Just days before he arrives in Boulder to talk to undergraduate students, President Obama, has his uncle clearly on his mind. Like so many of us, Obama struggles with the possibility of one of his own family members being deported based on his immigration status in this country.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released their April 2012 report on the demographics of legal immigrants that have a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) or “Green Card.” According to the report:

 “LPRs may live and work permanently anywhere in the United States, own property, and attend public schools, colleges, and universities. They may also join certain branches of the Armed Force and apply to become U.S. citizens if they meet certain eligibility requirements.”

Do you have family in another country that you cant live without? Well then you would be happy to hear that all US citizens have the right to petition for Immediate Relative Immigrant Visa (IR) status for family members and the Law Office of Emily Cohen.

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In a recent study by the Pew Research Center concluded that the United States is the primary destination for Christian and Buddhist immigrants. The US ranks second behind India for immigration of Hindus and second behind Israel for Jewish immigrants. There is however, not surprisingly, a low level of Muslim immigrants to the US who would rather migrate to Saudi Arabia, Russia, Germany, France and Jordan.

Last Friday, a federal court under the order of Judge Susan Bolto ruled that the Arizonan Senate Bill 1070 is in violation of the First Amendment. Endearingly called the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act this outrageous disgrace of legislation has sparked international attention ever since Arizonan governor Jan Brewer signed it into law in April of 2010.

            National leader such as President Barack Obama and New York Senator Charles Schumer have already asked for reexamination and evaluation of possible alternatives. Jan Brewer seems to be avoiding the pressure from above as she refused to meet with the senator and played on the issue of state rights, which is seen to be the heart of the issue.

            Arizona is one, if not the most, heavily impacted states on the topic of immigration. Undocumented immigrants make up significant parts of the states population and according to the 70% of citizens in the state that support the bill; they’re threatening the security of public services. Not surprisingly these undocumented immigrants also make up a significant portion of the states tax revenue, which pays for those public services.

            The US Supreme Court will judge the constitutionality of SB 1070 this April. According to the constitution the Federal Government reserves the only right to set immigration legislation for the United States of America. Yet, Governor Brewer is confident that the “high court” will rule in favor of her states law. Time will only tell.

For more information on this topic please visit: Immigration Direct.

If you or a loved one is needs representation regardless of legal standing, please contact an immigration attorney to discuss your rights and immigration options. You can reach Emily Cohen at (303) 406-8645 or by email at emily@emilycohenlaw.com

The Foreign Citizen Permanent Resident Documentation or Green Card is the next step for all foreign citizens who wish to become U.S. citizens. Unlike the various visas that allow entry into the United States, the Green Card provides for permanent stay and unlimited returns to your country of origin, more protection and is a necessary item on the road to become a citizen of this country. The Law Offices of Emily Cohen is here to guide our clients in the process to achieve your citizenship.

            To qualify for a Green Card the first step is to become familiar with the various types of qualifications (Green Card through: Family, Job, Refugee or Asylee Status, and more) and then decide which category fits you best. Make sure that when seeking a green card you meet the requirements listed on the USCIS website.

            We cannot stress enough the importance of advancing your status in the U.S. With every step you take you will receive more benefits from the U.S. government and more opportunities in general. Becoming a resident and then a U.S. citizen is also the best way to bring other family members to the U.S. legally.

For more information about Green Cards please visit: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

            In a recent proposition by the Obama Administration has made it easier for U.S. citizens and residents with undocumented spouses and family to get Green Cards to join them here in the U.S. To try and keep our countries families (documented or undocumented) together this new regulation should “change the procedures by which illegal immigrants with American family members apply for legal residency.” If any of our readers have family that is undocumented please seek legal help before proceeding to get a Green Card for your families.

For more information about this new development please visit: The New York Times article.

If you or a loved one is seeking a Green Card (permanent resident) and needs representation regardless of legal standing, please contact an immigration attorney to discuss your rights and immigration options. You can reach Emily Cohen at (303) 406-8645 or by email at emily@emilycohenlaw.com

Story One: Violaciones de derechos humanos en Alabama

            Las leyes del estado de Alabama, llamadas HB 56, son leyes sobre las transacciones comerciales instituido para prohibir la venta de los servicios públicos a inmigrantes indocumentados. ¡Este no puede ser! Hay muchos niños que son ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos que están viviendo con hambre porque sus padres no tienen capaz de darles algo de comer. ¡Esto es realmente una gran injusticia no sólo a los ciudadanos estadounidenses, sino a los seres humanos en todas partes!

Para leer más sobre este tema por favor visite: www.immigrationdirect.com o también a nuestro propio sitió web Emily Cohen.

Story Two: Fuerza Pública

            Este mes el Senador de Nueva York (New York) Charles Schumer envio una carta a la gobernadora de Arizona, Jan Brewer. En esta carta el Senador invito al gobernadora de Arizona a una cita a declarar a las leyes estatales sobre inmigración.

            Las nuevas leyes SB 1070 le da policías y oficiales del estado el derecho de comprobar las personas para las tarjetas de residencia permanente (Green Cards) o otras formas de la ciudadanía durante el curso de las investigaciones no relacionadas con asuntos de inmigración como las entradas, violaciones, etc.

            No es muy extraño que la gobernadora lo ha hecho esto, porque el estado de Arizona siempre produce las leyes mas ridículos sobre inmigración.

Para leer más sobre este tema por favor visite: www.politico.com y para más apoyo legal, por favor póngase en contacto con Emily Cohen.

Story Three: 2012 Latino Advocacy Day!

            The 6^th Annual Latino Advocacy day was held last week to bring awareness to the Latino populations here in Colorado. This non-partisan march took place in Denver where speakers talked about the current policies surrounding immigration and what can further be done to bring about change. On important topic was the new “asset” bill, which if passed through the Republican controlled House of Representatives this spring, would create a “standard rate” tuition to children of undocumented immigrants that have attended high school in Colorado for at least 3 years. Also in attendance were representatives from Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy and Research Organization (CLLARO), Colorado Progressive Coalition (CPC), Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR) among others. This was really an amazing event!

For more information please visit the sites listed above or for further legal assistance please contact Emily Cohen. 

Ongoing for the last 5 years is a proposal to grant undocumented immigrant students, in Colorado, the right to pay instates tuition. Similar proposals have failed to pass the last two years in the University of Colorado board of regents, but have received a “passing grade” this year.

Por los últimos 5 años se ha desarrollado una propuesta a dar a los estudiantes indocumentados el derecho de pagar la misma matrícula que ciudadanos de Colorado. Propuestas similares han fallado en los últimos dos años en la Universidad de Colorado junta de regentes, pero parece que este año será mejor.

As determined by the Immigration and Nationality Act, an H-1B is a non-immigrant/skilled worker visa issued every Fiscal Year (FY) by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

On Tuesday, (January, 24) President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union Address to Congress focusing on the years accomplishments, future goals and legislation, and of course immigration to the U.S. from abroad.

Today, U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn denied the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) request to stay her previous ruling last week which kept major portions of Alabama’s restrictive immigration law, HB 56, intact.