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US Immigration
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Posted 10/21/2009 |
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LEGAL NOTES /
By REUBEN SEGURITAN |
Immigration Reform Bill To Be Introduced Soon
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At a rally held in Washington DC last October 13, Rep. Luis
Gutierrez outlined the core principles that will serve as basis
for the comprehensive immigration reform bill that he plans to
introduce in the House soon.
The rally was sponsored by several advocacy groups including the
Reform Immigration for America campaign, National Capital
Immigration Coalition and Families United. It was attended by
thousands of immigrants from Hispanic, Asian, African and other
communities from about twenty states.
Rep. Gutierrez is the chairman of the Immigration Task Force of
the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and is one of the strongest
and most vocal advocates for immigration reform. He has been
conducting nationwide tours to drum up support for reform and
has met with many advocacy and civil rights groups, faith-based
groups and labor groups.
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In a statement, Rep. Gutierrez declared that Americans can no
longer wait for a bill that will unite families, protect workers
and provide legalization for the twelve million undocumented
workers.
"It is time we had a workable plan making its way through
Congress that recognizes the vast contributions of immigrants
and that honors the American Dream.", he said. |
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The key components of his proposed bill include a pathway to
legalization for undocumented workers and students, humane
treatment of detainees, expanded labor rights for workers,
employment eligibility verification system, allocation of
sufficient employment visas to meet actual labor market demands
and increase of family visas to promote family unity. |
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This new push for reform will certainly reinvigorate the
immigration debate that has been overshadowed by other
priorities of the current administration like health care
reforms. During his campaign, President Obama promised to tackle
immigration reforms in the first year, but he has said recently
that the issue will most likely be pursued early next year.
Senator Charles Schumer has said that he will introduce his
reform bill in the Senate sometime this fall.
Last June, he announced the seven principles that would form the
basis of his bill. These principles include legalization of
undocumented workers, family reunification, effective
enforcement and employment verification
Fixing the broken immigration system has been a divisive issue.
During the previous administration, similar legislation failed
to pass twice despite support from President Bush.
But immigrant advocates are hopeful this time that comprehensive
immigration reform will pass. President Obama has expressed his
unyielding commitment several times and Senate Majority leader
Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have expressed their
full support.
At the deportation hearing before the Immigration Judge, the
conditional resident may again establish his/her eligibility for
waiver. But if he/she still cannot submit a decree of divorce or
annulment, the Judge will deny the waiver. The conditional
resident may then base his/her waiver not on the termination of
marriage but on hardship to him/her or battery or physical abuse
committed by the petitioning spouse.
Hardship as a ground for waiver involves an examination
of the conditional resident’s age, family ties in the
U.S. and abroad , length of residence in the U.S.,
health conditions, economic and political condition of
his/her country, occupation and work skills, immigration
history and position in the community.
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REUBEN S. SEGURITAN
has been practicing law for over 30 years and is included in the Marquis Who’s Who in American Law. A former law editor and professor, he is also the author of a book on immigrant experiences. He has spoken in international and national conventions and has been interviewed on radio and television, including the ABC Nightly News. He has participated in meetings with White House staff and the Immigration Commissioner to discuss immigration reforms. For his community service and advocacy, he has received numerous awards in the U.S. and abroad. For more information, you may log on to his website at www.seguritan.com or call (212) 695-5281 |
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