New York, November 2009
The United States Immigration Newsletter
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Number of Illegal Immigrants Residing in U.S. Difficult to Determine
El Paso, TX - Depending on what source you are receiving your information from, the number of illegal immigrants residing in the U.S. can vary. Some figures say the number of illegal immigrants is rising, while others maintain that the U.S. is experiencing a decline in illegal immigration. Current estimates can range anywhere from eight to thirteen million. Reasons for the wide disparity in the figures include that the exact number of illegal immigrants is difficult to track and document, as there is no census that takes place to document illegal immigrants. In addition, immigration status is not asked nor documented by law enforcement, health care, and school personnel. Non-federal law enforcement officials are prohibited from investigating immigration status without a contractual agreement with the USCIS, and proof of immigration status is not a requirement to enroll in school. Moreover, the U.S. Census Bureau as well as the majority of states and federal agencies don’t record or track the number of illegal immigrants. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics does attempt to estimate the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S., however. Their figure is developed by taking into account the number of legal permanent residents, the number of people seeking asylum and non-immigrants and subtracting that from the total estimate of the foreign-born population figures. The latest figure released by the USCIS states illegal immigrants living in the U.S. is on the decline—from 11.8 million in January 2007 to 11.6 million in January 2008. |
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CNN Special on Latinos Ignites Debate over Lou Dobbs
 New York, NY - Lou Dobbs, a veteran anchor on CNN who is well known for his staunch “anti-immigration” views was the subject of recent protests over the recent airing of “Latinos in America.” CNN aired the special as a manner to court Hispanic viewers. Instead, the network received calls to fire Lou Dobbs in response to airing “Latino in America” while still employing Lou Dobbs. Some Latino groups say the CNN network’s behavior is hypocritical. One viewer stated, “We won’t allow the network to court us as viewers while, at the same time, they allow Dobbs to spread lies and misinformation about us each night.” Small protests were held in New York and other cities throughout the U.S. in late October. Previously this year, Mr. Dobbs was in the spotlight when he raised questions regarding President Obama’s birth certificate, and questioned whether he was really a U.S. citizen. As a result, a “Drop Dobbs” campaign ensued, led by progressive media groups. In addition to questioning Obama’s birth certificate, Dobbs is also infamous for incorrectly stating that 2/3 of the nation’s prisoners are illegal aliens. |
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Police Leaders Call for Immigration Reform
 Sacramento, CA - At a recent conference hosted by the Law Enforcement Engagement Initiative, police leaders from throughout the United States were presented with the opportunity to present their views regarding immigration reform. The Law Enforcement Engagement Initiative is an organization formed to allow police to voice their opinions about immigration matters. Police leaders from many U.S. cities spoke publically about the need for an immigration reform that legalizes the millions of undocumented immigrants who are currently residing in the country. Police Chief Rick Braziel, of Sacramento California, discussed the need for both tighter borders and also a way for productive, law-abiding illegal immigrants already living in the U.S. to attain citizenship. The police chief stated that currently undocumented immigrants are afraid to assist in criminal investigations, adversely effecting public safety. A recent case was mentioned to serve as an example, in which a drunk driver hit another car. All of the witnesses left when the police showed up—most likely because “none of them had legal status in this country.” Many police chiefs also discussed the efforts that are underway to reach out to the undocumented community, and to let them know that they do not need to fear speaking to the police. |
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Military Offers Expedited Citizenship for Legal Immigrants
 San Diego, CA - Last year, over 10,000 military personnel became U.S. citizens through a program that offers an expedited citizenship process for qualified individuals in the armed forces. This figure represents the highest number since the Vietnam War. Generally, the citizenship process takes several years; however the U.S. government offers an expedited process for men and women in the armed forces who hold green cards. Exactly 10,505 men and women obtained their U.S. citizenship during fiscal year 2009, which ends September 30. This figure includes nearly 2,000 individuals who were serving overseas. Some military members say that the promise of citizenship is a draw for joining the military. In order to be eligible, immigrants must serve at least one day of service before they can begin the application process. The $675 application fee is also waived for military personnel. This program has been in effect since 2002, and was created under President George W. Bush. It is estimated that 8,000 green card holders enlist in the military on an annual basis, and most recent figures say that nearly 30,000 noncitizens are serving the country. |
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Russia and the EB-5 Visa
 Washington, D.C - Data reveal that investors from Russia are not likely to participate in the EB-5 Visa program. The EB-5 Visa program was created as a way for individuals to obtain a U.S. green card by investing money in the United States. The program, created in 1990, requires a minimum of $1 million to be invested in the U.S., or $500,000 if the money is invested in a “targeted employment area.” A targeted employment area is generally an area that is experiencing a high unemployment rate, or a rural area with not much economic growth. Surprisingly, the program is not as popular as it was predicted to be. Russia demonstrates a very low number of participants, with just one participant in 2007. This can be compared to South Korea, with 700 participants and China with 360. While Russian business owners can benefit like other countries, it is speculated that many aren’t eligible for the program. A requirement for the EB-5 investor visa includes demonstrating that the money comes from legal sources. Moreover, the money , and the transferring of the money, needs to be properly documented, which can be an issue for those involved in transferring Russia to off-shore bank accounts. |
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