U.S. Immigration Lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio

No Kidding?

2012-01-24T12:35:00.000-08:00

Per Rotoworld

Fausto Carmona (Heredia) to miss spring camp
Indians skipper Manny Acta acknowledged Tuesday that Fausto Carmona will miss spring training.
No surprise here. Carmona was revealed to be faking his age and full name (he's actually Roberto Hernandez Heredia, and he's 31 not 28) a few weeks ago in his native Dominican Republic. The Indians are trying to speed up his case, but he faces false identity charges and will have to resolve those before attempting to re-enter the United States. It could take several months. ( ya think)

Baseball player arrested for Fraud

2012-01-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

According to a report by broadcaster Yancen Pujols, Indians' right-hander Fausto Carmona was arrested in his native Dominican Republic for using a false identity.
The story was passed along by Jorge Arangure of ESPN Deportes. Maximo Baez Aybar, who handles PR for the Dominican police, confirms that Carmona (whose real name is actually Roberto Hernandez Heredia) was arrested outside the consulate while trying to secure a work visa. Details are still pouring in, but remember that right-hander Juan Carlos Oviedo (formerly known as Leo Nunez) was able to avoid jail time in the Dominican Republic after faking his identity and even agreed to a new contract with the Marlins this week. However, Oviedo is still trying to get his visa situation figured out and similar issues could cause Carmona/Heredia to miss the start of spring training or even the season. The Indians picked up his $7 million club option for 2012 in October, despite a 5.25 ERA over 32 starts last season. Stay tuned for further developments.

Romney May Rue Immigration Comments Come General Election Showdown With Obama

2012-01-16T08:48:00.000-08:00

After his narrow victory in Iowa and resounding win in New Hampshire , Mitt Romney may well be on his way to locking up the Republican nomination before the primary is even a month old. But the damage that the GOP fight has done to his chances of winning the general election may prove to be severe if he cannot convince Latino voters to give him another shot.

While Romney's efforts to woo his party's conservative voters have clearly helped him in the two contests thus far, the former Massachusetts governor has veered far to the right on the issue that most affects Latinos: immigration.

Only days before the Iowa caucuses, for instance, Romney said that as president he would veto the DREAM Act , a bill that would provide a path to citizenship for some undocumented children of immigrants who attend college or serve in the military. The fall-out from Latinos was immediate. The next day I asked Juan Rodriguez, a Republican businessman in Des Moines, if he would back Romney. Rodriguez didn't hesitate in his response.

"I wouldn't vote for Romney because he doesn't support immigration reform or the DREAM Act," he said. "My business depends on Hispanics basically, and if there's no immigration reform we are going to be very affected. Not just me, but all the businesses that, like us, depend on the Latino community."

The next week in New Hampshire, I sat down with Esteban and Selma Lopez, a Latino couple in Goffstown who will vote for the first time in the general election this fall, and asked if they could imagine voting for Romney now.

"I work in education and I know first-hand how important the DREAM Act is for Latino youth, for kids who are in this country without having taken part in the decision to come here," Lopez replied. "The short answer is, I wouldn't vote for Romney."

Even the country's largest Latino Republican group - Somos Republicans - said they would oppose Romney due to his immigration policies.

The Obama campaign has wasted no time in trying to portray Romney as the most extreme candidate on the issue of immigration. In the days since Romney's DREAM Act statement, a slew of Latino Democrats has fanned out to rip Romney. After all, there's a lot at stake here: Latinos are the nation's fastest-growing voting bloc, with an estimated 12.2 million set to vote in this year's general election, according to a projection by the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials (NALEO).

"It really demonstrates how far he is from understanding the issue," said Rep. Charlie Gonzalez of Texas, the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, on a conference call with reporters last week. "I understand that in that particular field one will try to out-pander another, but you still have to be responsible."

"How do you paint yourself into such a corner on immigration where you can't walk back from that statement?" he asked.

On primary night in New Hampshire I sat down with Rep. Xavier Becerra , D-Calif., who emphasized that Democrats are going to remind Latino voters time and time again about Romney's immigration stance.

Woman's deportation stayed for a year

2012-01-09T06:19:00.000-08:00

"A local woman set to be deported next month has been granted a stay, according to a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement memo. The federal agency on Thursday notified an attorney for Victoria Lorenzo-Calmo that she can remain in the United States for one year

US Tenn Self Deports herself... ICE complies

2012-01-07T08:02:00.000-08:00

WOW

A Texas teenager who was deported to Colombia after claiming to be an illegal immigrant was returned to the United States and remains at the center of an international mystery over how a minor could be sent to a country where she is not a citizen

Some proposed Immigration Relief

2012-01-06T06:33:00.000-08:00

Now, Citizenship and Immigration Services proposes to allow the immigrants to obtain a provisional waiver in the United States, before they leave for their countries to pick up their visas. Having the waiver in hand will allow them to depart knowing that they will almost certainly be able to return, officials said. The agency is also seeking to sharply streamline the process to cut down the wait times for visas to a few weeks at most.

U.S. Immigration Lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio: Latino Immigration to end?

2012-01-05T11:28:00.000-08:00

U.S. Immigration Lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio: Latino Immigration to end?: Latino Immigration to end?

Link text

2012-01-05T11:26:00.000-08:00

Latino Immigration to end?

Border Apprhensions Down ALOT

2011-12-13T05:03:00.000-08:00

American border apprehensions – a key indicator of illegal immigration - have plummeted to one-fifth of what they were at its peak in 2000, a new report released by the Customs and Border Patrol agency indicates.

The year-end report found 340,252 apprehensions were made by CBP in the 2011 fiscal year, down 53 percent since 2008, and drastically lower than the 1.68 million apprehended a decade ago.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70341.html#ixzz1gQENBzcT

Problem at local jail

2011-12-12T09:23:00.001-08:00

A new report by advocacy groups alleges human rights abuses persist at two immigrant detention centers in Illinois and another in Kentucky. It calls on the Obama administration to close them, but federal immigration officials dispute the need for that.

It's been a while

2011-09-22T18:11:00.001-07:00

According to the Associated Press, Leo Nunez was sent back to the Dominican Republic this week because he was found to have been using a fake name.
Nunez was placed on the restricted list Thursday and is not expected to return to the major leagues this season. According go the AP's sources, the right-hander's real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo and he's actually a year older than his listed age of 28. The Marlins have reportedly known about the issue for several months, but it's not yet clear how they plan to resolve it.

New Visa Bulletin posted

2011-07-13T05:14:00.000-07:00

"SEPTEMBER VISA AVAILABILITY - Heavy applicant demand for numbers in the Family First preference could require retrogression of some of the September Family First preference cut-off dates. This action may be necessary to keep visa issuances within the respective annual preference numerical limits. If this were to occur they could be expected to return to the previous cut-off date for October, the first month of the new fiscal year." Department of State Publication 9514, CA/VO:July 11, 2011.

Lcick the link to view the latest visa bulletin

US Naturalized citizen of the day- Djimon Hounso

2011-07-13T05:09:00.000-07:00

Djimon Diaw Hounsou was born April 24, 1964. He is a Beninese-American actor and model. As an actor, Hounsou has been nominated for two Academy Awards in Gladiator and Amistad.

Hounsou became a naturalized American citizen in 2007. He was reluctant to renounce his Beninese citizenship and therefore opted to become a dual citizen of both Benin and the United States, effectively rendering him a Beninese-American. Hounsou is one of just twenty-seven people in the world today to be officially recognized by this nationality.

Vet avoids deportation

2011-07-13T05:07:00.000-07:00

A military veteran who was facing deportation will likely be allowed to stay in the United States after he was released from immigration detention earlier this month, in part thanks to help from Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).

Navy Reserve Petty Officer Elisha Dawkins, 26, entered a pre-trial diversion program on Tuesday that will spare him from federal charges for allegedly lying when he applied for a U.S. passport in 2006, a crime that could have landed him in prison for 10 years.

US Naturalized citizen of the day- Annika Sörensta

2011-07-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

Annika Sörensta was born 9 October 1970 in Sweeden. She is a Swedish She was professional golfer whose achievements rank her as one of the most successful golfers in history.[1] Before stepping away from competitive golf at the end of the 2008 season, she won 90 international tournaments as a professional, making her the female golfer with the most wins to her name. She has won 72 official LPGA tournaments including ten majors and 18 other tournaments internationally, and she tops the LPGA's career money list with earnings of over $22 million—over $8 million ahead of her nearest rival. Since 2006, Sörenstam has held dual American and Swedish citizenship.
The winner of a record eight Player of the Year awards, and six Vare Trophies given to the LPGA player with the lowest seasonal scoring average, she is the only female golfer to have shot a 59 in competition. She holds various all-time scoring records including the lowest season scoring average: 68.6969 in 2004.
Representing Europe in the Solheim Cup on eight occasions between 1994–2007, Sörenstam is the event's all-time leading points earner.
Sörenstam made history at the Bank of America Colonial tournament in 2003 as the first woman to play in a men's PGA Tour event since 1945. Often known simply as "Annika," she achieved the fame of male golfers known in the same way: Arnie (Arnold Palmer), Jack (Nicklaus) and Tiger (Woods). Her growing off-course interests include the ANNIKA golf academy, golf course design, ANNIKA-branded products, and a charitable foundation.

NFL draft pick faces deportation

2011-07-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

ESPN New York reports that Jets third-round pick Kenrick Ellis is not a U.S. citizen and risks deportation if he's found guilty of the "malicious wounding" felony charge against him.
The trial was recently postponed to November 28, so Ellis should at least be safe till then. A native Jamaican, Ellis is in the United States on "permanent resident status." Persons of that classification who are convicted of aggravated felonies can be deported. Thus, Ellis' best bet will be to agree to a plea deal that reduces the charge against him. If Ellis fights it hard, he'll risk losing not only his NFL career, but his home in

U.S. Naturalized Citizen of the Day - Henry Kissinger

2011-06-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

Henry Kissinger (27 May 1923 - Present) is a German-born American diplomat. Kissinger served as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State under President Richard Nixon, and continued as Secretary of State under Nixon's successor Gerald Ford. Kissinger pioneered the policy of détente with the Soviet Union, seeking a relaxation in tensions between the two superpowers during the Nixon administration. Recently, Kissinger was on the Colbert Report where he discussed his book "On China." The book examines how China has approached diplomacy, strategy, and negotiation throughout its history, and reflects on the consequences for the global balance of power in the 21st century.

Kissinger on The Colbert Report

Chipotle Caught Employing Undocumented Workers

2011-06-22T13:19:00.001-07:00

"Chipotle Mexican Grill has hired a team of Washington legal A-listers to shore up its hiring and handle a federal criminal investigation stemming from the discovery of hundreds of illegal workers in its popular burrito restaurants.

The Denver-based chain has been in hot water since audits by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) turned up large numbers of undocumented workers on payrolls in Minnesota, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Around the start of the year, Chipotle quietly brought in a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of ICE -- Julie Myers Wood, the director of the federal agency under President George W. Bush and now an immigration consultant..."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/17/chipotle-hires-a-list-was_n_879473.html

US Naturalized citizen of the day- Wolfgang Puck

2011-06-02T05:24:00.000-07:00

Wolfgang Johannes Puck was born July 8, 1949 in Austria/ He is an Austrian-American celebrity chef, restaurateur, businessman and occasional actor. Wolfgang Puck restaurants, catering services, cookbooks and licensed products are run by Wolfgang Puck Companies, with three divisions.

Following the 1981 publication of his first cookbook, Modern French Cooking for the American Kitchen based on his Ma Maison recipes, Puck opened the restaurant Spago on the Sunset Strip in 1982. Fifteen years later, in 1997, Puck opened the award-winning Spago in Beverly Hills, which has been recognized as one of the Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. since 2004.

It is also one of my mother's favorite restaurants, anyone who goes there.. try the lobster cobb salad.

Sponsor of Darconian Arizona immigration bill being Recalled

2011-06-02T05:22:00.000-07:00

Russell Pearce, the sponsor of the controversial SB 1070 law that sparked a new flash point in the country's immigration debate, is facing a recall election in his district in Arizona.
Critics of the legislator filed petitions Tuesday.
The requirement to do so is 7,756 voter signatures from the Mesa Republican's legislative district.

Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2011/06/01/russell-pearce-sponsor-sb-1070-faces-recall-election/#ixzz1O7YBoEzy

Another Case for the Dreamers

2011-06-02T05:20:00.001-07:00

Elier Lara is concentrating on final exams this week and not worrying about his immigration status.

The University of Cincinnati honor student has learned that his attorney and the chief deputy counsel for the Department of Homeland Security filed a joint motion requesting dismissal of Lara's deportation case.

Click the link to see a wonderful article by Mark Curnutte of the Cincinnati Enquirer

Another Case for the Dreamers

2011-06-02T05:20:00.000-07:00

Another Case for the Dreamers

US Naturalized citizen of the day- Peter Lawford

2011-05-19T05:47:00.000-07:00

Peter Sydney Vaughn Aylen (7 September 1923 – 24 December 1984), better known as Peter Lawford, was an English-American actor. He was a member of the "Rat Pack", and brother-in-law to President John F. Kennedy, perhaps more noted in later years for his off-screen activities as a celebrity than for his acting. In his earlier professional years (late 1930s through the 1950s) he had a strong presence in popular culture and starred in a number of highly acclaimed films.

Mexico Deports immigrants too

2011-05-19T05:44:00.000-07:00

They stood and squatted for hours, crammed into two sweltering semi-trailers, clinging to ropes so they would not fall as the trucks traveled through winding mountain roads.
Mexican authorities say the more than 500 illegal immigrants they detained Tuesday wanted to reach the United States and each had paid $7,000 to get there.
But by Wednesday, a day after X-ray equipment detected them at a highway checkpoint, the majority of them had been deported to their home countries in Central and South America.

DV Lottery Snafu

2011-05-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Tens of thousands of would-be immigrants may be unable to move legally to the United States after the State Department said Friday that a computer glitch is forcing them to scrap the results of an annual worldwide lottery for U.S. visas.

More than 14 million applicants entered a lottery last fall for one of 50,000 visas distributed as part of the annual Diversity Visa Lottery, designed for people who would otherwise have little chance of legally entering the country. The program doesn’t require applicants to have a family or employer as a sponsor.

Bin Ladin is Dead

2011-05-02T06:31:00.000-07:00

"I've never wished a man dead but I've read some obituaries with great pleasure." ~ mark twain

God Bless America and our troops. Bin Ladin and Al Queda has forever changed the immigration landscape. Let us hope his death brings a new wave or understanding and compassion

US naturalized citizen of the Day- Thomas Nast

2011-05-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

Thomas Nast (September 27, 1840 – December 7, 1902) was a German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist who is considered to be the "Father of the American Cartoon". Among his notable works were the creation of the modern version of Santa Claus, the male personification of the United States government, Uncle Sam, as well as the political symbols of both major United States political parties: the Republican elephant and the Democratic donkey.

Another Case for the Dream Act

2011-05-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

A University of Cincinnati student, described by an administrator as having once-in-a-decade talent in information technology, faces a May 20 hearing in immigration court in Buffalo, N.Y., that could lead to his deportation.

Elier Lara, 19, was brought to the United States legally at age 4 from Mexico by his parents. They overstayed their 180-day non-immigrant visa. If deported, Lara would face a 10-year ban before being allowed to reapply for entry.

The DREAM Act (acronym for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) is an American legislative proposal first introduced in the Senate on August 1, 2001[1] and most recently re-introduced there and the United States House of Representatives on March 26, 2009. A Senate filibuster blocked it on December 18, 2010.

This bill would provide conditional permanent residency to certain illegal and deportable alien students who graduate from US high schools, who are of good moral character, arrived in the U.S. legally or illegally as minors, and have been in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill's enactment. If they were to complete two years in the military or two years at a four year institution of higher learning, the students would obtain temporary residency for a six year period. Within the six year period, a qualified student must have "acquired a degree from an institution of higher education in the United States or [have] completed at least 2 years, in good standing, in a program for a bachelor's degree or higher degree in the United States," or have "served in the armed services for at least 2 years and, if discharged, [have] received an honorable discharge."[2] Military enlistment contracts require an eight year commitment, with active duty commitments typically between four and six years, but as low as two years.[3][4] "Any alien whose permanent resident status is terminated [according to the terms of the Act] shall return to the immigration status the alien had immediately prior to receiving conditional permanent resident status under this Act

Superman Denounces US citizenship?

2011-05-02T06:14:00.000-07:00

In "Action Comics #900," Superman will renounce his American citizenship, rejecting the international notion that his actions are part of US policy. The shift comes after a personal visit to Iran in support of protesters leads President Ahmadinejad to believe America was declaring war against the government in Tehran. Click Link for article.

But is it that easy?

Renouncing citizenship is not that easy and there is a formal process to do so. Did Superman hire an Immigration Attorney?

Mexican Actress caught in Sham Marriage

2011-04-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

A Mexican soap opera star accused of entering a sham marriage to stay in the United States was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail after admitting she lied during an immigration proceeding.

Fernanda Romero and her husband, Kent Ross, were both expected to avoid serving time as a result of plea bargains in the case.

Needlessness, she will not be a Fleischer Law Firm Naturalized Citizen of the Day

Bloomberg Call for stop of Immigration Bickering

2011-04-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK, April 24 (UPI) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg Sunday said conservatives should stop fighting immigration and accept it as necessary to U.S. growth.

President Blogs about Immigration Reforms

2011-04-20T11:48:00.001-07:00

Working Together to Create a 21st Century Immigration System
Posted by Melody Barnes on April 20, 2011 at 09:37 AM EDT
President Obama remains deeply committed to reforming our immigration laws to meet our 21st Century economic and security needs. In his State of the Union address, the President asked Republicans and Democrats to work with him to take on this issue. While we all know the debate will be tough, the American people expect their leaders in Washington to tackle difficult issues. The President cannot fix our broken system on his own.

Yesterday, I joined the President at an important meeting with a broad group of business, law enforcement, faith, and elected leaders from across the country. The President was joined by several members of his Cabinet, including Secretaries Janet Napolitano, Hilda Solis, Ken Salazar, and Attorney General Eric Holder, all of whom have been actively engaged in the Administration’s efforts to advance legislation to improve our system in the key areas that they oversee.

The President made a strong case that immigration reform needs to be a priority, not just for him but for all of the people in the room. He heard their concerns and got feedback on how to advance legislative efforts to get the job done. The President urged them to lead serious and civil discussions in their sectors and around the country to help create the space for congressional action. I hope others will join the President in bringing the debate to their own communities.

It was inspiring to hear about the important work already underway – work that will build the momentum for immigration reform critical to our economic future, global competitiveness, and national security interests. It was also a reminder of all the work that needs to be done.

As we work toward immigration reform, the Administration will continue to look for ways to improve our legal immigration system, secure the borders, and enhance our enforcement strategy so that it is smarter and more effective at removing criminals and prosecuting unscrupulous employers. But enforcement alone will not solve our immigration problem. We need reform that affirms our history as both a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants – and to do that, we need to work together to pass legislation.

Immigration reform has always been a bipartisan issue, and the President believes it can and should be again. Democrats, Republicans and Independents working together can enact meaningful, lasting reforms and make the right choices for our future.

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2011-04-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Link text

The use of Social media with Undocumented workers

2011-04-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

Walter Lara’s first tweet back in 2009 started with the words “I’m being deported.” Two years later, he lives in Miami, works legally, has a driver’s license and pays in-state tuition at Miami Dade College.

He is one of a few dozen young, undocumented immigrants who have avoided deportation and are now enjoying the benefits — even if only temporary — of being in the United States legally as a result of campaigns in which social media played a crucial role.

Interesting article on ANTI Immigration Advocate

2011-04-17T04:58:00.000-07:00

A beekeeper and amateur naturalist of prodigious energy, John Tanton had spent two decades planting trees, cleaning creeks and suing developers, but population growth put ever more pressure on the land. Though fertility rates had fallen, he saw a new threat emerging: soaring rates of immigration.

Naturalized US citizen of the Day - Peter Jennings

2011-04-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Peter Charles Archibald Ewart Jennings was born July 29, 1938 in Toronto, Canada. He was a Canadian-American journalist and news anchor. He was the sole anchor of ABC's World News Tonight from 1983 until his death in 2005 of complications from lung cancer. A high-school dropout, he transformed himself into one of American television's most prominent journalists.

He returned as one of World News Tonight's three anchors in 1978, and was promoted to the role of sole anchor in 1983. Jennings was also known for his marathon coverage of breaking news stories, staying on the air for 15 or more straight hours to anchor the live broadcast of events such as the outbreak of the Gulf War in 1991, the Millennium celebrations in 2000, and the September 11 attacks in 2001. In addition to anchoring, he was the host of many ABC News special reports and moderated several American presidential debates. Having always been fascinated with the United States, Jennings became a naturalized United States citizen in 2003

Immigration Court in Crisis

2011-04-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

The mother from Cameroon came to immigration court bearing scars: She'd been imprisoned back home, she said, beaten with cables, burned with cigarettes and raped repeatedly, contracting HIV. Her husband had died behind bars; her three children she'd left behind were struggling to survive.

She was seeking asylum, hoping to remain in Los Angeles and bring her children there.

Attorney General will not demfd DOMA

2011-03-28T16:12:00.001-07:00

In the two years since this Administration took office, the Department of Justice has defended Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act on several occasions in
federal court. Each of those cases evaluating Section 3 was considered in jurisdictions in which binding circuit court precedents hold that laws singling out people
based on sexual orientation, as DOMA does, are constitutional if there is a rational basis for their enactment. While the President opposes DOMA and believes it
should be repealed, the Department has defended it in court because we were able to advance reasonable arguments under that rational basis standard.

Section 3 of DOMA has now been challenged in the Second Circuit, however, which has no established or binding standard for how laws concerning sexual
orientation should be treated. In these cases, the Administration faces for the first time the question of whether laws regarding sexual orientation are subject to the
more permissive standard of review or whether a more rigorous standard, under which laws targeting minority groups with a history of discrimination are viewed
with suspicion by the courts, should apply.

After careful consideration, including a review of my recommendation, the President has concluded that given a number of factors, including a documented history
of discrimination, classifications based on sexual orientation should be subject to a more heightened standard of scrutiny. The President has also concluded that
Section 3 of DOMA, as applied to legally married same-sex couples, fails to meet that standard and is therefore unconstitutional. Given that conclusion, the
President has instructed the Department not to defend the statute in such cases. I fully concur with the President’s determination.

New Citizenship test? Here is Bill Maher's potential test

2011-03-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Obama aid rips white house immigration policy

2011-03-05T05:56:00.000-08:00

n a stinging rebuke of the White House, Washington politicians and federal agencies, a former Obama administration official slams in a law journal the U.S. government for its inaction on immigration reform and tougher-than-ever enforcement.

With uncommon candor for a once-public official, Roxana Bacon, a former top counsel for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, says that the administration — and her erstwhile employer — have shied away from vision and practical leadership on immigration, because of indifference and timidity, respectively. She published her comments in the March issue of Arizona Attorney, the state bar's law journal.

YOu go Roxy!

Not an Immigration case, but a case of our government abusing power and someone doing someting about it

2011-02-24T15:30:00.000-08:00

“This was an abuse of power,” Cunningham said. “I don’t care if it’s the IRS or the FBI or who it is. We’re still in the United States.”

Cunningham outlined the abuses he believed happened: The agents closed the business, sent employees home, refused to allow Earl Weber Jr. to call him and then when they did talk, made them do it on the sidewalk outside the business.

The warrant doesn’t state and the agencies will not say exactly what federal agents were after when they shut down the business and sent the 40 employees home.

Interesting take on Naturalization exam

2011-02-24T08:04:00.000-08:00

Interesting article by a naturalized citizen By Dafna Linzer, ProPublica

"The goal of the naturalization test is to ensure America's newest citizens have mastered a basic knowledge of U.S. history and have a solid foundation to continue to expand their understanding as they embark on life as U.S. citizens," said Christopher Bentley, a spokesman for USCIS.
During the citizenship interview, applicants are asked a randomly selected 10 questions from the test and must answer six correctly. In addition to the questions, there is a reading and writing test for English proficiency.

Arizona up to their old ticks, this time it could be worse

2011-02-24T08:01:00.000-08:00

Arizona is up to their old tricks trying to restrict rights of "illegals". it is not the State's job to do this, but the lack of Federal Answers leaves Arizona with no choice

Chiplote fires many over immigration status

2011-02-23T12:03:00.001-08:00

"Chipotle Mexican Grill said it fired 450 Minnesota workers over their immigration status last year, more than a third of its workforce in the state. But the Denver-based restaurant chain said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week that it complied with the law when reviewing employee work authorization documents and that some of their employees may be unauthorized workers “without our knowledge.” It also said it didn’t know if it will face penalties in connection with the matter." St. Paul Business Journal, Feb. 22, 2011.

Happy Valentine's Day From the Fleischer Law Firm!

2011-02-14T06:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's day from the Fleischer Law Firm, specializing in Immigration Law in Cincinnati Ohio for over 25 years.

Here's to our Valentines... If we can assist you in bringing your Valentine to the United States please contact us about K-1 Fiance Visas or Immigrant Visa for your spouse.

Here's to finding Love

US naturalized citizen of the Day- Bela Lugosi

2011-02-14T05:55:00.000-08:00

Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó was born 20 October 1882 in Hungary. He commonly known as Béla Lugosi. He was best known for playing Count Dracula in the Broadway play and subsequent film version.

Changes to work card and travel doc

2011-02-12T10:14:00.003-08:00

USCIS to Issue Employment Authorization and
Advance Parole Card for Adjustment of Status Applicants

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that it is now
issuing employment and travel authorization on a single card for certain applicants filing an Application
to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Form I-485. This new card represents a significant
improvement from the current practice of issuing paper Advance Parole documents.

The card looks similar to the current Employment Authorization Document (EAD) but will include text
that reads, “Serves as I-512 Advance Parole.” A card with this text will serve as both an employment
authorization and Advance Parole document. The new card is also more secure and more durable than the
current paper Advance Parole document.

An applicant may receive this card when he or she files an Application for Employment Authorization,
Form I-765, and an Application for Travel Document, Form I-131, concurrently with or after filing Form
I-485. USCIS will continue to issue separate EAD and Advance Parole documents as warranted.
Employers may accept the new card as a List A document when completing the Employment Eligibility
Verification, Form I-9.

Immigration is the HOT new law

2011-02-08T07:06:00.000-08:00

Immigration is the HOT new law

“It’s a very specialized practice” that generally requires a high volume of cases for firms to make money, said Bob Denney, president of Robert Denney Associates Inc., a suburban Philadelphia consulting firm. “That’s not appealing to most larger firms.”

But that may be changing.

In his December publication, “What’s Hot and What’s Not in the Legal Profession,” Denney listed immigration as a “hot” practice area and commented that “Arizona is just the tip of the iceberg,” referring to that state’s much-publicized immigration bill signed into law last year.

Another Duty of ICE

2011-02-07T05:19:00.000-08:00

Those planning on watching Super Bowl XLV on their computers for free will have to do a little more searching this Sunday afternoon. ATDHE.net and ChannelSurfing.net, two incredibly popular video streaming websites, were seized by the United States government on Tuesday. What has become an infamous "ICE Homeland Security Investigations" message is now all that is found on either website.

PERM Employer Referral Programs

2011-02-05T06:37:00.000-08:00

For a greta review of the recent BALCA decision and the "employee referal program" PERM requirements, check out Cyrus Metha's blog

http://cyrusmehta.blogspot.com/2011/02/balca-on-employee-referral-programs.html

Immigration Scam shut down by US government

2011-02-05T06:27:00.000-08:00

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal judge has shut down an operation that allegedly posed as the U.S.
government, then duped consumers into paying feesranging from $200 to $2,500 by claiming the fees would cover processing
by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The court froze the defendants’ assets and appointed a receiver to
take over the business until the case is resolved. The FTC has asked the court to halt the business practices permanently and
order the operation to repay its victims.
The real U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, offers advice
and counseling to immigrants in the United States and people seeking to immigrate to the United States. USCIS provides
application forms for such benefits as green card renewal, work visas, and applications for asylum. The application forms are
free but can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to process.
According to the FTC, defendants Immigration Center and Immigration Forms and Publications, Inc., set up websites that
mimic official government sites, and then used the fake sites to steer immigrants to their deceptive telemarketing operation.
The websites depicted American eagles, the U.S. flag, and the Statue of Liberty and had URLs such as www.uscis-ins.us and
www.usgovernmenthelpline.com. The sites directed consumers to call a toll-free number that an automated voice answered,
“Immigration Center.” Consumers were then transferred to a live person who answered, “USCIS or “U.S. Immigration Center,”
and identified him or herself as an “agent,” “immigration officer,” or “caseworker.” The sites also offered counseling and
application forms. The counseling was done by telemarketers who did not meet legal requirements to provide immigration
services, the FTC said.

Fleischer Law Firm Immigration Victory

2011-02-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

The Fleischer Law Firm, in Cincinnati Ohio recently obtained a green card for on of its clients from China. The client was a non active member of the Youth Communist Party in China. We were able to convince USCIS that she was not a threat , nor a leader of this group, thereby making her "admissible" to the United States. We wish her and her husband the best of luck in the future!

US naturalized citizen of the Day- Johnny Weissmuller

2011-01-31T05:39:00.000-08:00

Johnny Weissmuller (born Johann Peter Weißmüller; June 2, 1904 – January 20, 1984) was an Austro-Hungarian-born American swimmer and actor. Weissmuller was one of the world's best swimmers in the 1920s, winning five Olympic gold medals and one bronze medal. He won fifty-two US National Championships and set sixty-seven world records. After his swimming career, he became the sixth actor to portray Tarzan in films, a role he played in twelve motion pictures. Dozens of other actors have also played Tarzan, but Weissmuller is by far the best known. His character's distinctive, ululating Tarzan yell is still often used in films.

Check out the SCREAM

New problems for Homosexuals seeking asylum in US

2011-01-31T05:38:00.000-08:00

“Judges and immigration officials are adding a new hurdle in gay asylum cases that an applicant’s homosexuality must be socially visible,” said Lori Adams, a lawyer at Human Rights First, a nonprofit group, who advises people seeking asylum based on sexuality. “The rationale is that if you don’t look obviously gay, you can go home and hide your sexuality and don’t need to be worried about being persecuted.” NYT, Jan. 28, 2011.

H-1b Visas are gone. H-1b cap reached!

2011-01-28T06:46:00.000-08:00

As predicted by the Fleischer Law Firm in Cincinnati, Ohio, H-1bs would be going fast. They did and they are gone. Please contact us if your company wants to file an H-1b for Fiscal year 2012. We can file as early as April 1, 2011.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2011. USCIS is notifying the public that yesterday, Jan. 26, 2011, is the final receipt date for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY2011.

The final receipt date is the date on which USCIS determines that it has received enough cap-subject petitions to reach the limit of 65,000. Properly filed cases will be considered received on the date that USCIS physically receives the petition; not the date that the petition was postmarked. USCIS will reject cap-subject petitions for new H-1B specialty occupation workers seeking an employment start date in FY2011 that arrive after Jan. 26, 2011.

USCIS will apply a computer-generated random selection process to all petitions that are subject to the cap and were received on Jan. 26, 2011. USCIS will use this process to select petitions needed to meet the cap. USCIS will reject all remaining cap-subject petitions not randomly selected and will return the accompanying fee.

Happy Belated B-day Great one. You are the naturalized US citizen of the Day

2011-01-27T05:52:00.001-08:00

Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born January 26, 1961 in Brantford, Ontario,, Canada.
He is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. Nicknamed "The Great One," Gretzky is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the NHL, and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,[players,[and the NHL itself Upon his retirement on April 18, 1999, he held forty regular-season records, fifteen playoff records, and six All-Star records.[ He is the only NHL player to total over 200 points in one season—a feat he accomplished four times.

Gretzky's jersey number, 99, has been retired by all teams in the National Hockey League.

Utilizing the P-3 visa

2011-01-26T05:34:00.000-08:00

The Fleischer Law Firm has been processing P visas for athletes and entertainers for years. One helpful visa for entertainers is the P-3 visas which allows entertainers to come to the United Sates to preform as long as their act is "culturally unique"

I found this video on You Tube about the Orgin or Irish Dancing

Enjoy

US naturalized citizen of the Day- Dan Aykroyd

2011-01-26T05:16:00.000-08:00

Daniel Edward Aykroyd was born July 1, 1952 in Ottowa, Canada. He is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, screenwriter, musician, winemaker and ufologist. He was an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, an originator of The Blues Brothers (with John Belushi) and Ghostbusters and has had a long career as a film actor and screenwriter.

One of my favotie films with Dan Aykroid is Spies Like Us.

Hundreds of Indian F-1 Students may be deported

2011-01-26T05:11:00.000-08:00

The Fleischer Law Firm received an Inquiry from an Indian National who was recently contacted by ICE because she was a student at an online University out of California.

Hundreds of Indian students , mostly from Andhra Pradesh , face the prospect of deportation from the US after authorities raided and shut down a university in the Silicon Valley on charges of a massive immigration fraud. The Tri-Valley University in Pleasanton, a major suburb in San Francisco Bay Area, has been charged by federal investigating authorities with being part of an effort to defraud, misuse visa permits and indulge in money laundering and other crimes."

The Fleischer Law Firm in Cincinnati Ohio will be looking into this fraud and see if we can keep this victim in status, and additionally try to see if there is a cause of action against this University.

Naturalized US citizen of the Day - Nadia Comaneci

2011-01-25T05:34:00.000-08:00

Nadia Elena Comăneci was born November 12, 1961 in Romania. She is a Romanian gymnast, winner of three Olympic gold medals at the 1976 Summer Olympics, and the first gymnast ever to be awarded a perfect score of 10 in an Olympic gymnastic event. She is also the winner of two gold medals at the 1980 Summer Olympics. She is one of the best-known gymnasts in the world.

FY 2011 H-1bs still available but running out fast

2011-01-25T05:31:00.000-08:00

USCIS updated its count of FY2011 cap-subject H-1B petitions and advanced degree cap-exempt petitions receipted. As of 1/21/11, approximately 62,800 H-1B cap-subject petitions were receipted. USCIS has receipted 20,000 H-1B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees. AILA Doc. No. 10042368.

Call the Fleischer Law Firm if you or an employee needs an H-1B visa

PERM recruitment- Employer refferal program

2011-01-25T05:24:00.001-08:00

Per BALCA:

"We find that, in order to make the employee referral program recruitment step meaningful, an employer must minimally be able to document that (1) its employee referral program offers incentives to employees for referral of candidates, (2) that the employee referral program was in effect during the recruitment effort the employer is relying on to support its labor certification application, and (3) that the Employer’s employees were on notice of the job opening at issue." Matter of SANMINA-SCI CORPORATION, 2010-PER-00697, Jan. 19, 2011.

US naturalized citizen of the Day- Frank Capra

2011-01-20T08:26:00.000-08:00

Frank Russell Capra was born May 18, 1897 in Italy. He was a Sicilian-born American film director and a creative force behind a number of films of the 1930s and 1940s, including It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Lost Horizon 1937), You Can't Take It With You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Meet John Doe (1941), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946).

I-9 Audit crackdowns will continue

2011-01-20T08:24:00.000-08:00

The Obama administration plans to intensify a crackdown on employers of illegal immigrants with the establishment of an audit office designed to bolster verification of company hiring records. In an interview, John Morton, chief of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a unit of the Department of Homeland Security, said the Employment Compliance Inspection Center would "address a need to conduct audits even of the largest employers with a very large number of employees." The office would be announced Thursday, he said. Mr. Morton said that the center would be staffed with specialists who will pore over the I-9 employee files collected from companies targeted for audits." WSJ, Jan. 20, 2011.

Fleischer Law Firm victory

2011-01-17T17:18:00.000-08:00

Recently, the Fleischer Law Firm and Attorney Richard Fleischer of Cincinnati , Ohio was able to win Withholding of Deportation for a citizen of Mali. The woman feared persecution of her US born daughter if she was returned home to Mali. Our client was a victim of female cutting (FGM). She feared the same for her 6 year old daughter.
Te Immigration judge in Cleveland , Ohio agreed.

The government attorneys, who apparently are seeking justice, has appealed this decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals.

The Fleischer Law Firm intends to defend our client and fight to have the Immigration Judge's decision sustained.

9 year old's Disney Vacation denied. He was a RISK

2011-01-17T17:15:00.000-08:00

LONDON - A 9-year-old boy's dream trip to Disney World was ruined when U.S. immigration officials ruled he was a threat.
They said there was a risk he would not leave the U.S. at the end of his holiday and refused his application under Section 214 (b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

WOW!

US naturalized Citisen of the Day - Dezi Arnaz

2011-01-17T17:08:00.000-08:00

Desi Arnaz was born March 2, 1917 in Cuba. He was a Cuban-born American musician, actor and television producer. While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the classic American TV series I Love Lucy, starring with Lucille Ball, to whom he was married at the time.

Expediting EAD work cards

2011-01-17T17:06:00.001-08:00

The USCIS recognized that EAD's were taking longer than usual, so they implemented an expedite process in two situations:

1. If the I-765 application has been pending more than seventy-five days; or
2. If the I-765 application has been pending for more than sixty days, the current EAD will expire within the next two weeks, AND the individual will lose their job (a leave of absence not considered a loss of the job).

US naturalized citizen of the Day- Diane Von Furstenberg

2010-12-30T10:51:00.000-08:00

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?

2010-12-30T10:48:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

Attorney General says DREAM ACT must be passed

2010-12-18T05:10:00.001-08:00

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

2010-12-18T04:44:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-10T11:40:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-10T11:37:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

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...

2010-12-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

Welcome Paxton Stanley Fleischer. I love you

US naturalized citizen of the Day- Anthony Hopkins

2010-11-12T05:06:00.000-08:00

Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins was born 31 December 1937 in the United Kingdom. He is an Academy Award winning Welsh actor of film, stage and television. Considered to be one of the greatest living actors, he is best known for his portrayal of serial killer Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs

PROPS TO DREW~~~

2010-11-04T17:59:00.000-07:00

He Rules

New TV Series Featuring Illegal immigrant

2010-11-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

EXCLUSIVE: It is a premise that would no doubt spark controversy. FX has put in development the first major series project centered on an illegal alien character, a drama from Changing Lanes writer Chap Taylor about an illegal Mexican immigrant working as a private investigator. TV and film director Rodrigo Garcia, born in Colombia, has come on board to direct and executive produce the project, described as "Traffic meets Chinatown." Also executive producing are Taylor, Dawn Parouse & Marti Noxon of Grady Twins and Garcia's frequent collaborator, producer Julie Lynn.

Can the Republicans deport all of the "Illegal Aliens"

2010-11-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

What is it about the immigration debate that makes Republicans in Congress act like children?

In the latest stunt, all seven Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee - Charles Grassley, Jon Kyl, John Cornyn, Orrin Hatch, Lindsey Graham, Tom Coburn and Jeff Sessions - have signed a letter asking Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to "detail exactly how much funding" would be needed to "ensure that enforcement of the law occurs consistently for every illegal alien encountered and apprehended."

The answer: A lot.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/11/02/EDL11G5MD9.DTL#ixzz14FUSreh4

TPS extended for Somalia

2010-11-02T17:33:00.001-07:00

"U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Somalia from the current expiration of March 17, 2011, through the new expiration date of Sept. 17, 2012." USCIS, Nov. 1, 2010.

This Friday - Richard I. Fleischer is apprearing in Columbus, Ohio

2010-11-02T05:54:00.001-07:00

For my loyal follower and potential clients, Richard I. Fleischer, an attorney from Cincinnati Ohio will be in Columbus , Ohio. Please contact him immediately for an appointment. 513-977-4209

Today is Election Day- Our most important right as a citizen!

2010-11-02T05:53:00.000-07:00

Butler County Sheriff Jones at it again

2010-10-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

He's billed the United States and Mexican governments to recoup money he's spent on housing illegal immigrants in his jail and investigating drugs coming into Butler County.

He wants to sue Mexico.

Check out what the Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting

Confronting Anchor Baby Issue

2010-10-18T07:13:00.001-07:00

Political Insider: Russell Pearce begins work on a new immigration law

Oct. 17, 2010 12:00 AM

Together again . . . Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, is getting the old team back together for his next state immigration-law effort. Kansas attorney and Secretary of State candidate Kris Kobach this week confirmed that he is working with Pearce to write a bill that would develop a state law to change the way children born in the U.S. to illegal immigrants are granted citizenship. Kobach helped Pearce write Senate Bill 1070.

Pearce has said he will propose the bill when the legislative session starts in January. Kobach would not say what that bill might look like.

"We aren't announcing anything yet, as the drafting is not complete," Kobach said via e-mail.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/10/17/20101017russell-pearce-immigration-law.html#ixzz12iMsZXYr

ICE fines Abercombie 1 Million Dollars

2010-09-29T05:44:00.000-07:00

"U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced today a $1,047,110 fine settlement reached with the clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch for violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act related to an employer's obligation to verify the employment eligibility of its workers. The settlement is the result of a November 2008 Form I-9 inspection of Abercrombie & Fitch's retail stores in Michigan. The audit uncovered numerous technology-related deficiencies in Abercrombie & Fitch's electronic I-9 verification system."

US naturalized citizen of the day- Arianna Huffington

2010-09-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

Arianna Huffington (born Arianna Stassinopoulos on July 15, 1950in Athens, Greece ) is a Greek-American author and syndicated columnist. She is best known as co-founder of the progressive news website The Huffington Post. A popular conservative commentator in the mid-1990s, she is the ex-wife of former Republican congressman Michael Huffington.

Here isa link to her website

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

79 year old woman saved from deportation

2010-09-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

Bridie Murphy, the 79-year-old Irish immigrant from West Roxbury who faced deportation after her green card was confiscated by federal border agents at Logan Airport, says she is "happy and relieved" to learn that US immigration officials agreed to drop proceedings against her.

US naturalized citizen of the day- Richard Little

2010-09-27T13:07:00.000-07:00

Richard Caruthers "Rich" Little (born November 26, 1938 in Ottawa, Ontario) is a Canadian - American impressionist and voice actor. Little has long been known as a top impersonator of famous people throughout the world, which has resulted in him being referred to as "The Man of a Thousand Voices"

Colbert testifies on Ag Jobs

2010-09-24T12:49:00.000-07:00

USCIS Immigraiton fees are going up in November, if you have been waiting, FILE NOW!!!

2010-09-24T04:48:00.000-07:00

USCIS announced the posting of the final fee rule in the Federal Register today (the rule will be published Sept. 24). The adjusted fees are effective Nov. 23, 2010.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a final rule adjusting fees for immigration applications and petitions. The final rule follows a period of public comment on a proposed version of the rule, which USCIS published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2010. After encouraging stakeholders to share their input, USCIS considered all 225 comments received. The final rule will increase overall fees by a weighted average of about 10 percent but will not increase the fee for the naturalization application. The rule will also reduce fees for six individual applications and petitions and will expand the availability of fee waivers to new categories. The final rule will be published in the Federal Register September 24, and the adjusted fees will go into effect on November 23, 2010.

USCIS is a primarily fee-based organization with about 90 percent of its budget coming from fees paid by applicants and petitioners for immigration benefits. The law requires USCIS to conduct fee reviews every two years to determine whether it is recovering its costs to administer the nation’s immigration laws, process applications, and provide the infrastructure needed to support those activities. Remaining funds come from appropriations provided annually by Congress. The final fee rule concludes a comprehensive fee review begun in 2009.

EOIR 800# reverts back to old system

2010-09-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

The Immigration Court hot line will remain the same as in the past where one only needs a "A" number or "alien number" to check if a case has been filed with the Immigration Court. This is essential for practitioners who meet with clients who do not have knowledge of their case.

Call Fleischer Law Firm for more details

US naturalized citizen of the day- Jennifer Granholm

2010-09-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Ganholm was born February 5, 1959 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Granholm became Michigan's first female governor on January 1, 2003, when she succeeded Governor John Engler. Granholm was re-elected on November 7, 2006, and was sworn in for her second and, due to term limits, final term on January 1, 2007. She has been mentioned as a potential Supreme Court justice for President Barack Obama

Why hire an Immigration Attorney???

2010-09-21T10:31:00.001-07:00

An immigration lawyer can help you in the following ways:

Analyze the facts of your case thoroughly.
Explain all the benefits for which you may be eligible.
Recommend the best ways for you to obtain legal status.
Complete and submit your applications properly.
Stay current on the new laws that affect you.
Avoid delays and problems with your case whenever possible.
Discuss the status of your case with you.
Speak for you in discussions with the Department of Homeland Security or represent you in court.
File necessary appeals and waivers.
Utilize the system to your advantage because he or she has the experience to do so.

US naturalized citizen of the day- Peter Frampton

2010-09-21T05:44:00.000-07:00

Mr. Frampton, now a resident of Cincinnati Ohio, was born in England in 1950. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies in the United States alone and spawned several hits

General Colin Powell on Immigration

2010-09-21T05:42:00.000-07:00

Colin Powell Gets it right on Immigration reform
“[Republicans] have got to take a hard look at some of the positions they’ve been taking,” Powell said. “We can’t be anti-immigration, for example. Because immigrants are fueling this country. Without immigrants [the U.S.] would be like Europe or Japan, with an aging population and no young people coming in to take care of it. We have to educate our immigrants.”

Vote for the Dream Act!!

2010-09-15T13:45:00.001-07:00

DREAM Act Coming to the Senate Floor
Senator Reid to Attach Act to Defense Authorization Bill

September 15, 2010

Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that he would attach the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act to the Department of Defense authorization bill expected to come before the Senate as early as next week. The vote will be an important test of whether Congress can transcend partisan politics and work together on crafting solutions to the broken immigration system that both Democrats and Republicans acknowledge is in desperate need of reform. That the proposal will be considered as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill is appropriate, given the Department of Defense's support for DREAM Act as a way to improve military readiness.

First introduced in 2001, the DREAM Act would address the plight of young immigrants who have been raised in the U.S. and managed to succeed despite the challenges of being brought to the U.S. without proper documentation. The proposal would offer a path to legal status to those who have graduated from high-school, have stayed out of trouble and plan to attend college or serve in the U.S. military for at least two years.

Each year, approximately 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school, many at the top of their classes, but cannot go to college, join the military, work, or otherwise pursue their dreams. They belong to the 1.5 generation - any (first generation) immigrants brought to the United States at a young age who were largely raised in this country and therefore share much in common with second generation Americans. These students are culturally American, growing up here and often having little attachment to their country of birth. They tend to be bicultural and fluent in English.

Research has shown that providing a legal status for young people who have a proven record of success in the United States would be a boon to the economy and the U.S. workforce. University presidents and educational associations, as well as military recruiters, business and religious leaders have added their voice to those calling for passage of the bill. Foreign-born students represent a significant and growing percentage of the current student population. Unfortunately, immigration status and the associated barriers to higher education contribute to a higher-than-average high dropout rate, which costs taxpayers and the economy billions of dollars each year.

The DREAM Act would eliminate these barriers for many students, and the DREAM Act's high school graduation requirement would provide a powerful incentive for students who might otherwise drop out to stay in school and graduate. This will help boost the number of high skilled American-raised workers. As they take their place in the workplace as hard working, taxpaying Americans, they will contribute a lifetime of revenues at the local, state and federal level.

Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy, Bill Carr, supports the DREAM Act and stated that the law would be "good for readiness" and would help to recruit "cream of the crop" students. The DREAM Act is part of the Department of Defense's 2010-2012 Strategic Plan to assist the military in it's recruiting efforts.