Christmas is the time for giving and in these hard times, the most important gift we can give ourselves and our families is the gift of hope. Although there are many reasons to be down this Holiday Season, Reeves & Associates invites you to take a moment to reflect on the positive aspects of the past year, and look forward to a 2009 full of hope and success. Indeed, the gift of hope is a gift that will remain long after you take down the Christmas decorations and will last the whole year long.
Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper
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Nov 22nd
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Immigration Atty. Robert Reeves
Immigration Atty. Robert Reeves
Atty. Robert Reeves
Recent amnesty settlement benefits tens of thousands
While many individuals anxiously await immigration reform under Barack Obama’s presidency in 2009, some may already qualify for legalization under the 1986 immigration reform law (amnesty).
A recent settlement has opened up legalization eligibility, bringing early Christmas cheer to those who qualify. The settlement relates to the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act. Under this law, certain individuals who entered the United States and were in violation of their immigration status prior to January 1, 1982, may be eligible for legalization. The recent landmark settlement stems from a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of undocumented immigrants and was approved in September of 2008 by a US District Court in the State of Washington.
Immigration based on investment—The EB-5 Category
Individuals seeking immigration into the US on the basis of a financial investment currently find themselves in a climate unmatched in modern history. Many foreign currencies are now enjoying a very favorable exchange rate against the US Dollar. For this reason, immigration based on a financial investment in the US continues to be a viable and popular method of coming to the US for many investors and their immediate family members.
Entering the US on the basis of an investment (as opposed to a family or employment-based petition) can either take the form of a nonimmigrant (temporary) visa or an immigrant visa, which results in the Permanent Resident "Green Card". The Permanent Residency route for an investor is known as the EB-5 Investor Category. This category was created by Congress to allow foreign investors and their immediate family members to obtain permanent residency in the US in exchange for investing in an employment-creation commercial enterprise.
How to avoid problems with your case
(Part 1)
There are some situations, which can create problems or suspicion about a person’s eligibility for a visa and could possibly trigger an investigation, causing weeks, months, or even several years, of delay. This article discusses some of the more common situations, which could help you avoid problems with your case.
Homeland Security to be headed by advocate of comprehensive immigration reform
On December 1, 2008, President-Elect Obama announced his nomination for the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which is responsible for setting, administering and enforcing the United States’ immigration policies. Janet Napolitano, the current Governor of Arizona, was named to head DHS. Her position on immigration is that the country requires comprehensive immigration reform.
Governor Napolitano may prove to be a bellwether of a positive immigration action in the new administration. Her views on immigration were expressed in an editorial published in the Washington Post on June 10, 2007 shortly after the Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform bill was killed. Governor Napolitano wrote, "On the subject of immigration, my plea to Congress is loud and clear: You can’t quit now. Last week the Senate was on the verge of addressing our broken immigration system."
Hope and thanks in difficult times
The Los Angeles Times recently reported that the number of immigrants who waived their right to plead their cases to remain in the United States shot up from 5,500 in 2004 to 35,000 in 2008. Many of the nearly 100,000 people who agreed to leave the country under "stipulated removal" were encouraged to self-deport without knowing that they had valid claims to remain here or that they were entitled to a hearing before an immigration judge.
There are real people behind these numbers. They represent real families who are being separated, indefinitely, from each other. These desperate people return in fear and despair to lands where they experienced persecution. Parents who fled lands because they could not feed and provide for their families are agreeing to return to that situation because they believe they have no choice.
Immigrant visas for children to be adopted
On April 1, 2008, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoptions ("the Convention") was entered into force with respect to the United States. The Convention provides a framework for member countries to work together to ensure that adopted children are placed with stable, permanent families. It is important to note that not all countries will fall under the new Convention rules.
Special rules apply for adopting a child from Convention countries. This involves correspondence with multiple agencies at various government levels, new forms and procedures which may vary from country to country, and different adoption requirements under local laws. Additionally, US adoption service providers must obtain a federal accreditation as designated by the US Department of State.
Immigration raids target individuals with deportation orders
Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids are becoming a growing concern in the United States. During the month of October, ICE arrested over 2,600 people in the US in the month of September, ICE arrested more than 1,500 people in the state of California. ICE agents targets people with deportation orders who failed to depart or departed, but returned to the United States illegally or any one else who has overstayed their visa. According to Virginia Kice, an ICE spokesperson of the people arrested in California, approximately 595 had outstanding deportation orders.
People with deportation orders are clearly the most vulnerable to immediate detention and removal from the US. It is important to note that immigration law allows some individuals with deportation orders to reopen their immigration case and pursue some form of relief that can lead to legal permanent residency and citizenship. It is imperative that individuals with deportation or removal orders seek the immediate assistance of a reputable and experienced immigration lawyer to evaluate if a case can be reopened.
President-elect Obama promises change
THE polls have closed and the ballots have been counted and one thing is for certain: Senator Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States. Senator Obama campaigned on a platform of change and voters responded with a resounding "yes we can." Although many Americans may find it difficult to be optimistic during these hard economic times, this past Tuesday’s historic election has provided many, especially immigrants, hope for a better future; hope for a change. Politically, a change in our immigration system may have to take a temporary backseat while the economy recovers, however comprehensive immigration reform remains a reality in the next administration.
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