reform, even a shout out for child obesity. Recovery program. Housing. Government spending. Campaign Funding. Supreme Court. Confirmations. Iraq. Military withdrawal. Military families. Haiti. Civil rights. Hate crimes. Gays in the military. Equal pay.
Finally – [...]
Traveling
I am reminded as I get on and off planes, especially in foreign countries, going through immigration passport control and customs, how much we (Americans) take for granted our ability to travel and move freely from country to country. I have an issue with a connection in Tokyo, and there is no big hassle. Well [...]
Early Thoughts on Comprehensive Immigration Reform
I am an optimist and a realist. These two ideologies don’t always work together. In the case of CIR (Comprehensive Immigration Reform) this might be a problem. The optimist in me hopes that getting a proposal out there will spawn debate and maybe we will finally have the change we need to help the millions [...]
Its been too long…
Sorry for the hiatus. There is so much going on. Its time for me to get back to chatting about what’s going on out there. Comprehensive Immigration Reform, will it come to fruition? Immigration has come up in the health care debate, the disaster in Haiti, whether it stimulates job creation. It was an issue [...]
Does USCIS even read its own information?
Many of you likely heard that 2 different immigration programs were scheduled to sunset on March 6, 2009. Someone in my office and I were busy debating what exactly does the term sunset mean. Is sunset the last day the program is valid or the first day the program expired? Well let’s look at the [...]
Why Limit Investment Visas to Treaty Countries?
In case someone did not notice, the economic condition of the US is not so hot right now. It does not seem like a very big stretch to me that the US should be welcoming any person who wants to come here and invest capital. Sadly, this is not the case. If you are from [...]
Congratulations to Mike Quigley
Today, Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley won the Democrat Primary for the seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel, the Illinois 5th District. This seat has been a democrat stronghold for a long time, making his likely victory in the actual election a foregone conclusion. None the less when reviewing the candidates I was surprised to see how [...]
EB 5 Pilot Program to die?
Nothing about this makes sense. We are in a recession and the EB5 pilot program promotes foreign investment in the US. Sadly it is currently set to expire on Friday March 6, 2009. Why is this not extended? Its not like Congress has not extended other programs. Just this week certain programs for religious workers [...]
Fan of the NY Times Editorial Position on Immigration
I continue to be amazed by the Editorial Board of the NY Times. While so many keep ignoring Immigration Issues, they continue not only to keep it on the front burner, but to keep getting it right. In this morning’s issue they again implore President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano to be smarter on [...]
Immigration Benefits for Same Sex Couples?
We have been watching for this for a long time. Currently even if people are legally married elsewhere, or even in a US state that recognizes same sex marriage, the US immigration system will not extend immigration benefits to the couple. We have been trying to encourage people to at least apply and then when denied [...]
Could this be the end of 287(g)?
I can hope can’t I? “New Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has ordered a broad review of immigration enforcement policies, including 287(g). A report released last week by Justice Strategies offers arguments for eliminating the program.” NAM (March 3, 2009). 287(g) is the program that allows local law enforcement organizations to partner with federal agencies. [...]
Congress is Schizophrenic (on Immigration in the Stimulus Bill)
Are they trying to help or hurt? I know I am not saying anything revolutionary, but the reality is I am convinced even they don’t know for sure. When it came to the Stimulus Bill there were sadly only two (2) immigration cross overs and they were both of the restrictive kind. The first thankfully [...]
Let’s Get Immigration Right II
I am begining to think I could work for the NY Times Editorial Board. They did it again. On Sunday they issued the following:
The country needs to control its borders. It needs to rebuild an effective immigration system and thwart employers who cheat it. It needs to bring the undocumented forward and make citizen taxpayers [...]
