A Note from the Editors:

I-9s And Mass Legal Immigration

An article in the Rocky Mountain News says that "Nationally, the number of employers fined for hiring illegal workers or failing to verify their paperwork dropped from 808 in 1996 to just 13 last year." This is not because BICE is toning down its enforcement efforts, it is a matter of priorities. The article quotes Jim Chaparro, who heads immigration investigations in Denver "We're focusing on critical infrastructure and egregious violators - employers who hold people in substandard conditions, airports, nuclear power facilities, public utilities, military bases, criminals, alien smuggling, trafficking in persons, money laundering." BICE spokesman Garrison Courtney is quoted saying "We're more concerned about a person working as a janitor in a nuclear facility than as a janitor in a restaurant."

However, the anti-immigration lobby is unhappy with this list of priorities - Rep. Tancredo (R-CO) is quoted in the Rocky Mountain News article implying that terrorists could hide in the "flood" of undocumented immigrants. Mr. Tancredo's solution to this problem? "You have to go after employers who are hiring these people because then you will dry up demand." The obvious alternative solution of mass legal immigration with full security controls does not appeal to the anti-immigration lobby. The reason is equally obvious. The anti-immigrationists' priority is to restrict immigration, and they will use any fig-leaf - including national security - to achieve their aims. We believe that the correct direction for the country is to increase legal employment-based immigration, and that by fits and starts, Congress is moving in that direction. With Congress back in session, the Fall session will likely see some action on the immigration front. Immigrant's Weekly will bring you the action as it unfolds.

Articles

The Hidden History Of Immigration: Part 1 of 3
Martin Ford examines the assimilation of the three largest European immigrant groups, Germans, Irish, and Italians, and argues that, in terms of language, religion, and group identity, today's immigrants may be adapting faster than their predecessors.

The Looming Crisis - Upcoming Changes to the H-1B and L Temporary Worker Programs
Lisa K. Yu and Bernard P. Wolfsdorf write "At a time when America needs to pick up its economy by reaching out to international businesses, Congress is taking a restrictive protectionist approach."

BCIS Reminds El Salvadorans To Re-register For TPS
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services reminded eligible Salvadorans to re-register for temporary protected status (TPS) and employment authorization document (EAD) extension for 18 additional months, beginning on September 9, 2003 and ending on March 9, 2005.

Fall Guy: U.S. Immigration and the Myth of Offshoring
Gary Endelman writes "If conventional wisdom holds, the immigration landscape will be transformed beyond recognition within a few short months as a panicked Congress takes a meat axe to the H-1B and L-1 visa categories."

TPS Extended For Burundi And Sudan, Terminates For Sierra Leone
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services extended the designation of Burundi and Sudan for 12 months until November 2, 2004 and terminated the TPS designation for Sierra Leone, effective May 3, 2004.[Ed. 9/04/03]

New Interpretation On Job Flexibility During Adjustment Of Status
Cyrus D. Mehta writes "While the Yates memo provides useful guidance on the application of Section 106(c) in the context of a concurrent I-140/I-485 filing, it leaves several questions unanswered."

BCIS Issues Sudan TPS FAQs
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services released a press release and FAQs on the extension of TPS for Nationals of Sudan.

How Do I Get an Arrival-Departure Record?
Read a detailed response from the BCIS on what to do if you lose your Form I-94 arrival-departure record.

ILW Highlights

Processing Times Updated

Vermont, Texas, Nebraska, California processing times were recently updated.

Letters to Editors

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

Dear Editor:
In response to your Editor's comments, it is unbelievable what candidates can do to attract the Hispanic/Chicano population for the only benefit of getting their vote. Mr. Terminator, one of the most popular Hollywood stars is one of the supporters of Proposition 187, an unconstitutional law and now he is retracting himself in order to gain some of the confidence and trust of Latinos in US. There are many ways these two candidates can gain that confidence of the Latino community, first of all unducumented people are the ones that work the hardest ever in this country compared to the different ethnic groups throughout the history of the US. An example is the construction, the agricultural fields, the biggest fast food chains of restaurants operated by these people just to mention some. Most of these people are barely making the minimum wage to "support" their families, which no one thinks can be done. Therefore, mama and papa have to work to provide the minimum for their families. So, when is the time to educate our kids, is there really time to conduct the required discipline for them to be prepared for their future life? These are just a few things our community needs to face in reaching the reality of the American dream. This can be reached thorugh education, but how in the world are our kids are going to make it all the way through college? And these candidates are in the process of maybe legalization these hard workers that all they have done is enrich the economy of US with a lot of sweat, risking their physical health to the extreme? They are the ones that deserve citizenship or legalization as the minimum for what they have done. On the day of final judgment, is when all these people are going to rewarded with eternal happiness and joy, that is in what I believe and for sure that it will happen.

Name Not Provided

Dear Editor:
The laws on immigration have to change. The Mexican immigrant is not going away because they have a better way of life here. The US better realize that the immigrants harvest our crops, mow our lawns, clean our houses, watch our children, and bus our tables at our favorite restaurants. They can't get drivers licenses, therefore can't get insurance, so then the legal residents in our country are the ones who pay dearly for this. If we began a process of screening immigrants to make them legal residents; especially the ones who have children born here and are in our schools; the government would get more money, thus helping the economy. Let us not forget that the terrorists came through Canada and that our country is made up of immigrants and that is why it is a great place to live and the most powerful and prosperous country in the world.

Name Not Provided

Dear Editor:
I'd like to share my opinion on the recent editorial entitled 'Arnold Schwarzenegger And Immigration'. Mr. Schwarzenegger of all people should be aware of his responsibilities to the immigrant population of California. How he could turn his back on them and vote for Proposition 187 amazes me. It's almost as if Mr. Schwarzenegger is trying to distance himself from his own immigrant experience in the US, although he seems to be recanting on that decision today. Face it Mr. Schwarzenegger - you like me, are an immigrant to the US. As an immigrant with an opportunity to become an elected official, you should be doing all in you power to embrace immigrants, not marginalize them.

Jim Hodges
England

Dear Editor:
In offering both Mr Davis and Mr Schwarzenegger as candidates for Governor, Californians are just recognising that this is a country of immigrants. Some may have ground floor locations but this fact does not change. The appeal and lure of freedom and success which keeps this great country great will forever draw immigrants - period. Secondly, America draws the best from around the world -Schwarzenegger, Davis, etc.... It is only those who do not or cannot compete that join the anti-immigration lobby. America shall always prevail, America will prevail in the days of the the first immigrants and it will prevail now. The only Law or rules that will survive are those that go with the American spirit of constant immigration.

David F. Amakobe

Immigrant Life

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