Greg Siskind on Immigration Law and Policy

SCAMWATCH: PHONY ICE AGENT PROMISED SPEEDY PROCESSING IN EXCHANGE FOR CASH

A Hollywood, Florida man has been given three years jail time for impersonating an ICE agent and promising people that he could expedite immigration applications and supply temporary work documents.

CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR CANDIDATE SUPPORTS IMMIGRATION REFORM

Former EBay CEO Meg Whitman is one of the leading contenders for the GOP nomination to succeed Arnold Schwarzeneger as governor of California. She's also just shown a little courage and made clear that she supports immigration reform that includes a path to legalization for the country's illegal immigrants. While the majority of voters in the state - indeed, across the country - support what Whitman is advocating, winning a GOP primary and being pro-immigration could be tougher.

SLUMP IN H-1B NUMBERS BACK UP CALLS FOR TYING QUOTA TO MARKET DEMAND

A Wall Street Journal story looks at the reasons behind the extraordinary drop in H-1B applications. Here's the money quote:

Companies that use H-1B visas argue the market, rather than Congress, should dictate the number of visas issued. The fact that the 65,000-visa cap hasn't been reached this year shows that the market will temper demand when necessary, said Jenifer Verdery, director of work-force policy at Intel Corp., who represents a coalition of companies that use the visas.

"Contrary to the claims of H-1B critics, if importing cheap labor were the goal of H-1B visa employers, these visas would have been gone on the first day applications were accepted last spring," Ms. Verdery said. "In slow economic times, such as today, the demand decreases and the market takes over, which is as it should be."

SCAMWATCH: ICE DEFENDS AGAINST CORRUPTION CHARGES IN EL PASO OFFICE

From the El Paso Times:

The Associated Press reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been involved in various illegal activities.

In El Paso, there are charges of interfering in an El Paso police investigation.

More than one U.S. city was named in situations that included: Internet pornography, improper relationships with informants, and allowing an informant to smuggle a group of undocumented immigrants into the U.S.

In El Paso, the AP reported, police say ICE steered detectives away from a man who has been charged with setting up an assassination. The AP said, "Some local and federal authorities in El Paso are hesitant to work closely with ICE because of the way it operates, said law-enforcement officers who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity ..."

MARY LANDRIEU TELLS VITTER HE'S A MORON

Well, that's basically what the senior Senator from Lousiana said in reference to his ridiculously unconstitutional proposal to try to exclude immigrants from the US census.

DOBBS UNDER FIRE

Literally. Some horribly misguided idiot has done the antis a big favor by firing a gun at Lou Dobbs' home. Aside from the fact that someone could have gotten hurt, the action could be seen by dangerous right wing xenophobes as a signal of some sort of war that justifies violence against pro-immigration advocates. To date, the pro-immigration movement in this country has been the model of non-violence and it is critical that this image be absolutely maintained.

[UPDATE: Thanks to reader GG for a link to a story questioning Dobbs' version of events. This could very well be a hunting incident.]

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Finally. Here is the language:

Removal of HIV from inadmissibility list -

IMMIGRANT OF THE DAY: CHAN HO PARK - BASEBALL PLAYER

 
Korean-born Chan Ho Park is pitching in tonight's World Series for Philadelphia. Park was the first South Korean player in the Major Leagues. He's had a long career - 15 years - and has played for a number of teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Texas Rangers, the San Diego Padres, the New York Mets and now the Phillies.

IMMIGRANT OF THE DAY: HIDEKI MATSUI - BASEBALL PLAYER

 
New York Yankees designated hitter Hideki Matsui, a Japanese native, just hit a beautiful home run in game 2 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Matsui is an unusual player because he bats left-handed and throws right-handed. The 35-year old Matsui was a star in Japan before he was recruited to play for the Yankees in 2003. He's the first Japanese player to hit 100 or more homers in the Major League. Matsui also has the odd distinction of being the player selected by Paul Rudd for a fantasy baseball draft in the movie Knocked Up and he also make the news for donating $500,000 to victims of the 2004 tsunami.

HIV ADMISSIBILITY BAN NOW OFFICIALLY ENDING

Finally. Here is the language:

Removal of HIV from inadmissibility list -