• A Note from the Editors: Will 245(i) Be Back?
• The ABCs of Immigration - Grounds for Asylum and Refuge by Greg Siskind and Amy Ballentine
• Looking Beyond the April 30th Deadline: Ideas for a Sensible Immigration Policy by Cyrus D. Mehta
• Cuban-Americans Remember Elian Gonazlez One Year after the Raid by Greg Siskind and Amy Ballentine
• Essential Worker Shortage Continues from American Immigration Law Foundation
• INS Memo on 245(i) Removals
• INS FY 2001 February Statistical Report
• ILW Highlight: JOBS.ILW.COM

A Note from the Editors:

245(i) is coming back. That is the news many people are waiting to hear. While all the dust has yet to settle, the four month window Congress created under the LIFE Act generated more business for attorney's offices than some could handle, and a slough of stories in the general press. Several bills pending in Congress, including S.778 and H.R. 1615, would extend the deadline. One variable is the health of 98 year-old Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond. If he should depart the Senate before the expiration of his term, South Carolina's governor likely would appoint a Democrat to fill out the term, giving the party a 51-49 majority. With the Administration's support for a 245(i) extension, Sen. Daschle and the Democrats may pass it in a gesture of cooperation. To let Congress know your view contact your Representative and Senators. They are the only ones who can make it happen.

The ABCs of Immigration - Grounds for Asylum and Refuge
Greg Siskind and Amy Ballentine discuss the five grounds for asylum and refuge: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Looking Beyond the April 30th Deadline: Ideas for a Sensible Immigration Policy
Cyrus D. Mehta writes that it is time for an immigration policy that will benefit the American economy and also remain sensitive to the dignity of the individual.

Cuban-Americans Remember Elian Gonazlez One Year after the Raid
Greg Siskind and Amy Ballentine look back on the Elian Gonzalez events of a year ago.

Essential Worker Shortage Continues
The American Immigration Law Foundation writes that as long as the national unemployment rate remains at or below 5%, allowing essential workers from abroad to enter the American workforce is one possible solution for supporting and maintaining the US economy.

INS Memo on 245(i) Removals
A memo from the Executive Associate Commissioner, Office of Field Operations states "field offices shall not initiate removal proceedings against an alien who is eligible for adjustment under 245(i) if such action is based solely on the filing of an immigrant petition, labor certification application, or application for adjustment of status filed by or on behalf of that alien on or after the date of this memorandum...." [Courtesy of Karen Meade]

INS FY 2001 February Statistical Report
The INS has issued its Monthly Statistical Report for the month of February 2001, including specific information on inspections, Southwest border apprehensions, immigration benefits, naturalization benefits, removals, investigations and asylum.