New York, October 2009
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GREEN CARD LOTTERY: APPLYING YOURSELF IS THE BEST WAY
 Washington,
DC - Every year, through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, the United
States issues approximately 55,000 Green Cards (or permanent resident cards) to
selected applicants in the Green Card
Lottery. In the recent years, there have
been more Green Card lottery services that advertise they apply on behalf of
applicants, charging fees from $500 - $1000. However, because of many Green Card
lottery scams, the safest way to ensure that applications are submitted
correctly and accurately is to submit your own application.
Green Card Lottery
services often claim they will apply on behalf of individuals and do it
incorrectly, or not at all, resulting in denial of the application. Many of the
Green Card lottery services also claim that it is difficult to nearly impossible
to apply on your own. However, many find the process to be relatively
straightforward and easy, especially with the use of a do-it-yourself
application manual. Since no one wants to compromise their chance of becoming a
United States permanent resident, the best way to apply for the
Green Card
Lottery is to submit your own application with the assistance of an information
guide book. Winners of the Green Card lottery are selected through a
computer-generated drawing, and are given the opportunity to apply for permanent
resident status in the U.S., along with their spouse and any unmarried children
under 21. Many participants in the Green Card lottery share a common
misconception that if they "win" the lottery, they are automatically granted a
Green Card. However, it is important to understand that "winning" the Green Card
lottery is only the first step, and several additional immigration forms and
documents must be submitted before the lottery winner is approved for permanent
resident status in the United States. |
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NATIONWIDE RALLIES HELD IN SUPPORT OF DREAM ACT
 Dallas,
TX - In September rallies were held across the United States in support of
the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, also commonly
abbreviated as the DREAM Act. Under the Act, undocumented immigrants who were
brought to the U.S. as children and educated in the country would be given the
opportunity to gain an education, work, and join the military, as well as
receive a pathway towards citizenship. The DREAM Act would apply to students who
have graduated high school, demonstrate good moral character, arrived in the
U.S. before 16, and have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 continuous years. It
is estimated that over 1 million undocumented young immigrants can’t obtain a
driver’s license or work even though they have educational achievements.
Supporters of the DREAM Act cite how providing opportunities for education and
work not only assist in the reduction of crime, but also help to stimulate the
economy. An advocate for the ACT stated, "The Dream Act will allow undocumented
immigrants to gain an education that will be beneficial to the U.S. If they are
educated they can obtain a job and work and stimulate the economy…Most youth are
legal citizens but their families are not. They shouldn't be penalized for their
parent's decision." |
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NEW “U” VISA BEING ISSUED TO VICTIMS OF
CRIME
 Oakland,
CA - Undocumented immigrants who are victims of crime or witness a crime are
being encouraged to come forward to the police, with the help of the "U" Visa.
It is believed that undocumented immigrants may be a victim of crime or witness
a crime, but are afraid to report to authorities because of their fear of
deportation. The U Visa was originally created in 2000, but was placed on hold
until implementation procedures were adopted in 2007. The U.S. Government is now
approving thousands of requests, with approximately 4,000 visas being issued for
fiscal year 2009. However, even with the "U" visa, it is still believed that
undocumented immigrants are suspicious and do not want their information on
file, and are therefore not applying for it. A San Francisco district attorney
stated, "There's nothing worse than knowing someone is exposed to violence, and
to hear them say they don't want to live with that violence, but they're too
afraid to speak out." In order to promote awareness for the visa, the
USCIS has
elicited the help of law enforcement officials, attorneys, and advocates.
Immigrants who have applied and received the visa include victims of domestic
violence, rape, female genital mutilation, and sex trafficking. In order to be
approved for a U visa, it must be certified that the applicant cooperated or
will cooperate in arresting or prosecuting the alleged perpetrator. However, all
applicants of the U Visa, whether the application is approved or denied, will
not be deported.
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NEVADA IS #2 IN NUMBER OF U.S. NON-CITIZENS
 Las
Vegas, NV - As of 2008, Nevada ranked number 2 in the country for having the
largest amount of non-U.S. citizens per capita. They also demonstrated the
largest increase in non-citizen population from 2000 to 2008. In 2000,
approximately 10 percent of the state’s residents did not have U.S. Citizenship.
This figure can be compared to 11.9 % in 2008. California marks the state with
highest number of non-U.S. citizens at 14.9% of the population. In order to
increase citizenship levels, Nevada is trying to make the citizenship process
easier for its residents. The Reno field office of the USCIS is offering
workshops to answer questions and help facilitate the citizenship process. It is
speculated that many people desire to become naturalized U.S. citizens, but
because they are unaware or intimidated by the process, they choose to not apply
for citizenship. Therefore, the state is making an effort to offer education and
support about obtaining U.S. citizenship, in order to encourage residents to
apply.
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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES IMMIGRATION RAID
 Mexico
City, Mexico - Two filmmakers recently premiered their documentary which
features the consequences of the largest immigration raid in U.S. history. In
May 2008, USCIS enforcement officials detained 389 undocumented workers at a
meatpacking plant in Iowa. The film is entitled "In the Shadow of the Raid" and
demonstrates the consequences of the raid. The documentary follows two
immigrants who were arrested and deported back to their rural villages in
Guatemala and also features their heartbreaking situations. Willian Toh was only
working in the meatpacking plant for 20 minutes prior to the raid. He was
returned to his home country of Guatemala, where he faced the issue of trying to
find money to treat his mother’s progressive cancer. The film also shows the
negative consequences that the community faced after the meatpacking plant was
closed down. Following the raid and the closure of the plant, the population of
Postville Illinois decreased dramatically and several businesses were destroyed.
The raid also had country-wide implications including disturbing the U.S.’s
supply of kosher meat. |
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UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT SENTENCED FOR ILLEGAL RE-ENTRY INTO THE U.S.
 Atlanta,
GA - A convicted kidnapper, who was deported in 1998, was recently located
in a Georgia county jail under a fake name. Armando Galardo-Navarete, 28, of
Marietta, Georgia was convicted of illegal re-entry and was charged with "illegal re-entry by a removed alien." He was sentenced to 41 months in prison,
followed by 3 years of supervision. He will be
deported to his home country of
Mexico following his release. In March 2009, he was jailed under a fake name for
traffic violations and was located by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
officials in a county jail. This case represents the partnership between the
U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Violent Criminal Alien Section (VCAS) unit of the
ICE Detention and Removal Operation’s Atlanta Field Office, which investigates
criminal and fugitive alien cases for federal prosecution. This program started
in February 2009, and to date, approximately 55 defendants have been prosecuted.
A representative from the Office of Detention and Removal stated, "Illegal
aliens who knowingly break the law by re-entering the United States will face
criminal prosecution for their flagrant disregard of our laws. Those
contemplating re-entering the country following their
deportation should think
twice, because they too could face a similar fate." |
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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. |
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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
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