Immigration Problems Hit a Federal Fence

If you've been here long enough, you've heard of the town out east that decided to use local government to fight the illegal immigration problem. Just a quick note on the repercussions of what happened recently there.

A Federal Judge named James Munley has overturned the right of local government to enforce any - any of the provisions of their ordinances. This is for Hazleton, Pennsylvania. There, the mayor proclaimed he'd make it tough on illegal immigrants.

Indeed, there were $1000 a day fines to landlords who rented to illegal aliens and to businesses that hire illegals? - Well, their license would be revoked. Documents had to be in English and translation into other languages would have to be approved.

So where is this going?

In our opinion the Federal Judge is wrong. Local government should have the right to protect itself from encroaching illegal immigrants - UNTIL the Federal Government is doing their job of enforcing the law already on the books.

This will naturally further the division between people pro illegal immigration. This will begin more appeals and fights to stop the freedoms illegals have.

What is the next step?

The next step will be local authorities going to court over the matter v.s. the Federal Government. Next, the Supreme Court. At that point, Congress will likely have to put teeth into the laws already on the books here in the United States.

Recent changes in fees for Green Card filing and immigrant visas were put in place to create a fund for upholding the law against illegal immigration in this country. The fight in the court will further the government to take a stronger stand at our borders.

Should I Wait to Start my Green Card Process?

After watching the CNN-YouTube debate on the Internet tonight, we are convinced that waiting to start your Green Card process "might" be a good thing. The reason is that we believe that the Democrats will win the election in 2008 and the top runners we think, believe in some form of organization to the Immigration problem which will probably include amnesty.

If it were up to us, we would wait to start the procedure.

What process are you using to gain your Green Card? Yes, there is a lottery, but your country must qualify. Many countries are not eligible. The lottery is not for every country. This is because some people who came before you came in masses and the United States Government believes that there is just too many of your nationality.

One of the first recommendations from immigrants in the United States who have acquired Green Cards, is to find a lawyer who concentrates only on Green Card processing. There are many of them; some even listed on this site. We agree that this is most likely the best way to get a Green Card in the United States besides marrying a United States citizen. We will go into how to pre-qualify an Immigration Lawyer for you at another time.

There is a filter you should use for things you hear on the street about Immigration and getting legalized in the United States. First of all, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Secondly, you should question the people who give you advice. How many people have actually had success getting legalized the way they say? Are they legal? And if they aren't, why aren't they doing this? Next, always consider the source. If they are a lawyer, or official - that should carry more weight. Use common sense.

Who would guess that the United States would be in this kind of situation as far as illegal immigrants coming across borders in the number we have today? Yet, we all know that something will be done to change what is happening. Either more people will be allowed in, or people that are here will be sent home.

Once here, many do not know what they are getting themselves into. For example, they want the privileges without the responsibility. They want the name American Citizen, but don't want to pay their share. Our view on this attitude will be in our next report here on Immigration Green Card.

Green Card Marriage

Did you realize that the number of people who marry for permanent residence in the United States is really high? Why is this a good way to become legal?

Some 400,000 American citizens marry foreigners each year - and later petition the U.S. Government for permanent documentation because when married, the alien becomes an immediate relative, thus valid for Green Card status.

But when you start thinking, someone here with a Green Card could possible marry an alien and have their status change. Yet, it's not that easy. That type of marriage is generally filled with problems when the paperwork starts. The best thing to do in this case is to consult an Immigration Lawyer.

One way is for the American citizen to get what's called a "temporary visa for a fiancee" and then after he or she arrives here, they get married and the paperwork is completed.

What the Citizenship and Immigration Services wants to find out is if the marriage was just for the Green Card, or do the two really love each other. And cases are found out. For example, one case in Dallas, where an Australian illegal alien married a permanent resident, Immigration Authorities simply called the couple and told them they knew that the Australian was still married to a Brazilian. Nevertheless, this person was later granted a Green Card and continues to work and live within the United States.

When the marriage happens outside the United States, the Citizenship and Immigration Services will need to receive from the American Citizen a visa petition for the foreign-born spouse. Once approved, the foreign-born spouse will receive a packet from the National Visa Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The packet is will let the foreign-born spouse know what documents are needed for the interview which happens abroad - and contains documents which must be completed, signed and sent off to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country. The foreign-born spouse in normally granted a visa in three to six weeks.

Don't forget all of the fees involved in the above. It's not free and there are penalties if you are caught breaking the rules. For example, one fine of $150.00 was levied on a couple whose foreign-born spouse had made a trip outside the United States during the visa waiting period.

All in all, if you can find love, this is your best shot. There are many, many dating websites around with good people looking for only "love" and not hung up on your nationality. Try these first - and who knows - you may be looking at a Green Card much sooner than you think.

How Fast Can I Get a Green Card

If you're a professional worker seeking a Green Card, today was your day. Immigration Services here in the United States said they would begin to accept applications immediately. It was earlier this month (July 2007) that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stopped the process altogether - leaving the Green Card requests for skilled workers (H1-B visas), with nowhere to turn.

There were a lot of the H1-B visa holders who did everything they could to make it under the July 1 deadline but the State Department said there was such a backlog, they wouldn't be able to process anything until the Fall.

Naturally people were upset.

Senator Charles Schumer, D NY, called on the State Department to reverse that decision, and it apparently worked - USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez said that the public reaction to the July 2 announcement made it clear that the federal government's management of this process needs further review.

The reversal is very welcome. If you are a H1-B visa holder, you have a breath of fresh air.