Recent News Items

September 9, 2009 turned out to be the perfect day for a wedding for thousands of couples around the world. Why 9.09.09? In the Chinese culture, the word “nine” sounds very much like the word “forever”. Therefore, many believe that getting married on this date will ensure a long and healthy marriage. According to the official Chinese news agency, Xinhua, 18,979 couples were married or received their marriage license on this lucky day. Congratulations to all the married couples and good luck for years ahead.

Source: The New York Times
 

On July 24, 2009 Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents arrested immigration lawyer, Lilian Asante, and her associate, Kwadwo Asante, on charges of marriage fraud in Columbus, Ohio. The pair is charged with entering into two separate phony marriages with U.S. citizens in an effort to obtain immigration benefits. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to be aggressive in investigating marriage visa fraud cases and arresting the responsible parties. In 2008, ICE agents arrested 238 individuals involved in various marriage fraud schemes. Of these 238, ICE was successful in handing out 198 criminal convictions and seized up to $430,000 in assets. Marriage visa fraud carries a penalty of up $250,000 and/or five years imprisonment. USCIS scrutinizes every marriage based immigrant visa petition. Therefore, it very important that the marriage visa petitions and applications are prepared by a qualified immigration lawyer.Source: Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The Department of Homeland Security has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Somalia from its current expiration date of Sept. 17, 2009 through March 17, 2011. The ongoing armed conflict in the region has prompted the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to grant an 18 month extension. Both agencies determined that the extraordinary and temporary conditions that prompted the last TPS designation of September 4, 2001 still existed. Individuals who have already been granted TPS are eligible to re-register and maintain their status for an additional 18 months. Please keep in mind that Temporary Protected Status does not extend to Somalian nationals who entered the United States after September 4, 2001. Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service: Press Room

This morning, the American people woke up to a tragic loss. Senator Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy, brother of Ex-President John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, died last night after fighting a long battle with brain cancer. Senator Kennedy served nine terms in the Senate and was the second most senior member of the Senate. During his years in public service, he was a strong advocate for immigration, health-care and civil rights reform. In a press conference held this morning at the White House, President Barack Obama praised the Senator and his family's legacy of public service: “Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time.” Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/politics/27obama.html

Morristown, NJ - As if relationships between immigrant communities and law enforcement agencies in New Jersey weren’t tenuous enough, Mayor Donald Cresiteillo, of Morristown NJ, decides to initiate the town participation into an INA § 287 (g) federal program. Federal programs, authorized by INA § 287 (g), deputize local law enforcement agents and allow them to act as agents for the Immigration and Custom Enforcement Agencies. Police officers are required to attend forty (40) hours of training before being deputized. This program allows local law enforcement to arrest, detain and initiate deportation proceedings against immigrants linked to serious crimes. Immigration lawyers and community advocates are afraid that this program will lead to racial profiling and abuses by the police. Immigrants, in general, are afraid to report crimes and come forward as witnesses because of possible collateral immigration consequences. Federal programs under INA § 287 (g) widen the gap and reinforce the feeling of fear and distrust between local communities and law enforcement. Source:Morristown to deputizing police officers to act as immigration agents by Tanya Drobness/Star Ledger