A Note from the Editors:

245(i) Is Not Dead

We have learnt that immigration advocates on the Hill do not believe it likely that 245(i) will come back in this Congress. However, we believe that 245(i) is very much alive, and may indeed happen. The reason for our optimism is the steady, if muted, support that the President expresses for 245(i) through his Press Secretary. Today we carry yet another affirmation of support from the White House for 245(i). Given that his party controls both houses of Congress, if the President decides to make 245(i) his priority, we believe that he will succeed in carrying both his party and Congress. So, at the end of the day, will 245(i) make a comeback? Stay tuned.

Articles

White House Spokesman Fleischer Says President Will Continue To Push For 245(i)
During a White House press briefing, White House Fleischer responded to a question on President Bush's position on immigration reform with Mexico.

Mexican President Fox Urges 'Co-Responsibility' For Mexican Migration
The Washington Post reports "In an interview, [ Mexican President] Fox urged Washington to broaden its focus from security issues and start increasing the number of work visas for Mexicans, which would help the US "avoid having to deal with problems like [the tractor trailer tragedy in] Victoria, with people dying on [US] territory."

BCIS Offers E-filing
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) issued a fact sheet, FAQs, and information on its service provider to kick-off its e-filing launch.

BCIS E-filing Allows For Round-The-Clock Filing Of I-90 And I-765
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) issued a press statement where Acting Director Eduardo Aguirre said, "For the first time in our history, BCIS is able to offer our customers the option of filing for certain immigration benefits using the Internet, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."

ILW Highlights

Important Seminar

We are pleased to bring to our readers' attention an important seminar on Adjustment of Status. This is a critical and perennially important part of the immigration process which has become unexpectedly and surprisingly complex. This comprehensive seminar will be useful to experienced practitioners and paralegals alike, with helpful strategic and practical tips. Recent developments in this area involve concurrent processing, portability, work and travel, status violations and the infuriatingly complex Child Status Protection Act. Being on the cutting edge will give you a competitive edge - just one case justifies the cost. The seminar includes an in-depth Q&A period where you can pose questions regarding your cases to the panel. This seminar is also a great training tool for the entire law firm staff (one registration covers everyone sharing a speakerphone). A word about the panel: Ron Klasko is one of the most popular speakers on immigration law in the country and will generously share his wisdom and experience with you. Joining him is Tammy Fox-Isicoff, who is an accomplished lawyer, and an energetic and dynamic speaker. The seminar is offered by phone, so law offices around the country can participate. The deadline to register is Wednesday, May 21st. For more info, including detailed curriculum, speaker bios, and registration information, please see: http://www.ilw.com/seminars/may2003.shtm. For the fax version, please see: http://www.ilw.com/seminars/may2003.pdf.

Letters to Editors

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

Dear Editor:
I am an illegal alien here. I've been one for three years now. I come from a small country, Romania, and am trying to make a decent living and become a good citizen of this beautiful country. I applied for residency over 2 years ago, and I am still waiting. I think Mayor Bloomberg was right. INS should take care of the immigration problem faster and help honest, decent people become residents of this country. For three years now I have been trying to do something with my life. I am 26 years old but it is very hard, much harder than I expected. Being "on hold" with my papers does not give me the right to do anything. I am still an illegal alien, as are millions of other people. I used to be a news reporter in Romania for a small local TV station, and now I do all kinds of work just to pay the bills. I do not think it is fair that the government has given you the chance to file for residency, but it takes years for its completion. Meanwhile, you are stuck. You are allowed to stay here and try to get your papers, but do not have a work permit, nothing. The sooner INS processes these immigration files, the better for everyone in this country. All decent, honest people want is to have a life and live, make something of our lives.

Natalie

Dear Editor:
I share Jeremy Li's concern about BCIS's delayed processing of employment-based immigration cases. I think he nailed the key problems BCIS faces now. What Mr. Li said about the prolonged processing time is actually shorter than the real processing time. Officially, BCIS is now claiming that it takes 990-999 days to process this kind of cases. We know "security" is supposed to be the factor that has supposedly delayed the process. However, if it takes 3 years for BCIS to locate potentials terrorists, how can we be sure to have homeland security? What kind of security are we talking about? Is this the efficiency and effectiveness of the Bureau that President Bush had in mind when he wanted to replace INS? I support Mr. Li's position and hope you and your colleagues can help to bring pressure to BCIS or to bring the problem to the attention of the congress or the media.

Hillary Wu

Dear Editor:
I'm Israeli (Jewish) and live in Los Angeles, CA. I'm married to an Egyptian (Muslim) and we have a 16 month old baby. We arrived in the US about 5 years ago on a tourist visa. We came here because we couldn't live together in any other country; not Israel and not Egypt. My hustband applied for a green card through his job about 2 years ago under 245(i). We still haven't rec'd an answer from the EDD. My husband also went to the INS and registered under Special Registratoin. They took his passport and told him to wait for a letter from the court. We received the letter, and learned from our attorney that he is now in removal proceedings. I really have a problem because I cannot live in Egypt because I'm Israeli, and my husband can't live in Israel because he's Arab. I'm trying to find any organization which can legally help me prove this. Any help would be appreciated.

Immigrant Life

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Automobile insurance is a service provided by private companies, where the insurance provider agrees to compensate those who hold a policy for damage, loss or injury to yourself or others in exchange for a premium, or payment, that is paid on a regular basis — this arrangement is called an indemnity. The amount and type of coverage you get with an insurance policy depend on the type of coverage you get and many other factors. For a guide on what types of automobile insurance are available and how to minimize your premiums.

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Have a story that you'd like to share with us? Send your story as an immigrant to weeklyeditor@ilw.com.

This week's chat schedule

ILW.COM announces that as of May 2nd, all chats will be held at 7:00 pm Eastern Time.

When	Attorney
Monday, Jun 2 7:00 pm Eastern Time	Karen Meade, Esq.
Wednesday, Jun 4 7:00 pm Eastern Time	Fariba Faiz, Esq.
Friday, Jun 6 7:00 pm Eastern Time	Kyle Kinzy, Esq.

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