US naturalized citizen of the Day- Diane Von Furstenberg

Diane von Fürstenberg, formerly Princess Diane of Fürstenberg was born December 31, 1946 in Belgium. She is a Belgian-American fashion designer best known for her iconic wrap dress. She initially rose to prominence when she married into the German princely House of Fürstenberg, as the wife of Prince Egon of Fürstenberg. Following their divorce in 1972, she has continued to use his family name, although she is no longer entitled to use the title princess following her divorce and subsequent remarriage in 2001.

She is also one my wife's favoite designers!

Immigration Reform is Dead?

Just days after Congress killed the DREAM Act, voices on all sides of the immigration reform debate say it’s unlikely there will be much movement on the issue during the next two years.

With Republicans poised to assume House control in January, immigrant-rights advocates see scant chance legislation to grant illegal immigrants any kind of foothold in the U.S. could move through the lower chamber.

The Newest reason to Hire the Fleischer Law Firm

Attorney General says DREAM ACT must be passed

POSTED IN: Office of the Attorney General | PERMALINK
Attorney General: The DREAM Act must be passed
December 17th, 2010 Posted by Tracy Russo
The following post is authored by the Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder
As the son of an immigrant, I grew up in New York City with a deep appreciation for the ideals that, since
America’s earliest days, have defined our nation. Like so many who have set out for America’s
shores, my father and both of my mother’s parents arrived here from Barbados in search of a better life and
greater opportunity – for themselves and their children.
Looking back, I can see that their dream was the American Dream. But looking around, I can see that, today,
this dream is fading for too many deserving young people who, through no fault of their own, lack
documentation – and, therefore, are being denied opportunity.
That is why the DREAM Act must be passed.
This critical legislation would provide new pathways for service and learning. And it would bring
extraordinary individuals out of the shadows, where – despite their efforts to contribute and their
determination to succeed – they have been relegated for far too long.
Like my father – who served as a Master Sergeant in the United States Army – many young and courageous
Americans want nothing more than to strengthen their nation and to improve their own futures. Why
should we say no? Why should someone who grew up in America, speaks English, holds degrees from one
or more of our schools, and shows – time and again – a commitment to citizenship have to forgo a
productive future?
There is no good reason.
The DREAM Act would do more than expand opportunities for learning and public service for young people
across the country. It would also benefit every American by helping establish a new generation of young
people grounded in our nation’s finest traditions and and its founding principles.
One of those principles is equal opportunity. Today, for so many, that opportunity now rests in the hands of
Congress. And so I urge our elected representatives to act. I urge them to do the right thing. Put simply, I
urge Congress to allow us to continue to tell a story about our country that makes us all proud – as my
father was – to be American.
Attorney General: The DREAM Act must be passed « USDOJ: Justice Blog http://blogs.usdoj.gov/blog/archives/1119?print=1
1 of 1 12/17/2010 4:03 PM
AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 10121733. (Posted 12/17/10)

Local Immigrant, DREAM ACT candidate, will not be deported---for now

One month ago, Bernard Pastor was an anonymous 18-year-old trying to live his life productively as a church volunteer but in the shadows as an undocumented immigrant.

It's essentially a request that they put his case at the bottom of the pile," David Leopold, one of the nation's top immigration attorneys, said Saturday from his Cleveland area home. "This (case) should not be an enforcement priority."

US naturalized citizen of the Day- Jim Carrey

James Eugene "Jim" Carrey was born January 17, 1962) in Canada. He actor and comedian who has starred in some very funn films such as was cast as the title Ace Ventura: Pet Detective The Mask Dumb and Dumber (1994 The Cable Guy (1996), Liar Liar (1997),Truman Show and Man on the Moon

Visa Retrogression

RETROGRESSION OF FAMILY CUT-OFF DATES - As reported in the December Visa Bulletin (number 27), the cut-off dates for most Family preference categories advanced at a very rapid pace during the past two years. Those movements have resulted in a dramatic increase in the level of applicant demand received in recent months. This has required the retrogression of many Family preference cut-off dates for January in an effort to hold number use within the various numerical limits. Further retrogressions cannot be ruled out should demand continue at the current levels." Department of State Publication 9514 CA/VO: December 8, 2010.

US naturalized citizen of the Day- Mikhail Baryshnikov

Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov was born January 28, 1948 in Russia. He is a American dancer, choreographer, and actor, often cited as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century.

US naturalized citizen of the Day- John Muir

John Muir was born 4/21/1838 was born in Scotland. He was a naturalist, author, and early advocate of preservation of wilderness in the United States. His letters, essays, and books telling of his adventures in nature, especially in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, have been read by millions. His activism helped to save the Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park and other wilderness areas. The Sierra Club, which he founded, is now one of the most important conservation organizations in the United States.

LPR of 50 years deported

Mike Burrows came to America when he was two years old, and has lived here for 50 years. Due to a technicality in harsh anti-immigration laws, he will likely be deported to his birthplace of Canada within weeks, a country that he has no current connection to and no memory of.

Mike was convicted of receipt of a stolen 8-track tape deck worth $50, a misdemeanor in 1978, when he was 18 years old. This conviction was expunged from his record in 1983. Although Mike is officially considered a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), the 1996 law was applied retroactively, and in 2001 Mike was found “removable.”

It has been a while, but things have been busy...

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