Published by Mark Johnstone on July 20th, 2009 in USA Immigration and work visas
Barack Obama is backing US immigration laws
A US visa law set up to protect immigrants who are victims of crime has seen a rush of approved applications after being little-known about for many years.
Published by Gareth McConnell Global Visas on May 28th, 2009 in US immigration: DREAM ACT, USA Immigration and work visas
It seems like everyone is getting in on the DREAM Act.
An American Dream, shouldn't every kid have one?
On Monday, The Hill reported, “Senate Democrats might be close to 60 votes on a measure that would represent the first step towards immigration reform under President Obama,” and then today, the most important voice of all emerges from the obscure reaches of media.
“I support the Dream Act 100 per cent, in fact, I am fully committed to education, my administration has raised funds to be invested in education because I want more students to have the opportunity to go to college and have better access to resources such as scholarships and loan,” said President Barack Obama in a student radio interview.
Funny thing is, it’s reported the President stated this a week ago, to NYSYLC.org, a youth-led network representing high schools, colleges, communities of faith, and community based organizations committed to improving access to higher education and creating equal opportunity for immigrant youth and children of immigrants through leadership development and advocacy (as per their website)
- WAY TO GO YOU GUYS!
What a shame the media hasn’t reported on this hot potato of US immigration reform as yet.
Published by Gareth McConnell Global Visas on May 22nd, 2009 in US immigration: DREAM ACT, USA Immigration and work visas
Faust and Napolitano are both vocal supporters of the DREAM Act
Support for the Dream Act has drawn another commanding voice in the form of Drew Gilpin Faust, President of Harvard University.
Published by Gareth McConnell Global Visas on May 8th, 2009 in US immigration: DREAM ACT, USA Immigration and work visas
Napolitano supports DREAM Act
The Department of Homeland Security Secretary has again called for comprehensive US immigration reform and offered her continued support to the DREAM Act.
Published by Gareth McConnell Global Visas on April 24th, 2009 in USA Immigration and work visas
What is the Uniting American Families Act?
Immigration reform, a global topic
The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) is a U.S. bill introduced to amend US immigration policy which currently discriminates against same-sex ‘permanent partners’. If passed, UAFA will allow permanent partners of legal U.S. citizens and permanent residents, including same-sex partners, to obtain a U.S. Green Card.
Presently, only the heterosexual spouses of U.S. citizens are granted citizenship.
A ‘permanent partner’ is classed as an individual 18 years of age or older who:
Published by Gareth McConnell Global Visas on April 22nd, 2009 in US immigration: DREAM ACT, USA Immigration and work visas
Students demonstrate their support for the Dream Act
The College Board has announced that it is supporting the so-called Dream Act, which will give unregistered people living in the US a chance to become citizens through working in the military or studying in the US.
The support is being shown following indications from President Obama that he will look at US immigration reform this year, including providing paths to US citizenship for long-term unregistered immigrants.
The Act would allow students who entered the country illegally at the age of 15 or below, and who have graduated from high school or received a GED, to US citizenship through studying at college for two years or through joining the military for two years. These students would also have the right to request some financial assistance.
A report from UCLA in 2007 says it estimates some 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high schools in the US each year.
Published by Gareth McConnell Global Visas on April 22nd, 2009 in US immigration: DREAM ACT, USA Immigration and work visas
All American 'Dream' Act
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (The DREAM Act) is a proposal introduced to the Senate and House of Representatives allowing undocumented immigrant students who graduate from US high schools, temporary residency for a period of 6 years.
Although at an early stage and not yet passed to Bill status, it seems likely the Act will get a lot of support. It fits in with President Obama’s message that Americans should work and earn their status as US citizens and everyone should play a role in building the US – it will also add an estimated 65,000 undocumented students a year into the American dream.
To be eligible for temporary residency, undocumented immigrant students must:
• Provide proof of having arrived in the United States before age 16.
• Provide proof of residence in the United States for a least five consecutive years since their date of arrival
• Be aged between 12 and 35 at time of bill enactment.
• Have graduated from an American high school, or obtained a GED.
• Be of good moral character.
Published by Gareth McConnell Global Visas on March 17th, 2009 in Global Immigration, USA Immigration and work visas
Obama & Leahy: A friend of a friend of Dorothy
In a letter to Alice B. Toklas of the LGBT Democratic Club, dated March 2008, the Senator from Illinois said he fully supported the gay community in their fight for equal rights and declared his commitment to extending the benefits to same sex couples under state and federal law.
One year later President Barack Obama’s support has remained open and consistent, an opinion apparent since his 1996 campaign for the Senate.
Publicly opposed to Proposition 8, the Californian constitutional change that censored marriage to that of ‘only between a man and a woman’, Mr. Obama has went on record stating, ‘when you start playing around with constitutions, just to prohibit somebody who cares about another person, it just seems to me that’s not what America’s about. Usually, our constitutions expand liberties, they don’t contract them.”
Published by Gareth McConnell Global Visas on February 18th, 2009 in Global indian immigration and visa news, UK immigration, USA Immigration and work visas
US and UK immigration given vote of confidence
US immigration officials have been voted the rudest in the world in an online survey by travel and social networking site WAYN.com (Where Are You Now?).
In the survey 2250 passengers were asked questions about baggage handling, customs and security at major international airports.
American immigration officials came out worst, followed by India and Russia.
Published by Gareth McConnell Global Visas on February 6th, 2009 in Studying abroad, USA Immigration and work visas
Get your H1B visa applications in now!
The circus show has left Capitol Hill, the clown has retired to Texas and an air of optimism has swept the big top from Washington to the windy city, there’s a new master of travelling ceremonies in town so what is he going to do for US immigration and in particular the H1B visa?
In 2007, 123,500 petitions were filed in the first two days. Within those 48 hours the US Citizenship and Immigration Servicesvisa application process lasted 5 days when more than 163,000 were filed, including 31,200 against the advanced degree quota.
In 2008 the visa application process lasted 5 days when more than 163,000 were filed, including 31,200 against the advanced degree quota. Eventually a lottery system allocated the remaining numbers and again applicants and employers told to wait another year.
That year is almost up.
