Thread: United States Immigration Newsletter Oct. 07

Welcome to the United States Immigration Newsletter

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THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION NEWSLETTER --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

the 2007 Green Card Lottery Begins on October 3rd


WASHINGTON, DC - The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery, starts at 12.00 pm on October 3rd, 2007. The U.S. Department of State continues to encourage all applicants to the 2007 Green Card Lottery (DV-2009) to submit their applications early in the two-month registration period. It is important to understand that being selected in the lottery does not automatically guarantee a green card. The requirements are strict and many applicants selected in the lottery do not receive a green card because they do not meet the educational or professional requirements. There are 50,000 immigrant visas (Green Cards) available in the 2007 Green Card Lottery (DV-2009). The odds of being selected depend on the total number of eligible entries received by the Department of State. There are also country quotas, which causes some countries to receive more Green Cards than others. Citizens of most countries qualify for the visa lottery program, however there are few exceptions. The full list of eligible countries can be found in the Green Card Lottery Application Guide.

Warning: It is important to not fall victim to Green Card Lottery scams. Many fraudulent websites claim to be the official Green Card Lottery website. These fraudulent websites charge a fee to submit Green Card Lottery applications. There is no cost to submit an application. Click here to learn more.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New York Making it Easier for Immigrants to Get a Drivers License

NEW YORK, NY - The 9/11 Commission recommended the Real ID Act, which president Bush signed it into law on May 11, 2005. The Real ID Act sets minimum standards for state-issued identification cards and driver's licenses. Greater security is gained by requiring states to check the legal status and identity of the applicant. However, there are currently eight states (Maine, Michigan, Utah, Washington, Hawaii, Maryland, New Mexico and Oregon) that are not mandating that driver license applicants show proof of their legal status. New York is the most recent state to join this group, making it a total of nine states that do not require proof of legal immigration status. It is estimated that there are anywhere from half a million to one million illegal immigrants in New York. Applicants will be allowed to present a valid foreign passport to apply for a NY drivers license starting in December.

New York governor Eliot Spitzer believes this new policy will benefit many and add security. With the increased number of applicants, the state will be able to expand its public records database. Law enforcement and other agencies will now have access to records of individuals they did not have previously. New York drivers will benefit by seeing insurance premiums fall. Many illegal immigrants are currently driving without a license and many would take up the offer to obtain a driver's license if given the opportunity. Critics of this new policy believe security could be put at risk and point out that some of the 9/11 hijackers were able to open up bank accounts and rent cars with a driver's license. They also believe that not requiring proof of legal status could encourage many illegal immigrants to move to New York, which could easily become a financial burden due to the social services provided to them.

Download the United States Drivers License Application Guide and apply for a drivers license today!

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Former Nazi kicked out of the United States returns to Germany

PHOENIX, AZ - Two neighbors living in the same community as next-door neighbors lived through the same experience (the Holocaust) but on different sides. Nathan Gasch was a prisoner at a Nazi concentration camp who endured everything from humiliation to torture while living in inhumane conditions. He survived the Auschwitz camp and the identification number on his left arm is a daily reminder. Martin Hartmann, a Romanian, had served in the SS Death's Head Guard Battalion at an infamous Nazi camp known as Sachsenhausen where thousands died. He served at the Nazi camp until the end of World War II and in 1966 headed to the United States. Six years later Hartmann became a U.S. citizen and had lived here without any problems until his past was discovered. Gasch who was invited into the Hartmann's home about four years back quickly spotted a picture of Hartmann in a Nazi hat. He quickly left the room and never questioned his next-door neighbor about the picture or his past Nazi history. Hartmann's past finally caught up to him as he was discovered by a special investigation unit of the U.S. Department of Justice for his Nazi involvement. He was deported after admitting he had been part of the SS guard and even assisted in Nazi persecutions. The U.S. officials do not have the authority to prosecute Hartmann for his war crimes, but they did revoke his citizenship. Hartmann is one of 106 individuals with past Nazi involvement that have been discovered by U.S. officials since 1979.

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False Information Leads to High Influx of Immigrants to Canada

WINDSOR, CANADA - Immigrants looking to escape the threats of immigration raids and the tougher immigration law enforcement by the U.S. have turned to Canada. Recent statements by some immigrant groups on the Internet have misled some immigrants into thinking that Canada is a safe haven for immigrants and will grant them refugee status. They have made claims that illegal immigrants will receive financial assistance and health care while they wait for their claim to be heard. One group in Florida called the Jerusalem Haitian Community Center was charging $400 per individual for assistance into Canada. Many of the immigrants (the majority Mexican) headed into Windsor, Canada and have started to overwhelm their social care system. Last year about 13% of Mexican immigrants were granted refugee status. Claims can take up to two years to be heard and meanwhile the city has to provide lodging to families and individuals seeking refugee status. The city is responsible for paying 20% of the social services provided to immigrants and the remaining 80% is paid by Ontario. The recent surge of about 220 immigrants in the last month has prompted the mayor to ask the Canadian government for financial assistance. As of now Windsor has incurred costs of about $200,000 for the services provided. Others have proposed that the claim process be expedited to provide some relief to the city.

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Proposed Recall of Green Cards Without and Expiration Date

WASHINGTON, DC - In the period from 1979 to 1989 the Immigration and Naturalization Service (now known as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - USCIS) issued approximately 750,000 green cards or permanent resident cards without an expiration date. In August of 2007, the USCIS announced a proposal that would recall the no-expiration green cards. The new cards issued would have a 10-year expiration date just like the cards issued before 1979 and after 1989. The proposal is being made for security purposes and would allow the USCIS to update information, store fingerprints and photos electronically, and run background checks on cardholders. The fee for the new card would be $370. Cardholders would be given a timeframe of 120 days in which to apply for the replacement. Among the critics of such proposal are members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus or CHC and other Congressmen. Representative Joe Baca, the CHC chairman, has stated that such proposal would be unfair to permanent residents since they would have to pay the $370 fee and most likely face a backlog. He pointed out that many green card holders have been in the U.S. for decades and are in the country legally. In addition, the 120 days may not be sufficient time to notify all permanent resident cardholders of the changes that would take place. A USCIS spokesperson responded that it is just a proposal that is being developed with no implementation date in mind. In addition, the USCIS would take the time to educate cardholders beforehand if the proposal became effective.

The recent surge of about 220 immigrants in the last month has prompted the mayor to ask the Canadian government for financial assistance. As of now Windsor has incurred costs of about $200,000 for the services provided.

These costs seem do miniscule -- now. Needless to say, if the Canadian officials are smart, they will nip this problem in the bud before it gets out of control like in California.