Possible law change regarding waivers

[jpaula 20]

Just read this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/us/path-to-green-card-for-illegal-immigrant-family-members-of-americans.html?hp

This is a huge possible change for many people and is worth looking into if it pertains to you.

While we are very happily through immigration, I remain frustrated by much of the process, not least the "catch 22" this article describes and this law change could address. So, if any one has additional info, I'd love to hear it.

[TBoneTX 45,659]

The noble-sounding effort is undercut by this, from the article:

"White House officials are resigned to the fact that there will most likely be no progress before the November elections on immigration legislation that President Obama supports that would give legal status to millions of illegal immigrants."

Because no politician proposes anything without an ulterior motive, some might conclude that this effort is to legalize some currently "undocumented Democrats" in time to vote for Obama.

Edited January 6, 2012 by TBoneTX

[bigdog 376]

No one should be immigrated who is illegal without a substantial vetting process, nor have the right to vote on anything. We members at VJ have worked to hard to do it the right way. My professonal friends seem to believe it is easier to immigrate illegally than legitimately, seeing all the hoops we have gone through like everyone else here.

Edited January 6, 2012 by bigdog

[TBoneTX 45,659]

it is easier to immigrate illegally than legitimately

Si, man (sigh, man).

[CDN2US 10]

After all this stuff, I can totally see why someone would choose the illegal route. However, with it comes a life of paranoia and fear, low-paying cash-only jobs, little to no travel, and an overall lower quality of living. I wouldn't want to live like that. No choice to immigrate is easy, and it shouldn't be...

[Kathryn41 3,205]

'TBoneTX' timestamp='1325832091' post='5087176']

The noble-sounding effort is undercut by this, from the article:

"White House officials are resigned to the fact that there will most likely be no progress before the November elections on immigration legislation that President Obama supports that would give legal status to millions of illegal immigrants."

Because no politician proposes anything without an ulterior motive, some might conclude that this effort is to legalize some currently "undocumented Democrats" in time to vote for Obama

Well, that 'notion' is easily disproved - USCIS can barely process the current applications for citizenship from already qualified applicants in any sort of reasonable time, let alone process an influx of new applications!. Even for these already qualified individuals it is unlikely that anyone who files for naturalization later than early May 2012 will be processed in time for the applicant to become a citizen. let alone register and qualify to vote, in time for the November election. A sudden influx of 'new applicants' would only slow the system down even more (we saw what happened just before the last major price increase - it took over 2 years before they caught up with the backlog) and would lead to fewer qualifying voters, not more. The article discusses allowing these individuals the opportunity to apply for a green card - not citizenship - and to go through the usual process from outside of the US but with a waiver that would allow them to avoid the 3/10 year bar, so it would still be 3 to 5 years after their arrival before any such individual would even qualify for citizenship, let alone be able to vote. Any politician who tries to say that such legislation is motivated so that Obama can gain new voters in November is just 'playing politics' and talking through his hat. .Unfortunately, there will be some who would believe this hype which is even more disturbing because it indicates a complete lack of awareness about what is really involved in the legal immigration process..

Edited January 6, 2012 by Kathryn41

[momof1 205]

Just read this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/us/path-to-green-card-for-illegal-immigrant-family-members-of-americans.html?hp

This is a huge possible change for many people and is worth looking into if it pertains to you.

While we are very happily through immigration, I remain frustrated by much of the process, not least the "catch 22" this article describes and this law change could address. So, if any one has additional info, I'd love to hear it.

Hello, old friend Nice to see you again and I hope all is well. Citizenship for us in 4 months...WOOOHOOO!!!!

[jpaula 20]

Hello, old friend Nice to see you again and I hope all is well. Citizenship for us in 4 months...WOOOHOOO!!!!

What wonderful news! The nice thing about US immigration rules front loading the entire process is that citizenship is the easiest hurdle. After the ones you have been over this is a breeze. Good luck to you and very best wishes to your family.

One correction to my original post. This is technically not a proposed law change but a proposed rule change. For those who follow the nitty gritty of such things, the distinction matters.

The proposed rule change is posted here: http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2012-00140_PI.pdf

[TBoneTX 45,659]

Well, that 'notion' is easily disproved [...clip...]

Perhaps so. However, the doubters could instead claim that the proponents of the new legislation are trying to turn out the vote from the legal family members of those whom the legislation would directly affect.

And, returning to this direct excerpt from the article: "White House officials are resigned to the fact that there will most likely be no progress before the November elections on immigration legislation that President Obama supports that would give legal status to millions of illegal immigrants."

Why would White House officials be "resigned" toward "no progress before the November elections" in favor of "legal status to millions of illegal immigrants" unless they were hoping for votes as a result of the legislation?

[jpaula 20]

Perhaps so. However, the doubters could instead claim that the proponents of the new legislation are trying to turn out the vote from the legal family members of those whom the legislation would directly affect.

And, returning to this direct excerpt from the article: "White House officials are resigned to the fact that there will most likely be no progress before the November elections on immigration legislation that President Obama supports that would give legal status to millions of illegal immigrants."

Why would White House officials be "resigned" toward "no progress before the November elections" in favor of "legal status to millions of illegal immigrants" unless they were hoping for votes as a result of the legislation?

Uh, because there is no hope to get it through this Congress and they are hoping for a new Congress after the elections?

[TBoneTX 45,659]

Uh, because there is no hope to get it through this Congress and they are hoping for a new Congress after the elections?

Could well be. By the way, this thread's topic is also currently being discussed in the "Politics & Religion" forum below.