A Note from the Editors:

The article 'United? States' in National Review Online says that the real problem with immigration is the lack of assimilation of immigrants in the American society. It says that citizens of many countries come here to escape poverty, repression and corruption, not necessarily to become Americans. The article concludes that the liberal multi-cultural American society sends out signals that it is okay to have divided loyalties.

This article does not even begin to identify the problem with immigration, but merely grasps at the shallow reasons as to why society thinks that immigrants do not fit in. This raises an important issue of who can or cannot be considered an American? An individual is not merely Americanized because the society forces him/her to learn the language and become a naturalized citizen. Quakers, Puritans, outcasts and ordinary folks, all came to America 300 odd years ago in search of an opportunity for a happy life, away from the repressive regimes of their home country. If aspiration of Freedom, Equality and Liberty made them Americans then, why not now? The fact that an immigrant speaks Chinese and eats noodles for lunch should not make any difference.

To comment on this topic, send email to weeklyeditory@ilw.com.

Articles

The ABC's Of Immigration - Immigration For Registered Nurses
Kristi L. Crawford and Cynthia D. Ryan write about registered nurses.

Database To Detect Visa Fraud
South Florida Sun Sentinel reports, "Federal officials unveiled a computer system they said makes it easier to detect visa fraud at the nation's air and sea ports."

Dual Citizenship On The Rise
Atlanta Journal Constitution reports, "As many as 40 million Americans - one in seven of the population - could be dual citizens."

President Bush Signs the McCain Amendment Restoring Refugee Status to the Families of Re-Education Camp Detainees
Marc Ellis writes about the extension of a program about which "Senator McCain remarked on the floor of the Senate in June, 1997, that the Department of State had interpreted his amendment "...so as to exclude the very people to whom the provision was targeted...".

Department of Justice Deserves Kudos for Cracking Down on Traffickers Exploiting Immigrant Workers
Carl R. Baldwin writes that while "it is heartening to see the Department of Justice fighting to protect the human rights of undocumented foreign workers[, i]t is a pity that it is not fighting with equal fervor to protect the liberty interests of the undocumented immigrants swept up in the post 9/11 dragnet."

The ABCs Of Immigration - State 20 Waivers For Physicians
Kristi Crawford and Karen Weinstock write about the 212(e) waivers for J-1 physicians under the "State 20" program.

Physicians: Conrad Program, NIW Lawsuit And J Waivers
Carl Shusterman writes about the extension of the Conrad program, a lawsuit challenging INS's NIW regulations and J waivers through exceptional hardship.

Anti-Immigration Movement Is Masterminded By One Man
In an analysis of the anti-immigration movement, the Southern Poverty Law Center says "It is not often that a single individual is largely responsible for creating an entire political movement. But John Tanton can claim without exaggeration that he is the founding father of America's modern anti-immigration movement."

How Do I Apply to Bring a Foreign-Born Orphan to the United States?
Read comprehensive answer from INS to this question about how to bring a foreign-born to the United States.

ILW Highlights

Updated Immigration Forms

INS has been updating forms at a crazy speed after 9/11 including many most commonly used forms such as I-130, I-140 and I-864. The older versions of many of the forms are no longer accepted, all petitioners must make sure to file the latest version.

Letters to Editors

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

Dear Editor:

First I must say thanks to you for sending me ilw weekly. I was reading the article "Experts say immigrants feel pressure to take oath" in last week's issue.

I would like to start with the lady named Jennifer lilley, the retired teacher from Franklin Lakes. She says, "I cannot understand why those who make their permanent homes in the United State are not prepared to take on the full responsibilities of citizenship".

Now let me explain my own story, and then I would like to ask her: Who's fault is this?

I came to this beautiful country in 1980 with an American dream. I went back home twice, first time due to my father's death and the second time to get married. 20 years ago, to get a visa to come to the US from our country was easy, not like now. So I traveled twice. Than I applied for Asylum 1990. My wife and daughter joined me here in 1994. After 2/3 years someone told me that I should apply for a work authorization permit for my wife. I really don't understand the INS laws, so I got an attorney and applied. The gentleman told me that she will get her work authorization in 6 months maximum. That cost me $1000. After 2 years of waiting I asked him what's going on? He said that he sent me notices couple of time, but probably I didn't receive them (which was a total lie). So from that point onward I could not do anything for them, since they didn't have a status anymore. My wife cannot work, so I have to take care of everything. Now, I have 2 more children, they are Americans. I am the only person who can legally work here, because I have a work authorization. What ever I make, I need to support my family. I cannot even take Government help since that may affect my immigration status.

I applied for asylum in 1990 and today is July 4th, 2002. Almost 12 years. I called INS many times. They said "When the resources are available we will take your interview". And every year I apply for a renewal and they renew my work authorization.

Now my question to the Jennifer Lilley is: Is it my fault? Do you think I don't want to be a U.S. citizen? I don't have a criminal record, not even a traffic ticket. This is not only in my case, I know a couple people who have the same problem. Who can slove this? I am 43 years old. I have spent half my life in this country, but I do not know about the future. I cannot vote for this country, I cannot even say that this is my country. After 20 years I am still a outsider. 2 years ago I wrote a similar letter to the honorable President, but never got an answer. I understand he is busy. Now even I cannot apply for anything anymore, because I can't afford the filling fees. They are too high. Do you think in my lifetime INS will call me for an asylum interview?

From the outside it is very easy to say anything, but when you deal with INS problems, only the person dealing with it knows how hard it is. Now is there anybody in this world who can say what can I do?

Thanks for your time.
Ikram

Dear Editor:

I just have to comment on the EEOC article regarding reaffirming its commitment to protecting undocumented workers. I don't know if I've ever read such nonsense as in that article. As a federal government entity, the EEOC has a responsibility to protect all persons from any form of discrimination, without putting a kink in our nation's defensive armor. Why would they devote so much time and energy into harboring criminals - which undocumented workers are when they are breaking the laws of this great nation! There is a backlog of legitimate discrimination cases that the EEOC should be investigating before spending its resources in harboring criminals! Undocumented workers are more that criminals - they are potentially high security risk people who are in the U.S. illegally . . . many who are from countries that condone terrorism. Why are they here in their illegal status? What are they hiding and why do they think that the U.S. should allow them to remain in our country in undocumented status? Why would the EEOC condone the illegal actions of these persons by pursuing awards against employers who unknowingly hire them and give them jobs? In most of these cases, these undocumented workers have either falsified their applications or new hire paperwork, or they have provided doctored-up (falsified) INS documents to the employers, stating that they are legal to work in the U.S. In some cases, however, the employers have procedural breakdowns and do not make "reasonable efforts" to ensure that the alien workers are legally able to work in the U.S. These employers, also, have a responsibility to protect the security of the U.S. by verifying the status of immigrants and whether or not they are legally in the U.S. Employers who do not follow these laws are prosecuted against by the INS. Why then, would you not prosecute someone who is in illegal alien status versus trying to protect them with job reinstatements and back pay?!

Thank God that the Supreme Court sent the EEOC a message in the Hoffman decision, which basically translates to that criminals do not have the same rights as those who obey the laws - nor should they! Where will the EEOC draw the line of its protective actions with undocumented persons? Is it then okay for an undocumented worker to harm or even kill a coworker for discriminatory remarks. Would the EEOC jump to the illegal alien's defense - and even press a suit against the employer for not having an adequate, preventative discrimination training program? What's the difference . .. an illegal act is an illegal act! Hopefully, the EEOC doesn't see itself as the supreme decision maker - that will decide how far someone can go in breaking the law before it will withdraw its support! They could then be called the EEOG - Equal Employment Opportunity God!

Now, having said all that - it is not okay for employers to blatantly discriminate against immigrants, many who are honest, hardworking employees who are here in the U.S. earning a living just like the rest of us. Some of our best workers at my employer are documented workers from many other countries! However, if someone is here illegally, then he/she stands to lose the protection that is granted to those who are legally in the U.S. He/she will have to accept that it is a "cost of doing business" if being discriminated against by losing his/her job, while in his/her undocumented, illegal status.

The EEOC has embarrassed itself in its attempts to harbor criminals by going after employers for reinstatement and back pay for undocumented workers. Perhaps it is time to revitalize the EEOC with new leaders that recognize the importance of both protecting workers from illegal forms of discrimination and ensuring the rights of those employees that have the legal right to be working in the U.S. in the first place. When losing sight of what's right and wrong, like the EEOC has, then it is time to make a change in leadership. It is not too late to get its focus back in protecting those that have been illegally been discriminated against. However, never sacrifice our nation's security in the process of allowing, and even tolerating, the illegal actions of undocumented alien workers. Criminals do not, and should not, enjoy the same privileges and protection as those who follow the laws of this great United States!

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Darryl

Immigrant Life

New to America: Credit Card

.......Credit cards allow consumers to have access to more money than they can safely carry around, and they can provide an extra source of money to use for unexpected expenses. Additionally, goods such as airline tickets, rental cars and hotel rooms, can only be secured with credit cards since they offer protection for companies in case you don't pay the bill....... (Cont'd).

This week's chat schedule

When Attorney Monday, July 15 9:00 pm Eastern Time Stephen Berman, Esq. Wednesday, July 17 9:00 pm Eastern Time Randall Caudle, Esq. Friday, July 19 9:00 pm Eastern Time Raj Bhushan, Esq.

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