tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79941609090455225202024-03-13T19:06:17.569-05:00ISAAC ForumAt the intersection of faith, law and immigrationISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-69726919483070432352009-12-03T11:13:00.002-06:002009-12-03T11:17:52.140-06:00Salvation Army Changes Policy after ProtestsAccording to the <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_13914448?nclick_check=1">Sillicon Valley Mercury News.com</a>, the Salvation Army no longer will be asking for a parent's social security number before giving toys to children. According to the article:<br /><br /><div align="justify"><blockquote><div align="justify">Juan Alanis, a spokesman for the Salvation Army's Houston branch, says the charity changed its policy Wednesday following a protest by Hispanic immigrants in Los Angeles. Alanis says the Christian organization never wanted to give the appearance of discrimination based on legal status and decided to not require a social security number to register for its Angel Tree program. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div></blockquote></div><br />Thank goodness this policy has changed.ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-81467443861969037022009-12-02T10:00:00.004-06:002009-12-02T10:12:49.554-06:00Salvation Army defends practice of asking for SSN"Our work is not to verify immigration status," Juan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Alanis</span>, a spokesman for the Salvation Army in the Houston area, said Tuesday. "That's really not something that we're concerned with." So reports the <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6747888.html">Houston Chronicle</a>. "It's a way to deter families from going to various Salvation Army centers and registering at each one," <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Alanis</span> said.<br /><br />This is a dumb policy because the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">SSN</span> requirement has a disparate impact on undocumented children. There are other ways to prevent fraud without having to use a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">SSN</span>. The charity could assign client numbers based upon other forms of identification and avoid this whole political mess.<br /><br />If you want a good look at the seething level of hatred towards undocumented immigrants that some people have, just review the comments to the last two Houston Chronicle articles on this issue. It's scary stuff.ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-4054919027006132372009-12-01T12:18:00.006-06:002009-12-01T12:27:34.565-06:00No Toys for You! Houston charities requiring proof of citizenship.According to the Houston Chronicle, the Salvation Army and a charity affiliated with the Houston Fire Department, are asking for proof of citizenship <strong>before they distribute toys to needy children.</strong> You can read the full story <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6746254.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Because nothing shows the love of Christ like rigid legalism!ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-50574220769649074272009-11-24T12:26:00.002-06:002009-11-24T12:30:22.726-06:00Why do Christians support Sheriff Joe?<strong>Pregnant Latina Says She Was Forced to Give Birth in Shackles After One of Arpaio’s Deputies Racially Profiled Her.</strong> The story from the <a href="http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2009-10-22/news/pregnant-latina-says-she-was-forced-to-give-birth-to-her-baby-in-shackles-after-one-of-arpaio-s-deputies-racially-profiled-her/1">Phoenxi New Times</a>.<br /><br />For the first time in a while, I am too disgusted to write.ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-30084862409342165882009-11-10T11:10:00.001-06:002009-11-10T11:12:13.699-06:00Consumer Alert: Beware "free English lesson" calls<div align="justify">The Texas Attorney General today issued a press release warning that," Spanish-speaking consumers are being targeted on their residential and mobile phones by scam artists offering a “free” English course. According to recent complaints to the Office of the Attorney General, callers are posing as employees of a purported nonprofit agency and claiming that call recipients could qualify for a “free” federal government English course. The scam artists ask unsuspecting customers for their personal information and the personal information of three friends as references." You can read the full press release <a href="http://www.oag.state.tx.us/oagNews/release.php?id=3157">here</a>. </div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-50259053474095052032009-11-06T09:54:00.006-06:002009-11-06T10:08:20.444-06:00Deportation before Conviction: A question of priorities or money?<div align="justify">Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA ran it's <a href="http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa091105_mo_deportingjustice.28ae52611.html">Deporting Justice </a>story last night. The transcript reads, "Hundreds of accused felons charged with murder, rape, assault and kidnapping have been deported from Dallas County without having to face criminal prosecution. News 8 has found that the practice to allow charged felons to circumvent the justice system occurs not only in Dallas, but in major cities throughout Texas and the nation."</div><br /><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The federal government generally makes it a priority to place illegal immigrants accused of serious crimes in custody and ship them back to their home country. Many times, according to the article, the government does not tell the prosecuting attorneys. Thus, criminal defendants are deported before a case can go to trial. </div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">I have a quibble with the story. It fails to mention a major reason why county jails want the federal government to take their undocumented prisoners- <strong>money</strong>. It costs money for counties to house prisoners. So there is an incentive for county and city prisons to let their prisoners go into ICE's custody. It also costs money for the federal government to house illegal immigrants awaiting deportation. Thus, ICE has streamlined the process and tries to deport illegal aliens accused of serious crimes as quickly as possible.</div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-72067431523247840522009-11-05T04:47:00.000-06:002009-11-05T04:47:00.871-06:00CNBC's Darren Rovell: Don't celebrate NY Marthon Champion because he's not American- ok maybe he is but barely...On Wednesday, November 4, 2009, CNBC Sports Business reporter Darren Rovell wrote an <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/33587668">article</a> that states in part:<br /><br /><blockquote>It's a stunning headline: American Wins Men's NYC Marathon For First Time Since '82. Meb Keflezighi of the US celebrates his victory in the New York City Marathon November 1, 2009 in New York. Unfortunately, it's not as good as it sounds. Meb Keflezighi, who won yesterday in New York, <strong>is technically American by virtue of him becoming a citizen in 1998, but the fact that he's not American-born takes away from the magnitude of the achievement the headline implies</strong>.<br /></blockquote><br />The rest of his article then laments that Keflezighi is not "American born" and that "he's like a ringer who you hire to work a couple hours at your office so that you can win the executive softball league." Thus, Rovell reasons the victory should not be a source of national pride.<br /><br />A few hours and several angry emails later, Rovell wrote <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/33603449/">another column.</a> This time he said, "Let me be clear: Meb Keflezighi is an American and any suggestion otherwise is wrong." But Rovell continued and said,"All I was saying was that we should celebrate an American marathon champion <strong>who has completely been brought up through the American system.</strong>" Rovell then apologized that he was wrong about Keflezighi because the runner immigrated to the United States when he was 12 years old and not deserving of being called a "ringer."<br /><br />So I suppose if Mr. Keflezighi became a citizen at age 18, Mr. Rovell would consider him a ringer and not really an American hero?ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-29076588616645775522009-11-02T14:41:00.002-06:002009-11-02T14:55:40.269-06:00Arizona TV Station: Sheriff Arpaio under FBI investigationPhoenix CBS television affiliate, KPHO <a href="http://www.kpho.com/news/21470567/detail.html">reports</a> that the "FBI is looking into accusations that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is using his position to settle political vendettas." The so-called "<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/07/20/090720fa_fact_finnegan">America's toughest sheriff</a>" and anti-immigration icon has denied any wrong doing but the article states:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><p align="justify">The list of people subjected to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office ivestigations reads like a Who's Who of the Valley, and it includes people who have authority over the sheriff and people who challenged his authority:<br /><br />Dan Saban, who ran against the sheriff in 2004 and 2008<br />Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard<br />Maricopa County Manager David Smith<br />The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors<br />Superior Court Presiding Judge Barbara<br />Mundell<br />ACLU attorney Daniel Pochoda<br /><br />None of the investigations resulted in convictions; however, they cost the targets hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and tarnished reputations. Many of the targets were never charged with a crime. </p></blockquote>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-73666711346542315842009-10-30T14:25:00.005-05:002009-10-30T15:10:11.553-05:00Better to harness prayer than anger.<div align="justify">The group <a href="http://www.alipac.us/article4627.html">Americans for Legal Immigration </a>issued a press release where it vowed to prepare "tea parties" to oppose comprehensive immigration reform and "to organize and channel the backlash wave of anger that is coming into peaceful civic action designed to remove many lawmakers who do not serve the wishes or interests of their constituents in 2010!" According to their website, there is a tea party protest against immigration reform scheduled for November 14, 2009 at the Tarrant County Courthouse from 12-3pm.<br /><br />I have blogged before that immigration is a hard issue to discuss because it invokes so many emotions. But this is a blog that seeks to view immigration from a Christian perspective. </div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">So what would Jesus do on November 14th if he were in Fort Worth?</div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-41378066104209199732009-10-28T09:55:00.003-05:002009-10-28T10:09:59.641-05:00"Sanctuary" fight in San Francisco<div align="justify">The <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/inthemission/detail?&entry_id=50475">San Francisco Gate</a>, the online portal of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports that the City's Board of Supervisors "passed legislation that relaxes the year-old policy of reporting undocumented youth to immigration authorities as soon as they are charged with a felony." This is part of an <a href="http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=9337&catid=&volume_id=452&issue_id=456&volume_num=44&issue_num=04">ongoing dispute </a>between the Board of Supervisors, the Mayor, and other officials. About a year ago, Mayor Gavin Newsome began requiring probation officials to notify the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) when undocumented juvenile offenders were <strong>charged</strong> with a felony. The Board of Supervisors amended the Mayor's policy and only requires notification if and when the juvenile <strong>is convicted </strong>of a felony. Supervisor David Campos was quoted as saying, "The whole point of having a sanctuary ordinance is that we choose not to be in the business of federal immigration enforcement. We are not an arm of ICE." The Mayor, however, vowed to ignore the legislation.</div><br />You can read more about so-called "sanctuary policies" in the August 2008 ISAAC E-News <a href="http://www.isaacproject.org/newsletteraugust08.htm">here</a>.ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-87856551010894918082009-10-23T04:55:00.000-05:002009-10-23T04:55:00.234-05:00Religious groups seeking common ground on immigration<div align="justify"><a href="http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/religion/2009/10/21/social-conservatives-democrats-find-common-ground-on-immigration.html?PageNr=1">U.S. News and World Report </a>has a good article suggesting that both Republican and Democrat evangelicals could come together about immigration reform. The article quotes former President Bush speechwriter, Michael Gerson as saying, "There has been a significant shift among evangelical leaders who view the immigration reform debate as an important measure of their [Christian] witness." </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">It's a good thing that Christian leaders are framing the debate in terms of their own faith. Too many times, Christians have allowed others to frame the discussion for them. </div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-31161661454950564482009-10-16T05:51:00.002-05:002009-10-16T05:51:00.381-05:00You can't have your flan and eat it too.<div align="justify">The group <a href="http://bastadobbs.com/">BastaDobbs.com</a> calls out CNN for airing a feel-good special <em>Latino in America</em> featuring Soleda O'Brien while also carrying talk-show host Lou Dobbs on its network. In a new <a href="http://www.bastadobbs.com/video/">video</a>, (NOTE: It has some salty language toward the end when someone interviews some immigration protesters) the group fact checks Lou Dobb's anti-illegal immigration rants and juxtaposes them with a speech that Ms. O'Brien gave where she said, "The worse thing you can do is do nothing and say nothing when your voice is needed." Then the video has a graphic that says, "CNN. You cannot have it both ways." The group is calling for CNN to drop Mr. Dobbs from their network.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Maybe I am cynical but I don't think CNN considers this a brown or white issue. Green is the only color important to CNN. We will have to wait and see whether CNN thinks it can make more green with or without Mr. Dobbs.</div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-76631261062410035372009-10-14T09:53:00.003-05:002009-10-14T10:01:14.280-05:00Immigration reform likely to wait until next yearJared Allen writes in <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/62961-democrats-face-uphill-climb-on-immigration">The Hill </a>today, "Hopes for action on legislation to create a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants have steadily eroded since President Barack Obama twice delayed a White House immigration summit and his attention became all but monopolized on health care reform." According to the article, we may see some legislative action in 2010 but there is no real consensus as to what it will look like. <br /><br />As an aside, I read some of the comments to Mr. Allen's article and was dismayed that they contained often repeated but untrue statements about "free health care to illegals," "anchor babies" and other myths. It's really difficult to discuss immigration reform with so many lies being repeated and spread.ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-4024421523932949952009-10-12T08:49:00.006-05:002009-10-12T09:01:04.661-05:00Repeating something does not make it trueAs we have posted previously <a href="http://isaac-project.blogspot.com/2009/08/another-immigration-myth-debunked.html">here</a>, <a href="http://isaac-project.blogspot.com/2009/09/you-lie-no-congressman-hr-3200-does-not.html">here</a> and <a href="http://isaac-project.blogspot.com/2009/09/but-illegals-may-be-able-to-buy.html">here</a>, the proposed health care reform <span style="font-weight: bold;">will not give free health care for illegal aliens</span>. A new television ad named "Socialized Medicine" by the <a href="http://www.uscitizensassociation.com/USCA_tv.html">U.S. Citizens Association</a> claims that health reform means that we will be forced to pay for health care for "20 million illegal aliens." Either this group has not read the proposed legislation or they are simply refusing to tell the truth.ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-62706313193641807372009-10-09T06:45:00.001-05:002009-10-09T06:45:00.277-05:00Never let the Constitution stand in the way of political grandstanding<div align="justify">“In the past, some states have included illegal immigrants during the census, resulting in the allocation of additional congressional seats. We shouldn’t let these states be rewarded for skirting our federal laws, and this amendment will help stop this practice.” This was the statement of <a href="http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20091007/NEWS01/91007019">Senator David Vitter </a>when he proposed his amendment to to prevent states from counting illegal aliens for the purposes of determining population levels and other data associated with the 2010 Census. Senator Bennett of Utah also supports this amendment.</div><br /><div align="justify">Sec. 2 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution states, "Representatives shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers, <strong>counting the whole number of persons in each state</strong>, excluding Indians not taxed." The purpose of the 14th Amendment was to count everyone and end the fractional counting of African-Americans that preceded the Civil War. According to a very informative <a href="http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_cens.html">site on the Census</a>, "The Attorney General ruled, in 1940, that there were no longer any Indians in the United States who could be classified as 'not taxed.'" So everyone is to be counted in the Census. You can read the statutory rules for the Census <a href="http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/13/141.html">here</a>.</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">I suppose Senators Vitter and Bennett will have to think of something else...</div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-54153356307836008582009-10-02T10:45:00.003-05:002009-10-02T11:04:29.887-05:00USCIS to consider raising fees again.<div align="justify">The <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-immig24-2009sep24,0,1871688.story">Los Angeles Times </a>reports that the USCIS is considering raising application fees again in an attempt to close a budget shortfall. Fees increased significantly in 2007 and it resulted in a plunge in applications. For example, it costs every man, woman, and child (who is not filing through an Armed Forces program) a non-refundabel $595 just <a href="http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b1ae408b1c4b3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=b1ae408b1c4b3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD">to apply </a>to become a U.S. Citizen. That does not include other miscellaneous fees that could be added and there is no guarantee that the application would be approved. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">A fee increase would be short sighted. If the USCIS is truly underfunded then it should ask Congress for more money. A fee increase is simply going shift the costs to those that can least affort it.</div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-86750854771838563562009-09-21T10:54:00.002-05:002009-09-21T11:01:16.852-05:00Hutto: The nightmare endsThe <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j7Y_ZbsuwdafH3CR88TrbVC8JLZQD9AQ3POO1">Associated Press</a> writes that the last few <span style="font-weight:bold;">families</span> detained at the Hutto Immigration Detention Center outside of Austin, Texas have finally moved out. The U.S. government had been detaining men, women, and children behind bars as they awaited an immigration court ruling. Theses families were locked up because they were considered a flight risk. The article states:<br /><br /><blockquote>But Hutto quickly drew criticism. Guards trained to detain violent criminal adults were in charge of sad, sick or restless children — from babies to teenagers. Parents complained children were disciplined with threats of being separated from their family. ICE has said all at Hutto were treated humanely.<br /><br />Children and parents lived in tiny cells furnished with bunk beds and a steel toilet and lined up for up to several head counts daily. Toys, pencils or even juice boxes were not allowed in cells. The school day was just an hour or two.</blockquote><br /><br />Locking up children and babies- Is this what immigration policy in the United States has become?ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-30103268761912914062009-09-17T06:05:00.001-05:002009-09-17T06:05:00.364-05:00What about the rule of law?Libby Grammer Garrett has a well written article entitled <a href="http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4398&Itemid=9">On immigration: Do Baptists believe the Bible</a>. In the article, she gives the example of Lidiana, an undocumented immigrant, who married a legal resident. Her husband petitioned for her to remain in the country legally:<br /><br /><blockquote>But in the meantime, her marriage became abusive, and Lidiana was forced to leave her husband. He withdrew the papers he had filed for her, making her ineligible to obtain legal status. Her only option to regularize her status was using novel legal arguments from a skilled attorney, but she still faced the possibility that the petition could be rejected. If rejected, she would be put in deportation proceedings, leaving her children with no mother and no income to support them in the only home they have ever known.</blockquote><br />Ms. Garrett then argues that Baptists must respond more Biblically and choose to either "view them [illegal aliens] through the lens of our Kingdom citizenship -- or our national xenophobia." This provoked a comment from "Robber":<br /><br /><blockquote>So where exactly does the rule of law fit in with your thesis?... I don't want them here because they entered the country illegally; and if they don't have respect for our laws then what else might they do when they're here? What you present is a sad story. If I were her neighbor, I would do what I could to help her. Make sure she was clothed, and fed. <strong>But it wouldn't change the fact that she was here illegally; and she should return to Mexico</strong>. I'm having trouble making ends meet right now, but that doesn't give me a right to break into my rich neighbor's house and take money or food -- no matter how desperately I might need it. <strong>It's a matter of law</strong> (emphasis added)... .</blockquote><br />I would make this reply to Robber. It fits in perfectly. The fact scenario states that Lidiana did enter illegally but then attempted to adjust her status to that of a legal resident. She was trying to follow the law and the law allowed her to apply for an adjustment. <strong>Immigration law is not written on a postage stamp</strong>. The law, to which Robber so sacredly upholds, has many variables and alternative courses of actions for illegal aliens depending on the circumstances. That was what Lidiana was doing. So if Robber is upset that Lidiana had the option to apply for a chance to stay legally, then Robber's quarrel is with the law and not Lidiana.ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-87372820432835776252009-09-15T05:20:00.002-05:002009-09-15T05:20:00.220-05:00But illegals may be able to buy insurance!<div align="justify">The sound and fury regarding illegal aliens and the proposed healthcare reform has morphed from “you’re giving free healthcare to illegal aliens” to “illegal aliens <strong>might be able</strong> to purchase health insurance on the government sponsored exchange!”<br /><br />At issue is the proposed Health Insurance Exchange (hereinafter the “Exchange”) in proposed <a href="http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090714/aahca.pdf">HR 3200</a>. It is found in Title 2 of the bill (page 72 on the link). The Exchange is a mechanism wherein the uninsured could buy plans from insurance companies that meet certain standards and benefits. Additionally, the uninsured could get a subsidy- called an “affordable credit” to help them offset the cost of insurance.<br /><br />To qualify for the subsidy, you must be an “affordable credit eligible individual.” This is further defined in Section. 242(a)(1) as:<br /><br /></div><blockquote><p align="justify">(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this division, the term ‘‘affordable credit eligible individual’’ means, subject to subsection (b), an individual who is lawfully present in a State in the United States (other than as a nonimmigrant described in a subparagraph (excluding subparagraphs (K), (T), (U), and (V)) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act)…<br /></p></blockquote><div align="justify"><br /><br />And as repeated many times, Section 246 states:<br /><br /></div><blockquote><p align="justify">SEC. 246. NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR<br />UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.<br /><br /><strong>Nothing in this subtitle</strong> shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. </p></blockquote><div align="justify">So undocumented aliens will not be able to receive or purchase subsidized insurance under the proposed bill. An undocumented alien may be able to purchase full priced insurance on the open market or on the exchange. That is true. But how is that different from what we have today?<br /><br />Keep separating the wheat from the chaff! </div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-14497867581684020822009-09-11T06:14:00.002-05:002009-09-11T06:14:00.168-05:00"You lie!": No Congressman, HR 3200 does not give health care to illegal immigrants.<div align="justify">When President Obama gave his speech on health care reform on September 9, 2009, he said that the proposed legislation would not give health care to illegal immigrants. At that point, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson (SC) screamed, "You lie!" You can watch the video and read the article <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/09/republican-congressman-who-heckled-obama-sparks-fundraising-flood-to-his-democratic-opponent.html">here</a>.<br /><br />As we have discussed before, HR 3200 specifically has language that prohibits granting benefits to illegal aliens. You can read the PDF version of the entire bill <a href="http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090714/aahca.pdf">here</a>. Section 246 of the Bill, found on page 143 of the PDF document, is entitled, “No Federal Payment for Undocumented Aliens.</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">Please keep separating the wheat from the chaff.</div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-54298702536035031022009-09-09T13:14:00.006-05:002009-09-09T13:21:47.822-05:00More Email Lies about Immigration: "Just One State" email is hitting inboxes around the country.<div align="justify"><em>Los Angeles Times</em> reporter Hector Tobar writes about a false email that was forwarded to him:" What did I find? A stew made up for the most part of meaty exaggerations and spicy conjecture, mixed in with some giblets of truth. Two of the "stats" are the <strong>musings</strong> of a conservative op-ed writer. Another takes its information from a government "report" that is, in fact, <strong>a work of fiction</strong>. The last two items on the list are the most accurate -- but they reveal more about the prejudices and fears of the people passing the list along than they do about the supposed effect of 'illegals.'" You can read the full article <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-tobar7-2009sep07,0,503680,full.column">here</a>.</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">Please remember to separate the wheat from the chaff and verify your sources of information.</div><div align="justify"> </div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-67340329508645421452009-09-04T10:15:00.005-05:002009-09-04T10:34:10.400-05:00DHS to require all its contractors to use E-Verify on September 8, 2009<div align="justify">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">USCIS</span> put out a <a href="http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=109cc691d0673210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD">press release </a>today to remind "federal contractors and subcontractors that effective Sept. 8, 2009, they will be required to use the E-Verify system to verify their employees’ eligibility to work in the United States if their contract includes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) E-Verify Clause." This is the result of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DHS</span> rule change in July. According to the press release, "E-Verify, which compares information from the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9)... against federal government databases to verify workers’ employment eligibility, is a free web-based system operated by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">DHS</span> in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA)." The E-verify system has been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">criticized</span> by some <a href="http://blog.aclu.org/2009/03/11/e-verify-has-problems-and-the-government-agrees-with-us/">groups</a> because the SSA admits that it has millions of erroneous records in its database, most of them are American citizens. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Additionally</span>, Congress has not extended the authorization for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">DHS</span> to use E-verify beyond <a href="http://fcw.com/articles/2009/09/03/experts-disagree-on-impact-of-everify-september-30-expiration.aspx">September 30, 2009</a>. So, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">DHS</span> may have to suspend this rule at the end of the month unless Congress reauthorizes the permission for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">DHS</span> to use the system. </div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-22705835453415782922009-09-02T06:48:00.001-05:002009-09-02T06:48:00.470-05:00USCIS provides interim relief from the "widow penalty."On August 31, 2009, the USCIS posted the following <a href="http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Office%20of%20Communications/Press%20Releases/FY%2009/August%202009/surviving_spouses_fact_sheet_0831.pdf">Fact Sheet </a>on its website. It stated that the Agency was providing "interim deferred action relief" for surviving spouses of U.S. citizens who died before the 2nd anniversary of their marriage. According to the Agency:<br /><br /><blockquote><p>The "widow penalty" prevents widow(er)s of deceased U.S. citizens from becoming lawful permanent residents on a petition filed by their late spouse or from later self-petitioning to change their status if the U.S. citizen dies before the second anniversary of their marriage. </p><p></p></blockquote><br />The relief is temporary and will allow the widow and their children to remain in the United States. The USCIS makes it clear, however, that a legislative solution is required. You can read more <a href="http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Office%20of%20Communications/Press%20Releases/FY%2009/August%202009/surviving_spouses_update_0831.pdf">here</a> and <a href="http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Office%20of%20Communications/Press%20Releases/FY%2009/August%202009/surviving_spouses_faq_0831.pdf">here</a>.ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-12813948985279533122009-08-31T06:16:00.002-05:002009-08-31T06:16:00.872-05:00"Muckety-muck": No charges filed against Koch Food officials<div align="justify">The online edition of the <a href="http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/crime/koch-foods-officials-will-not-be-prosecuted-in-2007-immigration-raid-269188.html">Middletown Journal</a> has a story about the aftermath of the August 28, 2007 raid at the Koch Food Chicken, Inc. processing plant in Fairfield, Ohio. At the time, it was one of the largest employer immigration raids in <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2825845020070828">government history</a>. More than 160 employees were arrested and prosecuted for identity theft and other crimes. The vast majority of them were also deported. Additionally, ICE served search warrants against the company for alleged immigration violations. It was the cumilation of a two year investigation of the company by federal, state, and local law enforcement. At the time of the raid, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones was quoted as saying,"I've been saying for 2-1/2 years 'We're coming, ... don't hire illegals, don't violate the law.'" and "I personally have no sympathy for you whatsoever, None. Zero." <br /><br />After the raid, the Assistant Secretary of ICE stated that <a href="http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070828cincinnati.htm">"Unlawful employment is one of the key magnets drawing illegal aliens across our borders."</a> </div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Two years later, all charges against the company were dropped</strong>. Attorneys for Koch Food stated, "When a good company like Koch, a viable company to the community providing lots of jobs and lots of taxes to the community, tries to do the right thing they get held up in governmental muckety-muck." </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994160909045522520.post-78983877197076353652009-08-28T06:44:00.000-05:002009-08-28T06:44:00.591-05:00Immigration from another perspective<div align="justify">The August 22, 2009 online edition of the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-asian-immigration-22-aug22,0,7042509.story">Chicago Tribune </a>describes a "coming-out party of sorts for Asian immigrant organizations in Chicago that have been gaining momentum in their efforts to mobilize a community of roughly 350,000 Asian and Pacific island immigrants in a region long unwilling to publicly air its problems." </div><div align="justify"><br />Many in that community express concern for issues like temporary work visas for high-tech jobs and family reunification. The article also describes Mike K., 19, an undocumented Korean immigrant hoping for reforms to allow students in the country illegally to receive conditional permanent residency. Mike won a high-school contest sponsored by Google Corp., in which the search engine company sought new ideas for its home page. Unfortunately, his entry could not ultimately be submitted because of his illegal status.</div><div align="justify"><br />While the immigration debate in the United States tends to center around of immigrants from Spanish- speaking countries, it is important to remember that the United States has immigrants from all over the world. Please continue to pray for our elected leaders and for one another as we seek to resolve the many issues that plague our immigration system. </div>ISAAChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10028669448464993531noreply@blogger.com0