Chandler Law Firm LLC

IMMIGRATION MATTERS

A Column by Kimberley A. Chandler, Immigration Attorney
May, 2009

For the debut of this column, I searched for a powerful subject. My words needed to capture the reader and to stimulate thoughts about immigration. And then I got a call from one of my very first immigration clients. His story is my subject.

He first came to the United States from his native country, Nigeria, in the late ‘70s as an exchange student. He graduated from a well-respected university in the Midwest, then received an MBA and a masters in finance and, eventually, a law degree. He started a securities business years ago. He now employs 16 people, but when economic times were better, he employed almost 60. He naturalized and is married to a United States citizen. His two children are excellent students. He sits on several boards and makes large charitable donations.

I came to know him when he was in danger of being deported in the ‘80s. His wife at the time, a United States citizen, threatened to tell the Immigration Service that he perpetrated a fraud, marrying her only to receive immigration benefits. She made this threat several times, always when he wasn’t “behaving.” When he told me that he loved his wife and that her erratic behavior was due to a recently-diagnosed mental illness, I believed him. So did a federal judge, who allowed him to remain in the United States.

Like most of us, he is concerned about the economy but determined to ride out the hard times. Never has he lost faith in the United States, which he always calls “the best country in the world;” and he believes that our country offers opportunity to all who are willing to work hard. He’s an immigrant - positive, hard-working, honest, kind – the type of guy I want as a neighbor and a friend. And he’s not the exception. Although his accomplishments are extraordinary, he epitomizes the attitudes and feelings of my clients. As Congress now considers reforming our immigration system, I ask you: At what expense do we restrict people like this from coming to the United States?

 

 

NEWS

H-1B CAP FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 REACHED

On December 22, 2009, USCIS announced that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the cap of 65,000 for fiscal year 2010. That means that petitions for new H-1B workers will not be accepted until April 1, 2010 for work commencing on or after October 1, 2010. USCIS will continue to process only petitions filed to extend time that a current H-1B worker may remain in the United States; petitions to change the terms of employment for current H-1B workers; petitions to allow current H-1B workers to change employers; and petitions to allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in a second H-1B position.

H-2B VISAS REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR WORK COMMENCING PRIOR TO APRIL 1, 2010

ARTICLES

Immigrants, Welfare and Taxes

These are tough economic times, and tax season makes it even harder. Vitriolic talk and finger-pointing at alleged sources of our economic distress abound. Immigrants are a common target. “They,” say anti-immigration advocates, “have invaded our country, don’t pay taxes and collect welfare.” Is there any truth to such bold, inflammatory statements?

Is Unifying Families Really an Immigration Priority?

Most people who immigrate to the United States are able to do so because they have a close relative in the United States who petitions for them or because they have a job skill that is needed by a United States employer. The process, in either case, is a lengthy one, usually taking several years from start to finish. The wait is discouraging and impractical for prospective immigrants who are needed by United States employers; but for close family members, the wait is agonizing and, perhaps, impossible.


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