A Note from the Editors:

H-1B Cap Reached For FY 2004

This year's 65,000 H-1B cap has been reached. The USCIS released a press release (describing the new procedures for H-1B petition processing) and a fact sheet (providing a detailed breakdown of filed and approved petitions for FY 2000-2003). For both items, see below.

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

Articles

DHHS Announces 2004 Poverty Guidelines
The Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services announced its updated povery guidelines, effective February 13, 2004.

Undocumented Immigrants: Facts And Figures
Jeffrey S. Passel, Randy Capps, and Michael Fix et al. of the Urban Institute Immigration Studies Program provide basic descriptive data on the undocumented population in the US.

Senate Judiciary Testimony On Temporary Guest Worker Program
The Senate Subcommittee on Immigration conducted a hearing "Evaluating a Temporary Guest Worker Proposal". The hearing included testimony received from the following: Asa Hutchinson Undersecretary for Border and Transportation Security Directorate, DHS; Eduardo Aguirre, Director USCIS; Steven J. Law, Deputy Secretary, DOL; Richard R. Birkman, President Texas Roofing Company; Demetrios Papademetriou, Co-director Migration Policy Institute; Charles Cervantes, General Counsel U.S. - Mexico Chamber of Commerce; Vernon Briggs, Professor of Industrial and Labor Relations Cornell University. Statements were made at the hearing by the following Senators: Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).

Impact Of Dual Citizenship For Persons Of Indian Origin In The U.S. by Cyrus Mehta
Cyrus D. Mehta writes "Some persons of Indian origin in the US have expressed concern about being dual nationals, and whether such a status would interfere with their US citizenship status."

USCIS Announces H-1B Cap Reached
The USCIS announced that it has received enough H-1B petitions to meet this year's congressionally mandated cap of 65,000 new petitions. After today, USCIS will not accept any new H-1B petitions for first-time employment for most employers subject to the FY 2004 annual cap. For the press release, see here. For the fact sheet providing the number of H-1B petitions filed and approved by type, see here.

Have You Been Googled? How To Market Your Firm Online In 2004
Peter Boyd, Esq. writes "Having a web site will not drive clients to your firm. Odd that a web designer would write something that bold, but it is true."

9th Circuit In Cazarez-Gutierrez v Ashcroft Holds Felony Simple Possession Of A Controlled Substance Is Not An Aggravated Felony
Kathy Brady writes "An offense that does not involve drug trafficking, such as simply possessing a controlled substance, can be an aggravated felony under the drug trafficking category, as long as it is analogous to a federal offense and a "felony" under some standard. What the felony standard is has been the subject of much litigation and changing of rules."

What is Humanitarian Parole?
Read a response from the USCIS on humanitarian parole, including how to prepare a humanitarian parole application package.

ILW Highlights

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Letters to Editors

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

Dear Editor:
I carefully read the articles about the Guest Worker Program and analyzed USCIS Aguirre's testimony in front of Congress. Through his speech, he welcomed this program as he explained the conditions. He stated that upon renewal, applicants would have to return to their home countries for a period of time before they could get readmitted. What if they aren't? Would parents be seperated from their US born children? How about those who own properties, how are they supposed to pay their mortgages when they are out of the country not working? Is it a way for the Bush administration to deport immigrants and confiscate the assets? Maybe I'm missing something. Any insight into this would be appreciated.

Percy Alvarez

Immigrant Life

What is a credit card?

A credit card is a plastic card that allows the holder access to a line of credit from a financial institution. Using the line of credit is like getting a short-term, pre-approved loan from the bank, but the interest on the loan is much higher than a regular loan. Some cards offer perks like frequent-flier miles, cash back, warranties or rental car insurance with use, so in many cases paying with a credit card can be more beneficial than paying with cash.

To learn more, see here.

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This week's chat schedule

ILW.COM announces that as of Feb 3rd, all chats will be held at 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

When	Attorney
Tuesday, Feb 24 5:00 pm Eastern Time	Susan Han, Esq.
Thursday, Feb 26 5:00 pm Eastern Time	Karen K Meade, Esq.
Tuesday, Mar 2 5:00 pm Eastern Time	Fariba Faiz, Esq.

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