Iamthejuggler
02-09 04:09 AM
Holy crap that was close. Congrats folks. I'm pleased as punch!
wallpaper 3D Graffiti Wildstyle
orangutan
10-04 04:05 PM
I am infront of your mobile home, come out.:D:D
wow.. u are making it personal... are u sure you wanna take it there?
I think i am not the first one to receive approval on a saturday... countless people have gotten that in the past. Come out of your mobile home and do some research before you make a statement like that.
wow.. u are making it personal... are u sure you wanna take it there?
I think i am not the first one to receive approval on a saturday... countless people have gotten that in the past. Come out of your mobile home and do some research before you make a statement like that.
Alabaman
06-22 03:05 PM
IV core team itself is not active these day.
Some people started a group, created a web site, featured on several news shows and have been flying miles to meet with powers that be. Some other people just joined the group by logging in from their website and all they can do is say that the first group as been inactive. Thats funny.
Some people started a group, created a web site, featured on several news shows and have been flying miles to meet with powers that be. Some other people just joined the group by logging in from their website and all they can do is say that the first group as been inactive. Thats funny.
2011 3d graffiti stereo
senk1s
04-23 11:19 PM
P A A R T E Y !!
more...
saravanaraj.sathya
08-03 10:22 AM
Whtz if the previous employer who filed the GC revokes I-140...Is it possible to extend H1 for 3 yrs in this scenario also?
Joey Foley
January 31st, 2005, 03:01 AM
Maybe I'm way off, but I kind of like the Done for the Day the best.
The problem with that is I don't think it best represents and displays the Ice Fishing contest as an interesting winter event (like the contest wants).
The ones you guys like probably do do a better job of that.
Just my 2-cents worth.
The problem with that is I don't think it best represents and displays the Ice Fishing contest as an interesting winter event (like the contest wants).
The ones you guys like probably do do a better job of that.
Just my 2-cents worth.
more...
Hermione
10-02 12:45 PM
According to IRS you are citizen(Any one who stays more that 180 days and pays taxes in us is a citizen according to them). You can apply for student Loan as a citizen if you use this clause intelligently. This is how most students get credit cards. If you say you are on H1 to a credit card company they will never give you the card.
Again this is only my opinion. I might be wrong.:)
What you are talking about here is called 'Resident Alien' - the IRS definition of someone who pays taxes just like a citizen on a regular form 1040 (by the way, students are non-resident aliens and pay taxes on 1040NR). To open any financial account you must disclose if you are citizen/resident alien or non-resident alien, and yes some companies do not open accounts to non-resident aliens, but it is acutally up to companies where they draw the line - most credit card companies are glad to open accounts to foreign students (hey, it's a free country, you can't tell a company whom to lend the money and whom not, provided it's not taxpayer money).
The kicker about the student loans is that there is special Federal financing available only for loans taken out by citizens and LPRs (Sally Mae and recent student loan scandal ring any bells? yes, these are loans). So, oups, no luck here without a green cards.
Again this is only my opinion. I might be wrong.:)
What you are talking about here is called 'Resident Alien' - the IRS definition of someone who pays taxes just like a citizen on a regular form 1040 (by the way, students are non-resident aliens and pay taxes on 1040NR). To open any financial account you must disclose if you are citizen/resident alien or non-resident alien, and yes some companies do not open accounts to non-resident aliens, but it is acutally up to companies where they draw the line - most credit card companies are glad to open accounts to foreign students (hey, it's a free country, you can't tell a company whom to lend the money and whom not, provided it's not taxpayer money).
The kicker about the student loans is that there is special Federal financing available only for loans taken out by citizens and LPRs (Sally Mae and recent student loan scandal ring any bells? yes, these are loans). So, oups, no luck here without a green cards.
2010 3D GRAFFITI COMPUTER STYLE
sparky63
January 30th, 2005, 06:23 PM
Hi folks,
The local Council for the Arts is sponsoring a photography contest and I'm planning to enter it (my first!!). The subject of the contest is an Ice Fishing Derby held Jan 29-30, 2005 in Silver Lake, NY. Not my ideal choice of subjects, but ...
Here is the primary rule:
"Winning photos will be those that best represent and display the Ice Fishing contest as an interesting winter event."
Of the ~160 shots I took, these were my favorites.
http://www.dphoto.us/forumphotos/showgallery.php/cat/1149/ppuser/
I would really appreciate your suggestions on which three shots best address the photo contest's criteria, plus a general critique.
Also, feel free to tell me that I stink as a photographer and should sell my equipment immediately.:rolleyes:
Thanks in advance!
The local Council for the Arts is sponsoring a photography contest and I'm planning to enter it (my first!!). The subject of the contest is an Ice Fishing Derby held Jan 29-30, 2005 in Silver Lake, NY. Not my ideal choice of subjects, but ...
Here is the primary rule:
"Winning photos will be those that best represent and display the Ice Fishing contest as an interesting winter event."
Of the ~160 shots I took, these were my favorites.
http://www.dphoto.us/forumphotos/showgallery.php/cat/1149/ppuser/
I would really appreciate your suggestions on which three shots best address the photo contest's criteria, plus a general critique.
Also, feel free to tell me that I stink as a photographer and should sell my equipment immediately.:rolleyes:
Thanks in advance!
more...
snathan
04-13 01:27 PM
Thanks for the response.
So you are asking me to first threaten him by saying that I would take this matter to DOL if he does not refund me back. If matter gets really worse then and only then should I lodge a complaint against his firm? Am I right? If I have to complain, what is the procedure. I am just nervous. Please guide me.
And by the way how much do you think out of $1800,can I ask him to refund? And to just bring to your notice, he is saying this after 1 year. I can even ask him to pay me the interest for 1 year that he's enjoyed on my hard earned money. Right?
How do you think threating him would stand me a good chance to get my money back. It might even backfire by him not paying me anything (Right now he is ready to pay me something out of $1800 by talking to his finance dept.) and challenging me to the court. I am in India from last october and will be in India till coming October. I cannot agree to his terms of going to the court and all that stuff. And at the same time it should not impact my other H1 petition on which I already have VISA.
Sorry to put forth so many conditions before you. But I just want to be cautious and work out all pros and cons in my mind before executing it.
Your help & advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Send the email. Then if you are not getting anything file a complaint with DOL. If he is sueing you..hire a attorney for couple hundered dollars and draft a response letter. Stating all the illegals things which he is doing like not paying on bench, tell him that he will lose his business and need to pay for the stress you are going through...
So you are asking me to first threaten him by saying that I would take this matter to DOL if he does not refund me back. If matter gets really worse then and only then should I lodge a complaint against his firm? Am I right? If I have to complain, what is the procedure. I am just nervous. Please guide me.
And by the way how much do you think out of $1800,can I ask him to refund? And to just bring to your notice, he is saying this after 1 year. I can even ask him to pay me the interest for 1 year that he's enjoyed on my hard earned money. Right?
How do you think threating him would stand me a good chance to get my money back. It might even backfire by him not paying me anything (Right now he is ready to pay me something out of $1800 by talking to his finance dept.) and challenging me to the court. I am in India from last october and will be in India till coming October. I cannot agree to his terms of going to the court and all that stuff. And at the same time it should not impact my other H1 petition on which I already have VISA.
Sorry to put forth so many conditions before you. But I just want to be cautious and work out all pros and cons in my mind before executing it.
Your help & advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Send the email. Then if you are not getting anything file a complaint with DOL. If he is sueing you..hire a attorney for couple hundered dollars and draft a response letter. Stating all the illegals things which he is doing like not paying on bench, tell him that he will lose his business and need to pay for the stress you are going through...
hair Graffiti Alphabet Wildstyle
rajenk
01-16 09:00 PM
Thanks Raj for your reply.
- Can I file (EB2) I-140 amendment and ask USCIS for transferring EB3 PD to EB2 by providing EB3 I-140 receipt?
- Can I file my 485 with pending answer on I-140 amendment?
1. Yes you can certainly do that too.
2. If your PD would be current by the EB2 PD port, yes you can file I-485 along with the amendment request.
- Can I file (EB2) I-140 amendment and ask USCIS for transferring EB3 PD to EB2 by providing EB3 I-140 receipt?
- Can I file my 485 with pending answer on I-140 amendment?
1. Yes you can certainly do that too.
2. If your PD would be current by the EB2 PD port, yes you can file I-485 along with the amendment request.
more...
ras
09-19 01:39 AM
Do you have any idea of my presence or absence at the rally? What is that you want to know and say. You seem to have joined recently and started shouting others. With out even knowing the facts don't go crazy..
How many people did you get to todays rally by the way.. Is it more than 100?
hello ras,
did u show up today at the rally man?
why don't you show this to congressman
why show us your inventions about GC fourth law ?
and other people like us who can't make decision and change the law?
after gc wud u like to invent citizenship formula
try to get some 50 eople in the next rally
Thanks
How many people did you get to todays rally by the way.. Is it more than 100?
hello ras,
did u show up today at the rally man?
why don't you show this to congressman
why show us your inventions about GC fourth law ?
and other people like us who can't make decision and change the law?
after gc wud u like to invent citizenship formula
try to get some 50 eople in the next rally
Thanks
hot 3D Graffiti Art Wild Style
handsome_man20740
04-22 02:25 AM
Folks,
go to the AILA site. and make this query as shown below. They have also started something similar and the idea as i expressed in my previous post is to contact congress about this problem. They also have a sample letter on this search.
http://www.aila.org/search/default.a...erm=green+card
Murthy.com is also doing something similar but folks we need a lof of people to come forward and kinda pester these senators and law makers, trying to impress the idea of contribution of foreigners.
http://www.murthy.com/news/n_morh1b.html
At least everyone can send an email to the senators.
Thanks
-H
go to the AILA site. and make this query as shown below. They have also started something similar and the idea as i expressed in my previous post is to contact congress about this problem. They also have a sample letter on this search.
http://www.aila.org/search/default.a...erm=green+card
Murthy.com is also doing something similar but folks we need a lof of people to come forward and kinda pester these senators and law makers, trying to impress the idea of contribution of foreigners.
http://www.murthy.com/news/n_morh1b.html
At least everyone can send an email to the senators.
Thanks
-H
more...
house Sponsored Links: Mr Wiggle#39;s
dan19
06-28 01:01 PM
Some relief for both legal immigrants and opponents of the bill.
tattoo Labels: 3D Graffiti, Wildstyle
gc_on_demand
06-06 12:39 PM
I had 1 year contract for employment and I was not paid regularly. Also they were deducting money for health insurance which I didnot receive.
So I left company and they didnot pay me money. I had one year contract or 10000 USD fine.
iI donot work for them since 2005. I have time sheet signed by client and email from vendor to confirm that they paid my money to employer.
Can i go to labor and complain ? Will they ask me to pay back 10k ?
So I left company and they didnot pay me money. I had one year contract or 10000 USD fine.
iI donot work for them since 2005. I have time sheet signed by client and email from vendor to confirm that they paid my money to employer.
Can i go to labor and complain ? Will they ask me to pay back 10k ?
more...
pictures Draw graffiti wildstyle
freeskier89
02-08 06:22 PM
Voters: 89
freeskier89
Suspicious. :P
Anyways, yay. haha!! This poll was rigged from the start! :P Just kidding of course. Congrats everyone
freeskier89
Suspicious. :P
Anyways, yay. haha!! This poll was rigged from the start! :P Just kidding of course. Congrats everyone
dresses 3D Wildstyle Graffiti Letters
realizeit
08-18 11:26 AM
Few months back, I used AC21 to move from my previous employer to current. Before doing that I contacted a senior attorney at murthy law firm with all my questions. You can take such an appointment with murthy law firm or other major law firms and ask your questions.
In my case, both titles are different: it changed somewhere from Programmer to Project Leader. Title does not matter. The job description should be similar and the job should fall into the same occupational classification - it need not be the exact same job code. As classification is very broad, you have the option of pretty wide job changing possibilities under the same classification. We can even take promotions using AC21, if the job classification is same.
So, please don't become a victim of those folks who advice you based on limited knowledge. Contact a reputed attorney for the right information. For me it costed $200 for a 20 minute appointment with a senior attorney at Murthy law firm.
Guys,
I need some urgent advice, I have pasted the below job title/description from my labor, and the new job opportunity which I have getting, can you please suggest if that would be a good idea to change job, and invoke AC21..
Description in Labor
Occupation Title in Labor - Comp. and Info. Systems Manager
Job Title - Information Technology Project Manager
Job Description in Labor:
Plan and direct information technology products and software application
development. Technical environment includes ERP/CRM: Oracle Applications, Web
Methods, Siebel, SAP, ABAP, People Soft; TIBCO, Informatica, Ab-Initio, Data
Staging, Quality Analysts, Business Analysts, Databases such as Oracle, SQL Server &
DB2 Languages, PL/SQL; XML, C#, .NET Framework, C++, development tools such as
Visual Basic, CICS,Weblogic and Websphere.
New Job
New Job Title - Lead Application Integration Specialist
Job Description:
Plan and direct information technology products and software application
development. Technical environment includes TIBCO, Java, XML, PL/SQL,Amberpoint, Business Analysts, Quality Analysts, Databases such as Oracle, Development tools like
Designer, Eclipse, Xml Spy
In my case, both titles are different: it changed somewhere from Programmer to Project Leader. Title does not matter. The job description should be similar and the job should fall into the same occupational classification - it need not be the exact same job code. As classification is very broad, you have the option of pretty wide job changing possibilities under the same classification. We can even take promotions using AC21, if the job classification is same.
So, please don't become a victim of those folks who advice you based on limited knowledge. Contact a reputed attorney for the right information. For me it costed $200 for a 20 minute appointment with a senior attorney at Murthy law firm.
Guys,
I need some urgent advice, I have pasted the below job title/description from my labor, and the new job opportunity which I have getting, can you please suggest if that would be a good idea to change job, and invoke AC21..
Description in Labor
Occupation Title in Labor - Comp. and Info. Systems Manager
Job Title - Information Technology Project Manager
Job Description in Labor:
Plan and direct information technology products and software application
development. Technical environment includes ERP/CRM: Oracle Applications, Web
Methods, Siebel, SAP, ABAP, People Soft; TIBCO, Informatica, Ab-Initio, Data
Staging, Quality Analysts, Business Analysts, Databases such as Oracle, SQL Server &
DB2 Languages, PL/SQL; XML, C#, .NET Framework, C++, development tools such as
Visual Basic, CICS,Weblogic and Websphere.
New Job
New Job Title - Lead Application Integration Specialist
Job Description:
Plan and direct information technology products and software application
development. Technical environment includes TIBCO, Java, XML, PL/SQL,Amberpoint, Business Analysts, Quality Analysts, Databases such as Oracle, Development tools like
Designer, Eclipse, Xml Spy
more...
makeup 3D Wildstyle Graffiti Letters
prabhu07
05-21 12:42 AM
(a) I am currently in L1 and have a priority date of May 2004 and I am in EB3 category
(b) I have an approved I-140
(c) My 485 has not been filed yet
(d) I just got my H1 approved and it would be effective from Oct 1 2008
So, if I change my current job from Employer A to Employer B and if Employer B agrees to take over my Green Card Process,
1) Should I re-file my I-140? (I presume the answer is Yes, but don't want to be a smart a**, wanted to get it clarified to the maximum extent possible)
2) Will my current Priority Date be carried over? That is, can I re-file my I-140 with my new Employer B with the same priority date of May 2004?
3) If I can move from Employer A to Employer B and file my new I-140, should this be done asap and before Employer A revokes my current approved I-140?
4) How much time does it take when I file I-140 with premium processing? (I can probably find this from USCIS website, but wanted to know real-time experiences)
5) Within how many days of joining my new Employer B should I file my new I-140?
6) I understand that the Employer A can revoke my I-140 and use my approved labor for any other viable applicant, but I also know that the Labor Substitution concept ceased to exist from July 2007. What is the benefit for my Employer A to revoke the I-140?
7) Last, but not the least - Should I file for a new labor where I will get a new Priority date and go back to that (god forsaken) square 1?
Thanks in advance for your time and I am finding it difficult to assimilate the answers from various posts.
(b) I have an approved I-140
(c) My 485 has not been filed yet
(d) I just got my H1 approved and it would be effective from Oct 1 2008
So, if I change my current job from Employer A to Employer B and if Employer B agrees to take over my Green Card Process,
1) Should I re-file my I-140? (I presume the answer is Yes, but don't want to be a smart a**, wanted to get it clarified to the maximum extent possible)
2) Will my current Priority Date be carried over? That is, can I re-file my I-140 with my new Employer B with the same priority date of May 2004?
3) If I can move from Employer A to Employer B and file my new I-140, should this be done asap and before Employer A revokes my current approved I-140?
4) How much time does it take when I file I-140 with premium processing? (I can probably find this from USCIS website, but wanted to know real-time experiences)
5) Within how many days of joining my new Employer B should I file my new I-140?
6) I understand that the Employer A can revoke my I-140 and use my approved labor for any other viable applicant, but I also know that the Labor Substitution concept ceased to exist from July 2007. What is the benefit for my Employer A to revoke the I-140?
7) Last, but not the least - Should I file for a new labor where I will get a new Priority date and go back to that (god forsaken) square 1?
Thanks in advance for your time and I am finding it difficult to assimilate the answers from various posts.
girlfriend Fusión de estilos wild style
FRUSTRATED
07-07 03:00 PM
The information quoted by morpheus is quite correct. you can attend board meetings as a director although honorory or because of your extensive shareholding. you cannot be a salaried, contracted or basically compensated director or board member. you cannot take salaries but can take dividends (profit). you can also apply for any licenses or authorizations required for the business in your name. just make sure you dont write anything off in your name to save the taxes on the dividends because that will show your active involvement (day to day) which you cannot have.
I owned business and had state and federal licenses when I was on F-1.
And very frankly if you have any innovative ideas are an entrepreneur immigration and visa is the last thing you should worry about. There are many ways to to that and if you have a trustworthy citizen or GC holder as a partner it is very easy. just concentrate on your ideas and plans. contact a lawyer, do some reading of IRS pubs, and immigration law.
I am an entreprenur myself and I wish you very good luck and success.
Please consult an immigraiton attorney. There is a lot of misinformation in this area. I believe several of the posts above are incorrect.
My immigration attorney has advised me I can invest in and own anything - LLC, C Corp - as long as I don't take an active role in the business. Once you become active, you need an employment visa e.g. H1 to cover that. Since moving to the US I have owned and/or founded a couple of companies. I filed a visa so I could actively manage one of them. The others I am just a passive investor. One interesting question is can you attend a board meeting and still be a passive investor? Personally I think so, because board membership is not employment. Some may prefer to err on the conservative side.
Income from activites like Google Adsense or royalties is a grey area. It would make an interesting case, because it's very hard for the USCIS to say it is 'employment' rather than passive income. Any legal advice in this area is just an opinion. According to my attorney, there are no USCIS memoranda or case law on the subject.
Morph
I owned business and had state and federal licenses when I was on F-1.
And very frankly if you have any innovative ideas are an entrepreneur immigration and visa is the last thing you should worry about. There are many ways to to that and if you have a trustworthy citizen or GC holder as a partner it is very easy. just concentrate on your ideas and plans. contact a lawyer, do some reading of IRS pubs, and immigration law.
I am an entreprenur myself and I wish you very good luck and success.
Please consult an immigraiton attorney. There is a lot of misinformation in this area. I believe several of the posts above are incorrect.
My immigration attorney has advised me I can invest in and own anything - LLC, C Corp - as long as I don't take an active role in the business. Once you become active, you need an employment visa e.g. H1 to cover that. Since moving to the US I have owned and/or founded a couple of companies. I filed a visa so I could actively manage one of them. The others I am just a passive investor. One interesting question is can you attend a board meeting and still be a passive investor? Personally I think so, because board membership is not employment. Some may prefer to err on the conservative side.
Income from activites like Google Adsense or royalties is a grey area. It would make an interesting case, because it's very hard for the USCIS to say it is 'employment' rather than passive income. Any legal advice in this area is just an opinion. According to my attorney, there are no USCIS memoranda or case law on the subject.
Morph
hairstyles 3d graffiti wildstyle.
senthil1
04-08 02:15 AM
I think all the issue will be resolved if number 5 is done. No need for H1 extension, and even there is a in efficiency in USCIS you can get gc within 3 years if they double or triple EB quota. So no need to meet President just meet Congressmen and try pressing them to increase EB quota.
Can we get an appointment with the President and explain the problems faced by EB immigrants....
1. Travel restrictions (no travel during H1 extension etc..)
2. Driver license issues
3. Wasted Visa numbers
4. Inefficiency of USCIS
5. Need to increase EB quota
I know that law makers should make these changes, but President has a strong voice and if he hears our pathetic position, he may do something, just a hope :rolleyes:
Can we get an appointment with the President and explain the problems faced by EB immigrants....
1. Travel restrictions (no travel during H1 extension etc..)
2. Driver license issues
3. Wasted Visa numbers
4. Inefficiency of USCIS
5. Need to increase EB quota
I know that law makers should make these changes, but President has a strong voice and if he hears our pathetic position, he may do something, just a hope :rolleyes:
crystal
09-17 12:49 PM
This will be a problem for all the people whose cases gets transfered from other centers to NSC or TSC. May be it is just the receipt date of transfer notice... Not the actual 485 application ? A clarification from USCIS would help
drirshad
03-13 04:31 PM
03/13/2009: Senate Bill, S. 577 to Punish Immigration Sharks Defrauding and Victimizing Immigrants and Related Parties
Senate Dianne Feinstine from California, cosponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy, introduced this bill in the Senate yesterday. The full text of the bill is as follows:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Immigration Fraud Prevention Act of 2009''.
SEC. 2. SCHEMES TO DEFRAUD ALIENS.
(a) Amendments to Title 18.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--Chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:``�1041. Schemes to defraud aliens
``(a) In General.--Any person who willfully and knowingly executes a scheme or artifice, in connection with any matter that is authorized by or arises under Federal immigration laws or any matter the offender willfully and knowingly claims or represents is authorized by or arises under Federal immigration laws, to--
``(1) defraud any person; or
``(2) obtain or receive money or anything else of value from any person by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, promises, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
Here is the background for this bill: The Immigration Fraud Prevention Act would prevent and punish fraud and misrepresentation in the context of immigration proceedings. The act would create a new Federal crime to penalize those who engage in schemes to defraud aliens in connection with Federal immigration laws. Specifically, the act would make it a Federal crime to wilfully and knowingly defraud or obtain or receive money or anything else of value from any person by false or fraudulent pretences, representations, or promises; and to wilfully, knowingly, and falsely represent that an individual is an attorney or accredited representative in any matter arising under Federal immigration law. Violations of these crimes would result in a fine, imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or both. The bill would also authorize the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to use task forces currently in existence to detect and investigate individuals who are in violation of the immigration fraud crimes as created by the bill. The act would also work to prevent immigration fraud by requiring that Immigration Judges issue warnings about unauthorized practice of immigration law to immigrants in removal proceedings, similar to the current law that requires notification of pro bono legal services to these immigrants; requiring the Attorney General to provide outreach to the immigrant community to help prevent fraud; providing that any materials used to carry out notification on immigration law fraud is done in the appropriate language for that community; and requiring the distribution of the disciplinary list of individuals not authorized to appear before the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals, BIA, currently maintained by the Executive Office of Immigration Review, EOIR. Unfortunately, the need for Federal action to prevent and prosecute immigration fraud has escalated in recent years as citizens and non-citizens attempt to navigate the immigration legal system. Thus far, only States have sought to regulate the unauthorized practice of immigration law. Since immigration law is a federal matter, I believe the solution to such misrepresentation and fraud should be addressed by Congress. By enacting this bill, Congress would help prevent more victims like Vincent Smith, a Mexican national who has resided in California since 1975. His wife is an American citizen, and they live with their 6 U.S. citizen children in Palmdale, CA. Mr. Smith would likely have received a green card at least two different times during his stay in California. However, in attempting to get legal counsel, Mr. Smith hired someone whom he thought was an attorney, but was not. As a result, Mr. Smith was charged more than $10,000 for processing his immigration paperwork, which was never filed. Mr. Smith now has no legal status and faces removal proceedings. Another victim of immigration fraud is Raul, a Mexican national, who came to the United States in 2000. He also married a U.S. citizen, Loraina, making him eligible to apply for a green card. Raul and his wife went to Jose for legal help. Jose's business card said he had a ``law office'' and that he was an ``immigration specialist.'' But Jose was not a specialist and charged Raul $4,000 to file a frivolous asylum petition. While Raul thought he was going to receive a green card, he was instead placed into removal proceedings. From California to New York, there are hundreds of stories like these. Many immigrants are preyed on because of their fears--others on their hope of realizing the American dream. They are charged exorbitant fees for the filing of frivolous paperwork that clog our immigration courts and keep families and businesses waiting in limbo for years. Law enforcement officials say that many fraudulent ``immigration specialists'' close their businesses or move on to another part of the state or country before they can be held accountable. They can make $100,000 to $200,000 a year and the few who have been caught rarely serve more than a few months in jail. Often victims of such crimes are deported, sending them back to their home countries without accountability for the perpetrator of the fraud. Most recently, hundreds of immigrants were exploited by Victor M. Espinal, who was arrested for allegedly posing as an immigration attorney. Nearly 125 of Mr. Espinal's clients attended the New York City Bar Association's free clinic to address their legal and immigration options. According to prosecutors, Mr. Espinal falsely claimed on his business cards that he was licensed and admitted to the California bar as well as the bar in the Dominican Republic. Organizations such as the Los Angeles Country Bar Association, National Immigration Forum, American Immigration Lawyers Association, and American Bar Association have been documenting this exploitation for many years.
Senate Dianne Feinstine from California, cosponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy, introduced this bill in the Senate yesterday. The full text of the bill is as follows:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Immigration Fraud Prevention Act of 2009''.
SEC. 2. SCHEMES TO DEFRAUD ALIENS.
(a) Amendments to Title 18.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--Chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:``�1041. Schemes to defraud aliens
``(a) In General.--Any person who willfully and knowingly executes a scheme or artifice, in connection with any matter that is authorized by or arises under Federal immigration laws or any matter the offender willfully and knowingly claims or represents is authorized by or arises under Federal immigration laws, to--
``(1) defraud any person; or
``(2) obtain or receive money or anything else of value from any person by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, promises, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
Here is the background for this bill: The Immigration Fraud Prevention Act would prevent and punish fraud and misrepresentation in the context of immigration proceedings. The act would create a new Federal crime to penalize those who engage in schemes to defraud aliens in connection with Federal immigration laws. Specifically, the act would make it a Federal crime to wilfully and knowingly defraud or obtain or receive money or anything else of value from any person by false or fraudulent pretences, representations, or promises; and to wilfully, knowingly, and falsely represent that an individual is an attorney or accredited representative in any matter arising under Federal immigration law. Violations of these crimes would result in a fine, imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or both. The bill would also authorize the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to use task forces currently in existence to detect and investigate individuals who are in violation of the immigration fraud crimes as created by the bill. The act would also work to prevent immigration fraud by requiring that Immigration Judges issue warnings about unauthorized practice of immigration law to immigrants in removal proceedings, similar to the current law that requires notification of pro bono legal services to these immigrants; requiring the Attorney General to provide outreach to the immigrant community to help prevent fraud; providing that any materials used to carry out notification on immigration law fraud is done in the appropriate language for that community; and requiring the distribution of the disciplinary list of individuals not authorized to appear before the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals, BIA, currently maintained by the Executive Office of Immigration Review, EOIR. Unfortunately, the need for Federal action to prevent and prosecute immigration fraud has escalated in recent years as citizens and non-citizens attempt to navigate the immigration legal system. Thus far, only States have sought to regulate the unauthorized practice of immigration law. Since immigration law is a federal matter, I believe the solution to such misrepresentation and fraud should be addressed by Congress. By enacting this bill, Congress would help prevent more victims like Vincent Smith, a Mexican national who has resided in California since 1975. His wife is an American citizen, and they live with their 6 U.S. citizen children in Palmdale, CA. Mr. Smith would likely have received a green card at least two different times during his stay in California. However, in attempting to get legal counsel, Mr. Smith hired someone whom he thought was an attorney, but was not. As a result, Mr. Smith was charged more than $10,000 for processing his immigration paperwork, which was never filed. Mr. Smith now has no legal status and faces removal proceedings. Another victim of immigration fraud is Raul, a Mexican national, who came to the United States in 2000. He also married a U.S. citizen, Loraina, making him eligible to apply for a green card. Raul and his wife went to Jose for legal help. Jose's business card said he had a ``law office'' and that he was an ``immigration specialist.'' But Jose was not a specialist and charged Raul $4,000 to file a frivolous asylum petition. While Raul thought he was going to receive a green card, he was instead placed into removal proceedings. From California to New York, there are hundreds of stories like these. Many immigrants are preyed on because of their fears--others on their hope of realizing the American dream. They are charged exorbitant fees for the filing of frivolous paperwork that clog our immigration courts and keep families and businesses waiting in limbo for years. Law enforcement officials say that many fraudulent ``immigration specialists'' close their businesses or move on to another part of the state or country before they can be held accountable. They can make $100,000 to $200,000 a year and the few who have been caught rarely serve more than a few months in jail. Often victims of such crimes are deported, sending them back to their home countries without accountability for the perpetrator of the fraud. Most recently, hundreds of immigrants were exploited by Victor M. Espinal, who was arrested for allegedly posing as an immigration attorney. Nearly 125 of Mr. Espinal's clients attended the New York City Bar Association's free clinic to address their legal and immigration options. According to prosecutors, Mr. Espinal falsely claimed on his business cards that he was licensed and admitted to the California bar as well as the bar in the Dominican Republic. Organizations such as the Los Angeles Country Bar Association, National Immigration Forum, American Immigration Lawyers Association, and American Bar Association have been documenting this exploitation for many years.
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