Obama

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 34 Comments

Obama Administration Contemplating Ending For-Profit Immigration Detention Centers

In August, the Federal Government announced its decision to end the use of for-profit prisons to house federal inmates. According to a memo released by the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the DOJ based their decision primarily on the facts that the cost savings of private facilities are negligible, and such facilities failed to provide “the same level of correctional services, programs and resources.”

Immigration detention facilities house far more detainees than the private facilities the federal prison system has used. However, it remains in question what the implications of this decision will be on the federal practice of contracting with private corporations to house immigrant detainees. The Obama Administration has budgeted $2.1 billion for detention operations in 2017, a system that currently holds over 31,000 people in custody on any given day. Out of the ten largest immigration detention facilities in the United States, nine are operated by private companies, housing about two-thirds of all immigrant detainees.

Figures for how much of the detention operations budget flows to private companies have not been released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, federal budget data analysis by Grassroots Leadership, an Austin, Texas based non-profit organization, has found that about $1 billion a year, or half the annual budget for detention operations, went to private companies.

In late August, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Jeh Johnson, ordered a review of ways to end the use of private detention facilities. While Secretary Johnson has not taken a side on this issue, his Homeland Security Advisory Council is expected to make a recommendation by the end of November on the results of DHS’s review.

 

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 78 Comments

Work Authorization for H-4 Visa Holders

USCIS announced today that spouses of certain H-1B visa holders working in the U.S. will soon be able to apply for work authorization of their own. Details on this new regulation will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, but here’s what we know now.

In order for the spouse in H-4 status to apply, the spouse in H-1B status must be eligible for H-1B visa extensions based on either of the following:

  • An approved I-140 employment immigrant petition; or
  • A filed Labor Certification application before the end of the 5th year in H-1B status.

Applications for H-4 work authorization will be accepted on May 26, 2015, but not before that date.

We know that people are eager to learn more about whether their spouse can receive work authorization under this new rule. We are offering a free teleconference to explain the details on March 12, 2015 at 12:00 pm MDT. To register and receive instructions for accessing the free teleconference, please RSVP here.

We will post updates on our blog  and on our Facebook page as new policies and regulations take effect. You can also stay abreast of developments at  www.uscis.gov. 

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 222 Comments

Highlights from President Obama’s Executive Action Immigration Reform

Last night President Obama implemented sweeping immigration reform.  The President’s reforms will impact many areas of immigration, such as immigration courts and deportations, border security, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals applicants, parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, foreign students studying in the U.S., spouses of H-1B visa holders, and U.S. businesses, foreign investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and highly skilled workers.

As noted on the USCIS website, highlights of President Obama’s Immigration reform plan include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Broadening eligibility for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to people who came to this country before turning 16 years-old and who have been present since January 1, 2010. Also, extending the period of DACA and work authorization to three years;
  • Enabling parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been in the United States since January 1, 2010, to apply for deferred action and employment authorization for three years, so long as they pass a background check;
  • Expanding the use of provisional waivers of unlawful presence to include the spouses and sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents and the sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
  • Modernizing and improving immigrant and nonimmigrant programs to grow the economy and create jobs.  Reform in this area may involve changes to the visa bulletin system, National Interest Waivers, and expansion of OPT for foreign students; and
  • Providing work authorization to spouses of H-1B visa holders.

The details of these reforms are currently being formulated by U.S. government agencies.  At present, most details and specifics of the President’s reforms are unknown and will be unveiled in the coming months.

Anyone who believes they may benefit from these reforms, please contact our office to set up a consultation.

 

 

 

 

 

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 98 Comments

Tonight: President Obama Plans to Unveil Executive Action Plans for Immigration Reform

President Obama announced yesterday that he intends to utilize his powers of executive action to implement an overhaul to the immigration system in the United States.  While the President stated that he hopes to continue working with Congress to produce a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill, he commented that because immigration reform has stalled for too long in Washington, it is time to take executive action.  The announcement detailing the specifics of the President’s plan will be released tonight at 6:00pm MST from the White House.  You can watch President Obama address the nation tonight live at, WhiteHouse.gov/Live.

Stern & Curray will provide up-to-date information on the President’s immigration reform announcement, including details regarding eligibility and how to connect with a Stern & Curray immigration attorney, as soon as details are known.  Information will be posted on our blog and on our Facebook page.

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 95 Comments

After Midterm Elections All Eyes on President Obama

Following last week’s midterm elections Republicans won control of both the House and Senate for the remaining two years of President Obama’s administration.  Speaking on Sunday, President Obama stated that he would use his executive authority to address the nation’s immigration laws by the end of 2014 and before the new GOP congress is sworn into office.  President Obama commented that while he would prefer to see immigration reform accomplished through Congress, he would not wait any longer to confront the country’s immigration issues.  Stern & Curray will continue to post up-to-date information regarding any changes to the immigration laws as well as President Obama’s executive actions.

by SCwpadmin SCwpadmin 40 Comments

Obama Administration to Implement a Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program in 2015

Beginning in early 2015, the Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program will enable eligible Haitian relatives of United States citizens and legal permanent residents (LPRs) to receive a grant of humanitarian parole.  This program will allow Haitian relatives who have already initiated the process of lawfully immigrating to the United States (those who have an approved family-based immigration visa petition) the opportunity to come to the United States to live, and in many cases work, sooner.  The aim of this program is to limit family separation, which is a welcome reprieve for families who have been separated for quite some time already due to quotas and annual caps.  The Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program is set to benefit Haitian relatives who are scheduled to receive their entry visas within two years.

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