This blog has talked quite extensively about the changes that could come to immigration with the end of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, but now that the Supreme Court of the United States has finally overturned parts of the law that treat married same-sex couples differently from married differently sexed couples, some of those changes are coming to fruition. One of the biggest was announced by Secretary of State John Kerry while he visited the U.S. embassy in London.
Immigrants ask for government to wait on deportations
Many people in Asbury Park heard about the program President Obama started last year after Congress's failure to pass the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act. By using an executive order, President Obama was able to stop the deportation of youth in New Jersey and elsewhere who would have been eligible under the Dream Act. Although many immigration lawyers and immigrant groups praised the president for the program, many are now asking the president to expand the program to anyone at risk of deportation, at least until Congress passes an immigration reform bill.
How will the immigration debate affect highly skilled workers?
We have previously talked about how some of New Jersey's top graduates in science, technology, engineerig and mathematics are being driven out of the country because of a complex and difficult immigration system. There are some moves to change how these employment-based immigrant visas are issued, especially to American-trained graduates. After all, the state and federal governments both pay a lot to educate some of these top performers, wouldn't it make sense to keep them in New Jersey?
Americans, Cubans show signs of improving relations
For years, Americans who wished to bring Cuban family members to the United States had very little options. While the United States is supposed to issue 20,000 immigration visas to Cubans each year, this is still a limited number. Moreover, the Cuban government must also allow Cubans who have been given immigration visas the ability to leave. On July 17, however, individuals in Mercer County with relatives in Cuba may be able to see their family members much more quickly.
Officials arrest employers accused of abusing immigrants
One of the fears that many immigrants have in the United States, whether they have the legal permission to remain here or not, is that they will be taken advantage of. For the most part, those fears are unfounded in East Windsor, but, on occassion, there are stories of American citizens infringing on immigrants' rights or outright abusing them. In a recent story of widespread abuse, nine people were arrested for their alleged involvement in a "modern-day plantation system."
What is the fate of immigration reform?
Newark residents are waiting and watching to see what will happen with immigration reform, yet it appears that there will be more of battle for reform in the House of Representatives than there has been in the Senate. After the House's recent decision to prohibit funding for the Department of Homeland Security to utilize discretion in deportation proceedings, necessary funding to continue President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, it is unclear how the Senate's eventual immigration bill will fare in the House.
Immigration reform raises tough questions for gay immigrants
There are a considerable number of immigrants in Newark, many of whom are likely watching the debate about U.S. immigration reform closely. While a new immigration system would affect people across New Jersey and the country, many of the immigrants who are living without the legal permission to do so, are extremely concerned about a path to permanent residency and citizenship. For those individuals who are in Newark who are both gay and do not have the legal permission to remain in the country, however, they have to deal with tough questions about what is truly important in immigration reform.
American deported to Mexico despite evidence of citizenship
When a New Jersey resident is a United States citizen, he or she has the ability to remain in the country without exception. This means that he or she cannot be forced out and certainly cannot be deported. While this is the law, in practice there are many American citizens who are wrongfully detained, sent through removal proceedings and deported.
Immigration reform expected to embrace skilled, technical workers
There has been considerable talk about immigration reform since before President Obama's second term, but it appears that the Senate committee that had been tasked with tackling immigration reform has finally come to some agreement about how the system should change. For highly skilled workers in New Jersey who are hoping to stay in the country, the proposed reforms may mean much easier access to employment visas.
Facebook founder calls for comprehensive immigration reform
While many people in Trenton may think that it is just immigration advocates who are passionate about immigration reform, but it seems that Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, is pairing with many other entrepreneurs to push for comprehensive immigration reform. Specifically, they are asking the federal government to create paths for citizenship for intelligent, industrious and innovative individuals, regardless of where they were born.
