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Editor's Comments
The Gauntlet Is Thrown
In a bold, decisive and long overdue action, the Senate responded today to
President Bush's historic immigration reform initiative. Sen. Hagel, a Republican
and Sen. Daschle, a Democrat joined forces to introduce a bipartisan bill
for comprehensive immigration reform. What the legislation proposes would
amount to a mini-revolution in immigration law. While the actual text of
the bill is not yet available, a close reading of the press releases from
the two senators (see items below) suggests that the bill would mean the
end of the 3 and 10 year bars - these bars are one of the fundamental
causes of the dysfunctionality of our immigration system today. The bill would
also mean the end of registry and 245(i) by substituting a rolling
registry-cum-245(i)-like provision for which millions of the undocumented
would be eligible. The bill would also at long last increase the permanent
immigration quotas. With a vision quite different from the President's, the
Senate bill will ensure that there will at least be a true debate on
immigration reform this election year - it will not be possible for the
White House to get political brownie points on immigration unless concrete
action follows the President's sweeping and moving words on immigration reform
earlier this month. The Senate bill also sets the stage for a major battle
with the House - the House's vision on immigration reform will likely be
very different from the Senate's. The Senate bill will likely be the
immigration story of the year. Perhaps the best way to end this comment is
with Senator Hagel's words from his press release "... It is not in our
security interest to have 8-10 million people undocumented and unaccounted
for in our country. Congress must reform the patchwork of immigration laws
that have created an underground, black market labor force. The legislation
we introduce today is responsible immigration reform. This is a debate that
we have deferred for too long. President Bush deserves credit for the
leadership he has shown in putting this issue back on the agenda. Congress
must now meet that leadership by having a courageous debate on the tough
issues of immigration reform."
ILW.COM Focus
The Approaching H-1B Cap And What To Do About It
With increased hiring by employers, H-1B numbers are steadily
being used up, and the cap will likely be reached in a couple of months.
With a legislative fix still up in the air, this is an opportune time to
review legal strategies to guide clients through the coming H-1B storm. Our
upcoming telephonic seminar "ILW.COM-Fragomen Briefing On H-1B Issues And
Current Developments" will discuss hot issues in H-1Bs and will provide
practice pointers to guide clients through the year ahead. The speakers
include many distinguished practitioners from the law firm of Fragomen, Del
Rey, Bernsen and Loewy, the largest immigration law firm in the country
with over 130 lawyers - Austin Fragomen, Howard Gordon, Jonathan Adams,
Andrew Greenfield, Ethan Kaufman, Cynthia Lange, Michael Patrick, Cheri
Peterson-Ross, Michael Turansick and Freddi Weintraub (DHS and DOL
representatives have been invited). The three sessions of this telephonic
seminar will cover The H-1B Visa - Overview And Alternatives, The Labor
Condition Application - Overview And Current Issues, and Latest
Developments And Hot Topics in H-1Bs. H-1Bs are the bread-and-butter of
most immigration practices across the country. This telephonic seminar
series is an excellent opportunity to stay abreast of the latest
developments in this area of immigration law and to hear legal strategies
from some of the finest legal minds in immigration law. The seminar is
offered by phone, so law offices around the country can participate. It is
also a great training tool for the entire law firm staff (one registration
covers everyone sharing a speakerphone). The seminar includes an in-depth
Q&A period where you can pose questions regarding your cases to the
distinguished practitioners on the panel. The deadline to register is
Tuesday, January 27th. For more info, including detailed curriculum,
speaker bios, and registration information, see: http://www.ilw.com/seminars/january2004.shtm. (Fax version: http://www.ilw.com/seminars/january2004.pdf.)
Featured Article
J-1 Waiver Flowcharts
Gregory Siskind provides seven flowcharts for the J-1 waiver process. These visual tools will be of interest to all those involved in J-1s.
Keep on top of the latest in immigration law! Attend ILW.COM seminars! You can attend ILW.COM phone seminars from the convenience of your office! For more info on the seminars currently available, please click here: http://www.ilw.com/seminars/
Immigration Law News
Senators Hagel And Daschle Introduce Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation
Senators Hagel (R-NE) and Daschle (D-SD) introduced "The Immigration Reform Act of 2004: Strengthening America’s National Security, Economy, and Families". For Sen. Hagel's press release, see here. For Sen. Daschle's press release, see here.
EOIR Announces Latest Disciplinary Actions
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced its latest disciplinary actions including: the final order of discipline for two attorneys and the reinstatement of one attorney. (This announcement is different from the announcement which we carried in our January 21, 2004 issue.)
President Bush Speaks On Immigration In State Of Union Address
President Bush spoke about immigration during his State of the Union address.
Senators Daschle And Hagel Announce Bipartisan Comprehensive Immigration Bill
The Contra Costa Times reports "Legislation to be unveiled today takes President Bush's immigration reform plan a step further by granting permanent residency to some undocumented workers, an immigrant advocate said Tuesday."
President Bush's Guest Worker Proposal Is Step In Right Direction
An Atlantic Monthly op-ed says "Bush's guest-worker proposal strikes me as a step in the right direction because it is more generous to illegals than the status quo while seeming unlikely to touch off a massive new influx."
Attorney listings on ILW.COM are searched 200,000 times/year! Each attorney listed is searched an average of once each day! Just one new client will pay for the entire year's fee! Click here for more info: http://www.ilw.com/membership/
Classifieds
Help Wanted: Paralegals
Are you looking to join a fast-paced, dynamic and friendly team that provides first-rate immigration legal services to global businesses and individuals? Paparelli & Partners LLP, a leading immigration law firm with an established national practice, located in Irvine, California, has immediate openings for two experienced Immigration Paralegals to work at our office in Irvine, California. If you have what it takes, you will work under the supervision of attorneys to serve multinational companies and high-achiever individuals in both employment-based and family-based immigration-related matters. You will use computer software extensively (research databases, Internet, MS Word, MS Outlook, Excel, ProLaw, Immigration Tracker, Power Point, etc.), and become immersed in cutting-edge immigration projects. Please contact us if you have six months or more of US immigration experience, are a multi-talented, multi-tasker, detail oriented, express yourself well in person and on paper, work well on a team, love challenges, are willing to work hard, have a spotless ethical record and character, have a paralegal certificate or are otherwise qualified as a paralegal under California law. To pursue this exciting opportunity, email your resume to Chris McCoy at cim@entertheusa.com. For background, see our web site: http://www.entertheusa.com.
Case Management Technology
VISAPREP offers three services to fit the needs of every immigration law practice. Whether you seek a simple forms program, a case management system, or VisaPrep TotalPractice - a comprehensive system that performs every administrative function in the immigration law process - we have a system for you. VISAPREP, the only immigration law technology created by immigration lawyers, will create efficiencies in every aspect of your immigration law practice. Many immigration technology vendors make promises - VISAPREP delivers. VISAPREP offers top-notch support with no hidden costs. We include unlimited training and support with our standard pricing package, and you'll have 30 days of free use to be sure VISAPREP is the right system for you. You will also receive monthly newsletters and time-sensitive "practice updates" from the VISAPREP team. We pride ourselves on providing superior service along with our technology. Call 866-VISAPREP (866-847-2773) or send an e-mail to freetrial@visaprep.com for information or to schedule a demonstration.
Credential Evaluation And Translation Service
Does your firm need a free initial consultation regarding an educational evaluation? American Evaluation and Translation Service, Inc. (AETS) provides free reviews of educational documentation. AETS will review the educational documentation submitted and call/email your firm to update you on the exact U.S. educational equivalency. AETS charges $50 for 10 business-day educational evaluation service, $70 for 5 business-day, $90 for 3 business-day, $100 for 24-Hours and $125 for a Same-Day turn-around. AETS also provides 'Expert Opinion' Work Experience and Position Evaluations completed by PhD university professors that start at $200 for 10 business-day service. For a complete list of their prices and turn-around times, please click here: http://aetsinternational.com/applicationforevaluationservices.pdf. In addition, AETS provides certified translations in over 100 languages, with translators that are specialists in over 80 fields. For a copy of the Application for Credential Evaluation and Translation Services, please contact AETS at (786) 276-8190, visit the website at http://www.aetsinternational.com, or send AETS an email: info@aetsinternational.com.
We carry advertisements for Help Wanted: Attorney, Help Wanted: Paralegal, Help Wanted: Other, Positions Sought, Products & Services Offered, etc.
For information on advertising in the classifieds please click here
For a listing of current immigration events please click here
For services/products of use in your law practice please click here
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
I am an experienced immigration attorney and looking for position openings on ILW.COM. Besides the link under today's Immigration Daily headlines, is there a menu option to see all the attorney classified ads on your web site? Also, by chance do you offer a service where your classified ads are e-mailed out to registered participants?
Name Withheld Upon Request
Editor's Note: Classifieds can be found by checking Immigration Daily every day on our website and/or by receiving Immigration Daily via email (sign-up is free). We also carry "position sought" ads. If you would like to learn more about placing such an ad, see here.
Dear Editor:
Where do I obtain criminal rehabilitation forms? Need to get clearance for immigration purposes.
Nisha Jugmohan
Editor's Note: We carry many, though not all, immigration-related forms on our forms page. There is no charge to download any form on the forms page.
An Important disclaimer! The information provided on this page is not legal advice.
Transmission of this information is not intended to create, and receipt by you does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Readers must not act upon any information without first seeking advice from a
qualified attorney. Send Correspondence and articles to editor@ilw.com. Letters and articles may be edited and may be published and otherwise used in any medium. Opinions expressed in letters and articles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of ILW.COM.
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