Naima Said outside the White House where she was a part of Immigration Reform Delegation to the White House on April 23, 2013.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL
IMMIGRANTS IN THE U.S. ILLEGALLY
Dreamers: Young people who were brought to the U.S. before Dec. 31, 2011 and were under age 15 when they entered can get green cards in five years, a Senate aide said. They can apply for citizenship immediately after receiving their green cards.
Agricultural workers: Agricultural workers can get green cards in five to seven years, depending on how low they commit to continue working in agriculture, according to a Senate aide and the bill summary.
Others: After 180 days immigrants in the U.S. illegally can gain provisional status, provided the Department of Homeland Security Secretary has submitted a border security plan. To get the provisional status, they must have arrived in the U.S. before Dec. 31, 2011, pay a $500 fine plus processing fees and undergo a background check. Anyone with felony convictions or three or more misdemeanors will be ineligible. Once people have provisional status, they can work legally and travel outside of the U.S. People must renew their provisional status every six years and pay another $500 penalty fee.
After a decade, they’ll be eligible to gain permanent legal status. There are a variety of paths they can take but most of them are expected to use a new merit-based system. Under that system, anyone who can prove they’ve lived in the U.S. for a decade can qualify for a green card that will put them on the path to gain citizenship in three years. To get a green card, they will have had to pay taxes, work regularly, learn English and pay a $1,000 penalty.
DEPORTED IMMIGRANTS
Some people who came to the U.S. before Dec. 31, 2011, and were deported for noncriminal reasons can apply to return to the U.S. and get provisional legal status. They must be people who were brought here as children and would be considered “dreamers” or the spouse or parent of a person who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
FUTURE IMMIGRANTS
Merit Visas: The merit-based system has a second path, which is mostly expected to be used by future immigrants. Immigrants can apply for visas and they will be given a score based on their education level, employment and other considerations. People with the most points will earn the visas. Between 120,000 and 250,000 visas could be available each year under this program, which is designed to funnel talented immigrants to the U.S. It would launch five years after the bill is enacted and would provide a path to citizenship for immigrants.
Family Visas: The legislation basically restricts family immigration to the immediate family: spouses, unmarried adult children and children who are married and file before age 31. Unmarried adult children of lawful permanent residents are also eligible. These people would all eventually be eligible to apply for citizenship. The bill would also kill some existing family visa programs, including programs for siblings as well as adult children who are married and older than 31.
High-Skilled Graduates: Foreigners who graduate from American universities with advanced degrees in science, math, technology and engineering would be eligible for green cards, a Senate aide said.
Entrepreneurs: A start-up visa program would be available for foreigners who want to come to the U.S. to start a company.
The Super Talented: An unlimited number of green cards for people with “extraordinary ability” in areas like art, science, business and athletics. This group also includes multinational executives and managers.
High-Skilled Visas: The H-1B visa program, a temporary visa for high-skilled workers, would grow to offer 110,000 visas instead of the 65,000 it currently allots. The program could grow as large as 180,000 visas depending on demand for the program and economic conditions. Some 25,000 short-term visas for foreign workers with advanced degrees from U.S. schools would also be available.
Agricultural Workers: Business and labor agreed to a new visa program that would allow 112,000 farm workers to come to the U.S. in the first year of operation. They could work year-round.
Low-wage workers: A new nonseasonal program for people like janitors and construction workers begins with 20,000 visas in its first year and rises to 75,000 in its fourth. Workers would eventually be able to apply for permanent legal status, a Senate aide said.
Dreamers: Young people who were brought to the U.S. before Dec. 31, 2011 and were under age 15 when they entered can get green cards in five years, a Senate aide said. They can apply for citizenship immediately after receiving their green cards.
Agricultural workers: Agricultural workers can get green cards in five to seven years, depending on how low they commit to continue working in agriculture, according to a Senate aide and the bill summary.
Others: After 180 days immigrants in the U.S. illegally can gain provisional status, provided the Department of Homeland Security Secretary has submitted a border security plan. To get the provisional status, they must have arrived in the U.S. before Dec. 31, 2011, pay a $500 fine plus processing fees and undergo a background check. Anyone with felony convictions or three or more misdemeanors will be ineligible. Once people have provisional status, they can work legally and travel outside of the U.S. People must renew their provisional status every six years and pay another $500 penalty fee.
After a decade, they’ll be eligible to gain permanent legal status. There are a variety of paths they can take but most of them are expected to use a new merit-based system. Under that system, anyone who can prove they’ve lived in the U.S. for a decade can qualify for a green card that will put them on the path to gain citizenship in three years. To get a green card, they will have had to pay taxes, work regularly, learn English and pay a $1,000 penalty.
DEPORTED IMMIGRANTS
Some people who came to the U.S. before Dec. 31, 2011, and were deported for noncriminal reasons can apply to return to the U.S. and get provisional legal status. They must be people who were brought here as children and would be considered “dreamers” or the spouse or parent of a person who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
FUTURE IMMIGRANTS
Merit Visas: The merit-based system has a second path, which is mostly expected to be used by future immigrants. Immigrants can apply for visas and they will be given a score based on their education level, employment and other considerations. People with the most points will earn the visas. Between 120,000 and 250,000 visas could be available each year under this program, which is designed to funnel talented immigrants to the U.S. It would launch five years after the bill is enacted and would provide a path to citizenship for immigrants.
Family Visas: The legislation basically restricts family immigration to the immediate family: spouses, unmarried adult children and children who are married and file before age 31. Unmarried adult children of lawful permanent residents are also eligible. These people would all eventually be eligible to apply for citizenship. The bill would also kill some existing family visa programs, including programs for siblings as well as adult children who are married and older than 31.
High-Skilled Graduates: Foreigners who graduate from American universities with advanced degrees in science, math, technology and engineering would be eligible for green cards, a Senate aide said.
Entrepreneurs: A start-up visa program would be available for foreigners who want to come to the U.S. to start a company.
The Super Talented: An unlimited number of green cards for people with “extraordinary ability” in areas like art, science, business and athletics. This group also includes multinational executives and managers.
High-Skilled Visas: The H-1B visa program, a temporary visa for high-skilled workers, would grow to offer 110,000 visas instead of the 65,000 it currently allots. The program could grow as large as 180,000 visas depending on demand for the program and economic conditions. Some 25,000 short-term visas for foreign workers with advanced degrees from U.S. schools would also be available.
Agricultural Workers: Business and labor agreed to a new visa program that would allow 112,000 farm workers to come to the U.S. in the first year of operation. They could work year-round.
Low-wage workers: A new nonseasonal program for people like janitors and construction workers begins with 20,000 visas in its first year and rises to 75,000 in its fourth. Workers would eventually be able to apply for permanent legal status, a Senate aide said.
New Law to Support Family Unity during the Waiver Process
Effective March 4, 2012
The Obama administration has announced a new stateside waiver filing option. This option means that people who are inadmissible for unlawful presence may file for a waiver in the United States instead of travelling to their countries to wait for months or years for the adjudication of the waiver. This new filing procedure will reduce the amount of time that U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives. This new law is not for everybody. Under the new law, only immediate relatives are eligible - parents, spouses and children under 21. However, they must still depart the United States for the consularimmigrant visa process after the approval of their provisional waiver.
Estimados Clientes de habla Hispana,
Cualquier persona solicitando la aplicación para la acción deferida, tienen que tener menos de 31 anos de edad desde Junio 15, 2012. Tiene
que tener por lo menos 15 anos de edad para aplicar en la acción deferida, al menos que usted este en procedimiento de deportación o tiene una orden de
deportación voluntaria.
Tiene que comprobar:
Que en Junio 15,2012 usted
Tenia menos de 31 anos de edad
Vino a Estados Unidos antes de que usted cumpliera 16 anos de edad
Estaba presente físicamente en Estados Unidos
Entro al país sin ninguna inspección en esta fecha, o su estado legal de inmigración se expiro antes de esta fecha
Para la fecha que usted mando su
solicitud
·Usted vivía continuamente en
Estados Unidos desde Junio 15,2007
·Estaba presente físicamente en
Estado Unidos
·Esta en la escuela, se graduo de
la escuela superior (high school) en Estados Unidos, o tiene un
GED
·Es un honorable veterano de Coast
Guard o de las Fuerzas Armadas de los Estados Unidos.
que tener por lo menos 15 anos de edad para aplicar en la acción deferida, al menos que usted este en procedimiento de deportación o tiene una orden de
deportación voluntaria.
Tiene que comprobar:
Que en Junio 15,2012 usted
Tenia menos de 31 anos de edad
Vino a Estados Unidos antes de que usted cumpliera 16 anos de edad
Estaba presente físicamente en Estados Unidos
Entro al país sin ninguna inspección en esta fecha, o su estado legal de inmigración se expiro antes de esta fecha
Para la fecha que usted mando su
solicitud
·Usted vivía continuamente en
Estados Unidos desde Junio 15,2007
·Estaba presente físicamente en
Estado Unidos
·Esta en la escuela, se graduo de
la escuela superior (high school) en Estados Unidos, o tiene un
GED
·Es un honorable veterano de Coast
Guard o de las Fuerzas Armadas de los Estados Unidos.
BREAKING NEWS - OBAMA SIGNS EXTENSION OF EB-5 INVESTMENT PROGRAM
President Barack Obama has just signed Bill S. 3245, extending the EB-5 Regional
Center Pilot Program for another three years. For some EB-5 investors, it is the opportunity to expand their businesses; to others it is a chance to have their children attend one of the highest ranked universities
in the world all while working toward permanent residency.
Now is the time to seize the opportunity - if you were waiting on the
extension of the EB-5 Regional Center Pilot Program that time has come. With
President Obama recently signing a 3 year extension of the Regional Center
program the time to learn more about this program is now. Call our office to schedule a consultation.
Center Pilot Program for another three years. For some EB-5 investors, it is the opportunity to expand their businesses; to others it is a chance to have their children attend one of the highest ranked universities
in the world all while working toward permanent residency.
Now is the time to seize the opportunity - if you were waiting on the
extension of the EB-5 Regional Center Pilot Program that time has come. With
President Obama recently signing a 3 year extension of the Regional Center
program the time to learn more about this program is now. Call our office to schedule a consultation.
USCIS Is Now Accepting Applications for Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals
On August 9, 2012, USCIS clarified the deferred action
program for childhood arrivals.
Individuals who demonstrate they meet the following guidelines may
request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to
renewals and may be issued a work permit.
You may be eligible if you:
1.
Were under 31 as of June 15, 2012;
2.
Came to the USA before reaching your 16th
birthday;
3.
Have continuously resided in the USA since June
15, 2007, up to the present time;
4.
Were physically present in the USA on June 15,
2012, and at the time of filing the application;
5.
Entered without inspection or, your visa expired
before June 15, 2012;
6.
Are currently in school, have graduated or
obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a GED
certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed
Forces of the USA; and
7.
Have not been convicted of a felony, significant
misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a
threat to national security or public safety.
You may be eligible even if you
are in removal proceedings or have a final order of removal. For more information, please contact our
office.
Affirmative Prosecutorial Discretion For Undocumented Children Who Meet
Certain Criteria.
On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced affirmative prosecutorial
discretion for undocumented children who meet certain criteria. This
benefit is for undocumented children who came to the US when they were under 16
years of age, resided in the US for 5 years; are in school, graduated from
school or have a GED, college or in the coastguard or armed forces, are
currently under 30 years of age and have not been convicted of certain crimes
will be eligible to apply for a work permit. ICE is working on
guidance for accepting requests for deferred action from those already in
proceedings. Some have already been granted Deferred Action by ICE under
this announcement. In the coming weeks, ICE will create a process for
being contacted from individuals who are in proceedings who fit the criteria to
affirmatively obtain such relief. Also, Customs & Border Protection
(“CBP”) has already identified 11 individuals over this past weekend who are
eligible for Deferred Action and have offered such relief to them.Children who
have final orders are also eligible.
Please note that USCIS is not accepting applications until final guidance
has been set. We are informed that will be forthcoming. Naima Said
& Associates, PC is dedicated to serving the community and will post updates
as they are released by DHS.
discretion for undocumented children who meet certain criteria. This
benefit is for undocumented children who came to the US when they were under 16
years of age, resided in the US for 5 years; are in school, graduated from
school or have a GED, college or in the coastguard or armed forces, are
currently under 30 years of age and have not been convicted of certain crimes
will be eligible to apply for a work permit. ICE is working on
guidance for accepting requests for deferred action from those already in
proceedings. Some have already been granted Deferred Action by ICE under
this announcement. In the coming weeks, ICE will create a process for
being contacted from individuals who are in proceedings who fit the criteria to
affirmatively obtain such relief. Also, Customs & Border Protection
(“CBP”) has already identified 11 individuals over this past weekend who are
eligible for Deferred Action and have offered such relief to them.Children who
have final orders are also eligible.
Please note that USCIS is not accepting applications until final guidance
has been set. We are informed that will be forthcoming. Naima Said
& Associates, PC is dedicated to serving the community and will post updates
as they are released by DHS.
USCIS's New Entrepreneurs in Residence InitiativeAgency kicks off effort to ensure that immigration pathways for foreign
entrepreneurs are clear and consistent, and better reflect today’s business realities WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas hosted an Information Summit today at the NASA Research Park in Moffett Field, Calif., to launch the USCIS Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) Initiative. “Today USCIS gained invaluable insights from prominent entrepreneurs and industry leaders on immigration issues critical to our nation’s economic prosperity,” said Director Mayorkas. “The introduction of expert views from the private and public sectors will help us ensure that our policies and processes fully realize the immigration laws’ potential to grow our economy and create American jobs.” The summit brought together more than 150 high-level representatives from the entrepreneurial community, academia and government to discuss how USCIS can realize the full potential of immigration law to foster entrepreneurship and bolster American prosperity. Through panel discussions and breakout sessions, the summit gave participants the opportunity to share their strategic thinking and business expertise with the agency. Today’s event informs the work of the newly formed Entrepreneurs in Residence tactical team, comprised of external business experts and USCIS employees, who will work collaboratively over the next several months to ensure that immigration pathways for foreign entrepreneurs are clear and consistent, and better reflect today’s business realities. The tactical teamwill identify ways to enhance USCIS policies, practices and training across a range of existing nonimmigrant visa categories used by entrepreneurs. Director Mayorkas joined the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness in Pittsburgh in October 2011 to announce the EIR Initiative. This effort follows a series of policy, operational and outreach efforts announced last year to promote startup enterprises and spur job creation within the context of current immigration law. As part of today’s event, Director Mayorkasconducted a naturalization ceremony and welcomed 20 candidates from the Silicon Valley area as new U.S. citizens. In addition, he recognized five of America’s immigrant entrepreneurs who are naturalized citizens—Christopher Che, President and CEO of the Che International Group; Ping Fu, President and CEOof Geomagic; Michael Moritz, Partner at Sequoia Capital; Shervin Pishevar, Managing Director of Menlo Ventures; and Vivek Wadhwa,Academic, Researcher, Writer, Entrepreneur—as Outstanding Americans by Choice. The Outstanding American by Choiceinitiative recognizes the achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens through civic participation, professional achievement, and responsible citizenship. Recipients of this honor have demonstrated their commitment to this country and to the common civic values that unite us as Americans. |
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