LuaLua signs... for immigration department

Published on Saturday 10 December 2011 08:45 While Pool struggled with the weather, Lomana LuaLua didn’t exactly have the best preparation for today’s game either. The Seasiders frontman had to dash to London to sign immigration papers which allowed his wife to enter the country. Manager Ian Holloway explained: “He had to go to immigration to sign a form to get his wife back over here from Cyprus. “I had to give him permission to do that, which isn’t ideal because Thursday is always about preparation. “But I had to do it, otherwise his wife wouldn’t be here and that wouldn’t have been right.” LuaLua will make his own way to Southampton – the rest of the squad are due to flew from Manchester yesterday afternoon. Holloway added: “It...

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Unions And Immigrants Join Occupy Movements

by David Bacon Oakland, California - When Occupy Seattle called its tent camp "Planton Seattle," camp organizers were laying a local claim to a set of tactics used for decades by social movements in Mexico, Central America and the Philippines. And when immigrant janitors marched down to the detention center in San Diego and called their effort Occupy ICE (the initials of the Immigration and Custom Enforcement agency responsible for mass deportations),people from countries with that planton encampment tradition were connecting it to the Occupy movement here. This shared culture and history offer new possibilities to the Occupy movement for survival and growth at a time when the federal law enforcement establishment, in cooperation with...

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USHCC Announces Partnership to Provide Discounted Immigration Legal Services to Its Members

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2011 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) today announced a partnership with Florida-based Como Inmigrar a USA (CIAUSA) that will provide easier and more affordable immigration legal services for Hispanic Business Enterprises (HBEs) across the country. CIAUSA is a group of experienced professionals in the immigration field that specialize in various legal procedures, including asylum, naturalization and visa processing services for individuals. Through this partnership, members of the USHCC seeking these services can take advantage of three membership levels that provide up to a 60 percent discount on standard immigration legal fees. With more than 50 years of combined experience, Como Inmigrar a USA experts are able to...

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State Dept official : SC immigration law threatens U.S. citizens' safety

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH, AP) -- A top-ranking U.S. State Department official says South Carolina's tough new immigration law has not only damaged the country's reputation but could also endanger U.S. citizens abroad. Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns says in court documents that the law interferes with federal authorities' jurisdiction over immigration and could subject U.S. citizens to retaliation when they travel. "Act No. 69 undermines the diverse immigration administration and enforcement tools made available to federal authorities and establishes a distinct state-specific immigration policy, driven by an individual state's own policy choices, which clashes with U.S. foreign affairs priorities, risks significant harassment of foreign...

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Gay immigrants in U.S. deserve protection

The San Francisco Bay Area is home to thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender immigrants from across the globe. Some have been beaten and jailed in their native countries for daring to hold a loved one's hand in public. Others have hidden who they are for years, fearing that they would be shunned by their families and communities. Many have come to America in search of freedom, equality and acceptance. This week, President Obama sent an important message to LGBT people here and across the globe. He directed federal agencies to ensure that U.S. diplomacy and foreign aid promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons. In his announcement, he reiterated his belief that "no country should deny people their rights because of who[m] they love." We applaud the goal of these new...

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U.S. Immigrant Business Owners Supported by Chicago Officials

immigrant business owners, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced on December 6, 2011. Following other cities and states, Chicago has now kicked off its municipal department focusing on immigrant entrepreneurs. The Office of New Americans is headed by former activist Adolfo Hernandez. He's from the Little Village neighborhood, one of the largest Mexican business communities in the U.S. The department coordinates training and workshops for immigrant entrepreneurs in hope of creating jobs in the U.S. and promoting Chicago as a global economic hub. In addition, The Office of New Americans will soon expand its concentration to other issues like English language and U.S. citizenship. According to the Mayor, the opening of this department is considered a step toward making Chicago "the most immigrant-friendly...

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More boats ahead, Immigration warns

Immigration Department secretary Andrew Metcalfe agreed it was "possible" 3600 boatpeople could be intercepted in the next six months. Picture: Ray Strange Source: News Limited MORE than 3600 asylum-seekers could arrive in Australian waters in the next six months unless there are changes to border protection laws, Immigration Department secretary Andrew Metcalfe has warned. As the 64th boat to arrive this year was intercepted in Australian waters yesterday, Mr Metcalfe told a parliamentary committee the flow of boats would not slow any time soon. Under questioning from opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison, Mr Metcalfe agreed it was "possible" 3600 boatpeople could be intercepted in the next six months. "I think we should expect...

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Stop illegal immigration while we still can

Independence, MO — I am not a cold hearted racist or bigot, just a caring, responsible American who has great concern for our country and respects those who obey the laws of our country and enter legally according to those laws.Illegal immigration has absolutely nothing to do with racism, but has everything to do with the laws of our nation. Illegal immigrants have always been portrayed as the victims, when in reality the American people, our culture and our country are the real victims. Illegal immigrants, particularly those from Mexico, have no allegiance to this country and they’re realistically not here to take part in the American dream, but in reality to take advantage of the American dream at our expense. Check out You Tube “Aztlan Rising.” There are many obvious and necessary reasons...

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Illegal immigration, water transfer

In response to “Fewer migrants caught crossing border” (Dec. 7): It’s terrific news that apprehensions of illegal immigrants at the border are at their lowest level in 42 years. But if your editorial board thinks that’s a reason to ease up on border enforcement and consider some form of immigration amnesty, it’s mistaken. There are still 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S., and 8 percent of births in the U.S. are to illegal-immigrant parents. Letters policy The Union-Tribune encourages community dialogue on important public matters and welcomes letters to the editor. To enable us to publish as many letters as possible, please be aware that lengthy letters might reduce the chances for publication. All letters are subject to editing for accuracy, space, grammar, clarity or other reasons....

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Immigration Authorities Release Alabama Woman After Appeal To Janet Napolitano

WASHINGTON -- Immigration officials released an undocumented Alabama woman from custody on Thursday, about four hours after a Democratic congressman told Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano about her case. The woman, a 19-year-old named Martha, was stopped on Dec. 3 for driving without lights, and then arrested because she did not have a driver's license. Although police planned to release her, she remained in jail at the request of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents -- even though she has a clean criminal record, is married to a U.S. citizen and has an American-born daughter. Her case caught the attention of Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who traveled to Alabama in November to talk to residents about the impact of the...

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State Dept official: SC immigration law is wrong

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina's tough new immigration law has not only already damaged the country's reputation with other nations but could also endanger U.S. citizens as they travel abroad, according to a top-ranking U.S. State Department official. “Act No. 69 undermines the diverse immigration administration and enforcement tools made available to federal authorities and establishes a distinct state-specific immigration policy, driven by an individual state's own policy choices, which clashes with U.S. foreign affairs priorities, risks significant harassment of foreign nationals, and has the potential to harm a wide range of delicate U.S. foreign relations interests,” according to a statement by Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns. Burns, who previously served as the U.S. ambassador...

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Ala. GOP leaders have 2nd thoughts on immigration

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Republicans who pushed through the nation's toughest law against illegal immigrants are having second thoughts amid a backlash from big business, fueled by the embarrassing traffic stops of two foreign employees tied to the state's prized Honda and Mercedes plants. The Republican attorney general is calling for some of the strictest parts of it to be repealed. Some Republican lawmakers say they now want to make changes in the law that was pushed quickly through the legislature. Gov. Robert Bentley, who signed the law, said he's contacting foreign executives to tell them they and their companies are still welcome in Alabama. "We are not anti-foreign companies. We are very pro-foreign companies," he said. Luther...

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Alabama GOP Rethinks Immigration Law

Phillip Rawls of the Associated Press is reporting that Alabama Republicans, who pushed through the nation's toughest law against illegal immigrants, are having second thoughts amid a backlash from big business. The backlash is being fueled by the embarrassing traffic stops of two foreign employees tied to the state's prized Honda and Mercedes plants. Luther Strange, the Republican attorney general, is calling for some of the strictest parts of the law to be repealed, namely the sections that make it a crime for an illegal immigrant to fail to carry registration documents and that require public schools to collect information on the immigration status of students. Both sections have been put on hold temporarily by a federal court. Rawls writes: Gov....

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Gingrich defends state's immigration law, Perry seeks momentum during Upstate visits

Newt Gingrich brought his rapidly ascending campaign to Greenville on Thursday, declaring that as president he would end the government’s legal action against South Carolina’s immigration law. Rick Perry also brought his hopes to town, declaring his campaign still was on the march. The 2012 Iowa caucuses are less than four weeks away — South Carolina’s primary is six weeks out — and the two Republicans reached out to local voters, one in the unaccustomed role as frontrunner and the other looking for a comeback. Gingrich told a gathering of business and community leaders that on the day he’s inaugurated, he will sign an executive order dropping lawsuits against South Carolina, Alabama and Arizona “because I think the federal government should...

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Kenney’s Anti-Immigrant Mean Streak Continues As He Targets 6500 Immigrants For Citizenship Fraud

Saturday, December 10th, 2011 Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s anti-immigrant mean streak isn’t just directed at immigrants who became citizens but his department has also been working on cases of those who are not yet citizens. Kenney claims nearly 4,400 people with permanent resident status who are known to be implicated in residence fraud have been flagged for additional scrutiny should they attempt to enter Canada or obtain citizenship. There is nothing wrong with cracking down on immigration and citizenship fraud but the Conservatives as usual go gung-ho in targeting immigrants and this comes across as actions of a government bent on attacking and vilifying immigrants. This seems like overzealousness given that since 1867, Canada has...

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Immigrant Activist Group Says “Jason Kenney Hates Your Grandparents”

Saturday, December 10th, 2011 The People v. Kenney Campaign sent out this notice where they criticize the always boastful immigration minister of telling lies that Canada is accepting a record number of immigrants. Minister Jason Kenney is yet again falsely saying that Canada is accepting a record number of migrants. He made a recent announcement about increasing the number of parents and grandparents visas to 25,000 in 2012. What Kenney failed to mention was that it was actually under the Conservative government that immigration quotas were drastically dropping in the first place. According to a Toronto Star report, family class immigration has dropped by 10,000 people – which is 15% – under the Conservatives. This past year Jason Kenney...

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Gov. defends immigration law

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Governor Robert Bentley reiterated his support for the immigration law today. In a brief public appearance outside the Alabama Capitol, Governor Bentley declared, "We are not repealing it." Earlier in the day, the governor had released a statement with the Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard and President Pro-Tempore of the Senate Del Marsh saying the law will not be repealed but that they were open to changes that wouldn't weaken it. However when the governor was pressed by a reporter about possible changes to the law, Governor Bentley said, "There were unintended consequences." The governor did not say what specifically in the law had led to the unintended consequences but said the immigration law, as with any piece...

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City of Gatineau publishes 'statement of values' for immigrants

By Arthur Weinreb Dec 6, 2011 Gatineau - Although the Quebec city published the guide in October, a controversy is now brewing over some of what newcomers to Quebec are being told. To some, it is reminiscent of what happened in Herouxville in 2007. The guide lists 16 points that newly arrived immigrants to Canada who settle in Gatineau should adhere to. By following these guidelines, the city hopes the newcomers will be better able to adapt to their new home. The statement of values is supported by Quebec's Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities on the basis it is necessary for recent immigrants to understand Quebec's core values. Gatineau, located just across the river from Ottawa, is the fourth largest city in Quebec. According...

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It's Time to Protect Women and Children in Immigration Detention From Rape

Posted: 12/ 6/11 04:25 PM ET "The doors were locked, there were no cars on the road, and there was nothing I could do. I just shut up. I was crying, and he talked to me as if I were nothing. I thought he was going to kill me." These haunting words are how Kimberly, a domestic violence victim from South America, described how she was sexually assaulted by a security guard while in the custody of immigration officials at the Don T. Hutto detention facility in Texas. Ironically, she faced this violence on the day she had been released from the detention center, having won her petition to seek asylum in the U.S. based on fear of persecution in her home country. On the car ride to the airport for her flight out of Texas, Kimberly was repeatedly groped and then mocked by the guard, her driver....

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Most undocumented immigrants have lived in U.S. over 10 years: study

Immigration dropping to levels not seen in decades NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Tuesday, December 6 2011, 8:03 AM Almost two-thirds of the estimated 10.2 million adult undocumented immigrants in the U.S. have lived here for at least 10 years, according to a study released this week by the Pew Hispanic Center. About half of them have children under 18 years old. Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich's proposal to regularize the status of some undocumented immigrants drew fire from rivals Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann, who said the plan would provide incentive for illegal immigration. But the Pew study provides the latest evidence of an unprecedented drop in illegal immigration, particularly from Mexico, which seems to have more to...

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Illegal Immigration: Gaps Between and Within Parties

Public Split Over In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants Overview The public continues to support tough measures to crack down on illegal immigration, but also a path to citizenship for those in the country illegally. A plurality (43%) says the priority should be better border security and enforcement, as well as creating a way for illegal immigrants to become citizens if they meet certain requirements. Fewer say the priority should only be better security and stronger enforcement of immigration laws (29%), or only creating a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants in the U.S. (24%). These opinions have not changed substantially over the past year. Americans are evenly split over whether illegal immigrants who graduate from high school...

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