posted Dec 5, 2013, 8:19 AM by Randall Drew
posted Nov 15, 2013, 9:59 AM by Randall Drew
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updated Nov 15, 2013, 10:01 AM
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WASHINGTON -- Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the lawmaker tasked with electing Republicans to the House, said Friday his chamber will act on immigration reform before the 2014 midterm elections. Keeping in line with GOP leadership, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee said the House will pursue a piecemeal approach, but it will not go to conference on the Senate's comprehensive bill or take up similar legislation introduced by House Democrats. "Between now and the election I think the House will take up immigration in a piece-by-piece approach," Walden told reporters at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor. ------------ I really think it will have to wait until after the 2014 GOP Primaries before establishment Republicans will feel safe voting for comprehensive immigration reform. (RD) Link to HuffPo
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posted Nov 12, 2013, 11:29 AM by Randall Drew
Click Here for the link to WaPo article
KABUL — A growing number of Afghan interpreters who worked alongside American troops are being denied U.S. visas allotted by Congress because the State Department says there is no serious threat against their lives. But the interpreters, many of whom served in Taliban havens for years, say U.S. officials are drastically underestimating the danger they face. Immigration attorneys and Afghan interpreters say the denials are occurring just as concerns about Taliban retribution are mounting due to the withdrawal of U.S. forces. |
posted Nov 6, 2013, 9:15 AM by Randall Drew
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57610933/obama-house-has-votes-to-pass-immigration-reform/
In a meeting with business leaders to discuss immigration reform, President Obama predicted that there are enough votes in the House to pass the contentious issue. "Although right now there's been some resistance from House Republicans, what's been encouraging is that there are a number of House Republicans who have said we think this is the right thing to do as well," Mr. Obama said Tuesday at the White House. "It's my estimation that we actually have the votes to get comprehensive immigration reform done in the House right now. The politics are challenging for [Speaker Boehner] and others, and we want to make it as easy for them as possible. This is not an issue where we're looking for a political win, this is one where we're looking for a substantive win for the U.S. economy and the American people and the businesses that are represented here." Mr. Obama met with CEOs from Evercore Partners, Motorola Solutions, Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, State Farm, Marriott, Blackstone and McDonalds to discuss ways to move forward on immigration reform. Business leaders have been part of a coalition that includes labor, faith, high-tech and agriculture leaders to push for legislation. |
posted Sep 23, 2013, 12:11 PM by Randall Drew
Within the next two weeks, Pelosi may introduce a version of the Senate immigration reform bill in the House, in an effort to pressure House Republicans to sign on as co-sponsors, according to an aide familiar with her thinking. No decisions have been made.Reported by: Greg Sargent for The Plum Line @Washington Post |
posted Sep 6, 2013, 8:30 AM by Randall Drew
USCIS Implements Customer Identity Verification at Field Offices Beginning September 9, 2013, USCIS will employ a new verification tool called Customer Identity Verification (CIV) in its field offices. Customers will now submit biometric data, specifically fingerprints and photographs, when appearing at USCIS offices for interviews or to receive evidence of an immigration benefit. CIV will enhance the integrity of the immigration system and combat identity fraud by allowing USCIS to biometrically verify a customer’s identity. Having resolved a technical issue that delayed our original launch, the tool will now be phased-in between September 9 and October 21, 2013 to customers attending an interview or being issued evidence of an immigration benefit. How It Works After a customer arrives at a field office, clears security, and is called to the counter, we will electronically scan two fingerprints and take a picture to verify their identity. The process takes just a few minutes and applies only to customers who have an interview or receive evidence of an immigration benefit. People who come to our office for InfoPass appointments or to accompany a customer will not undergo this process. After we verify the customer’s identity, they can proceed to their interview or receive their document. Currently, USCIS requires applicants and petitioners requesting immigration or naturalization benefits to visit one of our Application Support Centers (ASCs) to provide biometric data. USCIS uses this data to help determine eligibility for requested benefits. This requirement, along with providing a government-issued document for examination, will not change. How It Helps CIV connects instantly to the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology’s (US-VISIT’s) Secondary Inspections Tool (SIT). SIT is a Web-based application that processes, displays and retrieves biometric and biographic data. US-VISIT also links databases associated with border inspections and security. More Information To learn more about USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov. |
posted Aug 23, 2013, 11:38 AM by Randall Drew
USCIS Working to Correct CPR Cards Issued with Incorrect Expiration DatesCite as "AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 13082340 (posted Aug. 23, 2013)"
USCIS recently alerted AILA that approximately 2,300 conditional permanent residence cards were issued with incorrect expiration dates. USCIS is attempting to rectify this by contacting affected individuals via e-mailto provide them with instructions on obtaining a replacement card. USCIS provided the following details regarding this situation: - Between July 22 and August 8, 2013, USCIS issued approximately 2,300 new conditional permanent resident cards with an incorrect expiration date. Instead of a two year validity period, those cards were issued with a ten-year validity period.
- All recipients of these cards are legitimately approved conditional permanent residents; no individual received a green card in error.
- USCIS has identified each and every conditional permanent resident who received a green card with an incorrect expiration date and has informed those individuals that they must exchange their current card for one with the correct expiration date.
- Individuals who will need to exchange their green card do not need to file any form or pay any fee.
- USCIS has contacted all affected individuals and provided them with options to exchange their green cards, either by mail, which is the fastest option, or in-person at a local USCIS office.
If your client received a conditional permanent residence card with a 10-year expiration date and also received an e-mail from USCIS (fromreplacecard@uscis.dhs.gov) with details on exchanging their green card, this e-mail is not a scam. *** I do not know of any Drew Law Office, PLLC clients who would fall under this category (Conditional Residents [married less than two years] who received a ten year card instead of a two year card). If you think this might be you -- feel free to contact us. Missing the date for filing a Petition to Remove Conditions on Status is a big problem! *** |
posted Aug 23, 2013, 8:08 AM by Randall Drew
According to the Immigration Policy Center (www.immigrationpolicy.org) the State of New Hampshire would lose nearly $900 million and over 5,000 jobs if all unauthorized immigrants were removed. The IPC does an analysis for all 50 states; this years infographic for New Hampshire can be found here:
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posted Aug 3, 2013, 8:59 AM by Randall Drew
posted Jul 16, 2013, 12:26 PM by Randall Drew
We, here at Drew Law Office, have not been ignoring the fact that Comprehensive Immigration Reform passed the US Senate last month. However, we have been down this road before; and rather than create a frenzy we thought we would keep calm and carry on until the promise of reform gets a little closer to reality.
The House of Representatives is controlled by the Republican majority, which in tern is largely controlled by its large contingent of very conservative members and Tea Party affiliates many of whom entered the Congress in 2010 or 2012. Getting an agreement on Immigration Reform that is anything more than a strengthen the borders and build more prison beds is going to be a hard sell to a large number of House members from deep red districts.
The GOP political machine, however, largely wants to put immigration reform off the table as a campaign issue for 2014 and 2016. Winning House seats in gerrymandered districts is one thing -- winning statewide Senate elections and Presidential elections is another. Groups like the US Chamber of Commerce and Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform are pro-reform, as are some Evangelical Ministries and the Catholic Church. Many commentators have already written off getting immigration reform through the House. While I have my doubts, I still have some optimism that the work will get done because it has to be done this time.
I haven't written about the reform bills passage until now because I didn't want to give a false impression that a "new law" had passed and that things were about to change any minute. I will be sure to note here what the ultimate fate (good or bad) of immigration reform is for this year as soon as it is decided. |
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