The New York Times has a piece on how the recent earthquake and tsunami tragedy in Asia is affecting immigrants in the U.S. My colleague, David Whalen, is advocating for temporary protected status for Asian immigrants in the U.S. Click here for his article in the San Diego Union Tribune.
A new treaty between the U.S. and Canada is aiming to prevent “asylum shopping” by refugees. The Safe Third Country Agreement will require refugees to seek asylum in the country they reach first. According to recent statistics, 11-12,000 refugees seek asylum in Canada after passing through the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Labor has implemented the long-awaited new PERM system that affects foreign nationals seeking permanent jobs in the U.S. Click here for the new rules.
An Arizona federal judge issued a ruling that clears the way for Prop 200 to go forward. Proposition 200 is a controversial Arizona law that would require proof of immigration status from anyone seeking public benefits. It also calls for jail time for government workers who fail to report illegal immigrants.
Fidel Castro’s granddaughter, Alina ”Mumín” Salgado, 26, daughter of Alina Fernández, one of Fidel Castro’s daughters in exile, has become a naturalized U.S. citizen.
According to a recent study, the longer immigrants stay in the U.S. the more likely they will gain weight.
According to recent news, the U.S. immigration authorities will stop issuing fast-track work permits for foreign nurses to work in the U.S. while their green card applications are pending. Immigrant advocates are worried that this decision will cause further problems for U.S. health institutions desperately needing nurses.
The Washington Post has a depressing piece on the dangers that Central American women face en route to the U.S., some being sexually assaulted by Honduran immigration authorities. According to this article, Mexico deports more than 1,000 Central Americans per day. Many of the women “who fall short of their destination, yet feel too ashamed to go home, often end up stranded in brothels along the way. “
For Americans and U.S. residents who will travel abroad this holiday season, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has several travel tips, also. Click here.
During this season, the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) agency is estimating that they will process over 100 million travelers. Here are their top 10 travel tips:
10) Don’t rely on friends and shopkeepers for advice on what items “will clear Customs;” instead, obtain this information directly from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
9) Declare “duty-free goods,” even if purchased in “duty-free” stores.
Do not attempt to bring unauthorized fruits, meats, and dairy products into the United States without first checking whether they are permitted.
7) Know the difference between goods for personal use vs. commercial use.
6) Know the difference between prohibited merchandise (such as ivory, tortoise shell products, absinthe, and counterfeit items) and restricted merchandise.
5) Be aware that many foreign manufactured medications are not FDA-approved and, consequently, cannot be brought into the U.S. Also, when traveling abroad, bring only the amount of medication you’ll need during the trip.
4) Do not attempt to return with Cuban cigars, unless they were purchased in Cuba while on authorized travel.
3) Know the rules governing the $800 exemption on goods brought back from abroad.
2) Understand that, CBP officers have the authority to conduct enforcement examinations without a warrant, ranging from a single luggage examination up to and possibly including a personal search.
1) Be sure and read “Know Before You Go.” You may request a print copy of the brochure by ordering from our online Ordering Publications form.
