It’s no secret that President Trump is trying to make it as difficult as possible for immigrants to come to the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau has been doing exactly the opposite. In fact, Canada has created a fast-track immigration process for high-skilled workers. To maintain a vibrant, innovative, and creative U.S. economy, Trump should follow Trudeau’s lead. Read the whole article here.
Politics
Most Americans Reject Travel Ban /
Two different versions of Trump’s travel ban have been put on hold by federal courts, and it seems unlikely that it will take effect anytime in the near future. A recent poll summarized by the New York Times reveals that most Americans do not agree with the travel ban. Trump will undoubtedly continue to push for his travel ban, despite his and the ban’s unpopularity, and despite the serious concerns that the ban violates the U.S. Constitution - let’s hope the Supreme Court agrees with the American public.
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder
DACA Lives on! /
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that DACA will continue. To quote the DHS: “DACA recipients will continue to be eligible as outlined in the June 15, 2012 memorandum…No work permits will be terminated prior to their current expiration dates.” The good news is buried in a DHS memo announcing the official rescission of DAPA (Obama’s proposed program to protect undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents).
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder
Why Refugees Should be Welcome in America /
President Trump wants to cut the number of refugees welcome in the United States in less than half from 110,000 to 50,000. However, his new plan will only hurt the United States. Not only is it illegal under the Refugee Act of 1980, but it also hurts the United States economy. For example, studies show that refugees are more likely than any other sector of the general population to start a business. Not to mention the fact that other countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey are bearing the brunt of Syrian refugees which is destabilizing these nations even further. The vetting process for refugees to come to the United States is already very thorough, and we cannot give in to the fear of terrorism and turn a blind eye to the tens of thousands of people who are being turned away. Read the full New York Times article here.
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder
Students, tourists, and other travelers beware! New visa vetting rules could result in delays. /
Despite objections from privacy experts and academic and scientific communities in the U.S., the Trump administration has approved new rules that will allow State Department officers to request visa applicants’ last five years of social media handles, email addresses, and phone numbers, and the last fifteen years of residential, employment, and travel history. See full Reuters story here, click.
These new rules will give even more discretion to visa officers than they already have. Get ready for longer processing times at U.S. Consulates and an increase in visa denials, many of which will be based on innocent mistakes by applicants. Allegedly, the requests for additional information will be “voluntary”, though applicants who refuse to voluntarily provide the requested information may find their visa applications delayed or even denied. Stay tuned….
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder
Failure to pay light rail fare results in deportation proceedings. /
Sure, the gentleman described in this article in the New York Times , should pay a fine for failing to pay his light rail fare. But, does anyone really believe deporting this person accomplishes anything other than appeasing extreme and hysterical anti-immigrant sentiments?
Timothy R. Bakken
Founder