The primaries and immigration

The ramped-up anti immigration rhetoric from the South Carolina primary has quieted a bit as the Republicans have moved into Florida where the topic is, shall we say, more sensitive.  What is disappointing is the lack of understanding and nuance in the candidates positions.  Mitt Romney's use of the term "self-deportation" brought chuckles from some  commentators, but the American Immigration Council points out that the term has a specific meaning.  It is deportation by attrition through enforcement, particularly following the enactment of state laws which make life for non-citizens unbearable.  The link to the AIC article is here.

Of course the point that the candidates overlook is the extensive family ties here that many noncitizens have, and the devastating effect of the 3 and 10 year bars incorporated into IIRIRA which has only served to drive individuals underground who would otherwise have been able to legally immigrate.

Article on South Carolinia Business and Immigration Forum

There was a fascinating article on an immigration and business forum in South Carolina.  The speaker noted that no one has a problem with professional sports relying on foreign-born players (80% in the NHL), and that business should be encouraging immigration reform and fighting against restrictive state laws.  The comments following the article show the gap in how people view immigration -- both legal and illegal.    link

USCIS announces new policy on stateside adjudications of I-601s for unlawful presence

In welcome news USCIS has outlined a process that would allow certain individuals who are seeking permanent residence and are immediate relatives of U.S. citizens to apply for and be granted provisional waivers of inadmissibility before leaving the U.S. for consular processing of their immigrant visa applications. This would apply to individuals whose only ground of inadmissibility is unlawful presence.

This is great news for families who must face the difficult dilemma of facing long delays abroad when they decide to consular process.

Disturbing story on USC deported to Colombia

An African-American teenager was deported to Colombia in 2010 and was recently located by her grandmother.  http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/Dallas-Teen-Is--Mistakenly-Deported--136626533.html