Recent News Items

In a statement made in New Mexico, Director Alejandro Mayorkas, said that the agency will be considering budget cuts and raising filing fees in the near future. Apparently, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service is suffering from approximately a $118 million revenue shortfall. And since the agency is required to be self-sufficient, a revenue shortfall for USCIS usually means another fee hike for the average immigrant. USCIS increased filing fees by 65% in 2007 and promised better customer service to the visa applicants. The fee increase took effect but the jury is still out on the promised improvement in customer service. Now with talks of budget cuts and fee hikes making rounds who knows what the future holds for the immigrants looking for service.

 Source: New York Times

President Obama’s administration launched the new design for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ website last week. The new site looks crisper, cleaner and very green. The redesign is aimed to produce a greater level of transparency between the government agency and the public. For example, visa applicants can now get updates on their cases via text message, e-mail and online. The newest aspect of the website is the “where to start” drop down box on the upper left hand corner of the site. It is aimed to be more user-friendly and offers customers an easier way to find the services they require. Hopefully, this will create a trend in reformations and we will see progress towards comprehensive immigration reform in the near future.

Last month, the New York State Attorney General’s Office shut down three companies providing unauthorized and fraudulent legal services to New York’s immigrant communities. The three companies, Immigration Solutions and Systems, Inc., Alisandra Multiservices Inc. and Immigration Services of Great Neck are all permanently banned from operating any business that provides immigration related services. Lawsuits have also been filed with the New York Supreme Court against three other companies providing the similar services in New York State. Immigration fraud is extremely prevalent among ethnic communities. And since many immigrants do not speak or understand English, it makes it easier for them to fall prey to such companies. Many companies obtain enormous amounts of money while providing false promises of green cards. And in order to fulfill those promises, the companies file fraudulent petitions and applications and end up creating a mess that cannot be fixed. Therefore, it is extremely important to hire a qualified licensed attorney who can provide you with competent advice. You have the right to ask whether the individual you are hiring is a licensed attorney. Please make an informed decision when hiring an immigration lawyer.

Source: New York State Office of the Attorney General

Earlier this year the President Obama administration effectively squashed immigration reform and pushed it off into next year. But the topic of immigration reform is so volatile and prevalent that it can take center stage in any debate, even one involving President Obama’s health care reform agenda. Presently, President Obama is working overtime trying to convince Congress and more importantly the American public that his health care reform will work. Unfortunately for him, not many people believe him. During the summer break, Congress members all over America were fielding questions from their constituents regarding this health care plan and how it will affect them. One major concern is illegal immigrants; many Americans and the members of the Congress are concerned that the President Obama’s agenda does not have the proper screening mechanisms in place for illegal immigrants. This concern leads many to believe that the President’s plan will provide undocumented immigrants most of the government subsidized health care benefits reserved for American citizens. This debate is ongoing with no clear resolution in sight; only time will tell whether or not the President’s healthcare plan will see the light of day.  

Permalink: The New York Times

 

In a ruling issued last month by the highest court in New Jersey; the N.J. Supreme Court concluded that legal immigrants must completely understand the deportation consequences of pleading guilty to violent crimes or sexual abuse of a minor. In a 6-1 decision, the Justices concluded that the defendant, Jose Nunez-Valdez, did not understand the immigration consequences resulting from his plea of guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. This is a continuing problem in criminal courts because criminal defense attorneys themselves do not understand immigration law and its impact on criminal proceedings. Clients’ are pressured to take the deal on the table but do not understand that taking the deal will land them in federal custody and result in deportation. There have been cases where pleading guilty to a lesser count or even a misdemeanor has placed immigrants in deportation proceedings. In an effort to apprise every defendant of the immigration consequence of pleading guilty, the Supreme Court has ordered that legal forms be changed to make it clear to those pleading guilty that they will be deported. Due diligence by criminal defense attorneys and judicial intervention such as this will go a long way in protecting immigrant and their legal rights.

Source: Permalink