General information

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 612 Comments

National Day of Action and the New Immigration Reform Bill

Emily Assunta White in D.C.

Stern & Curray attorney, Emily Assunta White, recently traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with Colorado members of Congress about the pressing need for immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for the 11 to 15 million people in the United States without lawful immigration status.  Emily has attended in years past, but reports that this year was by far the most productive as every Congressional office seemed to agree that something must be done to fix our broken immigration system and that it must be done soon.  Reports throughout Capitol Hill indicated that the Senate’s “Gang of Eight” bill would be introduced this week and as of late last Wednesday, the bill was finally introduced.

While the Senate immigration bill (S.744) is over 800 pages long, Emily has identified some of the most important potential changes:
  • Legalization for some undocumented immigrants. The bill would give legal status to undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. before December 31, 2011 by creating a category called Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI). Those who are eligible for this status would pay a fine and any back taxes, and would be given work and travel authorization. After 10 years as an RPI, they could apply for a green card, and later, citizenship.
  • Creation of a new visa type for temporary workers, called W visas. A W-1 would allow lesser-skilled workers a way to work in the country legally, while W-2 and W-3 visas would take the place of the H-2A agricultural worker program.
  • Spouses and children of legal permanent residents would be considered immediate relatives, and derivatives of immediate relatives would be allowed. As a result, several year waiting periods for spouse and children of legal permanent residents would be eliminated. The tradeoff is that the family-based preference category for brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens would be eliminated, meaning that a United States citizen could no longer apply for a sibling.
  • Knowingly defrauding an immigrant, including by pretending to be an attorney or immigration representative, would become a crime.
Over the next days, weeks, and months, there will no doubt be many debates about what the bill will mean if enacted and likely many proposed amendments to the bill.  Emily will be staying active in advocacy efforts taking place around the proposed legislation.  When there are significant updates to the legislation or new information to share, she will send an update through our immigration reform newsletter.
Stern & Curray attorneys will also be updating our blog and our Facebook page frequently.  Stay tuned for more information about this exciting, historic legislation.
by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 59 Comments

Multinational Taxpaying

U.S. tax laws are almost as complicated as U.S. immigration laws. They are particularly complex for non-U.S. citizens who reside, even part time, in the United States. “Residence” in the U.S. has a different meaning under U.S. tax law than it does under U.S. immigration law.  The impact of U.S. tax law on foreign nationals varies depending on where the individual is from as the U.S. has tax treaties with many foreign countries, though not with all countries. Due to the complexity of U.S. tax law and the large impact it can have on individuals, we recommend that all of our non-citizen clients seek the assistance of a tax professional who is well versed in tax liability for multinational taxpayers.

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 79 Comments

House Passes Controversial STEM Jobs Act – Uphill Battle in Senate


Last week the U.S. House of Representatives passed the controversial STEM Jobs Act (H.R. 6429), a Republican-backed measure that was approved by a 245-139 vote. In addition to offering a limited number of visas for family reunification through the creation of new “V” visa categories, the bill would provide up to 55,000 immigrant visas per year for foreign students who graduate from U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). To do so, the legislation proposes to eliminate the longstanding Diversity Visa Program, which awards the same number of immigrant visas annually to applicants from countries that are under-represented in the U.S. immigration system.

Proponents of the bill included the majority of House Republicans and 27 House Democrats. They advocate that the STEM Jobs Act is critical for economic growth and believe that it will enable the U.S. to maintain its competitive advantage by retaining highly skilled and sought after STEM graduates within our borders.

Most Democrats and the Obama Administration oppose the bill in part because it would cut the Diversity Visa Program which they deem valuable to the American immigration system and to the country as a whole. The White House also opposes the bill because it “does not support narrowly tailored proposals that do not meet the President’s long-term objectives with respect to comprehensive immigration reform.”

The bill is also opposed by NAFSA: The Association of International Educators. In a press statement, the group announced that it opposes the STEM Jobs Act because “it perpetuates a divisive, us-versus-them approach to immigration reform.” Although the group supports the creation of visas for foreign graduates of U.S. institutions of higher education, it does “not support creating a new path for international students by eliminating another immigration program.

The STEM Jobs Act is not expected to progress in the Senate, where Democrats hold a majority. Please refer back to our blog for updates on the STEM Jobs Act and other pieces of proposed immigration legislation.

 

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 76 Comments

DREAMer Deferred Action Update

On July 19th, Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, made her first appearance before Congress since the June 15 memorandum on deferred action policies for qualified DREAMers. (Please see Stern & Curray LLC blog post of Wednesday, June 2012 for more information on the specifics of the program).  In her testimony before the House Judiciary Committee Napolitano explained that the department hopes to finalize guidelines for the process by August 1st and stated that DHS officially will begin accepting deferred action applications from undocumented youth on August 15th.  A fee charged for the deferred action application would ensure the process does not pose an extra burden on taxpayers, Napolitano said. However, the amount of the fee is still unknown. Also unknown is what form an applicant for deferred action will be required to use. For Secretary Nepolitano’s full testimony, please visit http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/Hearings%202012/Napolitano%2007192012.pdf
by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 62 Comments

Immigrants Create Jobs

A number of studies show that overall immigrants greatly benefit the U.S. economy by starting businesses and creating jobs. Some key findings:

• Immigrants are entrepreneurial, being 30% more likely to start businesses than non-immigrants

• Although immigrants comprise 13% of the overall population, they own 18% of all small businesses

• 28% of new businesses started in 2011 were started by immigrants

• 18% of the Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants; another 22% were founded by children of immigrants

• Businesses owned by immigrants employed almost 5 million people and contributed over $776 billion to the economy in 2007

• Public companies started by immigrants include Google, Yahoo, eBay, Intel, Carnival Cruise Lines, DuPont, Nvidia, Pfizer, Proctor & Gamble and US Steel

Sources: Fiscal Policy Institute, Small Business Administration, SmartMoney, Forbes, Washington Post, CNN Money

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin No Comments

Immigrants Create Jobs

A number of studies show that overall immigrants greatly benefit the U.S. economy by starting businesses and creating jobs. Some key findings:

  • Immigrants are entrepreneurial, being 30% more likely to start businesses than non-immigrants
  • Although immigrants comprise 13% of the overall population, they own 18% of all small businesses
  • 28% of new businesses started in 2011 were started by immigrants
  • 18% of the Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants; another 22% were founded by children of immigrants
  • Businesses owned by immigrants employed almost 5 million people and contributed over $776 billion to the economy in 2007
  • Public companies started by immigrants include Google, Yahoo, eBay, Intel, Carnival Cruise Lines, DuPont, Nvidia, Pfizer, Proctor & Gamble and US Steel

Sources: Fiscal Policy Institute, Small Business Administration, SmartMoney, Forbes, Washington Post, CNN Money

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 438 Comments

Acción Diferida y Autorización de Trabajo Anunciada para los “Dreamers” el 15 de Junio de 2012

El 15 de Junio de 2012, la secretaria de Seguridad Nacional, Janet Napolitano, emitió un memorando anunciando un nuevo programa de discreción de la fiscalía que ofrecerá acción diferida a ciertos individuos que entraron a los Estados Unidos cuando eran niños. Con acción diferida, los individuos también serán elegibles para recibir autorización de trabajo. Acción diferida es una determinación discrecional por el gobierno de no buscar acciones de remoción contra un individuo basado en la discreción de la fiscalía. Si una persona es concedida “acción diferida,” efectivamente será otorgada estatus legal temporal en los Estados Unidos en plazos de dos años. SIN EMBARGO, la acción diferida no es lo mismo que residencia permanente y la acción diferida no pone a una persona en camino a la residencia permanente.

Para ser elegible para esta nueva programa, los individuos deben cumplir los siguientes criterios:
• Llegó a los Estados Unidos antes de los 16 años de edad;

• Ha vivido continuamente en los Estados Unidos al menos cinco años anteriores de la fecha del memorando (15 de Junio de 2012) y está presente en los Estados Unidos el 15 de Junio de 2012;

• Está actualmente en la escuela, ha graduado de preparatoria, ha obtenido un certificado de educación de desarrollo general (GED), o es un veterano que has sido honradamente descargado del guardia costera o de las fuerzas armadas de los Estados Unidos;

• No representa una amenaza para la seguridad nacional o seguridad pública, incluyendo no haber sido condenado de una felonía, un delito menor significativo, delitos múltiples delitos menores, y;

• No tiene mas de 30 años de edad el 15 de Junio de 2012.

Acción diferida para las personas elegibles será ofrecida a las personas que se encuentran actualmente en proceso de deportación. Las personas que han sido encontrados por el ICE, CBP, o USCIS y las personas que no están actualmente en proceso de deportación. Cada persona tiene que calificar para el programa individuamente. Parientes de individuos que califican para el programa no recibirán ningún beneficio del programa. Si un individuo no está actualmente en proceso de deportación, sino que busca esta forma de alivio, que tendrán que presentar una solicitud ante el USCIS. Sin embargo, el USCIS todavía no ha anunciado los procedimientos de esta aplicación, asi que, ningún aplicación debe ser presenta en este momento. El memorando estipula USCIS para empezar a aplicar este programa en los próximos 60 días, así que podemos esperar para ver más anuncios en un futuro próximo sobre la aplicación de esta nueva política y los procedimientos para la presentación de las solicitudes ante el USCIS.

Que hacer ahora: si usted cree que usted podría calificar para acción diferida en el nuevo programa, para estar preparado para aplicar en cuanto USCIS anuncia un procedimiento, usted debe reunir evidencia para probar que usted califica. Esta evidencia incluye:

• Registros de nacimiento para demostrar la edad de calificación;

• Registros de escuela ,o militares para probar demostrar que cumple con los requisitos de educación o militar;

• Documentos de escuela, médicos, financieros, o cualquier otro documentos par demostrar que usted ha estado aquí por cinco años anterior al 15 de Junio de 2012.

*** Nuestra oficina esta haciendo una lista de todas las personas que conocemos que creemos que pueden ser elegibles para la acción diferida en virtud de este programa. Si usted cree que usted o alguien que usted conoce puede ser elegible para este programa, por favor póngase en contacto con nuestra oficina para una consulta. ***

Hay muchas preguntas sin respuesta sobre el programa en este momento así que debe ser cuidadoso de cualquier personas que afirma conocer el procedimiento, garantiza que usted califica, o se ofrece a ayudarle con su solicitud en este momento.

Información proporcionada por el Immigration Task Force of the Colorado Lawyers Committee, 19 de Junio de 2012

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 78 Comments

Deferred Action and Work Authorization Announced for Dreamers on June 15, 2012

On June 15, 2012, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano issued a memorandum announcing a new prosecutorial discretion program that will offer grants of deferred action, in two year increments, to certain individuals who entered the United States as children. With a grant of deferred action, individuals will also be eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a discretionary determination by the government not to deport an individual. HOWEVER, deferred action is not the same as permanent residence and deferred action does not place a person on a path to permanent residence.

To be eligible for this new program, an individual must meet the following criteria:

• Came to United States under the age of 16;

• Has continuously resided in the U.S. for at least five years prior to June 15, 2012 and is present in the U.S on June 15, 2012;

• Is currently in school, has graduated from high school, has obtained a general education development certificate (GED), or is an honorably discharged veteran of the coast guard or armed forces of the U.S.;

• Does not pose a threat to national security or public safety, including having not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, or multiple misdemeanor offenses; and

• Is not over 30 years of age on June 15, 2012.

Deferred action will be offered to eligible individuals who are currently in removal proceedings, individuals not currently in removal proceedings and individuals who have been encountered by ICE, CBP, or USCIS. Each person must qualify individually for the program. Family members of qualifying individuals will receive no benefit from the program. A qualifying individual who is not in deportation proceedings will have to file an application with USCIS. However, the procedures for filing an application with USCIS have not yet been established by USCIS, therefore, no applications should be submitted at this time. USCIS has been instructed to begin implementing this program within the next 60 days. Therefore, we can expect to see further announcements in the near future about the implementation of this new policy and the procedures for filing the applications with USCIS.

What to do now: if you believe you might qualify for deferred action under the new program, in order to be ready to apply once USCIS announces the procedure, you should gather evidence to prove that you qualify. Such evidence includes:

• Birth records to show qualifying age

• School, military records to show that you meet the education or military requirement

• School, financial, medical or any other documents to show that you have been here for five years prior to June 15, 2012.

*** Our law firm is currently making a list of all individuals we know that we believe may be eligible for deferred action under this program. If you believe that you or someone you know may be eligible for this program, please contact our office. ***

There are many unanswered questions about the program at this time so you should be wary of anyone who claims to know the procedure, guarantees you qualify, or offers to handle your application at this time.

Information provided by the Immigration Task Force of the Colorado Lawyers Committee, June 19, 2012

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin No Comments

Deferred Action and Work Authorization Announced for Dreamers on June 15, 2012

On June 15, 2012, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano issued a memorandum announcing a new prosecutorial discretion program that will offer grants of deferred action, in two year increments, to certain individuals who entered the United States as children. With a grant of deferred action, individuals will also be eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a discretionary determination by the government not to deport an individual. HOWEVER, deferred action is not the same as permanent residence and deferred action does not place a person on a path to permanent residence.

To be eligible for this new program, an individual must meet the following criteria:

• Came to United States under the age of 16;

• Has continuously resided in the U.S. for at least five years prior to June 15, 2012 and is present in the U.S on June 15, 2012;

• Is currently in school, has graduated from high school, has obtained a general education development certificate (GED), or is an honorably discharged veteran of the coast guard or armed forces of the U.S.;

• Does not pose a threat to national security or public safety, including having not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, or multiple misdemeanor offenses; and

• Is not over 30 years of age on June 15, 2012.

Deferred action will be offered to eligible individuals who are currently in removal proceedings, individuals not currently in removal proceedings and individuals who have been encountered by ICE, CBP, or USCIS. Each person must qualify individually for the program. Family members of qualifying individuals will receive no benefit from the program. A qualifying individual who is not in deportation proceedings will have to file an application with USCIS. However, the procedures for filing an application with USCIS have not yet been established by USCIS, therefore, no applications should be submitted at this time. USCIS has been instructed to begin implementing this program within the next 60 days. Therefore, we can expect to see further announcements in the near future about the implementation of this new policy and the procedures for filing the applications with USCIS.

What to do now: if you believe you might qualify for deferred action under the new program, in order to be ready to apply once USCIS announces the procedure, you should gather evidence to prove that you qualify. Such evidence includes:

• Birth records to show qualifying age

• School, military records to show that you meet the education or military requirement

• School, financial, medical or any other documents to show that you have been here for five years prior to June 15, 2012.

*** Our law firm is currently making a list of all individuals we know that we believe may be eligible for deferred action under this program. If you believe that you or someone you know may be eligible for this program, please contact our office. ***

There are many unanswered questions about the program at this time so you should be wary of anyone who claims to know the procedure, guarantees you qualify, or offers to handle your application at this time.

Information provided by the Immigration Task Force of the Colorado Lawyers Committee, June 19, 2012

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin No Comments

Acción Diferida y Autorización de Trabajo Anunciada para los “Dreamers” el 15 de Junio de 2012

El 15 de Junio de 2012, la secretaria de Seguridad Nacional, Janet Napolitano, emitió un memorando anunciando un nuevo programa de discreción de la fiscalía que ofrecerá acción diferida a ciertos individuos que entraron a los Estados Unidos cuando eran niños. Con acción diferida, los individuos también serán elegibles para recibir autorización de trabajo. Acción diferida es una determinación discrecional por el gobierno de no buscar acciones de remoción contra un individuo basado en la discreción de la fiscalía. Si una persona es concedida “acción diferida,” efectivamente será otorgada estatus legal temporal en los Estados Unidos en plazos de dos años. SIN EMBARGO, la acción diferida no es lo mismo que residencia permanente y la acción diferida no pone a una persona en camino a la residencia permanente.

Para ser elegible para esta nueva programa, los individuos deben cumplir los siguientes criterios:
• Llegó a los Estados Unidos antes de los 16 años de edad;

• Ha vivido continuamente en los Estados Unidos al menos cinco años anteriores de la fecha del memorando (15 de Junio de 2012) y está presente en los Estados Unidos el 15 de Junio de 2012;

• Está actualmente en la escuela, ha graduado de preparatoria, ha obtenido un certificado de educación de desarrollo general (GED), o es un veterano que has sido honradamente descargado del guardia costera o de las fuerzas armadas de los Estados Unidos;

• No representa una amenaza para la seguridad nacional o seguridad pública, incluyendo no haber sido condenado de una felonía, un delito menor significativo, delitos múltiples delitos menores, y;

• No tiene mas de 30 años de edad el 15 de Junio de 2012.

Acción diferida para las personas elegibles será ofrecida a las personas que se encuentran actualmente en proceso de deportación. Las personas que han sido encontrados por el ICE, CBP, o USCIS y las personas que no están actualmente en proceso de deportación. Cada persona tiene que calificar para el programa individuamente. Parientes de individuos que califican para el programa no recibirán ningún beneficio del programa. Si un individuo no está actualmente en proceso de deportación, sino que busca esta forma de alivio, que tendrán que presentar una solicitud ante el USCIS. Sin embargo, el USCIS todavía no ha anunciado los procedimientos de esta aplicación, asi que, ningún aplicación debe ser presenta en este momento. El memorando estipula USCIS para empezar a aplicar este programa en los próximos 60 días, así que podemos esperar para ver más anuncios en un futuro próximo sobre la aplicación de esta nueva política y los procedimientos para la presentación de las solicitudes ante el USCIS.

Que hacer ahora: si usted cree que usted podría calificar para acción diferida en el nuevo programa, para estar preparado para aplicar en cuanto USCIS anuncia un procedimiento, usted debe reunir evidencia para probar que usted califica. Esta evidencia incluye:

• Registros de nacimiento para demostrar la edad de calificación;

• Registros de escuela ,o militares para probar demostrar que cumple con los requisitos de educación o militar;

• Documentos de escuela, médicos, financieros, o cualquier otro documentos par demostrar que usted ha estado aquí por cinco años anterior al 15 de Junio de 2012.

*** Nuestra oficina esta haciendo una lista de todas las personas que conocemos que creemos que pueden ser elegibles para la acción diferida en virtud de este programa. Si usted cree que usted o alguien que usted conoce puede ser elegible para este programa, por favor póngase en contacto con nuestra oficina para una consulta. ***

Hay muchas preguntas sin respuesta sobre el programa en este momento así que debe ser cuidadoso de cualquier personas que afirma conocer el procedimiento, garantiza que usted califica, o se ofrece a ayudarle con su solicitud en este momento.

Información proporcionada por el Immigration Task Force of the Colorado Lawyers Committee, 19 de Junio de 2012

Top