A Note from the Editors:

That INS's procedures are far removed from everyday life and in total disregard of it is no secret. The case of Transport vs. INS, No. 01-0158 (D.D.C. Apr. 17, 2002) is yet another proof of this.

Canadian trucking companies are part of one of the biggest trade partnership in the world, i.e. trade between the US and Canada. The truckers have B-1 business visas to make deliveries while in the US. Inspite of the changes in the trade patterns over the past few years, the INS has not provided guidance about its rules, thereby forcing truckers to be in a position where they don't know how to comply with the law. INS would rather harass each trucker for the non-compliance, than provide the trucking companies with guidance on these rules at their request.

"Most federal agencies have accepted and seem to understand that they exist to serve the public. The INS, however, exhibits quite a different attitude, at least to the non-U.S. public, and its position in this case gives new meaning to the term bureaucratic frustration. The INS insists that determining which trucking activities are legal is so intensively fact-specific that the only way to make authoritative decisions is through one-by-one exclusion adjudications ... the INS's refusal to work with parties who are in good faith attempting to comply with American law seems contrary to the spirit of NAFTA and is needlessly wasteful of the resources of the courts, the plaintiffs, and the INS itself", commented the Judge.

Articles

INS Now Processing Employment Authorization Applications for E and L Nonimmigrant Spouses
George N. Lester IV writes about employment authorization for E and L Non-Immigrant Spouses.

Proposed Visitor Visa Rule Is Punitive
The San Jose Mercury News reporting on the bayarea.com website says that INS's proposed rule on B visas will be "pointlessly punitive while doing little or nothing to enhance national security."

Innovation Is Not Normal: DOL And The End Of Business Necessity
Gary Endelman writes that in its proposed regulations (the so called PERM regs), the Department of Labor, in setting itself up as the High Priest of Normalcy, will stifle innovation which is at the heart of our economic competitiveness and in doing so will hurt the very American workers it seeks to protect.

DOL Proposes PERM Regulations
The Department of Labor (DOL) published a proposed rule for amending the labor certification program, and asked for comments from the public. DOL expects that this rule will eliminate the need to periodically institute special, resource intensive efforts to reduce backlogs which have been a recurring problem by instituting a combination of prefiling recruitment, automated processing of applications, and elimination of the role of the State Workforce Agencies in the processing of labor certification applications.

Controversy In New York Over Local Police Enforcement Of Immigration Laws
Quoted in the New York Daily News, immigration attorney Allan Wernick says "go after bad people, not immigrants who are only seeking a better life for themselves and their families."

New And Improved Labor Certification?
Arthur L. Zabenko summarizes the recently proposed "PERM" regulations which would fundamentally change the labor certification process.

Anti-Immigration Fervor Is Un-American
Business Week says that "America's historic ability to absorb newcomers in its vast melting pot is a vital source of compitetive advantage."

Immigrant Advocates Band Together to Condemn Ashcroft's Ugliest Proposal Yet
Jose Latour writes "this time, the Attorney General's really taken the cake and pretty much anyone with even a fundamental understanding of the U.S. constitution is in an uproar ... turning our society into a snitch-based system where everyone must look over their shoulder will reduce us to a system which is repulsive to our national values. Want to see how such a system works? Visit Cuba, where each block has designated "observers" whose responsibility it is to see who is hanging with who and to report it to the government."

The ABCs Of Immigration - Business And Tourist Visas
Greg Siskind and Amy Ballentine write about the ABCs of Business and Tourist Visas.

SSA Mismatch Letters Lead To Job Loss For Undocumented
The Boulder Daily Camera reports "an increased number of individuals that are losing their employment due to their undocumented status."

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Letters to Editors

The Editor wishes to thank readers for sending their feedback in response to last week's Editorial. To write to Editor, send emails to weeklyeditor@ilw.com.

Dear Editor:

I look forward every week to reading Immigrant's Weekly. I find the articles insightful into the world of immigration and the INS. I have even kept some of you articles for future reference and have recommended your website to other immigrants.

I would like to see a little more balanced reporting with respect to illegal immigration. I paid my dues and waited my turn,and have little to no sympathy to those who are here illegally and feel this country and our government owe them something. The illegals have a choice: they can go home and get back in line like everyone else, or they can stay here, live and work illegally, and take their chances. Your weekly new letter "appears" to be biased toward illegals and I would like to see you shed that image.

Dick Weston

Dear Editor:

I'm a cultural anthropology student attending the University of North Texas and actively working with one of my professors on a project called the Immigration Resource Council For Conflict Resolution. The Council, is a fairly new (not for profit) network of area professionals and establishments, in the North Texas area. Like my professor, Dr. Alicia Re Cruz, these people are gracious and dedicated to helping in situations which arise due to cultural misunderstanding.

One of my main duties is to search out information and help the professor gather sources and resources for the project. As a student my time and resources can be very limited. However, I am writing to say thank you and to let you know how much I rely on your information to keep me updated on the latest information in the world of current and rapid changes taking place within the immigrant world.

I would also like to request permission or get information on the proper procedure to link or copy articles of interest in our closed and informal reports.

Sincerely,
Paula B. Proffer
UNT Student
IRCCR

Dear Editor:

I enjoy receiving your weekly newsletter and it is very informative to keep me abreast with the ever changing immigration regulations. I enjoyed a recent article on B-1, B-2 visa issues with practical interpretation on what the law means. This is really very helpful in preparing oneself to meet the law's requirement. Please keep up the good work.

Regards
Senthil Nathan

Dear Editor:

I’m from Germany and live in Florida. I’m emailing to just say "thank you!” to all of you working on the website, and for doing such a great job in giving information on all kinds of immigration related issues! As the wife of an E2-visa holder I found all the information needed concerning the possibility of applying for work authorization, on your website and through your daily/weekly newsletter. I also found lots of information concerning my husband's labor certification application. In my opinion you are the best source for all and any immigration related issue on the web (and believe me I searched them all)! So thanks again for doing such a great job!

Sabine Frank

Dear Editor:

Since Sept 11 all the applicants for R1 visa have concern about their cases and they are wondering if INS policies have been changed for religious workers or not. My suggestion is that you add some discussion or expert opinion about this burning issue I hope you will consider this suggestion, and we will read something informative regarding R1 latest policies

Regards
Irfan Asgher

Dear Editor:

I am a recent subscriber and have found this newsletter informative and interesting. I represent a health care facility and am interested in all of the information as it pertains to the shortage and recruitment of healthcare workers.Thanks.

Cindy Cambron
Shands HealthCare

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