Obama comes through!

A new memo from ICE explains why the US government will no longer seek to deport those who have pending applications or petitions which could reasonably lead to their permanent residence here in the US.

This is great news because it shows how far the Democrats have succeeded with their attempt to take the focus off of enforcement at any cost, the policy that appeared to be pursued under the previous administration.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/us/27immig.html?ref=immigration-and-emigration

How to report suspected victims of human trafficking.

Human Trafficking

Report Human Trafficking, 24 Hours

• To report suspicious activity to law enforcement:
  866-347-2423
• To reach a non-governmental organization:
  National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline
  888-3737-888

Human trafficking is a crime and a human rights abuse involving commercial sexual exploitation of a child or the use of force, coercion or fraud to compel someone into labor servitude or commercial sexual exploitation. Thousands of men, women, and children are trafficked in the United States every year.

Born in the USA, but not an American? - The Boston Globe

An interesting article for anyone who has heard about the current movement to strip citizenship from people born here, unless their parents are legally here.

Born in the USA, but not an American? - The Boston Globe

Obama moves on policy.

President Obama has made moves that show he is interested in showing a kinder face to the unfortunate illegals here. This is just on of the many President Obama can use his law enforcement power to act to save aliens when Congress refuses to act.

Students Spared Amid an Increase in Deportations
"The Obama administration, while deporting a record number of immigrants convicted of crimes, is sparing one group of illegal immigrants from expulsion: students who came to the United States without papers when they were children." Julia Preston, NYT, Aug. 9, 2010.

Immigration Amnesty for some

The New York Times reports that now illegal immediate family members of US citizens in the military may qualify for parole and may apply for their green cards here. Awesome!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/us/01immig.html

Dream the impossible dream

I have a number of outstanding victories lately that I would like to share with you.

Case #1. A Family torn apart.

USC husband, Mexican wife and two USC kids. They went to an "attorney" in Pinellas and the result of his fine representation was that the wife was banned from the US for ten years with no waiver available. The couple came to hire me. I did not like their chances, but the truth still matters, doesn't it? While we worked on the case the wife and older son lived in Mexico, and the Husband and younger son lived here. This untenable situation was a great motivator.

Among other things we did, we reapplied for permanent residence as the wife of a USC. One year later my client got her interview, where she was able to convince the reviewing officer (thanks to great documentation from the family) that the previous application was wrong, and that she had only been in the US illegally once. Her application for a waiver of the ten year bar based on illegal stay was approved immediately and she returned and is currently living with her husband and two children -- all together like they should be.

Case #2. We are not waiting for the waiver.

My USC client is married to an Ecuadorian. The alien has previous immigration issues and will need a waiver to return. I was hired only to assist with the waiver. While we were working on the waiver, the USC wife refused to put her plans for family on hold had her second child, which she raised along with her first child with her parents help. The husband remained in Ecuador. I worked closely with the wife preparing and submitting the waiver, and I was confident it would be approved.

Imagine my dismay when the employee of the US Embassy took the waiver, and told my client "That's all you got? That waiver is never going to be approved!" After I calmed my client down and let them know that the decision would not be made in Ecuador, but in the central waiver processing office, we settled in for the interminable wait. One and one half years later (and yet another baby for the couple) the waiver was approved, and my client and his reunited family are back together.

Miami CIS - Orlando CIS

I have now been to the new digs of Orlando and Miami CIS. They are awesome! The offices are large, with ample waiting rooms and plenty of room for people to wait inside (!!) out of the heat and rain while they wait to get in. When will it be Tampa's turn to have the new great office?

My sources tell me that Tampa CIS is close to moving, but they do not know where. Maybe to Brandon to be close to the ASC? Maybe downtown, because there is a glut of space there? As soon as I know, I will let you know.