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Comment
Act On Usurious Fees
USCIS recently announced its proposal for a massive fee increase.
USCIS cites IBIS checks and fraud detection among the activities leading to increased fees. While the USCIS has authority to increase fees in relation to services rendered, we wonder whether the USCIS can charge security-related costs to immigrant applicants seeking benefits. These activities should be located within the enforcement arms of DHS (CBP, ICE), along with their attendent costs. Omitting enforcement fees in this way will substantially reduce the proposed USCIS fee increase.
USCIS is a benefits delivery organization that serves two distinct customers (employment vs. family). Services such as premium-processing which places efficiency up for sale have overwhelmingly been taken advantage of by businesses. Businesses can absorb increased fees and pass on these costs to their clients. Individuals (who overwhelmingly file family petitions) do not have alternatives to filing their application fees or the luxury of passing on increased fees. Moreover, employers through coalition groups and advocacy organizations have the financial wherewithal to voice their political views on Capitol Hill and effect change. Individuals who generally file family-based applications, on the other hand, do not have the ability to mobilize in large numbers. These individuals do not have the political clout or any available recourse if immigration services are not rendered or are shabbily rendered. The USCIS must acknowledge that their fee structure cannot be equally applied to both employment-based and family-based applications since they are indeed distinct customer bases, and as such require tailored solutions.
Immigration overwhelmingly benefits our country. Imposing administrative fees entirely on the shoulders of immigrants sends a conflicted message. Immigration Daily has long maintained that user fees should be abolished entirely. The proposed rule suggests exempting T nonimmigrant status and VAWA status applicants from paying certain fees. Such exemptions should be greatly broadened, and should include exemptions for financial hardship. Doing anything different will mean that the rich folks will get their green cards but the poor families won't. The power lies with Congress to correct this injustice. Congress should perhaps consider eliminating fees altogether or in part and appropriating the rest. An important advantage of this would be that DHS would be more responsive to Congressional offices. We urge all readers affected by usurious fees to submit their comments to USCIS.
We welcome readers to share their opinion and ideas with us by writing to editor@ilw.com.
Focus
Solving Complex Immigration Challenges While Super-Charging Your Career and Your Law Firm - With Angelo Paparelli
Immigration-law representation and practice management have never been more
difficult. The ever-changing law is mind-bogglingly complex, agency
regulations are either indecipherable or nonexistent, and the bureaucratic
response is typically confused, nonsensical or unforgiving.
Media bloviators befuddle, inflame and frighten the public about America's
"Broken Borders". ICE conducts unannounced raids of employers and sweeps of
the hapless alien parents of U.S. citizen children. USCIS launches a new
website that spits out more error messages than answers. CBP snares both
overstays and legitimate travelers alike who apply for admission at ports of
entry. The DOL's buggy PERM program perplexes long-time and new
practitioners. DOS and DHS are hamstrung by delays in FBI security
clearances. The AAO rubber-stamps USCIS denials while pretending to be
impartial. The State Department reports monthly quota backlogs that move at
a chelonian pace. Future H-1B hopefuls are stuck like insects in amber while
awaiting April 1 and October 1. A newly reconstituted, Democrat-controlled
Congress is set to attempt a grand resolution on comprehensive immigration
reform legislation with Pres. Bush.
Meantime, today's clients are more demanding and panic-stricken than ever
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With all that is riding on the work of today's immigration lawyers,
are you and your law firm ready for the minefields and IEDs that lie
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If you answered "yes" to even one of these questions, then you MUST MAKE
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the presentation will differ dramatically from the usual talking-heads CLE
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Fax form http://www.ilw.com/workshops/march2007challenges.pdf.
Article
Help Wanted: The Indian IT Skills Gap And How More H-1Bs Can Make It Worse
Gary Endelman writes "There is a dirty little secret that India does not want you to know: they have a looming IT shortage!"
Counting Immigrants In Cities Across The Globe
Marie Price and Lisa Benton-Short For Migration Information Source write "In cities around the world, but especially in Western Europe, Australia, the Persian Gulf, and North America, immigrants play a fundamental role in the labor force and the social life of cities."
News
CRS Report On Alien Legalization
The Congressional Research Service issued a primer summarizing the main avenues for foreign nationals
currently in the US - legally or illegally - to become legal permanent residents.
Classifieds
Help Wanted: Immigration Attorney
Chevy Chase Pavilion at Friendship Heights Metro (Washington, DC) - Polished and meticulous senior business immigration attorney needed to join nationally recognized, fast-paced immigration team in friendly 10-attorney firm. You will work independently on diverse immigrant and nonimmigrant cases, manage paralegals, and coordinate directly with clients. Requires 4+
yrs experience, excellent PC, communication, interpersonal & organizational skills. Contact Denise C. Hammond, Tobin O.Connor Ewing & Richard, 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Ste. 700, Washington, D.C. 20015, dchammond@tobinoconnor.com.
Help Wanted: Immigration Paralegals
NY, NY - The Law Offices Of Jan Allen Reiner, a law firm with impeccable reputation, seeks an immigration paralegal with 1+ years of experience in any and all areas of immigration. Candidate will work with some degree of independence, have extensive client contact, will have excellent written and verbal communication skills both in English and the Mandarin dialect of Chinese, the ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment, the desire to provide a high level of customer satisfaction,
and word-processing skills. While a candidate with some experience is preferred, we will also train the right candidate. Please submit resume to allen.reiner@verizon.net. Please only those with permanent legal status in the US need apply.
Help Wanted: Immigration Paralegals
Tyson's Corner, VA (Washington, DC) - Fast-paced growing immigration law firm seeks two experienced immigration paralegals. Experience in labor certs, NIV categories, AOS, and consular processing required. Experience with NIW, extraordinary ability a plus. Must have 2+ yrs of business immigration experience with direct case management of corporate clients' immigration legal needs and some familiarity with family based cases. Strong writing and verbal communication skills required. Westlaw, Lexis and AILA link research systems knowledge a plus. Benefits and salary commensurate with experience. Come and be a part of growing firm where your influence really counts. Send resume + salary expectations to Glendia Mondesir: gmondesir@clifdellaw.com.
Help Wanted: Immigration Paralegal
Established downtown NYC immigration practice seeks paralegal with 2+ years of business immigration experience, including hands-on preparation of PERM applications. Must have Bachelor's degree as well as excellent writing, communication and case management skills. Opportunity to work closely with sole practitioner. Competitive salary/benefits. Submit resume and cover letter to Lynne R. Newkofsky, Esq.: lnewkofsky@newkofsky.com. All inquiries will be kept confidential.
Help Wanted: Immigration Paralegals
Chicago, IL - Laner Muchin, one of the nation's oldest labor law firms, has
openings for full-time U.S. immigration paralegals. As part of our
philosophy of providing cost effective counsel, whenever legal tasks can be
done by a paralegal, the client benefits. Our paralegals have the
opportunity to contribute to a growing immigration practice and do
challenging work. Ideal candidates must have 1+ years of substantial
experience in employment-based immigration, including substantial PERM labor
certification experience. Entry-level opportunities available for global
immigration specialists to manage non-U.S. visa case matters. Successful
candidates must be highly motivated, detailed-oriented and have outstanding
communication, case management, computer and people skills. College degree
required. Chinese, Korean, Japanese and/or other foreign language fluency a
plus. Competitive compensation package + excellent benefits offered. E-mail
cover letter and resume to immigration@lanermuchin.com. We are an
affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Help Wanted: Immigration Paralegal
Rockville, MD - Maryland's largest independent law firm outside of Baltimore city (90+ attorneys), seeks immigration legal assistant to work as part of its Immigration, Nationality & Consular Practice Group team. 2+ years experience desired in: employment-based IV (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3), NIV (E-1, E-2, H-1B, L-1A, L-1B, O-1), family-based IV, naturalization, AOS, consular processing, I-9 compliance/employer sanctions, and litigation. College degree or paralegal certificate preferred - significant experience considered in place of education. Ideal candidate possesses superior analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Must be proficient in word processing, spreadsheet, and immigration forms applications. Duties include heavy client contact, legal research, and immigration petitions. Work with experienced immigration attorneys and professionals in fast-paced, collegial setting. Excellent salary/benefits package. If you enjoy challenging work with direct client contact and are equally passionate about immigration law, we want to hear from you. Send resume + salary requirements in confidence to: Ms. Maura Bowen, Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy, & Ecker by fax (301) 230-2891 or email: mbowen@srgpe.com.
Help Wanted: Immigration Paralegals
Irvine, CA - 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 has immediate openings for two experienced immigration paralegals. Work under the supervision of attorneys to serve multinational companies and high-achiever individuals in both employment-based and family-based immigration-related matters. 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. Contact us if you have two or more years 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 CA law. Japanese language fluency (verbal/written) preferred for one open position, but not required. To pursue this exciting opportunity, email resume to Gina Galassi: grg@entertheusa.com.
Help Wanted: Immigration Attorneys
Larrabee | Mehlman | Albi | Coker LLP the leading business immigration law firm in San Diego, CA, has openings for senior associate attorneys and associate attorneys. Both positions require experience in labor certs, NIV categories (senior position requires experience in all NIV categories), AOS and consular processing as well as NIW, extraordinary ability, multi-national and researcher petitions in high volume, fast-paced immigration firm. Sr. Associate Attorney - must have 5+ yrs of business immigration experience with direct management of corporate clients' immigration legal needs. Experience should include managing support staff. Associate Attorney - must have 1-2yrs. business immigration experience. Strong writing and verbal communication skills required for both positions. Excellent benefits. Salary commensurate with experience. Great place to work and enjoy your chosen career. CA bar membership a plus. Send resume with salary expectations to: hr@larrabee.com.
Immigration Law Certificate
Master the complex and ever changing maze of immigration policies and regulations with the Immigration Law Studies Certificate Program offered by CUNY's School of Professional Studies. This graduate-level certificate program, consisting of (3) three-credit classes, offers students who complete it a comprehensive understanding of the laws, regulations, and processes surrounding the status of immigrants in the US, including family and employment-based immigration and deportation defense. It is designed for individuals working in law firms, companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations where they interact with immigrants and immigrant legal concerns on a regular basis and would therefore benefit from greater knowledge of the laws and regulations surrounding immigration. Beginning this spring, the program is also being offered online. For more information on class schedules, tuition and fees, course applications and to register, see here.
comingsNgoings
Readers can share their professional announcements (100-words or fewer at no charge), email: editor@ilw.com. Readers interested in learning about featuring your event or conference in Immigration Daily, see here. To feature your newsletter in Immigration Daily, see here.
Immigration Event - Wilmington, DE
Scores of local governments are considering laws to require landlords, employers and businesses to verify the immigration status of tenants, employees and customers. These proposals have met protest and litigation from immigrant rights groups and activists. The American Immigration Law Foundation's Immigration Policy Center and Widener University School of Law are sponsoring a forum to discuss this important issue. The forum will be held at Widener on February 7, 4-6pm. It is free and open to the public (CLE credit available - requires fee). More information is available here or from Constance Sweeney at (302) 477-2177 or cmsweeney@widener.edu.
Letters
Readers are welcome to share their comments, email: editor@ilw.com (300-words or fewer preferred). Many letters to the Editor refer to past correspondence, available in our archives.
None today.
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. Copyright 1995-2007 American Immigration LLC, ILW.COM. Send correspondence and articles to editor@ilw.com. Letters and articles may be edited and may be published and otherwise used in any medium. The views expressed in letters and articles do not necessarily represent the views of ILW.COM.
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