A Note from the Editors:

Labor Certification For Family Immigrants

Recent reports from Capitol Hill indicate that Congress is poised to take action on H1s, Ls, and even something called the DREAM Act. Immigration advocates on both sides (pro and anti) are busy lobbying Congress on these issues. In the meanwhile, not much movement appears to be happening on either Sen. Cornyn's bill or Rep. Kolbe's bill. Both these measures have the merit of at least attempting to tackle the unpleasant fact that we have millions of undocumented aliens in the country. The problem is plain for all to see. The facts are that millions of people across the world wish to work in the US, and there is work aplenty for them here. In fact, without massive, large-scale immigration, our economy would face a serious crisis. Unfortunately, our immigration laws do not facilitate such immigration, in fact, they actively hinder it. This is because our immigration system admits many TIMES more family immigrants than employment immigrants. And that creates a not-so-obvious problem. In order to re-structure our immigration system around employment-based immigration, something is going to have to give, particulary in the give-and-take that would be essential to get such a fundamental restructuring through Congress. That something is clearly family immigration. In order for employment based immigration to take its rightful place in our immigration scheme, family immigration will have to take its rightful place, which is a very small one indeed (nuclear families excepted). Most of the hinderances heaped on immigration in the name of protection for American workers are on the employment-based side - the current H1 and L battles in Congress are examples of this. However, family-based immigrants are the largest part of the immigrant labor-force. And it makes no difference to an American worker whether the competition is a family immigrant or an employment immigrant. If Congress really wants to protect American workers, why not impose a labor certification requirement on all family immigrants (nuclear families excepted)? DOL would not long be able to maintain its fairy-tale system of labor certification once it gets hit by the tsunami of public outcry that would follow such a requirement. The end result would be twofold: true protection for American workers, and a much more rational labor certification system for employers. Instead of the wild goose chase after the L and H1 visas, Congress would better serve American workers and employers by loosening up on employment visas and requiring labor certification from family immigrants (nuclear families excepted).

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

Articles

The Hidden History Of Immigration: All Parts Compiled
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.

Update On Recent Consular Processing Changes And Update On Security Clearances For Third Country Nationals At Border Posts In Mexico/Canada
Avi Friedman & Bernard P. Wolfsdorf provide real-life scenarios and possible solutions to common situations in these post-9/11 times.

The Child Status Protection Act: Is Your Child Protected?
Tammy Fox-Isicoff and H. Ronald Klasko discuss the issues that are critical to determining which children will receive coverage under the CSPA, all of which are presently the subject of some debate or controversy.

DHS H-1B Report Says Number Of India-Born H-1B Workers Declined By 60%
The Office Immigration Statistics of the DHS released its annual report on characteristics of speciality occupation workers (H-1B) for FY '02.

The Next Amnesty? Can You Prepare For It?
Alan Lee, Esq. writes "HR 2899 gives readers a concept of the parameters of any possible bill for an amnesty in the near future."

EOIR Announces Latest Disciplinary Actions
The Executive Office for Immigration Review of the Department of Justice announced disciplinary actions against three attorneys: two attorneys were immediately suspended; one received a final order of discipline.

Migrant Worker H2A Legislation Introduced
Sen. Craig (R-ID) and Sen. Kennedy (D-MA) introduced legislation to provide for the adjustment of status of certain foreign agricultural workers.

Should I Submit Our Site To 1,000 Search Engines?
Peter Boyd, Esq. writes "We have all wondered whether paying to submit our awesome web site to these search engines will result in more web traffic and more clients."

BCIS Guidance Memo On Final Regulation On Certification Of Foreign Health Care Workers
William Yates, Associate Director for Operations of the BCIS issued a memorandum to BCIS service center directors, regional directors, office of international affairs, and BCBP on the final regulation on certification of foreign health care workers.

Affidavit of Support (State Department FAQs)
Read a detailed response from the State Department on general information and FAQs on Affidavit of Support.

ILW Highlights

Processing Times Updated

Vermont, Texas, California, DOS, and DOL processing times were recently updated.

Letters to Editors

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Dear Editor:
I'm really interested on information on section 245(i) because I recently won the Green Card, but unfortunately I've overstayed in your beautiful country. My background is clean, I've never had any kind of trouble with the police or the justice. I do believe that for cases like mine (they certainly exist), people who like this country, people who want to participate in building this country and make it stronger, a law should be created by the Congress that allows them to adjust their status. Even though they won't be citizens the first time, they're gonna have to prouve their loyalty to this country. I have a dream that one day, that law will show up to make things more flexible as they do in Europe and Canada. Thanks for all the information given to us through ILW.COM.

Papa Guirane Guisse

Immigrant Life

What Is An International Telephone Call?

An international call is a call placed to a different country than the one you are in.

Why Is Making a Telephone Call Important?

Calling family and friends in your home country can be an important way of staying connected with those you care about back home. It is also the quickest way to let them know you have arrived safely to your destination.

To learn more, see here.

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