Category Archive immigration reform

ByPhillip Kim

Naturalization Test: What Happens After

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So you’ve applied for naturalization, gone to the interview, and passed all exams and requirements. What happens after? After the USCIS approves your naturalization, you will be required to attend a naturalization ceremony and take the Oath of Allegiance at your scheduled time and location.

At the ceremony, you will be required to return your permanent resident card at check-in. You will then be directed to take the Oath of Allegiance and be given your Certificate of Naturalization. Make sure all the information on the certificate is accurate before leaving the ceremony.

Now that you are a U.S. citizen, you are advised to apply for a United States passport immediately. This is because a passport is an official proof of your citizenship in the United States. You should also update your Social Security information 10 days after your naturalization ceremony.

ByPhillip Kim

Immigration Reform Gets Delayed

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It appears that the passage of President Obama’s new immigration reform bill will be delayed once again. The president wanted the decision to be made in August, but House Republicans have not yet reached an agreement regarding their piecemeal approach. President Obama agrees that America needs to make a decision on the immigration issue once and for all—we cannot afford putting it off again.

The immigration reform bill was designed to strengthen border security, provide a pathway for citizenship, expand programs for skilled workers, and set up guest worker permits. Republicans, however, are hesitant on the part of the bill that includes citizenship for the 11 million undocumented citizens. Instead, they want to focus on the Dream Act for legalization of those who were brought into the United States illegally as children. The chances of reaching an agreement by the August deadline are slim, but Republicans will have to come to an agreement sooner or later.

ByPhillip Kim

Obama to Appear on Spanish TV for Immigration Reform

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There are four television interviews scheduled for Spanish television networks this week by President Obama to discuss the matters of immigration reform. He will be using the Spanish network as a platform to stress the importance of passing the immigration reform bill by discussing its benefits to our nation’s economy.

The Congressional Budget Office and President Obama agree that the immigration reform bill will help reduce the nation’s deficits and improve the economy. By appearing on Spanish television, he hopes to gain support of the Hispanic population and push Republicans to come on board as well. Republican John McCain defends Obama and says he believes the president would be willing to work with Republicans to reach a compromise.

ByPhillip Kim

Will Democrats and Republicans Agree on Immigration Reform?

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Both Democrats and Republicans agree that America needs a solution to the illegal immigration problem, but each party has a different opinion on the new immigration reform bill, a measure to eventually grant citizenship to the 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Democrats believe undocumented citizens should be able to obtain citizenship if, after ten years, they register, pay taxes, do not received government benefits, and have no severe criminal records. They agree that if illegal immigrants are able to fulfill those requirements, then their citizenship will not be considered amnesty.

Republicans stress the importance of one criterion—to tighten border security. They claim that we would not have such a serious immigration issue if we had enforced border security back when illegal immigrants were 3 million, much less than what we have today. Some say they cannot agree with the immigration reform bill proposed because although they claim border security will be bolstered, it may not be actually enforced.

Although both parties may not agree with each other’s points, they both agree that something needs to be done about illegal immigration now.

ByPhillip Kim

Children of Illegal Immigrants Face Educational Hardships

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According to a study, there is a gap in education between U.S. citizens’ children and illegal immigrants’ children. The study was conducted by a University of California, Irvine Professor and 3 other researchers. While the children of citizens end up going to school for a total of 13 years, noncitizens’ children only go for an average of 11 years.

There are higher drop-out rates amongst students whose parents are not legal citizens. Why? Some students say that they have very limited options of continuing their education past high school. The majority of illegal immigrants do not earn more than minimum wage and, with undocumented parents, it’s impossible to afford college fees.

What’s more, without proper salary documentation, it’s impossible to apply for scholarship, grants, and loans. So even if you can’t afford college, chances are, you don’t have the option of going out and finding other means of funding your education either. Lack of tax information puts illegal immigrants’ children in a difficult position. Often times, teenagers drop out of high school to work and help their families pay for bills and rent.

Students whose parents have citizenship or green cards are found to be more successful in high school and eventually move onto college. This is because the financial stability of these families creates a more positive environment in which students feel free to pursue their education.

Altogether, this study shows us that immigration status matters more than about whether or not a person is here legally. Immigrants’ status in the United States has an impact on their financial status, ability to afford living in the U.S., and opportunities available to students and other workers.

ByPhillip Kim

What Will Be the Fate of Immigration Reform?

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Republicans in the House will be meeting on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the immigration reform bill, a measure to help the 11 million undocumented citizens eventually obtain citizenship. Speaker John Boehner insists that America needs to find a solution to the immigration problem, but he also does not seem to be in support of the new immigration reform bill.

Former President George W. Bush gave a speech Wednesday morning in Texas to try to gain support for the immigration reform bill, but conservatives William Kristol and Rich Lowry have also written an editorial titled “Kill the Bill.” Members worry that on Wednesday’s meeting, Boehner will voice his proposition against immigration reform and other members of the House Republicans may follow suite.

ByPhillip Kim

Immigration Reform Debate Continues

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The immigration reform bill approved last month by the Senate provides measures for the 11 million undocumented citizens to gradually obtain citizenship. The White House also claims it would bolster border security and boost the U.S. economy, reducing deficits by $175 billion over the first 10 years. The bill would increase the American population by a net of 10.4 million people by 2023 and 16 million by 2033.

Republicans are resistant to the legislation on immigration, claiming a path to citizenship means amnesty. Because the House is Republican majority, the bill now rests in Republican hands and must have their approval as well before it can be passed.

ByPhillip Kim

Immigration Reform 2013 Faces Challenges in House

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With the passage of the new immigration reform bill in the Senate, the challenge now is whether or not it will pass in the House because Republicans hold the majority in the House and they are opposed to the new bill. Some say Republicans may not approve it because the bill does not strengthen border security and rewards undocumented immigrants by granting citizenship.

Republicans also favor the piecemeal approach rather than the holistic idea. The House bill was planned to be released in June, but now is expected to be released sometime during this month. On July 10, the House Republican Conference will meet up in the Capitol basement to discuss the immigration reform bill.

ByPhillip Kim

Immigration Reform 2013: Piecemeal Proposal

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House Speaker John Boehner rejects introducing the Senate’s immigration reform bill for debate on the House floor. He justifies by stating that the majority of GOP House members would not vote to allow 11 million undocumented people get citizenship. Instead, GOP members propose single-issue, “piecemeal” bills which reflect conservative ideals.

Democrats oppose this “piecemeal” idea on immigration because it is insufficient for illegal immigrants seeking legalization. However, Democratic House members see it as the only way for the Senate to even consider the bill in the House.

House Republicans drafted three immigration bills that are opposed by Democrats: Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act, Legal Workforce Act, and Agricultural Guestworker Act. The Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act allow law enforcement to crack down on illegal immigration. The Legal Workforce Act requires employers to use E-Verify within two years to verify the work eligibility status of employees. The Agricultural Guestworker Act creates a farm work program for foreign labor but does not include worker protection.

ByPhillip Kim

Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1

Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1

You may be eligible for an employment-based, first-preference visa if you have an extraordinary ability, are an outstanding professor or researcher, or are a multinational executive or manager. Each occupational category has certain requirements that must be met:

1. Extraordinary Ability
Description:
You must be able to demonstrate extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. Your achievements must be recognized in your field through extensive documentation. No offer of employment is required.

Evidence:
You must meet 3 of 10 criteria* below, or provide evidence of a one-time achievement (i.e., Pulitzer, Oscar, Olympic Medal)

2. Outstanding professors and researchers
Description:
You must demonstrate international recognition for your outstanding achievements in a particular academic field. You must have at least 3 years experience in teaching or research in that academic area. You must be entering the United States in order to pursue tenure or tenure track teaching or comparable research position at a university or other institution of higher education.

Evidence:
You must include documentation of at least two listed below** and an offer of employment from the prospective U.S. employer.

3. Multinational manager or executive
Description:
You must have been employed outside the United States in the 3 years preceding the petition for at least 1 year by a firm or corporation and you must be seeking to enter the United States to continue service to that firm or organization. Your employment must have been outside the United States in a managerial or executive capacity and with the same employer, an affiliate, or a subsidiary of the employer.
Evidence:
Your petitioning employer must be a U.S. employer. Your employer must have been doing business for at least 1 year, as an affiliate, a subsidiary, or as the same corporation or other legal entity that employed you abroad.

* Criteria for Demonstrating Extraordinary Ability

You must meet 3 out of the 10 listed criteria below to prove extraordinary ability in your field:
Evidence of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence
Evidence of your membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members

Evidence of published material about you in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Evidence that you have been asked to judge the work of others, either individually or on a panel
Evidence of your original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field
Evidence of your authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Evidence that your work has been displayed at artistic exhibitions or showcases
Evidence of your performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations
Evidence that you command a high salary or other significantly high remuneration in relation to others in the field
Evidence of your commercial successes in the performing arts
** Examples of Documentary Evidence That A Person is an Outstanding Professor Or Researcher

Evidence of receipt of major prizes or awards for outstanding achievement
Evidence of membership in associations that require their members to demonstrate outstanding achievement
Evidence of published material in professional publications written by others about the alien’s work in the academic field
Evidence of participation, either on a panel or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or allied academic field
Evidence of original scientific or scholarly research contributions in the field
Evidence of authorship of scholarly books or articles (in scholarly journals with international circulation) in the field