A Note from the Editors:

Legalization Battle Begins

In what will likely prove the first shot in the long legislative legalization battle, Sen.Cornyn (R-TX) proposed a guest worker bill (see full text of the bill below). As an article in the Houston Chronicle (link below) notes, the White House has acknowledged that "it is reopening talks with the Mexican government on immigration reforms that might include amnesty for Mexicans who are in the [US] illegally". We believe that a number of bills are in preparation on Capitol Hill with varying combinations of guest worker programs and legalization. Whatever combination is ultimately enacted, there is little doubt that it would be an immigration event on par with IRCA, IMMACT and IIRIRA. We believe that it is only a matter of time for some bill such as Sen. Cornyn's to become law. Borrowing Mr. Cornyn's analogy quoted in the Express-News of San Antonio, TX (link below), it is high time that the 10 million undocumented were brought out of the shadows and into the sunshine.

We welcome readers to share their opinion and ideas on this topic with us by writing to weeklyeditor@ilw.com.

Articles

Staying Out Of Harm's Way: Immigration Pitfalls That Employment Lawyers And Their Clients Should Avoid: Part 3 of 3
Angelo A. Paparelli and John C. Valdez provide an overview of the immigration consequences of a variety of employment decisions.

Immigrant Nurses Awarded $250K For Employer's Failure To Otbain Immigration Documents
The San Jose Mercury News reports "A federal jury on Thursday awarded more than $250,000 to five Filipino immigrants, who sued a Santa Cruz nursing home that hired them with the promise of helping them obtain working permits and legal immigration status in the US."

Utilizing Business Immigration Strategies In Removal Proceedings
Cyrus D. Mehta writes "This practice advisory will provide an overview of business immigration strategies that could be adopted to obtain relief in removal proceedings, either independently, or in conjunction with other available avenues of relief."

EOIR Recognition And Accreditation Roster
The Executive Office for Immigration Review of the Department of Justice issued two updated roster lists. For a current quarter alphabetical listing of recognized organizations (69 pps.), please see here. For a current quarter alphabetical listing of accredited individuals, dates of accreditation, and any restrictions on practice (97 pps.), please see here.

Sen. Cornyn Says Guest Worker Legislation Is Middle Ground
The Houston Chronicle reports "As Cornyn rolled out his legislation last week, the White House acknowledged that it is re-opening talks with the Mexican government on immigration reforms that might include amnesty for Mexicans who are in the US illegally."

BCIS Memo On Revised Form N-600, New Form N-600K
William R. Yates, Acting Associate Director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) issued a memo to all regional, district, and service center directors, and all officers-in-charge notifying them of the significantly revised Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship, and the newly created Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate.

BCIS Says 1,063,732 Legally Immigrated To US In FY '02
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) announced legal immigration figures for FY 2002, including the fact that five countries accounted for 40 percent of immigrants: Mexico (219,380), India (71,105), The People's Republic of China (61,282), Philippines (51,308), and Vietnam (33,627).

First Circuit Rules IJ Should Not Have Denied Asylum and BIA Should Not Have Summarily Affirmed
Carl R. Baldwin writes "After what must have been a devastating courtroom experience for El Moraghy, the First Circuit remand to the Board holds out at least a glimmer of hope."

Go as Far as You Can: How Negotiated Rulemaking in Immigration Benefits America: Part 1 of 2
Gary Endelman writes "What happens after Congress leaves may be just as, perhaps more, important than what it does or fails to do while in session."

BCIS Extends El Salvador TPS
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) issued a press release and FAQs announcing an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador for a period of 18-months until March 9, 2005. Salvadorans who have been granted TPS must re-register during the re-registration period, beginning July 16, 2003 and thru September 15, 2003.

Bush Administration Considers Accepting North Korean Refugees
The Buffalo News of New York reports "Sen. Sam Brownback, [R-KS], has pressed the administration to make it easier to accept North Korean refugees. Last week, at Brownback's urging, the Senate voted to fix a legal technicality that has made it difficult for North Koreans to claim refugee status."

Go as Far as You Can: How Negotiated Rulemaking in Immigration Benefits America: Part 2 of 2
Gary Endelman writes "When we look at negotiated rulemaking from this vantage point, the question becomes not whether America can afford to make "reg neg" the basis of the way it regulates immigration, but whether it can afford not to."

EOIR Announces Latest Disciplinary Actions
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) issued a press release announcing its disciplinary action against two attorneys after charging them with violations of the rules of professional conduct for immigration practitioners.

Autistic Child Unable To Speak Oath And Denied Naturalization, Gets A Second Chance
The Charlotte Observer of North Carolina reports "A Cary teen who was denied becoming a US citizen because he is autistic and could not speak the oath may soon be sworn in, thanks to new federal immigration guidelines designed for people who cannot speak because of a disability."

How Do I Let BCIS Know My Travel Plans Have Changed?
Read a comprehensive answer from BCIS on how to inform them that your travel plans have changed.

ILW Highlights

Processing Times Updated

Texas and Missouri Service Center processing times have been updated.

Letters to Editors

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

None this week.

Immigrant Life

Immigration Weekly Exclusive

Higher Education of Undocumented Immigrants: The Student Adjustment Act:
Part 2 of 4
Lillian Kim continues her discussion on the higher education debate of undocumented immigrants.

Have an article or a story that you'd like to share with us? Send your story or article that you feel would be of interest to immigrants 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, July 21 7:00 pm Eastern Time	David Cook, Esq.
Wednesday, July 23 7:00 pm Eastern Time	Fariba Faiz, Esq.
Friday, July 25 7:00 pm Eastern Time	Kevin Dixler, Esq.

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