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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
“Backdoor Amnesty” or Prudent Allocation of Enforcement Resources?
An undated USCIS memo surfaced (“leaked”) recently from the offices of U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R – Iowa), drafted by USCIS Chief Counsel and a few other policy managers and operations managers at USCIS, addressed to Alejandro Mayorkas, USCIS Director. The stated purpose of the memo was to offer “administrative relief options to promote family [...]
Blinded by Dehumanizing Hatred
Several media outlets are carrying an account of the discovery of 72 bullet riddled bodies found in a large room of a ranch in northeast Mexico, about 100 miles south of Brownsville, Texas. Law enforcement officials are indicating that these were persons from Central and South America, on their way to surreptitiously enter the United [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Congrats Judd!
Great piece on Judd Azulay in Illinois SuperLawyers. He is really a trend setter and leader in the world of immigration law. Keep it up!
Here we go again….
Its the confirmation hearings, which means its time for immigration to come up in relation to the nominees. So we are discussing CIR, enforcement, right to counsel – right? Wrong…. Instead we are discussing whether your housekeeper or nanny was in status, whether you paid taxes, they had employment authorization..etc. Can you believe that these [...]
Finding a Sense of Who We Are…
The editorial board of the NY Times has gotten it right again. I find myself saying this over and over again. In this mornings edition they talk about how we can figure out who we are if we bring rationality back to the immigration discussion. It is time to stand up and admit that the policies [...]
Homeland Security Recruitment Show
What was ABC thinking when they agreed to air a reality show about the Customs and Border Protection workers? Instead of a real picture of the gross misconduct and unfair practices these power maniacs utilize, we see crazy people who get excited about finding drugs, pull guns on kids, and think everyone is a terrorist. [...]
Why do you hate me?
That is a question someone asked me today as I visited Mexico. They want to know why the US will not let them visit, will not let them live. All they want a better life for their family. As bad as we think it is for us in the economic turmoil of the US, we [...]
Let’s Get Immigration Right
As we look ahead to the new year, we have a lot of hope. There are pragmatists being appointed to immigration related positions in the new government. Gov. Napolitano and Gov. Richardson along with Rep. Hilda Solis bring a lot of years of straight talk and recognition that the same old things do not work. [...]
Help me please…
Someone, anyone, talk about the increasing attitude in this country. When things get tough immigrants are the scape goats. We suffer beatings, and are even killed. We need to be careful, and so do the leaders. Talk about us…we can even help resolve the dire economic situation. Retirement visas, penalties for comprehensive reform, etc.
