Immigration Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Regardless of where one stands on the issue of Immigration and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) reform bill before Congress, I am finding in my practice that many immigrants, whether legal or illegal, are often making a grave mistake by placing all their hope in proposed legislation.  This can have particularly bad consequences when one chooses not to apply for immigration benefits for which one is currently eligible (especially before July 30, 2007, when the USCIS will be raising its fees for applications/petitions across the board), because s/he believes that a "better" benefit will accrue to them by waiting for CIR to pass.  Some clients also believe that they are saving money by not applying for or renewing current benefits... money better invested in any new benefits provided by CIR.  My particular concern is for those individuals (especially from Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador) who would have no legal status in the U.S. outside of the TPS program.  Many of these currently registered TPS holders, who enjoy permission to work, are opting not to re-register or renew as they believe that CIR will confer some greater benefits to themselves and their families.  How do we reach these communities of immigrants in a timely manner (Honduran/Nicaraguan TPS reregistration period closing 7/30/2007) so as to inform them as to the potential consequences of such a choice? Helping clients with immigration solutions at: www.swyfordlaw.com.  Amy Becerra

Error Frecuente Hecho por Inmigrantes:  He notado que mucha gente extranjera ha puesto demasiado fe en el reforme comprehensivo de imigracion (CIR) propuesto en el Congreso. Algunos clientes han decidido no pedir o no renovar beneficios de inmigracion para que son eligibles pensando que pueden guardar dinero o que van a recibir beneficios mejores bajo cualquier legislacion nueva de CIR.  Estoy preocupada especialmente para los inmigrantes ya registrados en la programa de TPS (Estado Protejido Temporal) de Honduras, Nicaragua y El Salvador, quienes tienen permiso de trabajar pero que no estan renovando TPS pensando que esperando al pasaje de CIR seria mejor.  Pero ?que les va a pasar si el Congreso o el Presidente de los EU no aprueba el CIR o si el CIR sea apropado pero no les da ningun beneficio?  Hay que comunicarnos con la comunidad hispana/latina para informar a esas personas que sea mejor renovar los beneficios de TPS (para los Hondurenos y Nicaraguenses, antes del 30 de julio 2007.... para los Salvadorenos la renovacion empezara en los fines del verano) que esperar algo mas costoso y aun no garantizado por el CIR.  Estoy ayudando a clientes con todo tipo de caso de inmigracion a: www.swynfordlaw.com.  Amy Becerra