Letters of the Week: Sep 26 - Sep 30

Please email your letters to editor@ilw.com or post them directly as "Comment" below.

Comments

[Richard Y]

Re : Greencard Lottery Cinderella Visa lottery

What is really wrong with our immigration system is we do absurd things like lottery and family based without screening based on merits and skills like Canada, Australia and many other countries.
We should only admit people based on how much contribution they're going to make as citizens here. We must abolish family based system and the greencard lottery also replaced them with point system based on skills, age, education, work experience, language ability and health.

US citizens or legal residents that are still collecting welfare checks themselves are not allowed whatsoever to sponsor any relatives to immigrate here except their minor children and spouses. Those who want to sponsor their parents must show they are not on public welfare, they have their own health insurance and will provide their parents with sufficient health insurance or funds to cover their medical need here and parents will only get a "temporary renewable every 3 years long term resident" visas that won't allow them to work or sponsor other children to immigrate and create endless exploding chain immigration. Relatives of legal US citizens or residents can apply visitor visas easily if their US resident relatives are willing to provide affidavit of support and sponsoring letters. These letters will have legal consequences that will hold the sponsors accountable if their foreign visiting relatives are breaking our immigration laws and not leaving on time.
Our immigration laws today are absurd actually. We need to generously issue more tourist visas for new rich tourists from emerging countries to spend money here to create jobs and balance our trade deficit while we make sure no employers are taking advantage by employing unauthorized foreigners by fining them heavily, we must abolish 3-10 years ban because it's not necessary at all. Circumstances may change in the future. Foreigners may run their own businesses and be new rich tourists who simply want to visit US for leisure or meeting old friends or they meet their future spouses who are US citizens or legal residents. We need common sense and smart immigration policies that will enhance our security, creating robust economy and more tourism, create more jobs, attracting more investors and skilled talented individuals to contribute to our economy.

[Richard Y]

What part of "illegal" ones don't understand ? It's always the most loved "mantra" of restrictionists regarding second class human beings just they are not lucky enough to be born here in the US or arrived here much sooner when those immigration laws and red tapes still didn't exist. But LAWS can be CHANGED. Prohibition and slavery laws have been abolished. Women couldn't vote by laws in the past. It's now illegal to discriminate wage and promotion based on gender while ones performing the same jobs. Yes, it was illegal for the citizens of Poland to work in Netherland or Germany before joining European Union but it is perfectly legal to do so. Countries can engage in protectionism, isolationism and trade wars or they can engage in peaceful trades, mutual and beneficial cooperation or even take a greater steps to merge together to create a single union and stand as big family together.
In the next 4 years from now 2015, 10 members of Association of South East Asian Nations will create a single ASEAN Union. It will start with free flow and freedom of movement for "skilled" workers between 10 member countries. So, Malaysian citizens can work in Vietnam, Vietnamese can work in Indonesia, Indonesians can work in the Philipines and v.v. Further progress into the future there will be 100% freedom of movement for all and more Asian nations are joining into bigger regional union and maybe creating a single currency.

Ones can accuse me as a globalist, I have no power to make this from happening, it's all based by mutual needs of those nation. They understand that isolationism and protectionism simply don't work.

Yes, it's bad for all whining loser nativists who call everyone else as "communists" or "liberals" while they expect their government to be their nannies forever and protect them from being grown ups that have to earn their own living and survive the competition as adults. The real "communists" are those who support "show me your papers state police" regime who love to harass anyone particularly minorities and foreigners. It's not only racist and foolish in the globalized planet but it doesn't serve any good purpose for our global competitiveness.

[Richard Y]

Re : Mr. Robert's letter again

It seems becoming repeated bad habits for restrictionists, pseudo conservatives and tea baggers to cherry pick their favorite verses, deleting those who they don't like from the Bible to the phrase in and of our own Constitution and Founding Fathers' words of wisdom. Making up stories, presenting fictions as facts.

1. No ID, no status, no SS = no welfare checks, no tax return
2. Golden rule is in the Bible, not double standard hypocri-
tical selfish me me me rule.
3. Be kind and help strangers as you (the people of Israel)
were once strangers in the foreign lands.
4. Be a good Samaritans, not "I don't care who cares people"
5. Illegal immigrants do pay taxes (income, property (own or
rented), sales taxes etc.). To say illegal immigrants have
no rights to send their children to public school is not on-
ly unfair but also stupid, because they have paid property
taxes directly or indirectly. Everyone needs shelters right?
6. Yes, the rights to pursue Liberty, Freedom, Happiness,
Prosperity, Survival apply universally to all HUMAN BEINGS,
not just blue eyed, blonde "native" born Americans who can
show their original birth certificates.

How many more lies should be told here to make them as "truth" ?

[Slim Owen]

It is about time that the "modern/progressive" freewheeling illegals be held accountable for their unlawful actions.
Of, by and for America.

[Peter A. Schey]

Same sex married couples and benefits under the INA

We are working on a federal court case involving a constitutional challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which has been used by USCIS to deny or refuse to adjudicate family-based petitions and applications for same sex married couples. We are interested in discussing this case and the issue with other lawyers with clients who have been denied family-based benefits under the INA solely because of their status as a same sex lawfully married couple. Please feel to contact me via email at pschey@centerforhumanrights.org or cell 323-251-3223.

Peter A. Schey
President and Executive Director
Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law
www.centerforhumanrights.org

[Jim Roberts]

Regarding "Comment: Old South Reborn", certainly Cecilia Wang of the
ACLU would agree: "This law is an outrageous throw-back to the pre-Civil

Rights era". However, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley stated HR 56 was
simply because: "We have a real problem with illegal immigration in this

country". And it was passed by a Republican controlled legislature, the

first time they have controlled both House and Senate in 136 years and
it was signed by a Republican governor. This is not the "Old South
Reborn" See: "What is Alabama's Immigration Law?"
http://www.newswithviews.com/Wall/allan151.htm

While your Declaration quote is valid, it is up to citizens of other
lands to establish these values there. While we can encourage that, our

Constitution was established to: "secure the blessings of Liberty to
Ourselves and our Posterity" (Preamble). This natural course of events
is precluded for US and them when high rates of entry come here. See:
"Overloaded Nations and Failing States"
http://www.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty701.htm

Richard Yang's globalist agenda for open borders certainly coincides
with that of the elitists who wish to diminish and/or destroy the
sovereignty of all nations in favor of a NWO. See: "The Secret Cabal"
http://newswithviews.com/Monteith/stanley116.htm (and) "The
Counterfeit Culture"
http://www.naturalnews.com/033491_counterfeit_culture.html Can we add

counterfeit citizens to this list? While all do not believe in the
Bible, it does contain much wisdom, guidance and comment. See: II
Timothy 3:16 and Isaiah 1:7.

[Honza Prchal]

With all due respect to the Trib, when it writes of re second class human beings, by making a mess of immigration law and enforcement and creating a semi-permanent helot class in the grey market sector of our economy, the feds created "second-class human-beings". As much of a waste of time as the Alabama immigration law is, the Feds could solve this problem by actually having some law that makes sense and is reliably enforced.
Federal immigration law is so complicated and so disconnected from real world incentives that it is unworthy of respect. The Alabama immigration law is the wrong solution, but it is hardly "the Old South", which rested on gathering rents from people who could not fully participate in civic rights. As misguided as it is, the Alabama law is trying to interfere with the economic incentives, from both employer and employee ends, which are driving people into a legal grey zone as illegal immigrants. It is an example of a truly classic cheap shot that pretends that all problems have simple and straightforward solutions.

[Joel H. Paget]

While I agree with your general comments about this sad piece of legislation and unfortunate court order, I think you reference to Thomas Jefferson is misplaced. Mr. Jefferson owned a number of slaves and profited from them so he could sit in Philadelphia and write such fine words. If only writers would follow what they advise others to do.

[Joe Whalen]

The Victorville EB-5 Regional Center Case has been Administratively Closed and Stayed with a report and proposed order are due December 22, 2011.

See it here: http://www.slideshare.net/BigJoe5/victorville-eb-5-stay-order-92911

[Richard Y]

Wealthier West Germans have 2 choices whether they accept more and more poorer East Germans coming to the West for jobs and food or
they help their relatives in the East by investing and pumping funds to build the East German and improve their living standard.

Same thing happen in China. The Chinese government can't just restrict their own citizens living in the rural areas and hinterland less developed provinces to move to Shanghai and Beijing for jobs and better wage or living standard without trying to improve living standard and develop the inner provinces and rural areas to prevent urbanization.
China invest a lot of money to develop Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia etc. provinces in the middle and deeper in the countries so living standard in Chengdu Sichuan province will be on par with big cities on its Eastern coast.

We have open border with Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, US Virgin Island, if we don't want those living there to immigrate en masse to the mainland US the only solution is to bring investment and improving the living standard at those territories.

[Richard Y]

Re : Mr. Robert's letter again

God wants us to "contend" with our own home countries ? However bad and corrupt they are ? Countries with endless senseless sectarian wars, ruled by narco mobs, with no job prospects, corrupt and evil regimes ?

If so why the Pilgrims escaped Europe in 16th century and why we applauded East Germans fleeing communist regime to the West Berlin ?

Mr. Robert's et all may need to put their feet in those who live in Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Mexico, Colombia, Congo, Rwanda and so on. so they can have a little compassion and empathy on those poor folks they want to slam the golden door of hope in the name of protectionism.

[Zoe Adams]

Dear Editor,

Not sure if you would be willing to help but on the basis of " if you don't ask, you don't get" I thought I would contact you.

My name is Zoe Adams and I have been working for several years to try and bring about a change in the E2 Treaty Investor Visa. It is outdated and to be honest, a change that would bring about the possibility of Green Cards for long term holders could only be good for the USA as it would bring further investment and further job creation.

It would also be good for the Immigration Lawyer community as it would generate lots of new business for them with successful E2 businesses converting to Green Cards.

In speaking to many lawmakers and lawyers, it seems to be an idea that is well received, however, in the current climate, it is obvious that any kind of immigration reform is going to be met with resistance, however good the idea may be in practice.

I have recently started a petition on the White House web site that says if you can get 5000 signatures in 30 days, then they will look at the issue.

So my question is... would you be prepared to put a link to the petition on your daily newsletter ?

If the answer is yes, then the link is http://wh.gov/4TP

I look forward to hearing from you.

[Gladys Farris]

Dear Editor:

It is true that the Hispanic Immigants are the mayority in the US. However this community has always worked jobs that are the ones the native or those legalized want to do. There is a small percentage who does jobs easier and can be done by the native if the native want to work. Yes, Obama failed and at this point he has a record of deportation no other President had. The Hispanic are looking and listening to what the Candidates are saing and not only are they listening to the Candidtes for President but Congressman and Senator. I think they are seeing the light.

[Richard Y]

My objection on restrictionism is very clear : on what rights and moral authority, ones may restrict others' freedom and human rights for better opportunity and survival while restrictionists themselves got upset when they were discriminated if they're in the same shoes. I call this many times as blatant hypocrisy. Our ancestors have moved around here and there since the beginning of our existence in this universe for survival and better life or opportunity. It's the instinct and nature of all animals to do so.
In the ancient times including Biblical times, there were no visas, passports, exit permits etc. Mr. Robert's claims that Biblical patriarchs were subject to immigration control once again baseless and ridiculous. Cultural assimilation by the immigrants into new host countries should come by free will not by the force of the society or racist laws. The Jewish diaspora worldwide make the Jewish immigrants try to adapt to their new host countries and cultures but they won't forget their heritage, culture and religion. There are nothing wrong for ones to preserve their own ancestors' culture, language and identity as long as they don't violate others' human rights and freedom whatsoever. We celebrate diversity here in America and we have "E Pluribus Unum" motto for our nation. It's shameful to state bigoted racist demand that ones must adapt to the culture of the majority by force for political reasons.

Yes, we have to reject "customs, religious beliefs, personal habits" that don't fit into secular democratic society that believe in equal rights for all human beings. Muslims that still believe in Islamic Sharia that bless apartheid policies based on gender, sects and faiths should not be allowed to immigrate to any secular democratic countries by this virtue.
French is right when they ban the Burqas veils and we should copy them. We should not allow any one to pray on our public streets 5 times a day blocking traffics nor allow any places of worship to emit noise pollution whenever they have prayers.

Worldwide separation of religions and state indeed will help to ease refugees problems in the North Africa and Middle East countries. We must say enough is enough all of these non sense, violence, hypocrisy, ignorance, intolerance, sectarianism and inequality in the name of God and faiths.

That is the answer for stability and peace in the Middle East, for Palestinians and Israelis and to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda. We must expose this holier than thou hypocrisy in the name of faiths. I apologize to anyone for my "political incorrect" position on this issue but it's the time for the entire humanity to say enough is enough and this doesn't cost hundred of billions of dollar to do so.

[Joe Whalen]

USCIS is changing the N-600 form, instructions and processing.

They are moving to Lockbox filing and will be issuing receipt notices like most other forms.

In the form instructions, under “Who should NOT file....”, I am pleased to see the addition of item #5:

“You already filed a Form N-600 and received a decision from USCIS on that previously filed Form N-600. USCIS will reject (not accept) any subsequently filed Form N-600. Please review your Form N-600 denial notice for more information.”

It portends the improvement of the actual information to be included in the Decision Notices (Denial to include improved appeal and motion rights information. Will they properly inform of judicial review availability?)

This is long overdue. Something along these lines was suggested previously in December 2010. SEE http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=USCIS-2006-0023-0026

[Honza Prchal]

Kind of amusing, kind of interesting, Republicans and pizza, an industry-wide love affair, with bi-partisanship mostly appearing on immigration issues.

Why Do Republicans Love Pizza?
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/09/25/herman-cain-other-pizza-moguls-give-far-more-money-to-gop-than-to-dems.html

[Honza Prchal]

Alabama Immigration lawsuit ruling your readers may be interested in:

Commentary from an attorney who followed the case fairly closely, not Honza Prchal, is below:

Judge Blackburn has entered an order on the request for preliminary injunction in the case brought by the U.S., as well as in the case brought by an Episcopal Bishop and other plaintiffs. To the extent relief was granted, Judge Blackburn did enjoin enforcement of certain sections of the law as set forth in the attached order and Memorandum Opinion. In other words, the request for an injunction was either denied or moot as the case brought by the Bishop.

[Honza Prchal]

nota bene the immigration article, which may interest your readers.

Top ICE Lawyer Calls Immigration Policy a Balancing Act
http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/news/2011_fall/vincent.htm

[Jim Roberts]

I

am sending the balance of my earlier post (with deletions) in this
separate post, starting with the reference to the CIS labor study.
See: "Farm Labor Shortages: How Real?" Center for Immigration Studies
http://www.cis.org/no_farm_labor_shortages.html

The free trade that RY and Libertarians advocate sounds good in
practice, but fails US in pragmatic practice.   See: "Free Trade in
Theory and Practice"
http://www.thenewamerican.com/economy/commentary-mainmenu-43/8880-free-trade-in-theory-and-practice

"The known necessary conditions for free trade to be mutually beneficial

do not hold in today's environment where factors of production are as
mobile, if not more so, than traded goods. What we are witnessing is not

trade based on comparative advantage but the flow of first world factors

of production to cheap Asian labor where the productivity of capital and

technology is highest. I do not dispute that global gains might exceed
first world losses. Nevertheless, the flow of factors of production to
absolute advantage in place of comparative advantage vitiates the case
for free trade that it produces mutual gains to the countries involved.
What we may be witnessing is global capitalism destroying national
sovereignties, leading to a global government."  

The problem with Libertarianism is that their idealistic ideas are often

taken to an impractical extreme, such as my freedom exceeds the personal

or collective property rights of others to place limits (borders) on
that freedom. Your right to swing your fist ends where my face begins.
Freedoms are thus reduced when numbers are increased. Nations have a
sovereign right to shape their societies. Even Roger Algase has now
become a Restrictionist with his unprecedented references to border
control.

RY also states: "In ancient time ones could go to another territories or

kingdoms as they wish without any fuss from some nativists like today"
and cites Moses and Jesus as examples.
Another CIS study gives us a different perspective.   See: "A Biblical

Perspective on Immigration Policy" | Center for Immigration Studies
http://www.cis.org/ImmigrationBible

"Thus, what is the biblical position relating to those who would be
immigrants? Have they the right to impose themselves on a sovereign
nation, an established society? First, the biblical standard for
immigrants is that they obey the laws of a nation Obviously, this
relates to abiding by a nation's decision whether or not to admit an
alien, and on what terms and conditions. It also includes an
assimilationist ethic. Foreigners duly admitted into a particular
society are expected to assimilate, not impose their own customs,
language, etc. and remake the receiving society in their own image."

"Second, forcing oneself on an existing nation is both unjust and
unjustifiable. In other words, illegal immigration is morally wrong.
Lawbreaking aliens bear moral responsibility for their unlawful actions.

Even desperate circumstances do not justify illegal immigration."
"Almost no illegal aliens to the United States are fleeing starvation or

physical danger. A Pew study found that most illegal aliens quit a job
in their home country in order to break U.S. immigration laws merely to
make more money here. Thus, illegal immigration is at its core
principally a matter of greed and envy on alien's part. Those illegal
aliens and those purported Christians who defend their illegality,
advocate mass amnesty, and argue against the lawful enforcement of U.S.
immigration laws particularly veer far from what would seem a more
sound, biblical position. Illegal aliens who claim to be Christians
especially would do well to own up to their responsibility under God to
be content in their home nation."

"Foreign lawbreaker's envy toward American's material and political
blessings may bring upon themselves eternal consequences: Violating
immigration laws, just as violating other civil laws, manifests one's
failure to trust God to meet His people's needs. For what does it
profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Jesus asks in

Mark 8:36."

The following article discusses some of the damages America is suffering

now and will in the future with the lax entry policies we have:
"Immigration's Onslaught: Fracturing America" What an added 75 million
immigrants will do to this civilization as to culture, environment,
quality of life and standard of living. See:
http://www.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty699.htm    

[Richard Y]

Re : Mr. Robert's letter (ID 9/27/2011)

Mr. Robert's letters contradict themselves. Communists don't believe in FREE MARKET aka Capitalism. Communists believe in nanny state government that take care its citizens in many things including "jobs guarantee" and "culture of entitlements". It seems the supporters of etatism and communism here themselves are trying to paint others as communists. I call this as an irony, just like so called conservative Americans demanding small government that stay the h*ck of their private life yet want to ban same sex marriage and abortion because of their religious objections. Ridiculous as always.

I believe in meritocracy and free market principles, I believe in equal rights for all human beings and I don't believe in exclusive entitlements on anyone just because they're simply lucky to be born as US citizens per se. Free market means anyone can trade freely by free will and by mutually agreed terms and conditions in exchanging goods and services without any governments interference especially on behalf of some whining citizens who hate their exclusive rights to monopoly and think they're entitled to something without working hard and earn it and don't have to compete with others to win and obtain something. I believe that foreigners should have equal rights to access our labor market as Americans should have equal opportunity also to access labor market in any other countries. Why countries on this planet should make it so difficult with unnecessary red tapes for ones to find better opportunities somewhere else over the objection of some local people who are loser whiner and think they're entitled for something and may take things for granted forever ?

Am I a globalist and utopian person ? Yes, I am. I believe that nobody should discriminate and hate anybody because of our differences nor I can think that I am entitled to something without earning it. If restrictionists still believe in isolationism and protectionism to make their life easier and better and they can keep dreaming on them but it's not going to happen. If ones believe protectionism and isolationism work then they can live in small island themselves, make their own currency, trade between themselves, buy locally and support their own people for jobs. I really want to see how that's going to work well. Restrictionists should choose between $ 199 made in China tablet computer vs. $ 399 made in USA one made by real blonde Americans who can show their birth certificates there's no other way around. Ones can't have it both ways, expensive labor cost translate in extra dollar should be spent. The question will ones stop complaining about this and be happy to pay extra dollars to support this delusional "patriotism".

[Jim Roberts]

Last week's post of T V Krishnamurthy in endorsing the rants of Richard
Yang, trashing the Constitution and enshrining the communistic concept
of "human rights" is Exhibit A showing the latter is designed to be a
destroyer of national culture, laws and sovereignty and is a convenient
excuse for those who having their own agendas, simply don't wish to
abide our laws. If TVK thinks the USA is corrupt and self serving now
(which it partly is, particularly at the top) he need only wait for the
arising NWO to see to what degree corruption can arise. Imagine being
controlled by the United Nations rather than Congress. This New World
Order (or Odor) also pushes the human rights banner which today for them

means that millions of foreigners can invade any nation's borders to
weaken them for the transition, but rather than rights being guaranteed,

their version is only promoted for a temporary goal and such rights may
and will be much different if/when their nirvana arrives.

Such advocates are either dupes for this agenda of the elitists or are
in complicity with it. The wars, debt, fiat money, moral decay and
excessive migration are all policy weapons they pursue in their
nefarious quest for a World-wide plantation that relatively few control.

That's why they love Mexico so much (where the world's richest man
lives). That's the model they wish to impose on the rest of us --- A few

rich at the top, few middle class and a whole lot of poor, compliant
peons doing the work. The reduction of the middle class here and
elsewhere is well underway. What better way to achieve their goal than

to allow millions of Mexicans here to show US the model. Now do you
know why the BO administration is suing states and blocking their
perfectly legal entry enforcement laws?

Rather than rants of RY, whose economics and history seems to be equal
to his grammar, let's look at a couple of scholarly studies. RY claims
that without open borders and labor markets, we would not be able to
afford to eat. But a Center for Immigration study showed that: "Labor
costs comprise only 6 percent of the price consumers pay for fresh
produce. Thus, if farm wages were allowed to rise 40 percent, and if all

the costs were passed on to consumers, the cost to the average household

would be only about $8 a year. Mechanization could offset higher labor
costs. After the Braccero Mexican guestworker program ended in the
mid-1960s, farm worker wages rose 40 percent, but consumer prices rose
relatively little because the mechanization of some crops dramatically
increased productivity."

Rather than trashing the ideals, history, nativists and patriots that
have fought and died to achieve what has been accomplished by the US,
citizens and legal residents should strive to honor, aid and sustain
them against those who seek their destruction. The latter along with
those here illegally should be deported as soon as possible!

[James Yeina]

I am really very glad for the message i use to received from you,it gives me hope in my heart even though i did not yet pay what was required from me.My comment was that in Africa most places are still did not have possibility way of communication and understanding also is very low try to consider what we are trying gain.In fact i had started applying to Green Card Lottery Head Quarter on the 2nd of March 2011 up to now i am still applying and even i don`t know what is lack on my side,but i had understood that you need payment from me. Thanks.

[Joe Whalen]

FYI...

USCIS has moved, as expected, to dismiss the Victorville EB-5 RC challenge to Termination as not ripe or final for judicial review. The Termination was certified to AAO. This compliant may be the best current discussion of USCIS' views on AAO authority within USCIS and basic AAO procedure while we await the rulemaking previously promised. AAO was working on a rule in 2005 and reiterated in October 2010 that a rule was in the works for publication "soon". Nearly a year since the last statement of intent but over 6 years since asserted to the Ombudsman. In reality this has been an agenda item since 1995.

SEE: http://www.slideshare.net/BigJoe5/uscis-requests-victorville-eb5-dismissal-or-stay
AND
SEE: http://www.slideshare.net/BigJoe5/historical-perspective-on-administrative-immigration-appeals-processing-8-132011

[Joe Whalen]

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Outreach/Upcoming%20National%20Engagements/National%20Engagement%20Pages/2011%20Events/Sept.%202011/TPS_EAD%20Executive%20Summary%20FINAL.pdf

The above link is to the TPS-EAD teleconference of 9/8/11.