Congress will return from its August recess in early September, with the Senate expected to begin debate immediately on legislation to create a new Department of Homeland Security. And like their colleagues before them in the 106th Congress, members of the 107th Congress are expected to reconvene in Washington after Election Day to attend to unfinished legislative business, including any outstanding appropriations measures. AILA is hopeful that, among other measures, the DREAM Act and due process reform legislation will also receive congressional attention before the 107th Congress officially ends. With the continued debate over these three key issues, AILA members still have a chance to advocate for positive immigration change. The articles below contain key message points and describe online tools to assist AILA members in their advocacy efforts.

Revamped ‘Contact Congress/Media’ Assists AILA Members to Contact Congressional Representatives

In order to facilitate AILA members’ advocacy efforts with their congressional representatives, AILA has made its “Contact Congress/Media” feature easier to use. “Contact Congress/Media” is now accessible from the InfoNet homepage. Just click on the “more” link underneath the “Contact Congress/Media Center” homepage, and you will be able to quickly and easily identify your Representatives and Senators, get phone and address information and send letters to congressional offices directly through the Web. AILA members may either compose their own letters or send model letters that highlight AILA’s positions on particular issues. Simply enter your zip code in the “elected officials” box, click “go,” and choose the letter you wish to send to your lawmaker.

For most of our members, electronic mail transmission is the fastest and easiest way to communicate. Congressional staffers treat electronic mail sent through Contact Congress like any other letter they receive, and AILA highly recommends the use of Contact Congress’s electronic mail capability. In fact, given security-related delays surrounding regular mail, electronic mail transmission has proven the most effective way to contact your Senators and Representatives.

Similarly, the Media Guide section of Contact Congress allows you to research local and national media outlets easily and quickly. Search by zip code, editor, reporter or producer name, or the media organization’s name. You can also learn which media organizations service a specific state or territory by clicking on the desired state on the map.

Although “Contact Congress/Media” is only available through the InfoNet, AILA members are encouraged to share sample letters, congressional contact information, and media information with their clients who are interested in proactively shaping our immigration policy.

Key Issues: Immigration and Homeland Security, Due Process Reform, and the DREAM Act

Immigration and Homeland Security. The manner in which our immigration function is reorganized will impact every aspect of immigration. AILA strongly supports reorganizing our immigration functions (as restructured in the bipartisan Senate bill S. 2444) and maintaining these functions as an entity outside of the proposed Homeland Security Department. Such a reorganization and placement best meets our security, family reunification, and business needs and best fulfills our international obligations with regard to refugees and asylees. If Congress and the Administration opt to include our nation’s immigration functions within the proposed new homeland security department, we believe that our immigration functions should be kept together in their own division and that S. 2444 should be used to guide how immigration is organized within the new department.

The Bush Administration supports placing all of our immigration functions and visa processing within the largest division of the proposed Department of Homeland Security—the division of Border and Transportation Security. (Along with immigration, this division also would include Customs, the Coast Guard, Federal Protective Services, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Animal, Plant, and Health Inspection Service.) This placement would make humane services to immigrants and effective enforcement of our immigration laws nearly impossible by burying our immigration functions within this large division. The Administration also supports placing the EOIR within the new department. AILA also strongly opposes moving EOIR into Homeland Security. Allowing the immigration courts to be transferred to the new department would threaten due process, decrease accountability, and reduce public confidence in the decisions reached. AILA instead supports the creation of an independent agency so that our immigration courts are impartial. Such a separation would allow for meaningful checks and balances. Finally, AILA also strongly opposes including visa processing within the authority of the new department. This function is best left at the State Department. Dividing policy and process will result in chaos and dysfunction.

As noted above, Congress will return from its summer recess in early September, with Homeland Security legislation expected to take center stage for the entire month of September. The House passed its version of the Homeland Security bill (H.R. 5005) prior to recess, while the Senate is expected to vote on a bill in September, with debate on this measure beginning when the Senate reconvenes.

As background, H.R. 5005 splits up the INS, with services remaining in Justice and enforcement and inspections going into the Homeland Security Department. H.R. 5005 also moves the care and custody of children to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), creates a civil rights office as well as an Inspector General (IG), and moves visa processing policy into Homeland Security, with State issuing the visas. Finally, H.R. 5005 explicitly rejects national, uniform standards for driver’s licenses, thereby putting the brakes on plans to turn state driver’s licenses into a de facto national ID card.

AILA opposes separating services from enforcement and inspections. While at first blush, such a restructuring appears to make sense, in actuality, services will be ill-served by this arrangement. Policy guidance and legal opinions will come from Homeland Security, and the lack of coordination between services, and enforcement will harm both functions. While AILA supports keeping all of immigration out of Homeland Security, if immigration is not kept out of this new agency, then all of immigration should be included in the new department to ensure coordination and a single leader in charge. AILA does support the provisions in the House bill that move the care and custody of children to ORR, the creation of a civil rights office, and the rejection of a de facto national ID card. As noted above, AILA also strongly opposes moving EOIR and visa processing into Homeland Security.

On the other side of Capitol Hill, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee marked-up its version of Homeland Security legislation (S. 2452) on July 26, just before the summer recess, and the full Senate is expected to take up the bill in September. AILA supports the immigration provisions in S. 2452, as passed by the Committee. The bill maintains immigration functions together in a fifth division and incorporates S. 2444, the bipartisan Senate bill to reorganize the immigration system, as the model by which to structure immigration functions. The bill also moves the care and custody of children out of the INS and into the ORR, creates a Civil Rights office and an Inspector General, and also creates within the Department of Justice the Agency for Immigration Hearings and Appeals that would include the Board of Immigration Appeals. However, we are concerned with the provision in the bill that would move visa processing policy into Homeland Security, with State issuing the visas.

With the Bush Administration opposing the immigration provisions in S. 2452, along with other provisions in the bill, we expect that the Senate will take up measures that AILA would oppose. We expect that these measures would include amendments, both in the Bush Administration plan, that would move all immigration functions back within the Border and Transportation Security division and bring the EOIR into the Homeland Security Department. AILA strongly opposes these measures that the Senate may vote on as separate amendments. They also are included in S. 2794 that Senator Phil Gramm (R–TX) introduced shortly before recess and which he may offer as a substitute to S. 2452. AILA urges Senators to oppose S. 2794.

Due process reform to keep families together. In an effort to keep American families together, the House Judiciary Committee, on July 23, passed an amended version of the bipartisan Family Reunification Act (H.R. 1452). The Act would restore a limited measure of fairness to a harsh 1996 law that has torn apart thousands of American families and stripped long-term legal immigrants of their basic rights. This measure offers an important down payment on the need to reestablish the right to a day in court and restores some measure of fairness to our immigration laws.

The Family Reunification Act would provide a limited opportunity for certain long-term legal permanent residents to ask a judge to consider the facts of their case before deciding whether to deport them from the United States. The Committee-approved bill includes an amendment by Representative Darrell Issa (R–CA) that would provide the Attorney General or his Deputy with the sole discretion to grant cancellation of removal based upon the expanded grounds of eligibility contained in the bill. The amendment also includes a sunset provision that would expire in 2005, or three years after the promulgation of final regulations, whichever is later. Although AILA had pressed for passage of the legislation without the amendment, final approval could only be reached by including the language.

AILA urges its members to let their Representatives and Senators know that it is time to begin restoring fairness to the judicial process. The 1996 laws change the rules mid-game, deny people their day in court and a second chance, and tear families apart. H.R. 1452 is a very modest proposal that will allow only individuals with special hardship cases the opportunity to request relief. The first category of hardship cases involves permanent residents who were brought legally to the U.S. as young children and who now face deportation to countries to which they no longer have any ties. The second category involves permanent residents who committed minor crimes well before such crimes were reclassified as “aggravated felonies” by the enactment of the IIRIRA in 1996. Most of these aliens have fully reformed, raised families and become productive members of their communities in the ensuing years. The third category involves aliens who have committed relatively minor crimes. Since an aggravated felony is now defined as any crime of theft or violence for which an alien is sentenced to one year or more of prison (even if the judge suspends the sentence), or any drug trafficking offense (regardless of whether any jail sentence is imposed), crimes such as shoplifting and drunk driving can, in certain instances, carry with them mandatory deportation for permanent residents. H.R. 1452 would not confer automatic relief or a benefit on any individual. The legislation merely allows long-term legal permanent residents to explain the facts of their case and any mitigating factors, giving them hearings that they could win or lose depending on the merits.

H.R. 1452 is a down payment on needed reform. AILA Members should encourage their Representatives to support H.R. 1452 and quickly move it to the House floor for a vote, and should also encourage their Senators to immediately take up this important issue.

The DREAM Act that would give students a chance. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved S. 1291, the “Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act” in late June. This legislation addresses the plight of children who were brought to the United States at a young age and denied the opportunity to succeed. The bill would eliminate the federal provision that prohibits states from providing in-state tuition to undocumented students who have grown up in local communities and attended local schools. The DREAM Act also creates a path for selected students to obtain legal permanent residency. Eligibility for this adjustment is based on the children’s ages, length of U.S. residence, high school graduation, and demonstration of “good moral character.” The Act establishes a new cancellation of removal procedure for which students who are already in the United States and who meet these criteria can affirmatively apply.

AILA Members are urged to let their Representatives and Senators know of their support for legislation that will give children the chance to realize their educational dreams. The children who will benefit from this legislation have grown up in America, consider themselves Americans, and want to contribute to our society. These children also have proven a sustained commitment to learn English and succeed in our educational system. This legislation will reverse a cynical, shortsighted policy that punishes earnest, hardworking children for the mistakes of their parents.

AILA Members are urged to contact their Senators to ask them to move this bill to the Senate floor and pass S. 1291. They also are urged to ask their Representatives to support the House companion bill, H.R. 1918.

Advocacy at Your Fingertips: How to use the AILA InfoNet as an Advocacy Tool

Do you have a case for which congressional attention or public exposure would be beneficial?
Do you feel that the laws need to be changed and have a client who exemplifies why this change is necessary?
Do you have a client who has been mistreated by the INS who might benefit from congressional or media attention?
Do congressional offices or the media call you about immigration issues?
Do you want to contact your elected officials or write a letter-to-the-editor about an immigration issue affecting your clients, but don’t know how to undertake these tasks?
Does a technicality ever stand in the way of a fair result?
If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then advocacy is for you! You can find out how to become a congressional, media and grassroots advocate, and much more, by going to the Advocacy Center on AILA InfoNet. The Advocacy Center provides tools to help you work with Congress and the media as well as sample materials on most of AILA’s high-priority issues. Please call the Advocacy Department if you have any questions (202- 216-2400).

Contact Congress/Media: As discussed above, this tool will help you determine the identity of your Membesr of Congress and their positions on key issues, email letters to them, and locate and generate a list of print and broadcast media. You can search for media contacts by state, name, publication, or zip code.

Advocacy Handbook: This handbook provides important guidance on how to work with elected officials and undertake easy activities in support of immigration, and describes the resources the AILA national office offers to support these efforts.

Media Handbook: This handbook is the essential “how-to” manual for working with the media. It explains how to develop a press list, work with reporters, handle interviews, meet with editorial boards, hold press conferences, and write and distribute press releases, letters-to-the-editor and op-ed page articles. It also provides talking points on key immigration issues to help you communicate the issues in a way that the media, elected officials, and the general public can understand. The talking points are an excellent starting point for anything you say or write.

Advocacy Materials: The AILA Advocacy Department provides resources and assistance for congressional, media and grassroots advocacy efforts, including Washington Update—a review of current immigration issues that top the congressional agenda, targeted legislation, and media coverage of immigration issues, issue papers, message points, issue packets, sample letters and newspaper op-eds, press releases and letters-to-the-editor to facilitate your work with Congress, the media, and your communities. AILA also sponsors congressional and media advocacy training for AILA Chapters across the country.

News: The News section can be found in the Advocacy Center on both InfoNet and AILA.org (our public web site). News includes Washington Update, Congressional Testimony, Statements and Press Releases. Congressional Testimony details what AILA and AILA members have said before Congress on key immigration issues. Statements released by AILA outline the organization’s position on critical immigration issues. “News” is an excellent public resource.

ISSUE FOCUS: September 5 Panel Discussion on Mexican Immigrant Workers and the U.S. Economy: An Increasingly Vital Role

One year after the Bush-Fox visit of September 5, 2001, American employers in a wide variety of industries still recognize the importance of Mexican immigrant workers to the nation’s economy; in the past ten years these workers have increased 123 percent in the U.S. workforce. Yet shortages of essential workers in American industries continue in hospitals, restaurants, construction sites, and many other occupations. Government statistics confirm that these shortages will grow dramatically in the next ten years, and that the level of training and education needed for these positions will make them unattractive to native-born workers.

The nation must act to reform immigration laws so that they give the immigration system the integrity to keep Americans safe, while at the same time giving businesses the essential workers they need to succeed. U.S. immigration law must provide ways for Mexican workers to enter and remain in the U.S., in both temporary and permanent status, with protections to assure that they have the dignity and respect they deserve, given the important contributions they make to America.

The American Immigration Law Foundation’s Immigration Policy Center will host a panel discussion of this data and its impact on U.S. immigration policy. The panel will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2002, 8:30-10:00am, at the American Immigration Law Center. Speakers will include officials from the hotel and restaurant industries, Hispanic organizations, and other experts. If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, please plan to join us.

To attend, please RSVP to Fatima Myers-Webb at 202-742-5600 or fmyers-webb@ailf.org. If you are unable to attend, but would like a copy of the Policy Focus report entitled “Mexican Immigrant Workers and the U.S. Economy: An Increasingly Vital Role,” please send a request to info@ailf.org.

The American Immigration Law Center is conveniently located at 918 F Street, NW, within one block of the Gallery Place/Chinatown/MCI Center metro station (yellow/green/red lines) 9th & F Street exit, and within two blocks of the Metro Center station (blue/orange/red lines) 11th & G Street exit in Washington, DC.

Justice Department Finalizes BIA Procedural Reform Rule; Additional Regulatory Activity Noted

The Justice Department (DOJ), on August 26, 2002, finalized a rule that will make a number of procedural reforms at the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA or Board), including cutting the number of BIA Members from 23 to 11. The rule also: mandates single-Member review for the majority of cases; eliminates de novo review (with the exceptions noted below); and sets accelerated briefing schedules and tight time limits for the adjudication of cases. Moreover, the new procedures set forth in the rule apply retroactively to all pending cases, although, as discussed in more detail below, the Justice Department backed-off from eliminating the de novo standard of review with regard to pending cases.

The final version of the rule offers little ameliorative change from the February 19 proposed version (NPRM), despite the submission of numerous, detailed comments in opposition to the rule by AILA and a number of other organizations. While the final rule generally conforms to the NPRM, several changes are worthy of note.

The DOJ did reconsider its proposal for a simultaneous 21-day briefing calendar. Under the final rule, non-detained cases will continue to be briefed sequentially, but the briefing schedule will be reduced to 21 days per party rather than the current 30. The NPRM’s simultaneous 21-day briefing calendar will be implemented for detained cases. Consistent with the NPRM, immigration judges (IJs) will have 14 days to review the transcript and approve the decision, but the final rule adds language requiring the BIA Chairman and the Chief IJ to “take such steps as necessary to reduce the time required to produce transcripts…and improve their quality.” The NPRM’s 90- and 180-day adjudication deadlines are retained in the final rule.

The DOJ also backed off from its proposal to replace the current discretionary summary dismissal language of 8 CFR § 3.1(d)(2)(i) with new mandatory summary dismissal language, adding that it will “defer consideration of these issues for possible action in the future.” However, the NPRM’s restoration of the previously deleted ground for summary dismissal relating to “frivolous appeals” is retained in the final rule. (§ 3.1(d)(2)(i)(D)).

In addition, the Department modified somewhat the NPRM’s language providing for retroactive application of the new regulations to pending cases. The final rule contains a notice provision at § 3.3(f) providing that a party who has an appeal pending on the rule’s publication date may file a supplemental brief or statement addressing why his or her appeal meets the criteria for three-member review under § 3.1(e)(6). This supplemental material must be filed on or before the rule’s effective date (September 25, 2002) or the due date for the party’s brief, whichever is later. Upon the rule’s effective date, the Board will apply the final rule to all appeals, “with consideration given to any additional brief or statement filed in accordance with this provision.” The DOJ did make one important concession, however, in that it will not apply the new “clearly erroneous” standard of review regarding factual findings to pending cases. Hence, while pending cases will still be subject to all other provisions of the final rule (with the provision for supplemental briefing noted above), the Board will continue to engage in de novo factual review vis à vis pending cases. The final rule also retains the de novo standard of review for all appeals (pending and future) taken from a decision of a Service officer.

The DOJ also agreed with AILA’s assertion (in our comments to the proposed rule) that it would be unlawful to implement the proposed regulation without first amending the Notice of Appeal forms, and notes in the final rule that it has amended both the EOIR–26 and the EOIR–29 to incorporate the rule’s new requirements.

No change was made to the provision reducing the size of the Board to 11 Members, and the DOJ provided no additional concrete standards for carrying out this reduction. The Department did state that it expects that the “final determinations will be made on factors including, but not limited to, integrity (including past adherence to professional standards), professional competence, and adjudicatorial temperament”….and that, “[w]hile seniority is an experience indicator, the Department does not believe that it should be considered a presumptive factor.”

In other miscellaneous changes from the NPRM, including provisions newly inserted into the final rule: (1) language from the NPRM stating that en banc hearings are “disfavored and shall ordinarily be ordered only or questions of exceptional importance” has been softened somewhat by replacing it with the phrase “questions of particular importance”; (2) the provision relating to the transfer of administrative fines cases to the OCAHO has been dropped and will be addressed in a separate final rule; (3) a “technical amendment” has been added allowing retired EOIR ALJs to serve as temporary Board Members; (4) at the suggestion of one commenter, a provision has been added directing the BIA Chairman to limit the location of oral argument to EOIR Headquarters unless the Deputy AG or his delegate specifically provides otherwise; and (5) the provision permitting the Chairman to hold cases pending resolution of issues before the Supreme Court or the courts of appeals has been broadened to include pending DOJ regulations and pending en banc decisions.

Additional language has been clarified and/or modified throughout the final version of the rule.
The final rule, which takes effect on September 25, 2002, may be viewed on the AILA InfoNet (see Doc. No. 02082640). To view AILA’s press release on the subject, see AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 02082644.

In other regulatory news, the Justice Department recently extended the designations of several countries under the temporary protected status (TPS) program. The designations for both Burundi and Sudan were extended until November 2, 2003 (see AILA InfoNet Doc. Nos. 02083042 and 02083040, respectively). Somalia’s designation was extended until September 17, 2003 (see AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 02080540). And finally, the DOJ extended Montserrat’s designation until August 27, 2003 (see AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 02072205).

In addition, federal agencies have issued a variety of new regulations in recent weeks, impacting everything from the exchange visitor program to part-time commuter students. AILA has filed comments to many of these rules, a brief summary of which follows.

INS:

Part-Time Commuter Students: An August 27 interim rule allows Mexican and Canadian commuter students to study on a part-time basis, within the F–1 or M–1 nonimmigrant visa category, at schools located within 75 miles of the U.S. border. The rule took effect upon publication and comments are due by October 28. (67 FR 54941, 8/27/02; see AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 02082841).

Extension of INA § 212(c) Eligibility in Certain Cases: An August 13 joint INS/EOIR proposed rule would allow certain permanent residents who pled guilty or nolo contendere to crimes before April 1, 1997 to seek relief pursuant to former INA § 212(c), in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in INS v. St. Cyr. Comments to the proposed rule are due by October 15. (67 FR 52627, 8/13/02; see AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 02081341).

Alien Registration: The INS finalized a rule on August 12 that requires certain nonimmigrants to undergo various registration processes, and imposes sanctions on those who do not follow the processes. AILA filed comments to the proposed rule on July 15. (67 FR 52584, 8/12/02; see AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 02081245).

Concurrent Filing of Forms I–140 and I–485: A July 31 interim rule provides that Forms I–140 and I–485 may now be filed concurrently when a visa number is immediately available. In addition, eligible individuals with I–140 petitions pending on July 31, 2002, may now file the I–485 and associated forms. The rule took effect upon publication and comments are due by September 30. (67 FR 49561, 7/31/02; see AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 02073171).

Address Notification: A July 26 proposed rule would require every applicant for immigration benefits to acknowledge having received notice that he or she is required to provide a valid current address to the Service, including any change of address, within 10 days of the change. In absentia removal orders could flow from a failure to so provide. AILA filed comments to the proposed rule on August 16. (67 FR 48818, 7/26/02; see AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 02072604).

Adjustment of Status for Certain Indochinese Parolees: A July 9 proposed rule would implement § 586 of Pub. L. No. 106–429 to provide for the adjustment of status of certain nationals of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos who were paroled into the U.S. before October 1, 1997, and who are otherwise eligible to receive an immigrant visa. The rule also proposes to amend 8 CFR § 212.7 to provide a general rule that the INS will exercise discretion in favor of the applicant in INA § 212(h) waiver cases that involve violent or dangerous crimes only in extraordinary circumstances. Comments to the proposed rule are due by September 9. (67 FR 45402, 7/9/02; see AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 02070940).

State Department:

DV–2004 Registration Period: The State Department published a notice in the Federal Register on August 21, announcing that the mail-in application period for the Diversity Immigrant (DV–2004) Visa Program will run from October 7, 2002 to November 6, 2002. (67 FR 54251, 8/21/02; see AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 02082240).

Changes to Exchange Visitor Program for Professors and Research Scholars: A June 27 proposed rule would: extend the duration of program participation for J–1 professors and research scholars from three years to five years; eliminate extensions beyond the five-year period; and place limits on repeated program participation. AILA filed comments to the proposal on July 29. (67 FR 43264, 6/27/02; see AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 02082240).

MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

Members and Staff in the News

Stephen Yale-Loehr (Upstate New York) and Kathleen Campbell Walker (Texas) were quoted in an August 29 Washington Post article on the INS’s shredding of old visa applications and whether those applications contain information that could be useful in the fight against terrorism.

On August 28, Traci Hong (AILF) was quoted in an Associated Press article that was published in The Wall Street Journal, NewsDay, and Miami Herald on the Justice Department rules prohibiting the return of certain aliens. Jeanne Butterfield (National) was quoted in an August 28 Providence Phoenix article on detention of immigrants.

On August 27, EFE quoted Jeanne Butterfield (National) in a story about regulations to overhaul the BIA. Cheryl Little (Southern Florida) was quoted in an August 27 Miami Herald article on the mistreatment of Haitian detainees. Jorgelina Araneda (Carolinas) appeared August 27 on a WRAL (CBS) morning show about local law enforcement of immigration law.

The Philadelphia Inquirer quoted James Orlow (Philadelphia) in an August 26 story about the damage that deportation does to families. On August 24, the Indianapolis Star quoted Richard Loiseau (Indiana) in a story about immigrants’ names.

Stephen Yale-Loehr (Upstate New York) was quoted in an August 23 Charleston Gazette article on the State Department’s practice of shredding old green card applications. Mr. Yale-Loehr and Kathleen Campbell Walker (Texas) were quoted in an August 22 New York Times article on whether information in green card applications could help in the fight against terrorism.

Antonia Canero (Southern Florida) and Sandra Murado (Southern Florida) were quoted in an August 21 Miami Herald article about the rise in Argentine visa requests. Cyrus Mehta (New York) appeared on Fox News on August 18 in a debate about the Justice Department’s registration proposal.

Jeanne Butterfield (National) was quoted in Washington Post and Washington Times articles on August 17 about the announcement that Commissioner Ziglar will retire as head of the INS at the end of this year. The Orange County Register quoted Carl Shusterman (Southern California) in an August 17 article on Commissioner Ziglar’s pending resignation.

Christina DeConcini (Washington, D.C.) was quoted in an August 15 San Diego Union-Tribune article about background checks on asylum seekers prolonging the detentions of children, sick people and the elderly. Sohail Mohammed (New Jersey) appeared on August 13 on the Dan Abrahm Show to discuss the photographing of aliens.

Ben Johnson (National) was quoted in an August 12 Sun Sentinel article on deportation and the lack of judicial discretion as a result of the 1996 laws. On August 12, Sohail Mohammed (New Jersey) was quoted in the New Jersey Law Journal on client confidentiality after September 11.

Robert Gibbs (Washington State) was quoted in an August 11 Los Angeles Times article about a client who was saved by a pardon from deportation and separation from his American family for an old mistake punishable under the 1996 laws. Jan Allen Reiner (New York) and Jules Coven (New York) were quoted in an August 11 Newsday article on the unauthorized practice of law.

Margaret Wong (Ohio) was quoted in an August 10 (San Jose) Mercury News article on the decrease in H–1B visas issued. Gerry Chapman (Carolinas) was quoted in an August 9 USA Today article on the costs to immigrants and businesses of the Social Security Administration’s “no match” campaign.

Regis Fernandez (New Jersey) was quoted in an August 9 Associated Press article on the plight of a post-September 11 detainee. Cyrus Mehta (New York) was quoted in an August 8 Washington Post article about concerns over the Bush administration’s handling of the terrorism investigation.

The Salt Lake City Tribune quoted Hakeem Ishola (Utah) and Lucas Guttentag (Northern California) in an August 7 article on secret detentions. The Atlanta Journal Constitution quoted Judy Golub (National) and Charles Kuck (Atlanta) in an August 6 story about deportation based on failure to file a change of address.

Charles Kuck (Atlanta) was quoted in an August 6 Herald Sun story about deportation as punishment for failure to file a change of address with INS. On August 6, Newsweek quoted Judy Golub (National) in a story about the increase in deportations. Judy Golub (National) was quoted in an August 6 Copley News Service article on the increase in immigrant prosecutions.

The Wall Street Journal on August 5 quoted Darryl Buffenstein (Atlanta) in an article on the L–1 visa providing entrepreneurs from South America access to U.S. residency. Angela Bean (Northern California) and Cyrus Mehta (New York) were quoted in the August 4 edition of Newsday’s immigration Q & A.

On August 2, William Bernstein (Atlanta) and Lucas Guttentag (Northern California) were quoted in an Associated Press article on INS backlogs. On August 2, Lucas Guttentag (Northern California) was quoted in a United Press International story on secret detentions.

Stephen Yale-Loehr (Upstate New York) was quoted in a July 30 Miami Daily Business Review article on the Justice Department plan to overhaul the Board of Immigration Appeals. National Journal’s Congress Daily quoted Judy Golub (National) in a July 29 article on visa issuance in the new Homeland Security Department structure.

Health Leaders quoted Carl Shusterman (Southern California) in a July 28 article on health care worker shortages sparking the need for visa reform. Cheryl Little (Southern Florida) was quoted in a July 28 Miami Herald article on rights for working immigrants. On July 26, Kathleen Campbell Walker (Texas) was quoted in an Arizona Republic article on INS restructuring.

Ruth Shamir-Popkin (Southern California) wrote an article about the need to revamp the immigration system that was published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal on July 1.

Note: Please submit all articles, letters-to-the-editor, and other immigration news pieces for inclusion in “Members in the News” to AILA Public Affairs Manager Amanda Carufel at acarufel@aila.org. You can also reach Amanda by phone (202) 216-2404 and fax (202) 783-7853.

Did You Know?

The U.S. takes more than one million immigrants annually, including illegals. That is one key reason economic growth has averaged 3.7 percent a year for the past decade. Immigrants have supplied crucial technical and scientific talent, founded thousands of Silicon Valley startups, and helped hold down prices by filling low-wage jobs.

--Business Week, August 26, 2002

CONTRIBUTORS

Judith Golub, Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Affairs
Ben Johnson, Associate Director of Advocacy
Danielle Polen, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Associate
Joanna Carson, Business Immigration Associate
John Estrella, Advocacy Associate
Amanda Carufel, Public Affairs Manager
Kris Benjamin, Legislative Assistant

American Immigration Lawyers Association
918 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004
202-216-2403

47AU2009

(09/05/2002)

For more immigration news, please click here