A Note from the Editors:

Busy Year Ahead For Congress

With the war against Saddam Hussein's Iraq essentially over, Congress will soon be turning its attention to other, primarily domestic matters. Some of the legislative posturing ahead will have much to do with the Presidential elections in 2004. Immigration policy promises to be part of the lively Congressional sessions later this year. That should be a pleasing prospect for pro-immigration Americans, and here's why. Sooner or later, Congress must confront the fact that our immigration system is out-of-sync with the way our country works, and that legalizing immigrants is not an issue of generosity, but necessity. The more that Congress confronts any immigration matter, the more the issue of the undocumented is going to stare Congressional representatives in the face. So, while 245(i) is not quite yet the talk on the Hill, don't count it out of the running. Immigration Daily looks to the future with hope, and will continue to report the future to you as it unfolds day-by-day.

Articles

From The Beginning: Agile Immigration Advocacy For New Businesses: Part 1 of 3
Susan K. Wehrer and Angelo A. Paparelli discusses "a potpourri of immigration issues that may be relevant to a company in the initial stages of creation and will offer general guidance on possible immigration strategies for company principals and key employees."

A Legal Guide For INS Detainees: Finale
The Commission on Immigration Practice, Policy, and Pro Bono of the American Bar Association offers a detailed guide at how to petition for release from indefinite detention (130 pps).

Citizens and Patriots: Not One and the Same -- A Commentary
Christine Flowers recounts her recent experience and observations at the Immigration Office on 16th and Callowhill in Center City, Philadelphia.

AAO Rules For Doctor In J-1 Case
Gregory Siskind writes "Recently, however, the INS/BCIS issued a decision addressing when a physician's changing employers meets the 'extenuating circumstances' test. And in this case, the physician was successful."

How to Avoid the Dreaded Request for Evidence: I-140's
Carl Shusterman writes "Strange as it seems, many people who qualify for temporary O-1 visas as persons of extraordinary ability do not automatically qualify for the permanent EB1-1 category even though the standards are the same."

Samaritan Law Student Reaches Out To Defrauded Green Card Victims
The San Jose Mercury News reports that a law student at Santa Clara University who read about 275 Korean immigrants who are facing deportation because a federal immigration official in San Jose gave them fake green cards is launching a public awareness campaign to help the victimized immigrants and others from the same pitfalls.

Immigration Plays Pivotal Role In Urban Stability
The Salt Lake Tribune reports "Immigrants helped stabilize some of the nation's big city centers last year while people moving around the country continued to push out the metropolitan fringes."

Mexico Senate Passes Bill Allowing For Dual Citizenship
The WorldNet Daily reports "The Mexican government is planning to change its constitution to establish a permanent right for those born in Mexico and living in other nations to obtain dual citizenship."

558 Qualify Under Convention Against Torture, Lowest Acceptance Rate Since Convention Against Torture Adopted
The Bucks County Courier Times reports "Last year, immigration judges rejected a record 16,744 claims by foreigners who said they would be tortured if forced to return to their home countries, according to the Executive Office of Immigration Review, part of the Department of Justice."

How Do I Bring My Siblings to Live in the US?
Read a comprehensive answer from BCIS on what how US citizens can bring their siblings to live permanently in the US.

ILW Highlights

Department Of State Priority Dates Updated

The numbers for the Department of State priority dates have been updated.

Letters to Editors

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

None this week.

Immigrant Life

A Man Without A Home

What about the infants and children who are brought to the country by their parents. They did not come here on their own free will but of the will of their parents? I did not ask to come to this country -- my parents brought me here when I was less than two years old. I have never visited my birth country nor do I have any recollection of ever living there. Now I find out that the U.S., the place I consider home, doesn't consider me to be a citizen even though I attended local public schools, have worked since the age of 15, have always paid taxes, have a valid drivers license, established credit, bought two houses, and, yes, was even issued a voter's registration card and have been called for jury duty on a number of occasions. If I don't have a right to live here, where do I belong? Continued.

If appropriate, ILW.COM would be happy to carry your story on the website. Send your story as an immigrant to weeklyeditor@ilw.com.

This week's chat schedule

When	Attorney
Monday, April 21 8:00 pm Eastern Time	Arthur Zabenko, Esq.
Wednesday, April 23 8:00 pm Eastern Time	Kyle Kinzy, Esq.
Friday, April 25 8:00 pm Eastern Time	Karen Meade, Esq.

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