Las Vegas Family Immigration Blog

Immigration Reforms Questions and Answers

nmason — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:33:37 +0000

The Senate has now sent its comprehensive immigration reform bill to the Senate floor for a vote in June. Once approved, which looks likely, the House will adopt its own version and after reconciliation of both Bills, it will be sent to the president for his signature. This may all happen this year. Below is an series of questions and answers on various aspect of these issues. Here at Family Visa our lawyers have provided some of the contents of the bill:

The annual cap for green card application of high tech fields such as mathematics, engineering, science will be set at 120,000.00 on a merit or point system. In addition PHD graduates would have an additional 140,000 visas leading to permanent residence.

The H1 b category will allow for more and expedited petitions for permanent residence.

The Dream Act will enable early entries to the U.S. at 16 years and younger who have graduated from high school to obtain employment authorization, travel documents and a 5 year path to residency with an immediate right to file for U.S. citizenship without the traditional 3 year wait to naturalize.

Illegal entries and undocumented workers with good moral character who entered the U.S. prior to 2011 would be able to apply for work authorization travel documents and permanent residence on a 10 year path to residency and three years later U.S. citizenship.

For more information on how to get ready for this important legislation may call for a consultation at our Reno and Las Vegas offices: (775) 826-2099 or (7020 836-9003.

New York Times Newspaper Article

Deportation Numbers Remain High as Congress Attempts Reforms

nmason — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:18:29 +0000

As Congress debates reforms ICE and DHS under the Obama Administration continues to deport over 400,000,00 undocumented workers and illegal entries annually.

We at Family Visa continue to fight for immigrants to remain in this country long enough to take advantage of new opportunities to adjust status to permanent residence thru employer and family sponsorship. Also in discussions in Congress in the DREAM ACT which may become law with the help of Senator Hatch of Utah.

New York Time Article

For a consultation with our lawyers call (702) 836-9003, (775) 826-2099 or (415) 513-4533.

Where Individuals Enter ICE Custody: State-by-State Details
“On a typical work day Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took 1,509 individuals into custody, according to the latest available ICE data from November and December 2012. During weekends, the volume of detentions decreased to an average of 471 people a day placed in ICE custody. This means that nearly 8,500 individuals were picked up across the country and detained by ICE during a typical week.[1] If activity levels continue at this pace, ICE will detain around 400,000 individuals during the current fiscal year. This report focuses on where these individuals were first detained by ICE based on their initial custody locations.”

Meaningful Congressional Immigration Reforms

nmason — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:48:49 +0000

As Congress moves closer to immigration reforms the following provisions for legalization should be considered:

Applicants should be eligible for work authorization and travel documents to see family pending approval of permanent residence over the next 10 years
Those who took brief trips abroad to visit family should not be penalized to more than one entry without inspection
Undocumented workers should have multiple ways of proving presence in the U.S. for the requisite period of time
Family members who were forced to leave the U.S. for merely entering the U.S. illegally at some point should be allowed to apply for return
Crimes not involving moral turpitude should not prevent someone for applying for immigrant status

You may wish to visit on of our sites on immigration procedures in Las Vegas, Nevada, San Francisco, California or call our attorneys at (702)836-9003, (775)826-2099 and (415)513-4533.

Congress Closer to Bill Legalize Undocumented Workers

nmason — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:37:21 +0000

House members have reached a tentative compromise to join the Senate in sponsoring a Bill that would enable undocumented workers and those entering the U.S. illegally, prior to 2011, to start on a long pathway to Citizenship. The Senate version calls for 13 year; the House plan would be 15 years.

In any case those who would have an employer or family sponsor and show good moral character and payment of back taxes could receive a work permit and permission to travel and return to the U.S. during the 10 to 12 year wait to become lawful permanent residents.

Go to our website for more information on what you can do now to prepare for this opportunity or consult with our lawyers. Call (702) 836-9003 or (775) 826-2099.

Read The New York Time Article

Ten Year Path to Permanent Resident and 13 years to Citizenship

nmason — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:24:42 +0000

In the event the Senate brings to a vote immigration reforms that allow undocumented workers and family members who entered the U.S. without papers prior to 2011, we could see major changes to the immigration system for 2014

“Under the legislation as drafted, immigrants who entered the United States illegally before Dec. 31, 2011 and have been in the country since then may apply for Registered Provisional Immigrant status. To qualify, they must pass a background check, have no serious criminal conviction on their record, pay any back taxes they owe and a $500 fine.”

“At the end of a decade, they may apply for permanent residency, pay an additional fine of $1,000 and meet other requirements. After an additional three years, they may apply for naturalization.”

Our lawyers at Family Visa are preparing our clients for these major changes (702) 836-9003, (775) 826-2099.

Senate Bill Would Allow Illegal Entries Post 2011 LPR Status

nmason — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:22:07 +0000

The proposed Senate Bill which will soon leave the committees and proceed to a vote in the Senate, allows for those entering the U.S. without benefit of a visa or those whose visa has lapsed into overstay, to apply for a work authorization by paying a $500 fine and thereafter, a petition for permanent residence. Presumably they will need a family or employer sponsor, prove they are persons of good moral character etc.

Stayed tuned to either of the following websites for continuing discussions of these issues:

San Francisco, California (415) 513-4533 or Las Vegas, Nevada (702) 836-9003, (775) 826-2099.

AILA.org

Under the legislation as drafted, immigrants who entered the United States illegally before Dec. 31, 2011 and have been in the country since then may apply for Registered Provisional Immigrant status. To qualify, they must pass a background check, have no serious criminal conviction on their record, pay any back taxes they owe and a $500 fine.

At the end of a decade, they may apply for permanent residency, pay an additional fine of $1,000 and meet other requirements. After an additional three years, they may apply for naturalization.

Deportees May Return to U.S. Under Senate Bill on Immigration Reforms

nmason — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:18:47 +0000

Under provisions of the Senate Bill now being debated in Congress children who entered the U.S. under 16 and those who entered later than that and have family in the U.S. and no serious criminal record may seek re admission to the U.S. under a Waiver. The deportation or removal must have been for other than having a criminal conviction in the U.S.

This Bill is not yet law and may not pass either the Senate or the house but stay tuned to the following websites to find out more as the Bills make their way thru Congress.

San Francisco, California (415) 513-4533 or Las Vegas, Nevada (702) 836-9003, (775) 826-2099

New York Times Article

Congressional Reforms Pathway to Citizenship

John L. Carrico — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:10:52 +0000

As Congress debates comprehensive immigration reform, the proposed bill should be finished in Committees this summer. Then each branch of Congress, the House and Senate will need to pass their versions, then go to a reconciliation to merge any differences in each bill then on to the White House for signature. The president has stated he will sign no legislation that does not provide for a definite and time certain that undocumented workers can become lawful permanent residents and then apply for U.S. citizenship. The period of time generally talked about is 10 years. Ten years in which one much prove payment of back taxes, demonstrating no serious criminal behavior from the age of 18 years to the present and either a family or employer sponsor.
Stay tuned to these sites for more information as the bills wind their way thru the Halls of Congress.
www.sanfranciscoimmigrationservices.com (415) 513-4533
www.lasvegasfamilyimmigration.com (702) 836-9003 and (775) 826-2099

or by email Las Vegas Immigration Services by e-mail

Read: “First Steps to a Better Immigration Bill” in the Sunday Review

Senate Amendments on Immigration Reforms Stress Border Security

John L. Carrico — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:34:34 +0000

As Congress debates immigration reforms, the Senate appears near a compromise to pass legislation that will protect border security and legislation permitting undocumented workers to apply for lawful permanent residence.

At Family Visa & Immigrant Services we continue to advise our clients on what programs are available now to apply: DACA relief, I 601 waivers etc. and explain how pending legislatin may help families in the future.

Read: Senate Bipartisanship on Display, Briefly, as Committee Focuses on Border Security

Turning Undocumented Workers into Business Owners and Tax Payers

nmason — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:49:20 +0000

While much attention has been focused on the benefits to non U.S. citizens and LPR’s, there are many benefits as well to local communities and businesses that have seen a large influx in foreign born laborers and skilled workers looking for employment here in the U.S. Particularly in Las Vegas and Reno NV and the rural areas of Nevada where agricultural and mining employees are currently working without employment authorization.

We are Family Visa a Law Firm who is working with businesses now to prepare for reforms in Washington D.C. Call our office for a free consultation (775) 826-2099 or (702) 836-9003. Send us an email through our inquiry form.

New York Times Article