A Note from the Editors:

In an astonishing statement, Attorney General Ashcroft announced a series of measures that, when fully implemented later this year, will require an undetermined number of non-immigrant visa holders in the US (including businessmen, tourists, and students) to report and register on a regular basis with the INS.

ILW.COM received a letter from the National Immigration Forum detailing the background behind the proposal. The statement from the Department of Justice (DOJ) can be seen by clicking here.

A possible reason behind this move is to deflect the criticism recently directed at the administration by members of Congress over alleged intelligence failures concerning the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

While this regulation will initially affect nationals of certain middle eastern countries, it is likely to eventually affect many others - as the DOJ Statement says that the fingerprinting, photographing and registration requirements will be imposed on, inter alia, "aliens identified by INS inspectors upon specific criteria to be established by the Department of Justice."

To justify this action, the DOJ suggested that many European countries have long required such reporting and registration (a specific example given by the DOJ was that aliens in Germany must carry their registration papers on their person at all times). Attorney General Ashcroft is reputed to be a strong supporter of the 2nd amendment and the rights of gun owners, which rights are completely absent in many European countries. We hope he will see the parallels here - the US is the land of the free, examples of police state policies in Europe or elsewhere have no rightful place in arguments offered in the US.

Although the Attorney General is proposing this as a national security measure, it is doubtful that any individual with the intention to commit terrorist activity is likely to report or register. Reacting to today's startling news, Senator Kennedy said "I fear this proposal will open a shameful chapter in our history that we as a nation will come to regret."

We welcome readers to send us their comments about this policy to weeklyeditor@ilw.com.

Articles

After The Termination: What's Next?
Sherry L. Neal writes about different scenarios when an employer terminates an H1B employee.

The ABCs of Immigration - NAFTA Visas For Canadians And Mexicans
Greg Siskind and Amy Ballentine write about NAFTA visas.

1200 Activists To Lobby For 245(i)
Mexico's English language newspaper reports "members of the National People's Action (NPA) coalition, arrived in Washington over the weekend to champion several immigration measures but particularly extension of "Section 245(i)," which has been languishing in Congress."

Foreign-Born Census Data Sing American Success Story, Point To Policy Priorities
Frank Sharry writes "control of the White House and Congress may well turn on who is most successful at appealing to [the new immigrant] voters, and those that will follow."

DOJ Proposes Rule Requiring Individuals With Final Removal Order To Surrender
Cyrus D. Mehta writes "the new proposed supplementary rules have a number of harsh provisions such as retroactivity, the denial of discretionary forms of relief such as asylum, and the length of the surrender period."

The ABCs Of Immigration - H-2A Visas For Temporary Agricultural Workers and H-2B Visas For Temporary Nonagricultural Workers
Gregory Siskind and Amy Ballentine write about H2A and H2B visas.

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Letters to Editors

To write to Editor, send emails to weeklyeditor@ilw.com.

Dear Editor:

Dr. Michael Anikeev is right on track, especially about the language When I bring my immigrant wife here to stay (I have yet to meet her) whether she speaks Russian or Spanish, I will learn her language... and she will learn mine, ENGLISH! I will guide her to be an American and she will be one of us. All the things from her country that are good we will keep too and all the things here that are good she will enjoy.

Bob Todd
San Jacinto, CA
Born and raised in California as was my dad, and his dad

Dear Editor:

I'm not sure whether this will be of any benefit to anyone over yonder but I thought I might pass it along. I subscribe to your weekly newsletter and so often I am found reading other letters to the Editors that are either sending chills down my spine, like the following letter that was sent to me (Editor's note: included from para 2); or entirely encouraged and finding more hope each time I read a new letter in the thoughts and experiences of others. As the newly wed American wife of an illegal immigrant, I have found new understanding and emotions that I wasn't aware I was capable of beforehand, as you will see in my reply to such letter. If nothing more, I hope it encourages conversation. Enjoy.

The letter received read, "I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.

This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language.

Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language! "In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.

If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle.

Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But, once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, we highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedoms, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE." The letter ends here.

Elizabeth Cameron-Regalado
Cultural Forum Program Assistant
Chemeketa Community College
Salem, Oregon

This week's chat schedule

When Attorney Week of June 3 No chat this week due to American Immigration Lawyers Association Convention

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