Immigration Update - 1.12.2015

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Immigration Alert

Webster Groves, Missouri

Monday, 7:30 am - Cold (But None of that Nasty Snow & Ice)

Good morning, Jim,

The Empire Strikes Back; House Republicans Threaten DHS Funding

In response to President Obama's decision to change deportation priorities and to allow some undocumented immigrants to get work authorization, House Republicans introduced legislation last week to not only prevent the President's proposed 2015 changes, but to also undo the original grant of Deferred Action to the so-called DREAMers. The GOP leaders want to deport them instead. The move is tied to funding for the Department of Homeland Security. While it may pass the House, it seems very unlikely to make it out of the Senate. Meanwhile, the country waits for real immigration reform.

Illinois State Police Ordered to Not Detain People Simply Based on Immigration Status

Outgoing governor Pat Quinn issued an executive order last week prohibiting Illinois law enforcement agencies from taking someone into custody simply because of an immigration detainer (hold) from immigration officials. Quinn noted that "community policing efforts are hindered" when immigrants are the victims or witnesses of crime and are afraid to help police for fear of being deported. Quinn issued another order directing state agencies to assist undocumented immigrants in gathering the state records they need in order to apply for President Obama's new immigration initiative.

My new book Denied: The Top Ten Ways People Screw Up Their Immigration Case has now been released. You can order the PDF here. Hard copies will be available through Amazon shortly.

The Story of a 4th Grader's Deportation

CBS Evening News profiled Rodrigo Guzman, a 4th grader, who was brought to the U.S. at the age of 16 months on a tourist visa and overstayed. Rodrigo has been deported and is barred from returning to the U.S. for at least five years. His former classmates in the U.S. have decided to take their case to the streets - advocating for Rodrigo with the Berkeley City Council, marching in the street and asking President Obama for help. Some wise words from his former classmates and we applaud their activism.

Afghan military officer awaits judge's ruling on asylum claim

Major Jan Arash, an Afghan military officer, appeared in immigration court in Buffalo, New York, last week to plea for asylum in the U.S. Arash claims that he would be a target of the Taliban if he is forced to return to his home country. In September, Arash fled a U.S.-led military training exercise in Massachusetts and drove to Niagara Falls. When he and two colleagues tried to enter Canada, they were refused and turned over to US customs officials. Immigration judge Steven Connelly took the case under advisement.

That's all for this week.

Last week, we started new mailbag email series called Jimmigration where readers can submit questions for us to answer regarding U.S. immigration issues. If you would like to submit a question, please simply reply to this email.

Jim