• INS Summary of "LIFE" Act
• INS Proposed Rule Suggests That Good Asylum Claim Can Arise From Gender-Based Domestic Violence
• Beware of Marriage Fraud
• Immigrants in the United States 2000: A Snapshot of America's Foreign-born

A Note from the Editors:

Cold Weather Request

As the winter freeze sets in over parts of the US we are all looking for ways to cope with the cold weather. For new immigrants from warm countries, this winter is their first real experience with the snow and freezing temperatures. How do you deal with the winter weather? What advice you would give to others who are experiencing their first winter in the US? Any stories regarding your experiences in the US winter climate and any tips for shoveling out from under the snow, keeping ourselves, our homes, our pets warm and our cars running smoothly, would be greatly appreciated. Please write to us at weeklyeditor@ilw.com. We look forward to hearing from you and in the meantime, stay warm!

INS Summary of "LIFE" Act
The INS has prepared a summary of the Legal Immigration and Family Equity ("LIFE") Act. The "LIFE" Act provides a limited restoration of section 245(i) which allows some people who are in the US illegally to get their green cards. The Act also creates a new "V" visa for family members of permanent residents, extends the "K" visa to spouses and children of citizens and provides for the adjustment of some people who have been trying to get their green cards since the mid 1980s.

INS Proposed Rule Suggests That Good Asylum Claim Can Arise From Gender-Based Domestic Violence
Carl R. Baldwin writes about the proposed INS rule was published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2000, which addresses the extent to which victims of domestic violence may have been persecuted under the asylum laws.

Beware of Marriage Fraud
Cyrus D. Mehta writes that entering into a marriage solely for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits not only results in a permanent bar to future immigration but also to criminal prosecution of both parties.

Immigrants in the United States 2000: A Snapshot of America's Foreign-born Steven Camarota, Director of Research at the Center for Immigration Studies, examines the statistics of the immigrant population of the United States.

Nothing is better on a cold day than a hot bowl of homemade chicken soup.

Immigrant's Weekly "Recipe of the Week" is an opportunity for you to share your favorite recipes with other visitors to the site. Do you have a favorite dish you prepare to remind you of your home country when you are feeling particularly stressed or homesick? Have you found a new favorite dish in your new land? What substitutes have you used for ingredients you could not find? Submit your recipes to editor@ilw.com. Each week we'll bring you the most taste-tempting, mouth-watering recipes we receive.