Thread: Lawyer discusses immigration law at Bentonville High School

http://nwanews.com/bcdr/News/34361/

Lawyer discusses immigration law at Bentonville High School
By Jamie Brunk Staff Writer // jamieb@nwanews.com

Posted on Friday, May 5, 2006

URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/34361/

BENTONVILLE — Rogers attorney Arminda Ferguson has helped many clients become legal citizens of the United States — many who did not realize they were already eligible for citizenship.

Ferguson’s focus in her practice is immigration law, which is an issue that has made bigtime headlines in recent months. It was this area of expertise that brought her to Bentonville High School on Thursday afternoon to speak with students.

Ferguson first assured the students that no immigration laws have been taken to the Senate and that the controversial compromise that had been discussed in a Senate committee has been dissolved. There is a bill that has been introduced to the House of Representatives, however, that has not received much attention.

Called the American Dream Act, the bill would allow students who are at least 16 years old and have been living in the United States for at least five years, after being brought here illegally by their parents, to be considered legal, conditional residents. Those students could then apply for permanent residency after other criteria is met. "I don’t know why this hasn’t been talked about more," she said.

She also spoke about the work she does with immigration law and told the students that she often finds that people qualify for legalization under certain laws they had been unaware of, such as laws that allow victims of crime to become legal residents.

Students Alejandro Vinardi, Karina Soza and Carolina Osorio were all present for the discussion because they wanted to learn more about potential changes in immigration laws. Many rumors have been circulating about the laws, and they wanted to know the truth.

Rogers attorney Arminda Ferguson has helped many clients become legal citizens of the United States — many who did not realize they were already eligible for citizenship.

Ferguson's focus in her practice is immigration law, which is an issue that has made bigtime headlines in recent months. It was this area of expertise that brought her to Bentonville High School on Thursday afternoon to speak with students.

Ferguson first assured the students that no immigration laws have been taken to the Senate and that the controversial compromise that had been discussed in a Senate committee has been dissolved. There is a bill that has been introduced to the House of Representatives, however, that has not received much attention.

Called the American Dream Act, ...

And I'm sure there are military recruiters standing a short distance behind Arminda.

Leaving no child behind..

Obviously there's enough holes in the laws anyway for just about anyone to get in.