President Trump's distaste for immigrants is no secret, and he only continues to become harsher with the help of Senator Jeff Sessions. While he argues that immigrants are dangerous and causing crime, Tucson's police chief has quite a different opinion. Because of the great amount of anti-immigrant sentiment that is plaguing the United States currently, immigrants feel less and less safe and trusting of the government and law enforcement, causing them to become more secretive for fear of deportation. We need to build trust and positive rhetoric with immigrants rather than alienating them and treated them as outsiders, because they are not. Read the police chief's piece here.
Opinion
A Thanksgiving Reminder /
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, let’s not forget the generous spirit that is the foundation of Thanksgiving. Despite the negative and harsh words expressed by some of our political figures, as well as harsh policies supported by those same political figures, America must remain true to our constitutional foundations of freedom and fairness and our aspirations to welcome people from all cultures and countries. Read The New York Time's article on Thanksgiving religious inclusion here.
Trump Continues to Attack High-Skilled Lawful Immigration /
Trump is now targeting the STEM OPT program in his continued efforts to discourage legal high-skilled immigration to the United States. STEM OPT currently allows over 40,000 foreign STEM students at U.S. universities to work in the U.S. in a STEM field for three years after graduation. President Bush conceived the program, Obama extended it, and now Trump is trying to end it, which will only hamper America's leading position in the world. What does this say about Trump’s professed support of a merit-based immigration system? And from a larger perspective, what message does it send about America’s historical role as a nation that welcomes immigrants and benefits from their economic and cultural contributions?
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder
CIS Continues to Clamp Down on Lawful Immigration /
On October 23, 2017, the CIS made official what immigration attorneys have been seeing in practice for a long time: Dramatically higher and more intense scrutiny of extension petitions for nonimmigrant workers. In the past, CIS understood that a prior approval of a petition should be given consideration, i.e., if CIS previously granted a petition it is logical to assume that CIS knew what it was doing and knew that it was inefficient and unnecessary to re-adjudicate the entire matter each time an extension was requested. CIS has always had the authority, as it should, to question a prior approval where a CIS officer suspects fraud or a material change in the underlying eligibility for a particular nonimmigrant status, so the intention of the new guidance is unclear except that it will force petitioners and individuals to spend more money and time trying to prove to CIS what CIS has already accepted in a prior filing. So much for encouraging a dynamic and efficient 21st century economy! The new guidance applies to all nonimmigrant work categories that require filing of an I-129 petition – H-1Bs, H-2Bs, L-1s, Os, Ps, and others. The policy takeaway: This administration really does not see immigration as a benefit to our country’s culture and economy. The practical takeaway: Overdocument! U.S. businesses and individuals trying their hardest to follow the immigration laws and procedures will have to try even harder and even when they do everything right will face increased uncertainty in the future. Read more here.
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder
Democrats and Republicans want to keep DACA! /
Trump continues to pander to his small, xenophobic base and is seriously considering ending DACA. Crazy, but true.
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder
DACA's Uncertain Future /
The future of DACA is more uncertain than ever, as many DACA recipients and supporters worry that Trump is working to end the program and deport everyone who was previously protected. The constitutionality of DACA is being questioned by numerous state attorneys general, which could help Trump’s case. Although there have been no public statements from the White House regarding the status of DACA recently, the uncertainty is what is most concerning for those who have grown up in the United States and consider it their home.
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder