vijjus
12-11 11:38 AM
While it is true that both husband and wife working is a desirable goal, I think we must also consider senthil1's comment above. I personally know desi consulting companies that have placed people on B1 visa, altered resumes to overstate experiences etc. If the rednecks have brought a bad name to the whites, desi consulting companies surely have given Indian immigrants (specially in the SW sector) a bad name. As part of our current effort to voice our issues, we must also look at where we might have gone wrong.
wallpaper fishing rod clipart. fishing
shukla77
02-18 04:15 PM
Agree with mostly what you have said. Question still remains what causes people not to contribute even 20$ now while in the past they have contributed 50 , 100 or even more. Just something to think about.
I disagree. Changes in laws do not happen overnight and any efforts that core is making cannot be made public all the time. If they can get thousands of people the benefit of moving to EAD etc. then I am sure they are working behind the scenes to get more favorable changes done when the time is right. I have faith in their ability.
Moreover since I am not actively volunteering in any activities the least I can do is contribute. So I call on everyone to contribute for your cause - none of us is doing anyone a favor by contributing. We are DIRECTLY favoring us by making a contribution.
I disagree. Changes in laws do not happen overnight and any efforts that core is making cannot be made public all the time. If they can get thousands of people the benefit of moving to EAD etc. then I am sure they are working behind the scenes to get more favorable changes done when the time is right. I have faith in their ability.
Moreover since I am not actively volunteering in any activities the least I can do is contribute. So I call on everyone to contribute for your cause - none of us is doing anyone a favor by contributing. We are DIRECTLY favoring us by making a contribution.
sam2006
07-19 10:27 PM
thank you guys
can we reach 30 tomorrow ?
Yes we can
can we reach 30 tomorrow ?
Yes we can
2011 house free clipart fishing
at0474
12-16 12:31 AM
Been in the US since 1998, have an EB-2 PD of 2001, have played by the rules all along. Still no GC... And, the dates are going back to 2000 from the new year.. I've lost hopes...
I'm pretty close to getting clinical depression because of this game played by USCIS, Labor Dept, FBI and my own bad luck.
SKILL bill, OMNIBUS, etc. comes and goes. IV does seem to be doing things to lobby for the community, but let's face one reality. Like a news article said, no one in congress or senate wants to touch immigration even with a long pole until 2009.
The US has been very good to me (other than the GC part), more than my home country (India) which is why I'm still here.
Have invested too much of time in this country to just pack up and go. Just curious if any of you feel this way? How do you handle such depressing feelings?
--Hopelessness, negative thinking and depression are real feelings. Many people live in denial. Some realize and never express it till it consumes them completely. Some express it to their relief but may suffer from not knowing the reason causing depressed feelings.
In your case , you are not in denial, you are expressing it and most importantly, you have identified the reason behind feeling hopeless and depressed.
If you can do anything to solve the problem, then do it without worrying about the outcome. If the situation is beyond your control, you are not going to solve it by worrying more about it.
Be in control. Don't let it control you.Keep yourself occupied by doing things that you like and entertain yourself.
I am going through the same.Yours truly has been waiting for a settled life since 1998.
Good luck.
I'm pretty close to getting clinical depression because of this game played by USCIS, Labor Dept, FBI and my own bad luck.
SKILL bill, OMNIBUS, etc. comes and goes. IV does seem to be doing things to lobby for the community, but let's face one reality. Like a news article said, no one in congress or senate wants to touch immigration even with a long pole until 2009.
The US has been very good to me (other than the GC part), more than my home country (India) which is why I'm still here.
Have invested too much of time in this country to just pack up and go. Just curious if any of you feel this way? How do you handle such depressing feelings?
--Hopelessness, negative thinking and depression are real feelings. Many people live in denial. Some realize and never express it till it consumes them completely. Some express it to their relief but may suffer from not knowing the reason causing depressed feelings.
In your case , you are not in denial, you are expressing it and most importantly, you have identified the reason behind feeling hopeless and depressed.
If you can do anything to solve the problem, then do it without worrying about the outcome. If the situation is beyond your control, you are not going to solve it by worrying more about it.
Be in control. Don't let it control you.Keep yourself occupied by doing things that you like and entertain yourself.
I am going through the same.Yours truly has been waiting for a settled life since 1998.
Good luck.
more...
desi3933
06-26 03:06 PM
"Until and after 1 year" - how does it save me - the word "until"
please explain for me - Thanks Much ?
Sounds like there is a way out.
Could you please post whole sentence? Thanks.
Not a legal advice.
----------------------------------
Green Card holder since May 2002
desi3933 at gmail.com
please explain for me - Thanks Much ?
Sounds like there is a way out.
Could you please post whole sentence? Thanks.
Not a legal advice.
----------------------------------
Green Card holder since May 2002
desi3933 at gmail.com
apahilaj
12-19 12:56 PM
See signature
more...
PD_Dec2002
07-07 08:53 PM
she said "But we're prepared to talk to people about what happened here."
hope that means they are willing to talk about giving EAD. If we get EAD all the lawsuits will be withdrawn. The law does not say AOS applications should not be accepted when there are no visa numbers available, the law only says AOS cannot be approved when visa numbers are not available. USCIS internal regulations says they will not accept AOS applications when priority date is not current. by now its quite apparent that USCIS has broken a lot of there own internal regulations just to make sure the visa numbers are used up before july 2 2007. Then can easily accomodate the EAD for july filers. It all depends upon the pressure exerted on USCIS and DOS
My interpretation of "But we're prepared to talk to people about what happened here." is "We know what we did. And if you take us to court, we are prepared to talk our way out of this fiasco."
Between the Iraq war and tensions in the mid-East, she will actually welcome such easy battles. This administration is extremely smug.
Thanks,
Jayant
hope that means they are willing to talk about giving EAD. If we get EAD all the lawsuits will be withdrawn. The law does not say AOS applications should not be accepted when there are no visa numbers available, the law only says AOS cannot be approved when visa numbers are not available. USCIS internal regulations says they will not accept AOS applications when priority date is not current. by now its quite apparent that USCIS has broken a lot of there own internal regulations just to make sure the visa numbers are used up before july 2 2007. Then can easily accomodate the EAD for july filers. It all depends upon the pressure exerted on USCIS and DOS
My interpretation of "But we're prepared to talk to people about what happened here." is "We know what we did. And if you take us to court, we are prepared to talk our way out of this fiasco."
Between the Iraq war and tensions in the mid-East, she will actually welcome such easy battles. This administration is extremely smug.
Thanks,
Jayant
2010 stock vector : Fishing Rod 2
rdehar
10-09 12:02 PM
So, while we are amusing ourselves:
How about ancestoral property?
How about skymiles?
Number of children?
number of posts on IV:D
How about ancestoral property?
How about skymiles?
Number of children?
number of posts on IV:D
more...
desi3933
07-09 11:37 AM
Based on a quick scan of the above documents (which may not be a complete list of documents on AOS), I did not find a single reference to LAW that specifies when AOSs can (not) be submittted by GC applicants. My guess is that there is no such law That is why AILA is calling it rubbish.
I urge everyone to scan these (and othet documents) for LAW that specifies when AOSs can (not) be submittted by GC applicants.
� 245.1 Eligibility.
(a) General. Any alien who is physically present in the United States, except for an alien who is ineligible to apply for adjustment of status under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, may apply for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident of the United States if the applicant is eligible to receive an immigrant visa and an immigrant visa is immediately available at the time of filing of the application. A special immigrant described under section 101(a)(27)(J) of the Act shall be deemed, for the purpose of applying the adjustment to status provisions of section 245(a) of the Act, to have been paroled into the United States, regardless of the actual method of entry into the United States.
[Emphasis added for clarity]
______________________
Not a legal advice.
I urge everyone to scan these (and othet documents) for LAW that specifies when AOSs can (not) be submittted by GC applicants.
� 245.1 Eligibility.
(a) General. Any alien who is physically present in the United States, except for an alien who is ineligible to apply for adjustment of status under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, may apply for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident of the United States if the applicant is eligible to receive an immigrant visa and an immigrant visa is immediately available at the time of filing of the application. A special immigrant described under section 101(a)(27)(J) of the Act shall be deemed, for the purpose of applying the adjustment to status provisions of section 245(a) of the Act, to have been paroled into the United States, regardless of the actual method of entry into the United States.
[Emphasis added for clarity]
______________________
Not a legal advice.
hair fishing rod clipart. fishing
kasanski33
06-12 03:34 PM
Finally got confirmation from my attorney they filed everything on June 6th, I guess now just wait and watch.
Eb-3 Ind PD 07/02
Eb-3 Ind PD 07/02
more...
gvenkat
01-30 04:47 PM
The morons taking the high moral ground need to make a reality check. let me state that i came here on F1 did my master's and got a job. so i'm not one of those sleazy guys who bent the rules according to these morons.
there is no one ready to give u a job if u dont have a GC or a EAD or OPT or u go through a consultant. These guys should know that first. Everyone does apply through a body shopper which is not right.. but is there a way out...
there is no one ready to give u a job if u dont have a GC or a EAD or OPT or u go through a consultant. These guys should know that first. Everyone does apply through a body shopper which is not right.. but is there a way out...
hot a fishing rod in hand.
gccovet
08-05 11:35 AM
My priorty date is 17th Jan 2003 Eb3(2)-India.
485 filed on 31st july 2007.
I also got a lud on my I-140 on 27th of july 2008. It is an approved I-140.
Has anyone else gotten a lud on their I-140 also ?
Thanks.
Mahujam,
I got soft LUD on my I140 (approved in 2006)as well around same date as your. No way I would get GC as I am EB3-I 5/04. I posted this question several places, but have not recd. any answers for anyone.
GCCovet
485 filed on 31st july 2007.
I also got a lud on my I-140 on 27th of july 2008. It is an approved I-140.
Has anyone else gotten a lud on their I-140 also ?
Thanks.
Mahujam,
I got soft LUD on my I140 (approved in 2006)as well around same date as your. No way I would get GC as I am EB3-I 5/04. I posted this question several places, but have not recd. any answers for anyone.
GCCovet
more...
house Let´s Hook em Fishing Rod
saturnring11
07-22 06:53 PM
I feel for the guys who have been waiting since 2001 for their green cards in the EB3-I/C category.
To change the interpretation of how spillover is applied, you will need a better argument than "The system isn't fair."
Why should the USCIS/DOS favor EB3 over EB1 or EB2? Unless you provide a reason that benefits America, no executive or law maker is going to touch this. You can see why this is a tough argument to make - The USCIS sees EB1 as better educated and more accomplished on average than EB2 and the same for EB2 over EB3. Are there exceptions to the rule? Ofcourse there are. But the law is designed to solve the most common scenario and not complicated situations like this.
EB3 to EB2 isn't a slam dunk as many of you have correctly pointed out. One option is to move employers and find the right employer who is ready to file for EB2. While that may not work for everyone, it is the only known way out of the EB3 nightmare.
I support measures that will alleviate your pain although this will likely not benefit my personal situation. Visa recapture is a real possibility at the end of this year - I recommend you support IV to accomplish this goal.
To change the interpretation of how spillover is applied, you will need a better argument than "The system isn't fair."
Why should the USCIS/DOS favor EB3 over EB1 or EB2? Unless you provide a reason that benefits America, no executive or law maker is going to touch this. You can see why this is a tough argument to make - The USCIS sees EB1 as better educated and more accomplished on average than EB2 and the same for EB2 over EB3. Are there exceptions to the rule? Ofcourse there are. But the law is designed to solve the most common scenario and not complicated situations like this.
EB3 to EB2 isn't a slam dunk as many of you have correctly pointed out. One option is to move employers and find the right employer who is ready to file for EB2. While that may not work for everyone, it is the only known way out of the EB3 nightmare.
I support measures that will alleviate your pain although this will likely not benefit my personal situation. Visa recapture is a real possibility at the end of this year - I recommend you support IV to accomplish this goal.
tattoo fishing rod clipart. free
Refugee_New
08-18 02:23 PM
Hi Guys
My date is not current but I understand the frustration here. However I beleive USCIS is under severe pressure to reduce the backlogs and not waste any numbers this year....so they are trying to exhaust them as and when they can...in that scenaio I guess lower hanging fruits are getting picked.
But on the bright side as I see it as more and more people get their GCs its a smaller line and the officers should be able to get to everyone's file in due course.
I completely believe the system should be FIFO but then don't you think that will be too logical for the USCIS......
Hopefully if they are able to get a lot of people out of the way they should go back to normal processing from October when new numbers are available and the pressure is somewhat less.....
Again above is my theory. I hope everyone gets their green cards soon and the line keeps moving.
regards
Saket
What is the "LOWER HANGING BALLS" AND "LOWER HANGING SHIT" means? Why can't these assholes approve all the old cases and then move the dates to 2003 or 2004 or even 2006.
These type of analogy is nothing but a bullshit. USCIS under pressure??? What pressure? Who do they care? Why should they worry? Whole immigration system is a circus(jumbo, gemini circus) playing with our lives and with full of jokers making fun of us.
My date is not current but I understand the frustration here. However I beleive USCIS is under severe pressure to reduce the backlogs and not waste any numbers this year....so they are trying to exhaust them as and when they can...in that scenaio I guess lower hanging fruits are getting picked.
But on the bright side as I see it as more and more people get their GCs its a smaller line and the officers should be able to get to everyone's file in due course.
I completely believe the system should be FIFO but then don't you think that will be too logical for the USCIS......
Hopefully if they are able to get a lot of people out of the way they should go back to normal processing from October when new numbers are available and the pressure is somewhat less.....
Again above is my theory. I hope everyone gets their green cards soon and the line keeps moving.
regards
Saket
What is the "LOWER HANGING BALLS" AND "LOWER HANGING SHIT" means? Why can't these assholes approve all the old cases and then move the dates to 2003 or 2004 or even 2006.
These type of analogy is nothing but a bullshit. USCIS under pressure??? What pressure? Who do they care? Why should they worry? Whole immigration system is a circus(jumbo, gemini circus) playing with our lives and with full of jokers making fun of us.
more...
pictures fishing rod clipart. clipart
h1techSlave
03-28 11:44 AM
That's a nice one. I had a laugh after a long time.
:D yes. I want to predict what I will do (or what i want to do) to USCIS, but i will be banned.;)
:D yes. I want to predict what I will do (or what i want to do) to USCIS, but i will be banned.;)
dresses fishing rod, reel, hook Stock
mariusp
05-01 06:00 PM
Guys, I finally got my notices today after 9 months. I called customer service on numerous occasions and opened 2 SR. Most recently, after my case was transferred to NSC, I called the service center on 04/28 and finally they scheduled me. I got an LUD on 04/28 after the call and another one on 04/29. Today I have the notices in my hand with an appointment date of 05/13.
If you're still waiting for your notices, call the service center, explain your situation and don't stop calling until you see an LUD on your case.
If you're still waiting for your notices, call the service center, explain your situation and don't stop calling until you see an LUD on your case.
more...
makeup fishing rod clipart. clip art
Zee
07-11 07:52 PM
USCIS has removed the flower related press release from their website. :D
girlfriend fishing rod clipart. clip art
shukla77
11-21 01:14 PM
Mehul,
I am sure God will give you strength to battle this. Keep faith.Our prayers are always with you and your family.
I am sure God will give you strength to battle this. Keep faith.Our prayers are always with you and your family.
hairstyles cartoon fishing rod. cartoon
eastindia
09-27 12:50 PM
I think your idea is good. But this could be very difficult to implement, at least for USCIS.
Another suggestion is that porting should be automatic. As soon as a person acquires the required qualification for EB2 + a letter from the company that the person's future job will be of EB2 caliber, UCSIS should put him/her in EB2 category. This is some thing we should work on.
Have you contacted anyone about your ideas? Allowing everyone to port from EB3 to EB2 will solve a lot of problems that America faces today. Except Global warming of course.:D
Another suggestion is that porting should be automatic. As soon as a person acquires the required qualification for EB2 + a letter from the company that the person's future job will be of EB2 caliber, UCSIS should put him/her in EB2 category. This is some thing we should work on.
Have you contacted anyone about your ideas? Allowing everyone to port from EB3 to EB2 will solve a lot of problems that America faces today. Except Global warming of course.:D
kumar1
02-12 02:08 PM
Sledge_Hammer - You are so shallow in your thinking!
Every rule in this world has a human aspect. I urge you to grow up. Immigration rules in this country are so complex that even lawyers conflict with each other. We are simple human beings and most of the time we do not fully understand the law. Yes, it does not give us the authority to break the law, however, there are times when you become "out of status" by just sitting at home. There are times when you become victim of situation. I have 1000s of refugees in my city who flee Yugoslavia/Bosnia during ethnic cleansing/genocide of 1990s. US working with UN gave them refugee status and most of them have green cards now. Some of them lost sons, some of them lost fathers and they all have stories to tell. Do I go there with my MS/BS degree and tell them that I was in the line before and I should have gotten the GC before them? No! Do I curse the system for that? No! When countries fall apart and when morality/humanity hits the rock bottom, rules, status go right out of the window.
Please do not be so harsh on forums.
I do not have anything personal against you but there are times when you are very harsh on individuals and that changes the whole course of discussion.
D%ck weed, I came to this country with the intention of studying and then working, but to do so legally. I came to this country very well knowing that I have to maintain my legal status, regardless of the circumstances.
So to counter your sophomoric point - yes, it does not matter if you have spent your prime years working here, it does not matter if you have loans in India, it does not matter if your wife is on H4, it does not matter if your child is a US citizen, it does not matter if you did your masters here, it does not matter if you are from IIT, it does not matter if you're employed through a consultant, it does not matter if you're employed full-time with a "proper" company, it does not matter if your parents in India are sick and you need to send them money; THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU SHOULD BE MAINTAINING LEGAL IMMIGRATION STATUS BECAUSE YOU CAME TO THIS COUNTRY KNOWING THAT!
So stop complaining @ss wipe and go back and learn to spell and fix your grammar.
>>>>>>Do you have a brain?
>>>>>>So why the hell u came to the country
>>>>>>u ask them to go to their home country is it
Thinking in your native tongue and translating to another language is NOT a very effective way to communicate. And for god's sake, spell 'you' the way it is and don't short hand it to 'u'. That's the most annoying thing people like you do.
Every rule in this world has a human aspect. I urge you to grow up. Immigration rules in this country are so complex that even lawyers conflict with each other. We are simple human beings and most of the time we do not fully understand the law. Yes, it does not give us the authority to break the law, however, there are times when you become "out of status" by just sitting at home. There are times when you become victim of situation. I have 1000s of refugees in my city who flee Yugoslavia/Bosnia during ethnic cleansing/genocide of 1990s. US working with UN gave them refugee status and most of them have green cards now. Some of them lost sons, some of them lost fathers and they all have stories to tell. Do I go there with my MS/BS degree and tell them that I was in the line before and I should have gotten the GC before them? No! Do I curse the system for that? No! When countries fall apart and when morality/humanity hits the rock bottom, rules, status go right out of the window.
Please do not be so harsh on forums.
I do not have anything personal against you but there are times when you are very harsh on individuals and that changes the whole course of discussion.
D%ck weed, I came to this country with the intention of studying and then working, but to do so legally. I came to this country very well knowing that I have to maintain my legal status, regardless of the circumstances.
So to counter your sophomoric point - yes, it does not matter if you have spent your prime years working here, it does not matter if you have loans in India, it does not matter if your wife is on H4, it does not matter if your child is a US citizen, it does not matter if you did your masters here, it does not matter if you are from IIT, it does not matter if you're employed through a consultant, it does not matter if you're employed full-time with a "proper" company, it does not matter if your parents in India are sick and you need to send them money; THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU SHOULD BE MAINTAINING LEGAL IMMIGRATION STATUS BECAUSE YOU CAME TO THIS COUNTRY KNOWING THAT!
So stop complaining @ss wipe and go back and learn to spell and fix your grammar.
>>>>>>Do you have a brain?
>>>>>>So why the hell u came to the country
>>>>>>u ask them to go to their home country is it
Thinking in your native tongue and translating to another language is NOT a very effective way to communicate. And for god's sake, spell 'you' the way it is and don't short hand it to 'u'. That's the most annoying thing people like you do.
dish
12-10 12:21 PM
Kennedy, McCain, 2 congressmen meet
By Jerry Kammer
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
December 9, 2006
WASHINGTON � Two of the most liberal members of Congress met with two of their most conservative colleagues this week to revive immigration legislation that passed the Senate but was throttled by House Republican leaders who resisted its attempt to grant citizenship to illegal immigrants.
Sen. Edward Kennedy
�The plan is to bring the bill up in late winter,� said Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., a conservative stalwart who attended the meeting in the office of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. The other participants were Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.
The strategy session Wednesday came amid speculation about how the dynamics of the immigration debate might change, if at all, when Democrats take control of the House and Senate next month.
Flake said that Kennedy, who will be chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee's immigration subcommittee, wants to let the new Congress deal first with issues such as the war in Iraq and proposals to raise the minimum wage.
�Then he'll be ready to go� with a new version of the bill that the Senate approved in April.
Sen. John McCain
Republicans ran the show in both houses of Congress then, and passionate divisions in their ranks over immigration policy became a dominant feature of the debate. Democrats, particularly in the House, were mostly content to sit back and enjoy the stalemate, even as they campaigned against the �do-nothing Republican Congress.�
Now Democrats face the hazards of immigration politics.
Immigration-law changes are conspicuously absent from the legislative agenda laid out by incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Observers here say it will be difficult for Pelosi, D-San Francisco, to honor her campaign-season pledge to work for a new comprehensive immigration law without splitting a caucus that includes freshly elected Democrats who vowed to secure the border and crack down on illegal immigration.
The November midterm elections seemed to send mixed messages.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez
In a cliffhanger contest, Arizona Rep. J.D. Hayworth, a conservative Republican and strident foe of illegal immigration, was defeated by Democrat Harry Mitchell.
Immigration advocates such as Ben Johnson of the Immigration Policy Center say Hayworth's defeat showed that immigration �did not turn out to be the firebrand issue that some people thought it could be.�
But immigration restrictionists point out that Mitchell made getting tough on immigration the centerpiece of his campaign. They also say Mitchell cleverly used the issue against Hayworth, saying his Republican opponent was part of a political regime that wasn't competent enough to stop the hundreds of thousands of immigrants that sweep across Arizona's southern border each year.
While Mitchell said he favored legal status for long-established immigrants, he insisted that immigration policy can be fixed only by �members of Congress who are willing to enforce the law, produce real immigration reform and stop playing politics with the issue.�
Rep. Jeff Flake
That enforcement-heavy approach is fine with immigration advocates as long as it is part of a package that provides permanent legal status to those who are beckoned across the border by agriculture, restaurant, construction, landscaping and janitorial jobs. The number of illegal immigrants in the United States is estimated to be at least 11 million.
Immigrant-rights advocates, along with their allies at the National Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations, also support a proposal to provide hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers every year for employers who demonstrate that they are unable to find Americans to fill the slots.
While McCain and Kennedy describe this as a �temporary-worker program,� the legislation they sponsored would put the workers on a path to citizenship.
At a time of anxiety about the loss of good-paying manufacturing jobs, the McCain-Kennedy bill's efforts to import low-wage labor has drawn the anger of critics across the political spectrum. That is why Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates immigration restrictions, predicts Pelosi will be reluctant to get behind a proposal that could endanger the new Democratic majority.
�Nancy Pelosi knows the Democrats are on probation for the next two years,� Krikorian said.
He predicted that Pelosi would back less ambitious immigration change, such as a plan to provide legal status to undocumented students, rather than take on the explosive issue of mass legalization, which critics condemn as an amnesty that would spawn more illegal immigration.
But Frank Sharry, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, which advocates for immigrant rights, argues that next year will be pivotal because of the presidential race that follows.
Advertisement
�I think that once we hit primary (election) season, controversial issues get a lot harder to do,� Sharry said. �Everybody I talk to says 2007 is the window of opportunity.�
Pelosi was noncommittal this week on whether the House would take up immigration legislation. She sought to deflect some of the responsibility to the White House, suggesting that she expects President Bush to offer more specifics than his call to �match willing worker with willing employer.�
�That's up to the president,� Pelosi said. �We want to work closely with him because it has to be comprehensive and bipartisan.�
President Bush's political advisers, meanwhile, have acknowledged that revamping immigration law may be necessary to shore up sagging support for Republicans among Hispanics, the nation's fastest-growing ethnic group. Republicans received just 30 percent of the Hispanic vote this year, down from 44 percent in 2004.
By Jerry Kammer
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
December 9, 2006
WASHINGTON � Two of the most liberal members of Congress met with two of their most conservative colleagues this week to revive immigration legislation that passed the Senate but was throttled by House Republican leaders who resisted its attempt to grant citizenship to illegal immigrants.
Sen. Edward Kennedy
�The plan is to bring the bill up in late winter,� said Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., a conservative stalwart who attended the meeting in the office of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. The other participants were Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.
The strategy session Wednesday came amid speculation about how the dynamics of the immigration debate might change, if at all, when Democrats take control of the House and Senate next month.
Flake said that Kennedy, who will be chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee's immigration subcommittee, wants to let the new Congress deal first with issues such as the war in Iraq and proposals to raise the minimum wage.
�Then he'll be ready to go� with a new version of the bill that the Senate approved in April.
Sen. John McCain
Republicans ran the show in both houses of Congress then, and passionate divisions in their ranks over immigration policy became a dominant feature of the debate. Democrats, particularly in the House, were mostly content to sit back and enjoy the stalemate, even as they campaigned against the �do-nothing Republican Congress.�
Now Democrats face the hazards of immigration politics.
Immigration-law changes are conspicuously absent from the legislative agenda laid out by incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Observers here say it will be difficult for Pelosi, D-San Francisco, to honor her campaign-season pledge to work for a new comprehensive immigration law without splitting a caucus that includes freshly elected Democrats who vowed to secure the border and crack down on illegal immigration.
The November midterm elections seemed to send mixed messages.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez
In a cliffhanger contest, Arizona Rep. J.D. Hayworth, a conservative Republican and strident foe of illegal immigration, was defeated by Democrat Harry Mitchell.
Immigration advocates such as Ben Johnson of the Immigration Policy Center say Hayworth's defeat showed that immigration �did not turn out to be the firebrand issue that some people thought it could be.�
But immigration restrictionists point out that Mitchell made getting tough on immigration the centerpiece of his campaign. They also say Mitchell cleverly used the issue against Hayworth, saying his Republican opponent was part of a political regime that wasn't competent enough to stop the hundreds of thousands of immigrants that sweep across Arizona's southern border each year.
While Mitchell said he favored legal status for long-established immigrants, he insisted that immigration policy can be fixed only by �members of Congress who are willing to enforce the law, produce real immigration reform and stop playing politics with the issue.�
Rep. Jeff Flake
That enforcement-heavy approach is fine with immigration advocates as long as it is part of a package that provides permanent legal status to those who are beckoned across the border by agriculture, restaurant, construction, landscaping and janitorial jobs. The number of illegal immigrants in the United States is estimated to be at least 11 million.
Immigrant-rights advocates, along with their allies at the National Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations, also support a proposal to provide hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers every year for employers who demonstrate that they are unable to find Americans to fill the slots.
While McCain and Kennedy describe this as a �temporary-worker program,� the legislation they sponsored would put the workers on a path to citizenship.
At a time of anxiety about the loss of good-paying manufacturing jobs, the McCain-Kennedy bill's efforts to import low-wage labor has drawn the anger of critics across the political spectrum. That is why Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates immigration restrictions, predicts Pelosi will be reluctant to get behind a proposal that could endanger the new Democratic majority.
�Nancy Pelosi knows the Democrats are on probation for the next two years,� Krikorian said.
He predicted that Pelosi would back less ambitious immigration change, such as a plan to provide legal status to undocumented students, rather than take on the explosive issue of mass legalization, which critics condemn as an amnesty that would spawn more illegal immigration.
But Frank Sharry, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, which advocates for immigrant rights, argues that next year will be pivotal because of the presidential race that follows.
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�I think that once we hit primary (election) season, controversial issues get a lot harder to do,� Sharry said. �Everybody I talk to says 2007 is the window of opportunity.�
Pelosi was noncommittal this week on whether the House would take up immigration legislation. She sought to deflect some of the responsibility to the White House, suggesting that she expects President Bush to offer more specifics than his call to �match willing worker with willing employer.�
�That's up to the president,� Pelosi said. �We want to work closely with him because it has to be comprehensive and bipartisan.�
President Bush's political advisers, meanwhile, have acknowledged that revamping immigration law may be necessary to shore up sagging support for Republicans among Hispanics, the nation's fastest-growing ethnic group. Republicans received just 30 percent of the Hispanic vote this year, down from 44 percent in 2004.
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