The optimism that began with the new year for immigration reform legislation has faded into pessimism while lawmakers, on both sides, are at odds once again. Allan Wernick discusses what caused the momentum to stall and why the leading presidential candidates seem to be avoiding the issue altogether.
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For the latest in breaking immigration news go to Allan Wernick’s new blog at www.allanwernick.com . The websites also features links to law and policy websites, a list of not for profit organizations that provide free or low cost immigration law services, and you can submit questions via e-mail to his weekly Immigration Advice column in the Daily News.
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New Haven has joined the list of so-called sanctuary cities, which also includes New York, Newark and Trenton, as a safe haven for immigrants, according to immigrant-rights advocates. This summer it plans to introduce a municipal identification card system for its, mostly Latino, immigrant community. Allan Wernick explains why this ID program is so innovative and answers other immigration questions.
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The deadline for filing tax returns this year is April 17 and the law requires undocumented immigrants to report income to the Internal Revenue Service. Allan Wernick answers questions about filing tax returns when you don’t have a Social Security number and why it’s important, even for low income earners, to file a tax return.
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Federal immigration officials granted Mamadou Soumare permission to travel home to his native country of Mali to bury his wife and four of his children who perished in an horrific fire in the Bronx on March 7. Allan Wernick talks about this decision, called an advanced parole, by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and whether or not it could affect future cases.
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A new citizenship and immigration service office opened on the campus of the College of Staten Island bringing the total number to eight service centers that are run in conjunction with CUNY’s Citizenship and Immigration Project at other CUNY college campuses. Allan Wernick, chairman of the project, offers an overview of the kinds of free services these offices provide and also answers questions from his immigration column.
From the Bronx to Brooklyn, immigrant entrepreneurs are helping to turn marginal neighborhoods into vibrant commercial hubs. The nonprofit research organization, Center for an Urban Future, recently released study showed that communities with predominately foreign-born populations grew in businesses and jobs. Allan Wernick explains the economic impact these immigrant-owned businesses have on the city.
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A “game” called “Catch the Illegal Immigrants” staged by a student Republican club at New York University attracted hundreds of angry protesters but only eleven participants. Critics included Mayor Michael Bloomberg who called it “not only distasteful, but stupid.” Allan Wernick talks about the incident and what lessons might be learned from it.
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Allan Wernick talks about the small print of contests rules in the light of the recent flap over retailer Toys “R†Us disqualification– and subsequent reversal–of a sweepstakes award to to Chinese-American baby whose mother was not a legal resident.
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An editorial in the New York Times blasted President Bush’s State of the Union address for everything from his failed policies on the war in Iraq to the unfulfilled promises in his domestic agenda, including immigration reform. Allan Wernick explains the Bush administration’s position on immigration reform and whether or not the new Democratic Congress will get the job done.
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