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What Does the Border Security Bill Mean for Comprehensive Immigration Reform?

Published on Fri, Aug 06, 2010

“You can make the argument that it can reinforce the Obama administration efforts to disentangle the border issues from the immigration issues, but that’s probably not how it’s going to play out,” Mary Giovagnoli, director of Immigration Policy Center, told TWI. “When you see actions like this at the end of a session, you can bet it’s more politics than policy that’s driving their decisions.”

Giovagnoli said she does not expect the bill to help the comprehensive immigration reform effort, but that it could help pave the way for senators who previously supported reform, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), to re-enter discussions.

Published in the The Washington Independent

Export Licensing Requirements for Foreign Nationals

This Practice Advisory focuses on the deemed export rule under the Commerce Department's EAR which governs exports of non-military technology.

Published On: Thursday, July 17, 2003 | Download File

Multimedia Contest for 14-25 Year Olds Launched!

The Council Invites 14-25 Year Olds to Enter the 2012 “Change in Motion” Multimedia Contest 

The American Immigration Council is pleased to announce a call for submissions to the 2012 “Change in Motion” Multimedia Contest.

The competition challenges today’s young adults to explore the role that immigration plays in their lives and communities through video and other multimedia projects.

Projects should focus on celebrating America as a nation of immigrants as well as the immigration's impact on our everyday lives.

There are first ($1,000), second ($500) and third place ($250) prizes. 

The deadline is 11:59 EST, October 31, 2012.

For more information on eligibility requirements, application procedures and contest guidelines visit our Multimedia Contest Page.

DREAM Act Could be First Step to Reform

Published on Thu, Sep 16, 2010

Meanwhile, the anti-immigrant movement is starting to lose steam, as more localities are outright rejecting popular anti-immigrant measures. They fear inviting costly lawsuits and garnering unwanted attention from the federal government. AlterNet's Seth Hoy reports that Tomball, Texas and Fremont, Nebraska are the latest cities to opt against strict anti-immigrant enforcement ordinances. Similarly wary of attracting exorbitant lawsuits, legislators in Ohio and Idaho are feverishly revising their own, once-embraced versions of Arizona's SB 1070.

Published in the The Huffington Post

Child Status Protection Act

The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), Pub. L. No. 107-208 (Aug. 6, 2002), provides relief to children who “age-out” as a result of delays by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in processing visa petitions and asylum and refugee applications. A child “ages-out” when he or she turns 21 and loses the preferential immigration treatment provided to children. The primary benefit of the CSPA is an age preservation formula for calculating the age of a beneficiary of preference visa petition. This formula allows some beneficiaries to preserve their age as under 21 even if, chronologically, they are over 21. In this way, a child can remain a beneficiary on a pending visa petition despite having aged-out. In its CSPA litigation, the LAC has argued for a broad interpretation of the act, consistent with its ameliorative purpose.

CASES | RESOURCES

CASES

Meaning of INA § 203(h)(1)

One requirement of the age-preservation formula of the CSPA is that the beneficiary must have “sought to acquire” lawful permanent resident status within one year of the visa becoming available. The LAC argues for a broad interpretation of “sought to acquire,” and that the term should not be limited to filing adjustment of status or consular processing forms. Read more...

Making Immigration Come Alive

Making Immigration Come Alive is designed to make the study of immigration a meaningful experience for students and highlights the importance of immigrant contributions to our country and culture.

Fox continues its all-out assault on the Dream Act

Published on Wed, Nov 24, 2010

In fact, according to IPC, Dream Act "creates a separate program for students" and does "not compete for visas with other applicants for legal permanent residence." According the Immigration Policy Center (IPC):

DREAM Act students do not compete for visas with other applicants for legal permanent residence. Instead, DREAM Act creates a separate program for students that requires them to earn legal permanent residence by attending college or serving in the military for two years while in a temporary legal status. DREAM will not affect the number of visas available or the time it takes to get a visa for those entering through traditional legal immigration.

Published in the Media Matters

Access to Counsel Before DHS

The LAC has long advocated for the right to counsel in immigration settings, including meaningful access to legal representation in immigration court and DHS proceedings.

On May 31, 2012, in an effort to improve access to counsel before CBP, ICE and USCIS, the LAC and Penn State Law’s Center for Immigrants’ Rights released the report, Behind Closed Doors: An Overview of DHS Restrictions on Access to Counsel. The report describes restrictions on access to legal representation before DHS, provides a legal landscape, and offers recommendations designed to combat DHS’s harmful practices. It also addresses recent changes to USCIS guidance that are intended to expand access to legal representation.

The report includes anecdotes from immigration attorneys across the country indicating that CBP, ICE and USCIS often interfere with noncitizens’ access to counsel in benefits interviews, interrogations, and other types of administrative proceedings outside of immigration court. Depending on the context, immigration officers completely bar attorney participation, impose unwarranted restrictions on access to legal counsel, or strongly discourage noncitizens from seeking legal representation at their own expense. The LAC held a recorded teleconference highlighting key issues in the report.Read more...

Strength in Diversity: The Economic and Political Clout of Immigrants

A powerpoint demonstrating the critical economic roles that immigrants play in our society.

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Senate panel OKs anti-illegal immigration bills

Published on Tue, Feb 15, 2011

Targeting birthright citizenship appears to be the latest pet project of anti-illegal immigrant lawmakers across the country, said Michele Waslin, a policy analyst for the Washington, D.C.-based Immigration Policy Center.

"It's kind of an idea that's always been around with the extreme anti-immigrant folks," Waslin said. "This year it seems to be more popular as more people try to be tough on illegal immigration."

Waslin said Oklahoma risks expensive court costs trying to defend such laws and being alienated by businesses and industry who view such measures as extreme.

"Arizona has lost millions of dollars from people who have boycotted tourism there and withdrew conferences," she said. "If police are going to be arresting people for their immigration violations, that means an increase costs to detain and prosecute these people."

 

Published in the Associated Press