New York, February 2009
Welcome to the United States Immigration Newsletter
This is NOT spam. You have been sent this email
because you have subscribed to the U.S. Immigration Newsletter or placed an
order with U.S. Immigration Support. All email addresses are stored and used
solely by U.S. Immigration Support in accordance with United States legislation
and the Data Protection Act. If you do not wish to receive further emails from
us, click here to unsubscribe.
|
|
 15% OFF ALL IMMIGRATION GUIDES
PROMOTIONAL CODE: UW5TFV
Enter Promotional Code UW5TFV
at Checkout and
Receive a 15% Discount.
Offer Expires March 15th, 2009 |
|
CALLS FOR THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO ADDRESS IMMIGRATION REFORM
 San
Francisco, CA - Only one week following President Barack Obama’s
inauguration, immigration reform advocates joined together to ask the 44th
President to make immigration reform one of his top priorities. During Obama’s
campaign for the presidential seat, he promised to undertake
immigration reform
within his first year in office. Immigration advocates are doing what they can
to see that the President remains true to his word gatherings at government and
political offices took place throughout the country on January 21, 2009. The
peaceful demonstrations included a letter writing campaign in which 10,000
letters were sent to the new president asking for immigration reform as well as
a candlelight vigil in front of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
building in Los Angeles to call for an end to immigration enforcement raids.
Many agree that with such pressing issues as war and the economy,
immigration
reform will undoubtedly take a back seat and it might be awhile before any
changes are implemented with current US immigration policies. Nonetheless, many
immigration reform advocates remain hopeful at upcoming changes and cite
President Barack Obama’s inauguration speech in which he honored those who
"traveled across oceans in search of a new life." |
|
CONTROVERSIAL BORDER FENCE SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED AS OBAMA ENTERS OFFICE
 El
Paso, TX - The 670 mile border fence that has been under construction along
the Mexican-U.S. border is scheduled to be completed, just as President Barack
Obama enters office. This controversial fence has taken on many names and
references, including “the wall of hate.” Proponents of the border fence
maintain that this is a positive step towards maintaining border security.
Opponents, on the other hand, are looking to President Obama to call for an end
to its construction citing grave environmental, political, and humanitarian
consequences. President Obama previously voted in favor of the
border fence in
2006, when he was serving as the Senator of Illinois. Reportedly, the President
remains in support of the construction of the border fence, “as long it is part
of a larger strategy on border security that includes more boots on the ground
and an increased use of technology." |
|
INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS TO THE U.S. FACE NEW IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS AT THE
BORDER
 Washington
D.C. - As of January 12, 2009, Department of Homeland Security regulations
dictate that all individuals traveling to the US under the Visa Waiver Program
must first obtain pre-authorization prior to travel. The authorization can be
completed online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization Program,
or ESTA. This new requirement has already been causing some confusion for Visa
Waiver Program travelers, who previously were able to travel with only a machine
readable passport. One British citizen was arrested and faces further
prosecution after failing to comply with the
ESTA requirement; and, upon further
questioning, lying about previous entry attempts into the United States. A
representative for Customs and Border Protection states: "The newly created
Electronic System for Travel Authorization program can determine, almost
immediately in many cases, if an individual is eligible for
visa-waiver program
travel, and if such travel poses any law enforcement or security risks. People
attempting to circumvent these new requirements may be subject to criminal and
administrative procedures." International travelers who are not from Visa Waiver
Program countries also face changes when they enter the United States and will
have to provide a photograph and digital fingerprints upon entry into the
country.
|
|
NEW BIOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS AT U.S. IMMIGRATION
 New
York, NY - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that effective
January 18, 2009, international travelers should expect to provide digital
fingerprints and a photograph at U.S. Immigration when entering or reentering
the United States by sea, air, or during a secondary inspection at a land point
of entry. These new biometric requirements are for non-United States citizens
but apply to lawful permanent residents of the United States as well as:
individuals entering the U.S. who seek admission on
immigrant visas; individuals
seeking admission as refugees and asylees; Canadian citizens who are entering
the country for purposes other than shopping, visiting friends and family,
vacation or short business trips; and individuals paroled into the United
States. The biometric requirements are part of the US-VISIT program and are
implemented by Customs and Border Protection. Supporters of the new requirements
cite that travel documents that are biometrically linked offer protection
against theft and fraud. Individuals exempt from the biometric procedures
include visitors under age 14 and over 79.
|
|
VERY FEW VISAS FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING ISSUED
 Houston,
TX - Very few T Visas have been issued since Congress approved the special
visa, nearly 8 years ago. The T Visa is reserved for victims of human
trafficking and allows them to remain in the United States and eventually apply
for citizenship, provided they cooperate with the police. It is estimated that
nearly 17,500 men, women, and children are smuggled into the U.S. each year.
Yet, only 1,500 T Visas have been issued, accounting for less than 4% of the
availability. Theories as to why the visa has remained unpopular include that
victims of human trafficking are often traumatized and become distrustful of law
enforcement. In addition,
USCIS authorities cite that there is “a lack of
knowledge that this program is available” and oftentimes, victims fear
retribution and often feel that applying for the visa or coming forward to
authorities is risky. In addition, another problem is the common misconception
that police and communities often have of victims. An immigration
attorney for
the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance of Houston states, “If a person hasn't had
the training, they may see a case as a typical prostitution case." However,
training efforts are in place so that police are aware of the mannerisms in
which individuals are unknowingly trafficked into the United States under false
pretenses. Training efforts aim to provide police with the skills so that they
know how to skillfully question in order to learn if individuals are trafficked.
|
|
ONLINE IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY SERVICE ON THE RISE
 New
York, NY - US Immigration Support, a leading publisher of U.S. immigration
guides, is pleased to offer an email and phone consultation service with
accredited and skilled immigration attorneys. Individuals with specific or
complex immigration cases can now submit a question online or schedule a phone
consultation with a licensed U.S. immigration attorney. This service is fast,
easy, and confidential. Prices start at $99.95. Please visit
www.usimmigrationsupport.org/attorney.html for further information. For all
other immigration matters, U.S. Immigration Support offers a comprehensive
selection of U.S. immigration guides, including applications for visas, green
cards, citizenship, and passports. Our application
guides are available for
instant download in PDF format, as hard copy books, or as data CDs. All products
are shipped within 24 hours. Our "Do-it-yourself" guides can save you time and
money since they thoroughly explain the application and immigration process and
enable you to submit your application without the assistance of an attorney.
|
|
HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE:
If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter,
click here to unsubscribe. |
|
|
|
DISCLAIMER:
This newsletter is published by U.S. Immigration Support, an independent organization. U.S. Immigration Support is not affiliated with the United States government. Please review our disclaimer for more information. |
|
|
|
|
|
UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION SUPPORT
511 Avenue of the Americas # 45
New York, NY 10011
Phone: (646) 233-3836
Fax: (646)792-3296
Web: www.usimmigrationsupport.org
Email: info@usimmigrationsupport.org
|
|
|
