ÿWPC5  ó¬c!L27øÔ ËÔ\‘JãL<Š÷ˆ‘:ZïÁn¢>ñØ_ÖféìY–B…@""Â'·±“ÀEo݆dW“Ë=yÿO3BÍ•öe”Öé¬bÞ$ÍEs¾¼Á­gÑ3à®uÇö!„GÈHBƒ%ëñX1«5¨3£fnʼnÏ_­xf‡ß•æöÔ\Mù{-9D8•~,*[P&7„%î“ Þ”}¹~Á—½+ˆZ@<á¾<D8‘•~…w1ÅòãÜã̲r¬‰=ÂæroìŸy‚—2ĵZùgèŽÂ2E%½Y¢œ:(ƒ¦Î ÛÊp|Þv×ø®Uöcó‡ü_ŸÈÜA_”x‚˜ÿFŠ{º˜Z êhl®Y!µ hYÞ‘ˆ‘ƸQ/1·Î”I•ÑÛ*U=ºTùy¡lÐ^û 46FÍhwn‘E¥UpN*º¯§_]UßÆ{”qÅ©q¦N.×Üèýñ£9êð¾ð‹{œ Å—":˜E= ' èY”A âü'´rƒšgÚãb"¤/Š{ƒº5‡ÏœT¼ÅÄòVI£ìB"~Ò[Ÿ¹ue3Õ§¿…Z‡¶ékMxL/«E4~{âørt·eÌ<ÈW‡’®®|¸©I9ó’÷U>P¢Ž 0h0 0N˜U8æU* BH D/e D+”UD¿ 0š#É­UNv %Ä MÊ (Î Nö ^ ø w 4  m ô\  `‹&Times New Roman'  "Dennis Ayzin"0Dennis Ayzin .   hÿÿ:Default ParaDefault Paragraph Font(ÍO$——ÔÿÔòòóóÔÿÔ%ä2¼A`‹ Arial Narrow%ä2¼A`‹Arialöÿ d)1dxd'dxd7ô\  `‹,Times New Roman CE#|x(rCî$¡¡Ô..ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÓ  ÓÔ€ô »òXXÔÔ€ô »òòô »Ô˜\\ZEUS2004\HP LaserJet 3150ðð,,,,ðð0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX¶¶3‡ 0‘ì2PagesÿU‹ÿÀÀÀÝ ƒ Cî!ÝÔ..ÔÔ  ÔÔ  ÔÓ  ÓÔ€ô »òXXÔÔ€ô »òòô »ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÓ  ÓÔ€XgÄXòô »ÔÔ€XpXXXgÄÔò òÔÿÔThis€column€contains€only€general€information.€€€It€does€not€contain€any€legal€advice€on€which€oneÐ ° Ðcan€rely€in€making€decisions.€€€Our€readers€are€strongly€advised€to€speak€with€a€qualifiedÐ •å Ðimmigration€lawyer€before€deciding€how€to€precede€their€individual€cases.Ð zÊ ÐÓ  ÓÓB.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°œXBÓÔ€XÒqXXXpÔó óÔÿÔÌJuly€22,€2005Ð E• ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð  a ÐÌI€am€from€Paraguay.€€My€wife€is€an€American.€€She€filed€my€petition€with€immigrationÐ Ý - Ðand€I€just€got€my€green€card.€€I€am€worried€because€the€card€says€it€expires€in€2€years.€Ð à   ÐWhat€does€this€mean?€€What€do€I€have€to€do€to€make€it€permanent?€€Gerardo.Ð © ù  ÐóóÌDear€Gerardo:Ð uÅ  ÐÌA€conditional€card€is€given€to€people€who€were€married€for€less€than€two€years€at€theÐ A‘  Ðtime€their€marriage„based€green€card€was€approved.€€The€government€wants€to€makeÐ 'w  Ðsure€you€did€not€marry€just€to€get€a€green€card,€so€they€want€to€check€on€you.€€You€andÐ  ] Ðyour€wife€will€have€to€file€a€joint€petition€proving€you€continue€to€be€a€family€before€yourÐ óC Ðcurrent€green€card€expires.€€This€petition€€must€be€filed€during€a€ninety€day€windowÐ Ù) Ðleading€up€to€expiration€of€your€two€year€card.Ð ¿ ÐÌIf€the€petition€is€filed€too€early,€immigration€will€not€take€it.€€If€the€petition€is€filed€late,Ð ‹Û Ðimmigration€will€reject€it€unless€you€can€prove€circumstances€beyond€your€control.Ð qÁ ÐÌThere€are€two€exceptions.€€You€can€file€a€self€petition€(without€your€spouse)€to€removeÐ = Ðconditions€if€(1)€you€are€divorced:€if€the€divorce€is€final,€and€if€you€can€prove€you€marriedÐ #s Ðin€good€faith;€or€(2)€you€were€abused:€you€must€prove€physical€abuse€and/or€extremeÐ  Y Ðmental€cruelty,€and€good€faith€marriage.€€Under€both€of€these€exceptions,€you€can€file€asÐ ï? Ðsoon€as€the€divorce€or€the€abuse€takes€place.Ð Õ% Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àÌPlease€note€that€if€a€petition€to€remove€conditions€is€not€filed€timely,€you€are€no€longer€aÐ ¡ñ Ðlawful€permanent€resident,€and€immigration€can€start€deportation€proceedings.Ð ‡ × ÐÌAs€with€all€cases,€please€consult€with€a€good€immigration€lawyer€before€filing€anythingÐ S"£! Ðwith€immigration.€€Ð 9#‰" ÐÓK€(€X$oKÓÌÓK€ (€X.%~ )KÓÌJuly€15,€2005Ð &d!% ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð à'0#' ÐÌDo€you€think€there€will€be€any€new€immigration€laws€coming€soon?€€It€seems€likeÐ ¬)ü$) Ðeveryone€has€been€talking€about€immigration€law€changes€for€a€long€time€but€nothing€isÐ ’*â%* Ðchanging.€€Is€there€anything€that€we€can€do€as€Americans€who€are€affected€by€badÐ x+È&+ Ðimmigration€law?€€Jennifer€Ayala.Ð ^,®', ÐóóÐ D-”(- ÐDear€Jennifer:Ð ° ÐÌThere€is€a€lot€of€talk€of€immigration€reform.€€I€just€went€to€a€four€day€conference€in€SaltÐ |Ì ÐLake€City,€Utah,€for€immigration€lawyers€throughout€the€country.€€We€received€trainingÐ b² Ðand€updates€on€a€lot€of€things.€€Among€some€of€the€possibilities€for€new€laws€are:€Ð H˜ ÐÌÓ XÓÓE.°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#EÓThe€Federal€Dream€Act:€€this€law€would€allow€children€of€undocumentedÐ  d Ðimmigrants€who€qualify€to€apply€for€permanent€residency€when€they€graduateÐ ú J Ðfrom€collegeÐ à 0 ÐÓ XÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°ŒX(#EÓà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àÌÓ XÓÓE.°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#EÓThe€Guest€Worker€Program:€this€is€a€program€where€those€who€qualify€may€get€aÐ ¬ ü  Ðthree€year€work€visa,€and€may€be€able€to€apply€for€permanent€residency€laterÐ ’â  ÐÓ XÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°ŒX(#EÓÌà  àThe€topic€that€came€up€most€during€this€conference€was€that€immigration€law€isÐ ^®  Ðnot€changing€because€Americans€are€not€making€their€wishes€known€to€theÐ D”  Ðgovernment.€€We€were€all€encouraged€to€write€to€our€representative€in€Congress€to€letÐ *z  Ðthem€know€what€we€would€like€to€see€changed.€€If€you€need€help€contacting€yourÐ ` Ðcongressmen€and€senators,€or€want€to€read€more€about€current€and€possible€changesÐ öF Ðto€immigration€law,€you€can€go€to€the€American€Immigration€Lawyers€Association€web„Ð Ü, Ðsite€at€Ý‚ÍOÿÝÔÿÔòòÝ  Ýwww.aila.orgÝ‚ÍOÿƃ ÝóóÔÿÔÝ  Ý.€Ð  ÐÓK€(€X¨øKÓÌÓK€ (€X·)KÓÌJuly€8,€2005Ð í ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð i¹ ÐÌI€am€a€lawful€permanent€resident€and€I€would€like€to€apply€to€be€a€U.S.€Citizen.€€TheÐ 5… Ðproblem€is€my€parents€will€be€very€sad€if€I€lose€my€Mexican€Citizenship.€€Do€I€give€up€myÐ k ÐMexican€Citizenship€if€I€naturalize?€€Alfonso.Ð Q ÐóóÌDear€Alfonso:Ð Í ÐÌThe€laws€regarding€Mexicans€who€naturalize€has€changed€in€Mexico.€€Now,€the€MexicanÐ ™!é  Ðlaw€says€that€if€you€were€born€in€Mexico,€you€will€always€be€considered€Mexican€even€ifÐ "Ï! Ðyou€become€a€citizen€of€another€country.€€With€so€many€families€having€members€inÐ e#µ" Ðdifferent€countries€and€because€of€our€ð ðglobal€economy,ðð€dual€citizenship€is€now€allowedÐ K$›# Ðby€most€countries,€including€Mexico.€€I€asked€this€question€of€His€Excellency€FernandoÐ 1% $ ÐGonzalez,€Consul€of€Mexico,€in€Kansas€City.€€He€told€me€that€ð ðif€a€person€is€born€inÐ &g!% ÐMexico,€he€or€she€will€always€be€considered€a€Mexicanðð€even€after€becoming€a€U.S.Ð ý&M"& Ðcitizen.Ð ã'3#' ÐÌYou€do€need€to€know€that€when€you€go€to€the€ceremony€to€be€sworn€in€as€a€new€U.S.Ð ¯)ÿ$) ÐCitizen,€you€do€have€to€say€that€you€are€renouncing€allegiance€to€all€other€countries€andÐ •*å%* Ðgovernments.€€However,€you€continue€to€be€a€citizen€of€both€countries€for€all€practicalÐ {+Ë&+ Ðâ âpurposes.€€Some€countries€have€certain€ways€to€formally€give€up€oneððs€citizenship.€€Ð a,±', ÐHowever,€Consul€Gonzalez€stated€that€Mexico€does€not€have€such€a€process€at€thisÐ ° Ðtime.Ð –æ Ðâ âÌSo,€if€you€plan€on€making€the€United€States€your€home,€I€would€encourage€you€toÐ b² Ðnaturalize.€€I€just€became€a€U.S.€Citizen€myself€this€past€February€without€losing€myÐ H˜ ÐArgentine€citizenship;€and€I€am€very€proud€of€my€decision€to€do€so.ÔEAUS.,Ôò òà  àà x àÐ . ~ ÐÓK€(€X dKÓó óÌÓK€ (€X# s)KÓÌÔUSEA.,ÔJuly€1,€2005Ð  Y ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð Õ %  ÐÌI€am€going€to€be€a€High€School€Senior€next€year.€€I€have€real€good€grades€and€myÐ ¡ñ  Ðschool€counselor€says€I€should€go€to€college.€€The€problem€is€my€parents€brought€meÐ ‡×  Ðhere€from€Mexico€when€I€was€a€baby;€and€even€though€they€tried€and€tried€to€fix€ourÐ m½  Ðpapers,€they€have€not€been€able€to€yet.€€What€can€I€do€about€college?€€A€friend€told€meÐ S£  Ðsomething€about€Kansas€having€a€law€that€helps€kids€like€me;€we€grew€up€thinking€weÐ 9‰ Ðare€US€citizens€but€we€have€no€legal€status€here.€€My€friend€said€something€about€aÐ o Ðð ðdream€act.ðð€€Can€you€tell€me€more€about€it.Ð U ÐóóÌDear€Reader:Ð Ñ! ÐÌKansas€did€pass€the€Dream€Act.€€What€this€law€says€is€that€a€high€school€student€whoÐ í Ðgraduates€from€a€Kansas€High€School€after€attending€a€Kansas€High€School€for€threeÐ ƒÓ Ðyears,€has€the€right€to€go€to€a€state€college€or€university€and€pay€the€same€tuition€thatÐ i¹ Ðanother€Kansas€resident€would€pay.€€Basically,€this€student€would€not€have€to€pay€ð ðoutÐ OŸ Ðof€stateðð€or€ð ðinternational€studentðð€tuition,€which€is€a€lot€higher.€€Although€this€law€doesÐ 5… Ðnot€specifically€say€that€children€of€undocumented€immigrants€have€the€right€to€attendÐ k Ðcollege€in€the€United€States,€it€can€be€inferred€from€the€language€of€the€act€that€if€theÐ Q Ðlaw€says€they€get€to€pay€ð ðin€state€tuition,ðð€then€it€must€mean€they€can€attend€college.€€IfÐ ç7 Ðyou€need€more€information,€you€should€get€in€contact€with€ð ðEl€Centro,ðð€since€they€wereÐ Í Ðvery€involved€in€getting€this€law€passed.€€Good€luck.Ð ³  ÐÓK€(€X™!éKÓÌÓK€ (€X¨"ø)KÓÌJune€24,€2005Ð Ž#Þ" ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð Z%ª $ ÐÌI€am€in€Peru.€€My€mom€left€Peru€and€moved€to€the€US€when€I€was€little€because€sheÐ &'v"& Ðcould€not€provide€for€us€in€Peru.€€She€became€a€permanent€resident€in€the€US€and€filedÐ  (\#' Ða€petition€immediately€to€bring€me€to€the€US€to€be€with€her.€€It€took€many€years€ofÐ ò(B$( Ðwaiting€for€a€visa€number.€€Then,€I€got€a€call€from€her€that€the€petition€was€approved€andÐ Ø)(%) Ðthere€was€a€visa€for€me.€€The€problem€is€mom€died€2€weeks€later€before€she€could€finishÐ ¾*&* Ðmy€papers.€€I€asked€at€the€consulate€here€and€they€told€me€Iððm€out€of€luck.€€My€wholeÐ ¤+ô&+ Ðfamily€has€moved€to€the€US€and€I€donððt€know€what€to€do.€€What€does€the€law€say?€Ð Š,Ú', ÐRodrigo.Ð p-À(- ÐóóÌDear€Rodrigo:Ð –æ ÐÌThe€rule€is€usually€that€petitions€die€with€the€petitioner€because€immigration€lawÐ b² Ðassumes€that€if€the€person€who€wanted€you€here€is€no€longer€alive,€there€is€no€reasonÐ H˜ Ðfor€you€to€come€here.€€This€is€called€ð ðpetition€is€revoked.ðð€€This€law€is€very€harsh€andÐ . ~ Ðcan€have€terrible€results.€€In€March€2002,€there€was€a€change€of€law,€and€in€SOMEÐ  d Ðcases,€one€may„be€able€to€still€get€his€permanent€residency€after€his€petition€is€revoked.€Ð ú J ÐImmigration€issued€guidance€saying€they€will€decide€on€a€case€by€case€basis,€as€long€asÐ à 0 Ðthe€petition€was€approved€before€the€petitioner€died.€€Ð Æ   ÐÌSomeone€in€your€situation,€needs€to€have€an€immigration€lawyer€discuss€if€you€qualifyÐ ’â  Ðfor€ð ðhumanitarian€reinstatement.ðð€€The€lawyer€needs€to€check€first€if€there€is€evidenceÐ xÈ  Ðthat€the€petition€was€approved€before€mom€died;€for€example,€a€letter€from€immigrationÐ ^®  Ðsaying€that€the€petition€was€approved€and€the€date€of€the€approval€is€before€the€date€onÐ D”  Ðmomððs€death€certificate.€€Then,€you€would€have€to€find€a€relative€in€the€United€States,Ð *z  Ðwith€legal€status,€who€can€ð ðsponsorðð€you.€€This€relative€could€be€your€spouse,€parent,Ð ` Ðmother„in„law,€sibling,€child€(if€at€least€18€years€of€age),€son,€daughter,€son„in„law,Ð öF Ðdaughter„in„law,€sister„in„law,€brother„in„law,€grandparent,€or€grandchild,€or€legalÐ Ü, Ðguardian.€€Then,€the€lawyer€would€ask€the€immigration€service€to€ð ðreinstateðð€yourÐ Â Ðpetition€at€the€same€time€as€filing€the€paperwork€from€your€sponsor.€€€Immigration€willÐ ¨ø Ðconsider€your€age,€how€many€relatives€you€have€here€in€the€US,€the€situation€in€yourÐ ŽÞ Ðhome€country,€and€any€other€important€facts€before€deciding€if€your€revoked€petitionÐ tÄ Ðshould€be€reinstated.€€Good€luck€Rodrigo.Ð Zª ÐÓK€(€X@KÓÌÓK€ (€XOŸ)KÓÌJune€17,€2005Ð 5… ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð Q ÐÌI€read€La€Semana€all€the€time.€€I€remember€you€wrote€in€your€last€column€that€a€if€aÐ Í Ðpermanent€resident€wants€to€bring€wife€and€kids€from€Mexico€to€the€U.S.€much€faster,Ð ³  Ðhe€can€become€a€U.S.€Citizen.€€Iððve€been€a€resident€for€years€but€my€problem€is€I€am€63Ð ™!é  Ðyears€old€and€I€donððt€learn€as€quick€as€those€young€guys.€€I€applied€for€US€citizenship,Ð "Ï! Ðbut€I€failed€the€History€test€because€my€English€is€not€so€good,€and€I€was€nervous.€Ð e#µ" ÐCould€I€bring€my€wife€on€a€tourist€visa€while€we€wait€for€a€visa€number?€€Thank€you.€Ð K$›# ÐAntonio.Ð 1% $ ÐóóÌDear€Antonio:Ð ý&M"& ÐÌI€am€sorry€to€tell€you€that€I€think€her€tourist€visa€would€be€quickly€denied.€€The€reason€isÐ É($( Ðthe€application€for€a€tourist€visa€asks€if€you€intend€to€immigrate€to€the€US.€€TheÐ ¯)ÿ$) Ðconsulate€will€know€she€wants€to€immigrate€because€you€filed€an€immigrant€visa€petitionÐ •*å%* Ðfor€her.€€Ð {+Ë&+ Ðâ âÐ a,±', ÐOn€your€US€Citizenship:€You€may€consider€applying€for€US€citizenship€again.€€Here€areÐ ° Ðâ âsome€options:Ð –æ ÐÌI€donððt€know€how€long€you€have€been€a€resident.€€Generally,€a€person€can€take€theÐ b² Ðcitizenship€test€in€their€native€language€if€he€or€she€has€been€a€permanent€resident€forÐ H˜ Ð15€years€and€is€at€least€55€years€old,€or€has€been€a€resident€for€20€years€and€is€at€leastÐ . ~ Ð50€years€old.€€There€is€one€other€exception€for€the€English€part.€€If€someone€has€been€aÐ  d Ðresident€for€20€years€and€is€at€least€65€years€old,€he€or€she€can€take€a€modified€examÐ ú J Ðwhere€he/she€is€given€only€25€questions€to€study.€€In€addition,€if€you€have€a€learningÐ à 0 Ðdisability€or€dementia€(memory€disease),€or€some€other€memory€or€learning€relatedÐ Æ   Ðmedical€problem,€you€could€see€if€you€would€qualify€for€a€medical€exception.€€ApplicantsÐ ¬ ü  Ðwho€qualify€for€a€medical€exception€are€allowed€to€take€the€test€in€their€native€language,Ð ’â  Ðor€in€some€cases€they€donððt€have€to€take€the€test€at€all.€€If€you€have€such€a€disability,€aÐ xÈ  Ðdoctor€needs€to€examine€you€and€sign€a€medical€waiver€for€your€citizenship€application.€Ð ^®  ÐGood€luck€Antonio.Ð D”  ÐÓK€(€X*z KÓÌÓK€ (€X9‰) KÓÌÌJune€10,€2005Ð U ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð Ñ! ÐÌI€got€my€green€card€5€years€ago.€€Then€in€January€of€2001,€I€filed€a€petition€for€my€wifeÐ í Ðand€children€who€are€in€Mexico.€€Iððve€been€waiting€for€so€long€to€bring€them€here.€€I€amÐ ƒÓ Ðtired€of€going€back€and€forth€to€Mexico€to€see€them.€€Is€there€anything€I€can€do€to€bringÐ i¹ Ðthem€here€faster?Ð OŸ ÐóóÌDear€Reader:Ð k ÐÌOne€thing€you€could€do€is€see€if€you€qualify€for€U.S.€citizenship.€€If€you€qualify,€you€canÐ ç7 Ðapply€to€become€a€US€citizen.€€It€takes€approximately€6€to€12€months€to€become€aÐ Í Ðcitizen.€€Then€once€you€are€a€citizen,€you€can€file€an€ð ðupgradeðð€petition€tellingÐ ³  Ðimmigration€to€change€your€petition€for€your€wife€to€a€petition€by€a€US€citizen.Ð ™!é  ÐÌWhen€you€apply€as€a€resident,€you€have€to€have€your€family€petition€approved,€and€thenÐ e#µ" Ðwait€for€a€visa€number€to€be€available.€€Many€times,€oneððs€petition€is€back„loggedÐ K$›# Ðbecause€there€are€no€more€visa€numbers€for€his/her€category€for€that€year.€€So,€one€hasÐ 1% $ Ðto€wait€til€the€next€year.€€And€in€many€cases,€this€happens€year€after€year,€until€the€visaÐ &g!% Ðnumbers€get€caught€up.€€This€can€be€very€frustrating€for€families.€€When€you€are€a€USÐ ý&M"& Ðcitizen,€you€donððt€have€to€wait€for€a€visa€number€for€a€spouse€and€minor€children.€€Ð ã'3#' ÐÌTo€see€how€much€longer€you€have€to€wait€as€a€resident,€you€can€check€the€visa€bulletin.€Ð ¯)ÿ$) ЀYou€can€see€a€visa€bulletin€by€going€to€our€web€site€at€òòÔÿÔwww.uslegalimmigration.comóóÔÿÔÐ •*å%* Ðand€then€clicking€on€visa€bulletin.€€Our€web€site€is€also€in€Spanish.Ð {+Ë&+ Ðâ âÐ a,±', ÐHereððs€a€clip€from€a€visa€bulletin€so€you€see€what€it€looks€like.€€Since€you€are€aÐ ° Ðâ âpermanent€resident€applying€for€a€spouse,€you€are€under€the€2A€category,€and€sinceÐ –æ Ðyou€are€from€Mexico,€you€go€to€that€box.€€As€you€can€see€they€are€giving€visas€to€thoseÐ |Ì Ðwho€filed€in€March€1998.€€So€you€would€have€approximately€a€7€year€wait€total.€€€SinceÐ b² Ðyou€filed€in€2001,€I€would€guess€you€may€have€a€visa€number€come€up€by€the€yearÐ H˜ Ð2008.€€Of€course,€if€you€qualify€for€naturalization€and€actually€become€a€US€citizen,€youÐ . ~ Ðcould€upgrade€your€petition€so€you€no€longer€have€to€wait€for€a€visa€number€to€haveÐ  d Ðyour€family€here€legally€with€you.€€I€wish€you€the€best€of€luck;€I€hope€you€can€reunite€withÐ ú J Ðyour€family€very€soon.Ð à 0 ЀÔ€ô“¢òXXÒqÔÐ Æ   ÐÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓ  ÓÓB+` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#BÓAll€ChargeabilityÐ ¬ ü  ÐÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓ  ÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#` ‹X(#EÓà  àà ` àAreas€except€€€€€€€CHINAÐ k»  ÐÓ  öÓÓ ` ÓÓB+ ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#BÓà  àà ` àListedà ¸ àà  àmainland€à À àINDIAà  àà p àMEXICO€à  àPHILIPPINESÐ *z  ÐÓ  öÓÓ ` ÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#‹X(#EÓFamily€à  à€€à ` à€€à ¸ à€€à  à€€à h à€Ð é9  ÐÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓB+` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#BÓ1st€à  àà ` à01APR01€à  à01APR01€à À à01APR01€à p à22OCT94€à  à15JAN91Ð ¨ø  Ð2A*€à  àà ` à01MAR01€à  à01MAR01€à À à01MAR01€à p à01MAR98€à  à01MAR01Ð g·  Ð2B€à  àà ` à08NOV95€à  à08NOV95€à À à08NOV95€à p à15MAR92€à  à08NOV95Ð &v  Ð3rd€à  àà ` à22JAN98€à  à22JAN98€à À à22JAN98€à p à22APR95€à  à01SEP90Ð å5 Ð4th€à  àà ` à01JUL93€à  à01JUL93€à À à22OCT92€à p à01JUL93€à  à22DEC82Ð ¤ô ÐÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓK€(€Xc³ KÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#` ‹X(#EÓÔ€XÒqXòô“¢ÔÌÓK€ (€XrÂ) KÓÌJune€3,€2005Ð X¨ ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð $t ÐÌIððve€been€here€in€the€US€since€1980.€€I€worked€in€the€strawberry€and€tomato€fieldsÐ ð@ Ðduring€the€amnesty€years.€€I€went€to€a€church€many€years€ago€to€apply€for€the€amnestyÐ Ö& Ðbut€they€told€me€I€did€not€qualify€because€I€left€the€US€for€a€couple€of€weeks€when€myÐ ¼  Ðdad€died€in€Mexico.€€Now,€I€heard€something€about€being€able€to€apply€for€late€amnestyÐ ¢ò Ðbecause€of€a€case€called€LULAC.€€Do€you€think€I€qualify?€€Thank€you.€€Fabian.Ð ˆØ ÐóóÌDear€Fabian:Ð T¤ ÐÌIt€sounds€like€you€have€a€good€chance€of€qualifying.€€You€need€to€see€a€goodÐ  !p! Ðimmigration€lawyer€who€can€look€at€your€paperwork€and€ask€you€more€questions€beforeÐ "V" Ðfiling€anything.€€Please€remember€that€you€will€also€need€to€prove€you€qualify€to€theÐ ì"<# Ðimmigration€service€before€they€will€consider€your€case.€€You€need€a€lot€of€evidence,€IÐ Ò#"$ Ðwill€give€you€some€examples:€Ð ¸$ % ÐÌÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓB+` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#BÓà  à1)à ` àProof€that€you€came€to€the€US€before€January€1982Ð „&Ô!' ÐÓ PûÓÓE.` °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#` ‹X(#EÓCould€be€a€pay€stub,€a€doctor€record,€a€school€record,€rent€receipt,€pictureÐ j'º"( Ðof€you,€bank€statement,€letter€from€your€boss,€affidavitÐ P( #) ÐÓ °ÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#` °ŒX(#EÓÌÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓB+` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#BÓà  à2)à ` àProof€that€your€trip€to€Mexico€was€ð ðshort€and€innocentðð€and€that€you€cameÐ *l%+ Ðback€to€the€US€by€May€1987€and€have€been€here€continuously€until€now.Ð +R&, ÐÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#` ‹X(#EÓÌâ âÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓB+` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#BÓà  à3)à ` àProof€that€you€tried€to€apply€for€the€amnesty€and€were€told€ð ðNO.ððÐ Î,(. ÐÓ PûÓÓE.` °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#` ‹X(#EÓCould€be€a€photocopy€of€your€application,€or€a€sworn€affidavit€specifyingÐ ° Ðâ âwhich€immigration€office€or€other€facility€denied€youÐ –æ ÐÓ °ÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#` °ŒX(#EÓà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àÌOf€course,€you€will€also€need€the€appropriate€immigration€forms€and€fees.Ð b² ÐÌThe€good€news€is€that€the€deadline€for€applying€under€the€cases€LULAC€and€CSS€wasÐ . ~ Ðextended.€€It€used€to€be€May€23,€2005€and€now€it€is€December€31,€2005.Ð  d ÐÌThese€are€very€complex€cases,€so€you€should€see€a€lawyer€as€soon€as€possible€to€haveÐ à 0 Ðenough€time€to€prepare€appropriately.Ð Æ   ÐÓK€(€X¬ ü KÓÌÓK€ (€X» )KÓÌMay€27,€2005Ð ¡ñ  ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð m½  ÐÌI€work€at€a€landscape€company€here€in€Kansas€and€my€boss€is€always€saying€how€weÐ 9‰ Ðare€short€of€workers€and€it€would€help€the€company€to€have€more€Mexican€workers€likeÐ o Ðme.€€Well€actually€Iððm€a€US€citizen€now€because€I€naturalized,€but€I€was€born€in€Mexico.€Ð U ÐMy€brother€is€in€Mexico€and€wants€to€come€work€here€for€my€boss€at€the€landscapeÐ ë; Ðcompany.€€Is€there€a€visa€he€could€get?€€What€would€my€brother€and€my€boss€have€toÐ Ñ! Ðdo€to€bring€him€here€to€work€legally?€€Jaime.Ð · ÐóóÌDear€Jaime:Ð ƒÓ ÐÌYes,€your€boss€could€apply€for€an€H„2B€visa€for€your€brother.€€An€H„2B€is€a€work€visa€forÐ OŸ Ðseasonal€jobs€like€landscaping,€roofing,€construction,€painting,€etc...€€Your€boss€needsÐ 5… Ðto€go€see€a€qualified€immigration€lawyer€to€apply€for€a€visa€for€your€brother.€€SomeÐ k Ðthings€he€should€know:Ð Q ÐÌThere€are€no€more€visas€for€the€year€2005€available€for€new€workers,€but€he€can€startÐ Í Ðpreparing€to€apply€for€2006.€€He€should€start€getting€the€paperwork€now€so€that€theÐ ³  Ðcompany€can€be€ready€to€file€for€H„2Bs€in€October.€€Then€if€the€visa€gets€approved,€yourÐ ™!é  Ðboss€should€be€able€to€get€your€brother€here€by€spring,€when€the€mowing€business€getsÐ "Ï! Ðbusy.€€Your€brother€will€probably€go€to€the€U.S.€consulate€in€Mexico€to€get€his€visa€toÐ e#µ" Ðcome€into€the€United€States.Ð K$›# ÐÌAnother€important€thing€to€consider€is€that€H„2Bs€cannot€be€given€to€people€who€haveÐ &g!% Ðcome€to€the€US€illegally€in€the€past.€€We€have€heard€of€cases€where€a€company€willÐ ý&M"& Ðsponsor€an€H„2B€visa€for€a€worker€and€when€the€worker€goes€to€the€consulate€(or€theÐ ã'3#' Ðimmigration€post€at€the€bridge),€the€immigration€officers€ask€if€this€person€has€ever€beenÐ É($( Ðto€the€US€before.€€Some€people€who€lied€to€immigration€got€their€visas€ripped€up€in€frontÐ ¯)ÿ$) Ðof€them€and€they€were€told€they€now€had€a€ð ðbarðð€from€coming€back€to€the€US€for€lying.€Ð •*å%* ÐImmigration,€often€investigates€if€someone€has€been€here€before€or€not.€€Your€bossÐ {+Ë&+ Ðneeds€to€make€sure€the€people€he€plans€to€hire€tell€him€the€truth.Ð a,±', ÐÓK€(€XG-—(KÓÐ G-—(- ÐÓK€ (€X°)KÓÌMay€20,€2005Ð –æ ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð b² ÐÌDo€you€think€there€will€be€another€amnesty€soon?€€Thanks,€Gladis.Ð . ~ ÐóóÌDear€Gladis:€€Ð ú J ÐÌThere€are€no€amnesty€proposals€pending€in€congress€right€now.€€President€BushÐ Æ   Ðacknowledged€that€our€immigration€system€is€broken€and€should€be€corrected€toÐ ¬ ü  Ðwelcome€hard€working€immigrants.€€He€said€many€wonderful€words€about€Mexican€andÐ ’â  Ðother€immigrants,€such€as€they€have€the€same€family€values€as€Americans€and€that€theyÐ xÈ  Ðare€God€loving€people.€€But€the€immigration€reform€proposal€he€announced€wasÐ ^®  Ðopposed€in€Congress.€€While€the€House€and€Senate€usually€support€President€BushððsÐ D”  Ðproposals,€they€did€not€let€him€make€any€changes€for€the€better€in€immigration€law.€Ð *z  ÐNow€there€is€talk€about€a€guest€worker€program.€€It€is€only€a€proposal,€so€we€donððtÐ ` Ðknow€many€details.€€The€guest€worker€program€proposes€3€year€work€visas€for€peopleÐ öF Ðto€come€work€legally€in€the€U.S.€€Ð Ü, ÐÌI€do€hope€the€law€will€change€to€help€the€U.€S.€Companies€who€need€the€foreignÐ ¨ø Ðworkers€so€badly,€and€to€help€our€hard„working€immigrant€community;€but€it€will€not€beÐ ŽÞ Ðeasy.€€We€tell€our€clients€not€to€wait€for€a€radical€change€or€ð ðamnestyðð€to€help€them€inÐ tÄ Ðthe€future,€but€rather€to€work€within€what€the€law€allows,€even€though€it€may€take€manyÐ Zª Ðyears€to€ð ðfix€their€papers.ððÐ @ ÐÓK€(€X&vKÓÌÓK€ (€X5…)KÓÌMay€13,€2005Ð k ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð ç7 ÐÌIððve€been€reading€your€column€and€now€I€know€that€coming€back€after€a€deportation€canÐ ³  Ðbe€very€bad.€€So€I€was€wondering,€is€there€a€way€to€check€oneððs€record€without€going€toÐ ™!é  Ðimmigration€to€ask?€€The€reason€I€am€asking€is€I€was€stopped€by€border€patrol€once.€Ð "Ï! ÐThe€officer€told€me€to€go€back€to€Mexico€and€to€come€back€another€day.€€How€do€I€knowÐ e#µ" Ðif€there€is€anything€on€my€record€from€that€stop?€Gracias.€Ins.Ð K$›# ÐóóÌDear€Ins:€€Ð &g!% ÐÌThere€is€a€process€to€find€out€what€is€on€your€record,€if€anything.€€The€process€is€calledÐ ã'3#' Ða€Ô€ XgÄXXXÒqÔð ðÔ€XÒqXX XgÄÔFreedom€of€Information€Act€RequestÔ€ XgÄXXXÒqÔðð€Ô€XÒqXX XgÄÔor€FOIA.€€At€our€office,€we€always€ask€ourÐ É($( Ðclients€several€times€if€they€have€EVER€been€stopped€by€immigration,€border€patrol,€orÐ °)%) Ðthe€police.€€If€a€person€has€ever€been€stopped,€or€if€there€is€any€doubt,€we€do€a€FOIAÐ –*æ%* Ðbefore€filing€any€papers€for€that€person€with€the€immigration€service.€€To€do€a€FOIA,€weÐ |+Ì&+ Ðâ âusually€send€our€clients€to€a€private€company€to€get€their€fingerprints,€then€we€send€theÐ b,²', Ðprints€to€the€FBI€and€to€immigration€and€ask€to€check€the€personððs€records.€€It€usuallyÐ ° Ðtakes€several€weeks€and€sometimes€a€few€months€to€get€the€results€back.€Ð –æ Ðâ âÌThen,€once€we€have€the€results,€we€review€them€closely€and€then€have€the€client€comeÐ b² Ðin€to€explain€the€results€to€him€or€her.Ð H˜ ÐÓK€(€X. ~KÓÌÓK€ (€X= )KÓÌMay€6,€2005Ð # s ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð ï ?  ÐÌI€came€here€5€years€ago€without€a€visa.€€Then€I€got€a€ð ðdriving€without€a€licenseðð€2€yearsÐ »  Ðago€and€the€policeman€called€immigration.€€I€got€deported€very€quickly€back€to€Mexico.€Ð ¡ñ  ÐThen,€from€Mexico€I€called€the€phone€number€for€the€court€€where€I€had€to€appear€forÐ ‡×  Ðmy€ticket€and€asked€if€I€still€had€to€show€up€for€court€even€though€I€got€deported€andÐ m½  Ðwas€out€of€the€country.€€The€clerk€told€me€it€did€not€matter€where€I€was€or€why,€I€had€toÐ S£  Ðcome€to€my€court€date€and€talk€to€the€judge€about€my€driving€without€a€license.€€So,€IÐ 9‰ Ðcrossed€the€border€illegally€again€and€showed€up€for€my€court€date.€€The€judge€orderedÐ o Ðme€to€pay€a€fine€and€I€paid€it.€€I€am€now€married€to€a€U.€S.€Citizen€and€she€wants€toÐ U Ðapply€with€immigration€to€fix€my€papers.€€Can€we€send€the€forms€for€my€residency€toÐ ë; Ðimmigration€now,€since€I€paid€my€fines€for€the€traffic€ticket?€€Sorry€for€the€long€questionÐ Ñ! Ðand€thank€you.€€Rafael.Ð · ÐóóÌDear€Rafael:à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àÐ ƒÓ ÐÌThere€are€3€things€you€need€to€know€about€your€situation:Ð OŸ ÐÌÓ ¨ýÓÓ XÓÓB+ ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#BÓ1)à  àYou€(or€anyone€arrested€by€immigration)€should€never€sign€a€deportation€orderÐ k Ðbefore€speaking€with€a€lawyer;€in€some€cases€if€you€have€no€defense€toÐ Q Ðdeportation,€you€can€ask€for€something€called€voluntary€departure;Ð ç7 ÐÓ ¨ýÓÓ XÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#‹X(#EÓÌÓ ¨ýÓÓ XÓÓB+ ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#BÓ2)à  àIt€looks€like,€you€signed€a€deportation€order€and€you€were€deported;Ð ³  ÐÓ ¨ýÓÓ XÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#‹X(#EÓÌÓ ¨ýÓÓ XÓÓB+ ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#BÓ3)à  àIf€a€person€comes€back€without€a€visa€after€they€were€deported,€that€person€isÐ "Ï! Ðnot€allowed€to€obtain€any€visa€or€a€green€card.€€This€is€called€Ô€XgÄXXXÒqÔððÔ€XÒqXXXgÄÔpermanent€bar.Ô€XgÄXXXÒqÔððÔ€XÒqXXXgÄÔÐ e#µ" ÐIn€such€cases,€people€have€to€leave€and€wait€outside€the€U.S.€for€at€least€10Ð L$œ# Ðyears€before€they€can€re„apply.€€At€the€same€time,€their€family€members€shouldÐ 2%‚ $ Ðfile€a€family€p€tition€so€that€the€approval€is€ready€by€the€time€the€bar€expires.€€Ð &h!% ÐÓ ¨ýÓÓ XÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#‹X(#EÓÌYou€seem€to€be€an€honest€person,€who€tried€to€do€the€right€thing€by€coming€back€toÐ ä'4#' Ðyour€court€date.€€Unfortunately,€you€did€this€in€violation€of€immigration€law,€you€cameÐ Ê($( Ðback€without€a€visa€after€you€were€deported,€which€in€your€case€created€a€permanentÐ °)%) Ðbar.€€Even€though€you€are€married€to€a€U.S.€Citizen,€the€only€thing€you€can€do€now€is€toÐ –*æ%* Ðhave€your€wife€file€an€I„130€family€petition€on€your€behalf.€€Second€step€may€involveÐ |+Ì&+ Ðhaving€to€leave€the€U.S.€for€up€to€10€years€before€you€come€back.€€Please€remember,Ð b,²', ÐIððm€not€giving€you€legal€advice€because€I€donððt€know€all€the€circumstances€of€yourÐ H-˜(- Ðcase.€€You€should€go€see€a€qualified€immigration€lawyer€who€can€ask€you€additionalÐ ° Ðquestions€to€see€if€there€is€anything€that€can€be€done€in€a€different€manner.€€Ð –æ ÐÓK€(€X|ÌKÓÌÓK€ (€X‹Û)KÓÌApril€29,€2005Ð qÁ ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð =  Ðà  àà ` àÌI€hear€that€if€you€marry€a€U.S.€Citizen,€you€can€get€your€residency.€€Can€I€marry€myÐ  Y Ðfriend,€even€though€we€are€not€going€to€live€together,€so€I€can€get€a€green€card€and€thenÐ ï ?  Ðget€a€divorce€later?€€I€hear€some€people€do€this.€€I€donððt€want€to€give€my€name.Ð Õ %  ÐóóÌDear€Reader:Ð ¡ñ  ÐÌThis€is€a€very€bad€idea.€€It€is€true€that€one€way€to€get€a€green€card€is€by€marrying€a€U.€S.Ð m½  ÐCitizen,€for€THE€RIGHT€REASONS.€€If€you€are€not€marrying€someone€to€start€a€familyÐ S£  Ðand€because€you€are€in€love,€this€is€not€a€real€marriage.€€This€is€fraud.€€Fraud€isÐ 9‰ Ðpunishable€by€years€in€prison.€€Occasionally€we€have€someone€come€to€our€office€toÐ o Ðask€about€a€ð ðmarriage€for€immigration.ðð€€We€always€explain€that€filing€a€family€petitionÐ U Ðinvolved€including€a€lot€of€evidence€of€marriage€and€life€together,€for€example€picturesÐ ë; Ðtogether,€during€the€ceremony,€while€dating,€with€family€members;€commingling€ofÐ Ñ! Ðfinances,€for€example€filing€taxes€together,€having€a€joint€bank€account,€a€joint€houseÐ · Ðpayment€or€lease€agreement.€€Also,€if€immigration€decides€to€investigate€a€marriageÐ í Ðpetition,€they€often€go€to€the€individualsðð€homes€to€make€sure€they€are€living€together€asÐ ƒÓ Ða€married€couple;€and€if€immigration€finds€out€there€was€fraud€involved,€the€foreignÐ i¹ Ðspouse€can€be€deported€and€the€U.S.€Citizen€can€be€charged€with€fraud€and€go€toÐ OŸ Ðprison.€Ð 5… ÐÌIf€one€does€not€have€legal€status,€it€would€be€best€to€consult€a€qualified€immigrationÐ Q Ðlawyer€to€see€if€one€qualifies€for€anything€legally,€and€if€one€does€not,€to€wait€for€aÐ ç7 Ðchange€of€law.Ð Í ÐÓK€(€X³ KÓÌÓK€ (€XÂ!)KÓÌApril€22,€2005Ð ¨"ø! ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð t$Ä# ÐÌI€am€a€lawful€permanent€resident.€€I€co„signed€a€loan€for€my€sister€to€buy€a€houseÐ @&!% Ðseveral€years€ago€before€I€was€a€resident.€€I€think€I€was€still€on€a€tourist€visa€then.€€Now,Ð &'v"& Ðsomeone€told€me€I€could€get€in€trouble€because€the€loan€was€FHA€and€I€could€lose€myÐ  (\#' Ðresidency.€€Can€you€tell€more€about€this?€€Thank€you.€€Laura€Gonzales.Ð ò(B$( ÐÌóóDear€Laura:Ð ¾*&* ÐÌIn€the€last€several€months,€Immigration€has€been€investigating€FHA€loans€to€see€if€anyÐ Š,Ú', Ðof€the€applicants€were€undocumented€or€did€not€qualify€for€some€other€reason.€€FHAÐ p-À(- Ðloans€are€funded€by€the€U.S.€Federal€government€so€only€citizens€and€lawful€permanentÐ ° Ðresidents€should€apply€for€these€loans.€€Those€who€are€still€undocumented€and€living€inÐ –æ Ðtheir€FHA€house€are€in€a€difficult€situation.€€Immigration€can€look€at€the€FHA€files€andÐ |Ì Ðdecide€to€go€to€the€house€to€see€if€the€owners€have€legal€status€or€not.€€Then,€if€they€doÐ b² Ðnot€have€legal€status,€Immigration€arrests€those€individuals€and€places€them€in€removalÐ H˜ Ð(deportation)€proceedings.€€In€some€cases,€someone€is€legal€but€was€not€legal€whenÐ . ~ Ðthey€applied€for€the€loan;€in€other€cases,€someone€co„signed€a€loan€without€knowingÐ  d Ðexactly€what€they€were€signing.€€In€your€case,€it€sounds€like€there€is€a€possibility€that€ifÐ ú J Ðimmigration€investigates€your€sisterððs€loan,€they€could€come€after€you€for€possible€fraudÐ à 0 Ðcharges.€€If€a€lawful€permanent€resident€is€convicted€of€fraud,€he€or€she€can€lose€hisÐ Æ   Ðresidency€and€be€deported.€€The€important€thing€to€remember€is€that€if€you€are€accusedÐ ¬ ü  Ðof€fraud,€do€NOT€sign€anything.€€Go€see€a€good€criminal€defense€and€immigrationÐ ’â  Ðlawyer€to€fight€the€fraud€charges€if€you€have€a€defense.€€As€for€your€sister,€if€she€is€stillÐ xÈ  Ðundocumented,€she€is€at€risk€of€finding€immigration€at€her€door€at€any€moment;€sheÐ ^®  Ðshould€see€a€good€immigration€lawyer€about€fixing€her€immigration€status€as€soon€asÐ D”  Ðpossible.€€ò òÐ *z  ÐÓK€(€X`KÓó óÌÓK€ (€Xo)KÓÌApril€15,€2005Ð U ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð Ñ! Ðà  àà ` àÌI€came€here€on€a€fiance€visa€to€marry€a€U.S.€Citizen€that€I€met€when€he€was€visitingÐ í ÐMexico.€€We€got€married€a€year€ago.€€Things€were€good€at€first,€but€then€he€got€veryÐ ƒÓ Ðaggressive€and€started€hitting€me.€€I€started€to€call€the€police€but€he€said€they€wouldÐ i¹ Ðarrest€me€because€ð ðIððm€not€legalðð€since€he€did€not€file€my€immigration€papers€yet.€€LastÐ OŸ Ðweek€he€beat€me€up€again.€€Now€I€am€at€a€shelter€with€our€3€month€old€baby€girl.€€MyÐ 5… Ðhusband€wants€me€to€come€back€home.€€He€says€he€loves€me€and€he€also€says€that€if€IÐ k Ðdonððt€go€back€with€him€Iððll€never€be€legal€here.€€What€do€I€do?€€Iððm€too€scared€to€go€backÐ Q Ðwith€him€but€I€donððt€want€to€get€deported€and€lose€my€baby.€€Thank€you.€€Norma.Ð ç7 ÐóóÌDear€Norma:Ð ³  ÐÌYou€do€not€have€to€go€back€to€the€abuser€with€him€to€fix€your€immigration€status.€Ð "Ï! ÐImmigration€law€allows€abused€women€and€children€to€fix€their€immigration€statusÐ e#µ" Ðwithout€the€help€of€their€abusers.€€This€law€is€called€ð ðViolence€Against€Women€ActððÐ K$›# Ð(VAWA.)€€If€you€married€a€U.S.€Citizen€or€Lawful€Permanent€Resident,€and€he€wasÐ 1% $ Ðphysically€or€mentally€abusive,€you€can€consider€filing€your€own€self„petition€withÐ &g!% Ðimmigration.€€The€abuser€is€not€a€part€of€the€process€in€any€way.€€In€fact,€he€does€notÐ ý&M"& Ðeven€have€to€know€about€it.€€€There€are€a€lot€of€details,€and€it€would€be€wise€to€go€see€aÐ ã'3#' Ðgood€immigration€lawyer€as€soon€as€possible.€€€You€need€to€be€aware€that€the€lawÐ É($( Ðrequires€proof€that:€(1)€you€married€him€in€order€to€have€a€family,€in€good€faith,€(2)€heÐ ¯)ÿ$) Ðabused€you,€and€(3)€you€are€a€person€of€good€moral€character.€€Getting€your€green€cardÐ •*å%* Ðbased€on€such€self„petition€is€a€long€and€complex€process,€but€it€brings€hope€to€manyÐ {+Ë&+ Ðwomen€and€children€in€abusive€relationships.Ð a,±', ÐÓK€(€XG-—(KÓÐ G-—(- ÐÓK€ (€X°)KÓÌApril€11,€2005Ð –æ ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð b² ÐóóÌòòMy€husband€is€from€Honduras,€I€am€from€the€United€States.€€We€met€in€college€when€heÐ . ~ Ðcame€on€a€student€visa.€€We€then€got€married€and€I€filed€the€immigration€papers€for€him.€Ð  d ÐWe€were€living€in€Texas€at€that€time.€€We€moved€to€Olathe€Kansas€but€I€changed€myÐ ú J Ðaddress€with€the€post€office€before€I€moved.€€Immigration€told€me€that€our€papers€wereÐ à 0 Ðdenied€because€we€did€not€show€up€to€the€interview€and€that€my€husband€could€beÐ Æ   Ðdeported.€€What€is€going€on?€€Thank€you.€€Gina€Fernandez„Soto.Ð ¬ ü  ÐÌóóDear€Gina:Ð xÈ  ÐÌWhat€probably€happened€in€your€case€is€that€you€did€not€file€a€change€of€address€formÐ D”  Ðwith€immigration.€€Many€people€do€not€know€that€a€post€office€change€of€address€is€notÐ *z  Ðsufficient€for€immigration.€€There€is€a€specific€form€that€must€be€filed€with€theÐ ` Ðimmigration€service€called€an€AR„11.€€This€form€must€be€mailed€to€the€right€address,€toÐ öF Ðproperly€change€oneððs€address€in€the€immigration€system.€€The€law€says€that€not€filing€aÐ Ü, Ðchange€of€address€with€immigration€ð ð...€is€punishable€by€fine€or€imprisonment€and/orÐ Â Ðdeportation.ðð€òòÐ ¨ø ЀóóAnother€big€problem,€as€you€mention,€is€that€you€donððt€find€out€about€appointments€orÐ ŽÞ Ðanything€else€immigration€might€need€from€you€to€process€your€case.€€What€ends€upÐ tÄ Ðhappening€in€many€cases€is€that€the€immigrant€ends€up€in€removal€(deportation)Ð Zª Ðproceedings.€€In€your€case,€you€could€re„file€everything€and€keep€your€husband€here;Ð @ Ðbut€in€other€cases,€if€circumstances€change€or€the€law€changes,€the€immigrant€couldÐ &v Ðlose€his/her€only€chance€to€fix€his/her€immigration€status.€€In€your€case,€you€shouldÐ  \ Ðconsult€with€a€qualified€immigration€lawyer€to€see€if€your€case€could€be€re„opened,€toÐ òB Ðavoid€having€to€file€everything€again€and€paying€all€the€fees€again.Ð Ø( ÐAnother€type€of€change€of€address€that€most€people€do€not€know€about€is€the€change€ofÐ ¾ Ðaddress€that€sponsors€need€to€file€with€immigration.€€For€example,€when€your€husbandÐ ¤ô Ðgets€his€permanent€residency,€you€as€the€American€citizen€sponsor€(and€all€sponsors)Ð Š Ú Ðsign€an€affidavit€of€support.€€In€this€affidavit,€sponsors€swear€under€oath€and€sign€aÐ p!À  Ðstatement€saying:€ð ðSponsors€are€required€to€provide€written€notice€of€any€change€ofÐ V"¦! Ðaddress€within€30€days€...€the€sponsor€must€complete€form€I„865.€€Failure€to€give€thisÐ <#Œ" Ðnotice€may€subject€the€sponsor€to€the€civil€penalty€...which€ranges€from€$250.00€toÐ "$r# Ð$2,000,€unless€the€failure€to€report€occurred€with€the€knowledge€...€in€which€case€theÐ %X $ Ðpenalty€ranges€from€$2,000€to€$5,000.ðð€€Ð î%>!% ÐÓK€(€XÔ&$"KÓÌÓK€ (€Xã'3#)KÓÌApril€8,€2005Ð É($( ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð •*å%* Ðâ âÐ {+Ë&+ ÐMy€name€is€Pablo,€and€I€am€from€Mexico.€€I€want€to€rent€an€apartment€here€in€OlatheÐ ° Ðand€they€asked€me€for€a€driverððs€license€or€some€picture€I.D.€€I€donððt€have€a€license€yet.€Ð –æ ÐWhat€can€I€use?Ð |Ì Ðâ âóóÌDear€Pablo:€Ð H˜ ÐÌIt€would€depend€on€the€policy€of€the€apartment€complex.€€Some€places€require€a€driverððsÐ  d Ðlicense,€other€places€just€want€some€form€of€picture€identification,€and€they€ask€for€aÐ ú J Ðdriverððs€license€because€thatððs€what€most€people€use.€€You€could€use€your€passportÐ à 0 Ðfrom€Mexico€if€you€have€one.€€If€you€do€not€have€a€passport,€you€could€see€if€they€willÐ Æ   Ðtake€your€Mexican€voter€card€or€some€other€Mexican„issued€identity€document.€€If€youÐ ¬ ü  Ðdo€not€have€any€of€these,€you€could€do€the€following:€Ð ’â  ÐÌÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓB+` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#BÓà  à1)€à ` àGo€to€the€Mexican€Consulate,€here€in€Kansas€City€with€your€birthÐ ^®  Ðcertificate€and€appropriate€identification€documents€and€apply€for€aÐ D”  Ðð ðmatricula€consular;ððÐ *z  ÐÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#` ‹X(#EÓÌÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓB+` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#BÓà  à2)à ` àThen,€with€your€matricula€and€your€birth€certificate,€you€can€apply€for€yourÐ öF ÐMexican€passport.Ð Ü, ÐÓ PûÓÓ °ÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#` ‹X(#EÓÌIf€I€had€to€pick€the€best€foreign€identification€document,€I€would€choose€the€passport.€€AÐ ¨ø Ðmatricula€would€not€be€my€first€choice.€€It€appears€that€a€lot€people€presume€that€aÐ ŽÞ Ðmatricula€is€a€document€used€by€those€who€are€undocumented;€even€though€this€is€notÐ tÄ Ðtrue.€€I€know€people€who€are€here€in€legal€status€and€still€use€matriculas€as€their€foreignÐ Zª Ðidentification€document.€€We€have€heard€reports€from€our€clients€that€sometimes€theyÐ @ Ðhave€a€more€difficult€time€when€using€a€matricula.€€Ð &v ÐÓK€(€X \KÓÌÓK€ (€Xk) KÓÌApril€1,€2005Ð Q ÐÌòòQuestion:€Ð Í ÐóóÌòòI€am€a€U.S.€Citizen,€and€my€wife€is€from€Venezuela.€€We€met€when€she€came€to€studyÐ ™!é  Ðhere.€€Now€we€are€married€and€I€filed€papers€for€her€with€immigration.€€We€went€to€ourÐ "Ï! Ðinterview€and€they€gave€me€something€called€an€I„72.€€The€officer€wanted€moreÐ e#µ" Ðinformation€about€my€finances.€€This€I„72€was€due€February€5òòthóó.€€I€forgot€to€send€it€back,Ð K$›# Ðand€last€week€I€got€a€letter€from€Immigration€saying€the€case€is€denied€and€that€my€wifeÐ 1% $ Ðis€deportable.€€Please€help€me€understand€what€happened.à È àÐ &g!% ÐóóÌAnswer:€Ð ã'3#' ÐÌAn€I„72€is€a€request€for€more€evidence.€€It€sounds€like€the€officer€wanted€more€proof€ofÐ ¯)ÿ$) Ðhow€much€money€you€make€because€the€law€says€that€U.S.€Citizens€who€file€for€theirÐ •*å%* Ðforeign€relatives€have€to€make€a€certain€amount€of€money€to€be€their€sponsors.€€YouÐ {+Ë&+ Ðprobably€needed€to€send€in€your€tax€return€or€check€stubs€to€prove€your€income.€Ð a,±', ÐUnfortunately,€if€one€does€not€respond€to€immigrationððs€request€for€evidence€on€time,Ð G-—(- Ðimmigration€can€deny€your€case.€€This€means,€you€would€have€to€start€over.€€The€badÐ ° Ðnews€is€that€your€wife€can€be€deported€if€you€donððt€do€anything€now.€€The€good€news€isÐ –æ Ðthat€you€made€a€mistake€which€can€be€fixed.€€Although€time€consuming€and€expensive,Ð |Ì Ðyou€and€your€wife€need€to€re„file€the€immigration€paperwork.€€Before€you€proceed,€IÐ b² Ðstrongly€suggest€that€you€consult€with€a€qualified€immigration€lawyer€to€make€sure€theÐ H˜ Ðcase€was€not€denied€for€some€other€reason.€€Ð . ~ ÐÌThis€column€contains€only€general€information.€€€It€does€not€contain€any€legal€advice€onÐ ú J Ðwhich€one€can€rely€in€making€decisions.€€€Our€readers€are€strongly€advised€to€speakÐ à 0 Ðwith€a€qualified€immigration€lawyer€before€deciding€how€to€proceed€their€individualÐ Æ   Ðcases.Ð ¬ ü  ÐÓK€(€X’â !KÓÌÓK€ (€X¡ñ )"KÓÌMarch€25,€2005Ð ‡×  ÐÌÔEAUS.,ÔDear€La€Semana€Readers:Ð S£  ÐÌFor€this€edition,€we€decided€to€take€a€break€from€answering€an€immigration€question.€Ð o ÐInstead€I€wanted€to€share€a€bit€of€my€experiences€as€an€immigrant€from€Argentina€andÐ U Ðhow€becoming€a€U.€S.€Citizen€changed€things€for€me.€€Ð ë; ÐÌI€came€to€the€US€in€1984€with€my€mom€and€brother.€€We€did€not€speak€English.€€IÐ · Ðlearned€English€at€Santa€Fe€Trail€Junior€High,€in€Olathe€Kansas.€€Years€later,€I€went€toÐ í ÐK.U.€Law€School.€€I€chose€to€practice€Immigration€law€because€I€personally€livedÐ ƒÓ Ðthrough€the€immigration€process€through€most€of€my€life.€€The€immigration€process€wasÐ i¹ Ðdifficult€and€it€took€a€long€time€to€complete;€but€I€knew€that€life€as€a€non„citizen€woouldÐ OŸ Ðbe€even€more€difficult,€so€my€family€persevered.€€Ð 5… ÐÌI€traveled€outside€the€country€before€becoming€a€US€Citizen€and€it€was€very€difficult.€€IÐ Q Ðhad€to€stand€in€long€lines,€all€my€bags€were€searched,€and€my€husband€and€I€wereÐ ç7 Ðseparated€since€he€got€to€go€through€the€short€ð ðUS€Citizen€line.ðð€€We€were€both€veryÐ Í Ðnervous€at€the€border.Ð ³  ÐÌI€recently€became€a€U.S.€Citizen€and€took€my€husband€and€children€to€Argentina€for€aÐ "Ï! Ðvisit.€€As€we€were€returning€home€and€going€through€customs,€I€realized€how€wonderfulÐ e#µ" Ðit€was€to€be€a€U.S.€Citizen.€€We€did€not€have€to€stand€in€long€lines,€we€simply€showedÐ K$›# Ðour€passports€and€were€warmly€welcomed€home;€not€to€mention€the€freedoms€we€enjoyÐ 1% $ Ðin€this€country.Ð &g!% ÐÌAlthough€the€immigration€process€is€long€and€complicated,€I€would€encourage€all€of€youÐ ã'3#' Ðto€start€it.€€It€was€very€much€worthwhile€for€me.Ð É($( ÐÓK€(€X¯)ÿ$#KÓÔUSEA.,ÔÌÓK€ (€X¾*&)$KÓÌÌMarch€18,€2005Ð Š,Ú', ÐòòÐ p-À(- ÐDear€Immigration€Lawyer:€Ð ° ÐÌI€just€noticed€my€green€card€(lawful€permanent€resident€card)€is€expiring€on€June€15,Ð |Ì Ð2005.€€Do€I€need€to€do€something€about€it?€€€Thank€you,€Sergio€Gomez.Ð b² ÐóóÌDear€Sergio:€Ð . ~ ÐÌWhat€needs€to€be€done€depends€on€what€the€basis€for€your€green€card€was€in€the€firstÐ ú J Ðplace.€€There€may€be€several€scenarios,€but€I€will€give€you€the€two€most€common€ones.Ð à 0 ÐÌÓ ¨ýÓÓ XÓÓE.°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#EÓ1.à  àGreen€card€òòNOTóó€Based€on€MarriageÐ ¬ ü  ÐÓ ¨ýÓÓ XÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°ŒX(#EÓÌIf€you€received€your€green€card€based€on€a€petition€filed€by€a€family€member€(but€NOTÐ xÈ  Ðyour€spouse)€or€employer,€you€probably€have€a€10€year€card,€and€even€though€yourÐ ^®  Ðcard€will€expire€soon,€your€permanent€residency€will€not.€€At€the€same€time,€it€is€wise€toÐ D”  Ðrenew€your€card€before€the€expiration€date.€€€Otherwise,€with€an€expired€card,€you€mayÐ *z  Ðbe€faced€with€some€unpleasant€surprises.€€Examples€are:€you€may€not€be€able€to€returnÐ ` Ðto€the€U.S.€if€you€travel€abroad,€and€it€may€be€impossible€for€you€to€get€a€new€jobÐ öF Ðbecause€you€chose€to€show€your€green€card€to€the€employer€and€the€employer€isÐ Ü, Ðhaving€difficulty€with€verifying€your€eligibility€to€be€employed€in€the€U.S.Ð Â ÐÌÓ°(#°°ŒX(#ÓHow€to€go€about€getting€a€new€card?€€Well,€you€need€to€put€together€the€followingÐ ŽÞ Ðdocuments:€check€or€money€order€for€the€$185.00,€filing€fee;€2€passport€style€pictures€ofÐ tÄ Ðyourself;€the€old€permanent€residency€card;€photocopies€of€the€front€and€back€of€theÐ Zª Ðcard;€some€government€issued€identification€(like€a€driver's€license.)€€Then,€it€would€be€aÐ @ Ðvery€smart€idea€to€go€see€a€qualified€immigration€attorney€to€sure€that€nothing€in€theÐ &v Ðpast€10€years€makes€you€deportable.€€I€want€to€remind€you€that€in€60€per€cent€ofÐ  \ Ðdeportation€cases,€persons€who€were€arrested€by€immigration,€filed€ð ðsimpleððÐ òB Ðapplications€without€understanding€that€they€are€deportable.€€Example€of€cases€like€thatÐ Ø( Ðwould€be:€a€person€did€not€commit€a€crime€of€which€he€was€accused€but€did€not€want€toÐ ¾ Ðtake€a€risk€to€fight€the€accusations,€and€instead,€agreed€to€pleaded€guilty€in€exchangeÐ ¤ô Ðfor€probation.€€He€never€went€to€jail,€just€had€to€see€a€probation€officer€for€two€years.€€HeÐ Š Ú Ðwas€told€the€crime€is€no€longer€on€his€record.€€While€it€may€be€true,€in€some€cases,€theÐ p!À  Ðperson€may€still€be€subject€to€arrest€and€deportation€by€Immigration.€€€After€a€lawyerÐ V"¦! Ðasks€you€all€the€appropriate€questions€and€makes€sure€there€are€no€red€flags€in€yourÐ <#Œ" Ðcase,€the€next€steps€are€easy:€form€I„90€with€the€documents€mentioned€above€need€toÐ "$r# Ðbe€filled€and€filed€with€USCIS.à‘(#(#K(#àˆÐ %X $ ÐÓ?.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°(#?ÓÌÓ ¨ýÓÓ XÓÓE.°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°°ŒX(#EÓ2.à  àGreen€Card€based€on€Marriage€to€a€US€Citizen€or€Lawful€Permanent€ResidentÐ Ô&$"& ÐÓ ¨ýÓÓ XÓÓE.°°` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°ŒX(#EÓÌ€If€you€have€a€10€year€card€based€on€marriage,€see€the€rules€above.€€If€you€have€a€twoÐ  (ð#( Ðyear€ð ðconditionalðð€card,€which€was€given€to€you€based€on€your€marriage€to€a€U.S.€citizenÐ †)Ö$) Ðor€permanent€resident€before€the€second€anniversary€of€your€marriage,€it€is€a€totallyÐ l*¼%* Ðdifferent€story.€€Your€conditional€permanent€residency€DOES€expire€when€the€cardÐ R+¢&+ Ðexpires,€and€unless€you€file€a€I„751€petition€to€remove€the€conditions€on€your€residencyÐ 8,ˆ', Ðwith€USCIS€before€the€date€of€expiration,€you€are€subject€to€deportation.€€€The€petitionÐ -n(- Ðto€remove€conditions€on€residency€can€be€filed€in€three€ways:€First,€jointly€with€yourÐ ° Ðspouse,€if€your€married€is€going€on€well,€together€with€evidence€showing€that€you€liveÐ –æ Ðtogether€and€lead€a€marriage€life:€pictures,€joint€bills,€joint€account€statements,€affidavitsÐ |Ì Ðfrom€friends€and€family,€and€other€evidence.€€€If€you€are€no€longer€married,€it€can€beÐ b² Ðfiled€on€your€own€with€a€copy€of€the€divorce€decree€and€a€lot€of€very€persuasiveÐ H˜ Ðevidence€showing€that€you€entered€into€the€marriage€intending€to€have€a€family,€not€justÐ . ~ Ðto€get€a€green€card.€€€If€you€have€been€battered€or€subjected€to€extreme€mental€crueltyÐ  d Ðby€your€spouse,€you€can€also€file€the€petition€on€your€own,€with€evidence€of€abuse€andÐ ú J Ðevidence€showing€that€you€married€in€good€faith.€Ð à 0 ÐÓK€(€XÆ %KÓÌÓK€ (€XÕ % )&KÓÌMarch€4,€2005Ð »  ÐÌòòDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð ‡×  ÐóóÌòòIððve€heard€lots€of€people€talking€about€how€there€are€no€more€visas€for€seasonal€workersÐ S£  Ðand€that€some€landscape€companies€went€to€Washington€D.C.€to€ask€Congress€to€allowÐ 9‰ Ðthem€to€bring€their€seasonal€workers€back€from€Mexico€legally.€€Can€you€tell€me€moreÐ o Ðabout€this?óó€€òòThank€you.€€Jorge€Ortz.óóÐ U ÐÌDear€Jorge:€Ð Ñ! ÐÌÓK€(€Xí'KÓI€believe€you€are€referring€to€what€many€call€the€H„2B€crisis.€€Hereððs€a€little€history€onÐ í Ðthe€whole€situation.€€The€U.S.€government€allows€U.S.€companies€to€sponsor€temporaryÐ ƒÓ Ðwork€visas€for€foreign€workers€who€want€to€come€to€the€U.S.€to€work€in€seasonal€jobsÐ i¹ Ðwhere€there€are€not€sufficient€American€workers€willing€to€do€these€jobsò ò.€ó ó€In€the€KansasÐ OŸ ÐCity€area,€some€of€these€jobs€are€in€landscaping,€roofing€and€other€seasonal€industries.Ð 5… ÐThe€problem€is€that€the€government€only€approves€for€65,000€visas€to€be€granted€forÐ k Ðthese€job€categories€per€year€and€there€are€many€more€jobs€that€need€to€be€filled.€€InÐ Q ÐJanuary€2005,€the€65,000€cap€was€reached€and€many€small€U.S.€companies€who€hadÐ ç7 Ðcorrectly€and€timely€filed€for€their€workers€to€receive€work€visas€were€denied€the€visasÐ Í Ðbecause€the€cap€was€reached.€€These€small€companies€are€struggling€with€the€decisionÐ ³  Ðof€whether€to€lose€their€business€because€they€cannot€find€any€Americans€to€fill€theÐ ™!é  Ðjobs;€or€to€hire€illegal€workers,€which€they€do€not€want€to€do€because€they€want€toÐ "Ï! Ðcomply€with€the€law.€€I€personally€attended€a€meeting€in€Desoto,€KS€hosted€by€a€localÐ e#µ" Ðassociation€of€landscapers,€(Mid€America€Green€Industries€Council)ò òòò€ó óóówhere€this€problemÐ K$›# Ðwas€discussed.€€Several€landscaping€companies€expressed€their€frustration.€ò ò€€ó óAfter€thisÐ 1% $ Ðmeeting,€some€of€the€company€owners€personally€went€to€Washington€D.C.€to€ask€theirÐ &g!% Ðcongressmen€to€support€a€proposal€called€the€Save€our€Small€and€Seasonal€BusinessÐ ý&M"& ÐAct.€€This€bill,€if€passed€into€law€would€allow€these€businesses€to€bring€back€workersÐ ã'3#' Ðwhoòò€óóhave€had€H„2B€visas€in€any€of€theòò€óóprevious€two€years€by€excluding€them€from€theÐ É($( Ð65,000€cap.€€€It€has€some€other€useful€measures.€€òòThe€bill€is€not€a€perfect€solution€to€aÐ ¯)ÿ$) Ðproblem,€but€it€is€a€step€in€the€right€direction,€in€support€of€doing€things€legally€in€thisÐ •*å%* Ðcountry:€for€workers€to€come€here€on€legal€visas,€and€for€businesses€to€comply€with€Ð {+Ë&+ Ðimmigration€law€while€filling€jobs€not€wanted€by€the€American€workers.Ð q,Á', ÐÐ g-·(- ÐÓK€ (€X°)(KÓóóÌFebruary€11,€2005Ð –æ ÐòòÌDear€Immigration€Lawyer:Ð b² ÐÌI€am€from€El€Salvador.€€I€came€here€to€the€United€States€when€the€earthquakes€wereÐ . ~ Ðdestroying€my€country.€€We€had€no€place€to€live€and€nothing€to€eat.€€I€left€El€SalvadorÐ  d Ðwith€my€family€because€we€had€to€survive.€€We€made€our€way€though€Mexico€by€foot,Ð ú J Ðand€now€we€are€in€the€United€States€but€we€donððt€have€any€visas.€€Iððve€heard€about€aÐ à 0 Ðprogram€for€people€from€El€Salvador€to€fix€their€immigration€papers,€what€do€I€have€toÐ Æ   Ðdo?€€€Thank€you€for€your€answer,€Jose€Florez.€Ð ¬ ü  ÐÌóóDear€Jose:Ð xÈ  Ðà  àà ` àÌA€person€in€your€situation€may€benefit€from€a€program€called€Temporary€ProtectedÐ D”  ÐStatus,€or€ð ðTPS.ðð€€The€U.S.€Government€extended€TPS€to€El€Salvadorians€because€soÐ *z  Ðmany€families€there€were€devastated,€just€like€yours€was.€€€According€to€the€DepartmentÐ ` Ðof€Homeland€Security€(DHS,)€the€earthquakes€destroyed€housing€of€1.5€million€peopleÐ öF Ðand€the€majority€of€the€El€Salvadorððs€health€infrastructure.Ð Ü, ÐÌIf€the€US€Citizenship€and€Immigration€Services€(USCIS)€approves€a€personððs€TPSÐ ¨ø Ðapplication€and€his€or€her€work€permit€application,€such€person€can€legally€stay€andÐ ŽÞ Ðwork€in€the€United€States€for€the€TPS€period,€usually€18€months.€€The€new€TPS€periodÐ tÄ Ðfor€El€Salvador€has€just€been€extended€until€September€9,€2006.€€The€deadline€to€applyÐ Zª Ðfor€TPS€extension€or€ð ðlate€initial€registrationðð€is€March€8,€2005.€€Ð @ ÐÌThe€El€Salvadorians€who€currently€have€TPS€and€want€to€continue€staying€and€workingÐ  \ Ðin€the€U.S.€legally€must€apply€to€renew€their€TPS€before€March€8,€2005.€€Those€whoÐ òB Ðnever€applied€for€TPS,€but€can€show€that€they€qualify,€can€apply€for€ð ðlate€initialÐ Ø( Ðregistrationðð€by€the€same€deadline.€€€TPS€application€form€and€filing€address€areÐ ¾ Ðdifferent€from€those€used€for€TPS€18€months€ago.Ð ¤ô ÐÌFrom€your€question,€it€sounds€like€you€have€never€applied€for€TPS€before.€You€need€toÐ p!À  Ðinquire€whether€you€meet€the€requirements€for€late€initial€registration.€Ð V"¦! ÐÌIn€general,€to€qualify€for€TPS,€it€is€necessary€to€show€that€the€personÐ "$r# ÐÌ€is€from€El€Salvador;Ð î%>!% Ðcame€to€the€United€States€before€February€13,€2001;€Ð Ô&$"& Ðand€has€stayed€in€the€United€States€continuously€since€March€9,€2001;Ð º' #' Ðmeets€additional€late€registration€requirements.€Ð  (ð#( ÐÌProving€these€things€may€be€difficult€in€some€cases€because€oneððs€word€is€not€enough.€Ð l*¼%* ÐOne€must€submit€evidence.€€For€example:€records€of€being€stopped€at€the€border€whenÐ R+¢&+ Ðcoming€to€the€United€States€or€having€gone€to€the€Immigration€Court;€pay„check€stubs,Ð 8,ˆ', Ðletters€from€employers;€income€tax€records,€medical€and€school€records;Ð -n(- Ðhouse/apartment€leases;€letters€from€landlords,€neighbors,€friends,€family€members;Ð ° Ðphone,€gas,€water,€and€other€bills,€receipts€for€purchases;€pictures€of€life€in€the€U.S.;Ð –æ Ðand€any€other€documents€showing€that€he/she€came€to€the€U.S.€in€early€2001€and€hasÐ |Ì Ðremained€here€ever€since.€€€Applicants€must€also€show€that€they€are€not€ð ðinadmissibleððÐ b² Ðfor€reasons€such€as€crimes€or€previous€deportations.€€Only€those€who€meet€all€the€TPSÐ H˜ Ðrequirements€should€apply.€€Otherwise,€the€Immigration€Service€may€not€only€deny€theÐ . ~ ÐTPS€application,€but€also€begin€deportation€proceedings€against€a€person€who€is€hereÐ  d Ðwithout€status,€and€who€does€not€meet€all€TPS€requirements.€€Ð ú J ÐÌÓK€(€XÆ )KÓTPS€is€NOT€a€permanent€residency;€it€is€only€a€TEMPORARY€permission€to€be€in€theÐ Æ   ÐU.S.€€A€person€who€is€not€planning€to€return€to€El€Salvador€after€September€9,€2006Ð ¬ ü  Ðshould€begin€work€on€their€permanent€residency€based€on€family,€employment,€or€otherÐ ’â  Ðvalid€grounds,€well€before€his€or€her€TPS€expires.€€Ð xÈ  ÐÓK€ (€X‡× )*KÓÌÔCEUS.,ÔJanuary€21,€2005ÔUSCE.,Ô€€€ò òà ¸ àÐ m½  ÐÌÓ ¨ýÓó óòòà ° àDear€Immigration€Lawyer:€Ð 9‰ ÐÐ o ÐÓ ¨ýÓI€came€to€the€United€States€from€Mexico€three€years€ago,€then€I€fell€in€love€and€marriedÐ U Ðmy€wife€Rachel.€€She€is€an€American€Citizen,€and€we€now€have€a€beautiful€baby€girl,Ð ë; ÐRebekah,€who€was€born€right€here€in€Olathe.€€Am€I€automatically€a€legal€residentÐ Ñ! Ðbecause€I€have€a€U.S.€citizen€wife€and€daughter?€€€Thank€you,€Diego.€óóÐ · Ðà  àÌDear€Diego:€Ð ƒÓ ÐÌNot€automatically.€€In€all€cases,€the€U.S.€Citizen€spouse€must€file€an€I„130€family€petitionÐ OŸ Ðfor€her€foreign€husband€or€wife.€€If€the€immigrant€spouse€came€to€the€U.S.€with€a€visa,€inÐ 5… Ðmost€cases€the€petition€can€be€filed€at€the€local€US€Citizenship€and€ImmigrationÐ k ÐServices€(USCIS)€office,€together€with€the€immigrantððs€application€for€permanentÐ Q Ðresidency€(ð ðgreen€cardðð),€a€work€permit,€and€a€travel€document.€€If€the€person€cameÐ ç7 Ðwithout€a€visa,€the€first€step€is€the€same€but€the€family€petition€should€be€filed€at€theÐ Í ÐUSCIS€Nebraska€Service€Center.€€However,€the€immigrant€cannot€apply€for€theÐ ³  Ðpermanent€residency€until€the€family€petition€is€approved.€€While€the€petition€is€pending,Ð ™!é  Ðthe€immigrant€spouse€is€not€protected€from€deportation,€and€cannot€apply€for€a€workÐ "Ï! Ðpermit€or€social€security€number.€€Upon€approval€of€the€family€petition,€the€immigrantÐ e#µ" Ðspouse€must€travel€to€a€U.S.€Consulate€in€the€home€country€and€apply€for€the€immigrantÐ K$›# Ðvisa€(permanent€residency)€there.€€€One€big€exception€to€this€rule€is€immigrants€forÐ 1% $ Ðwhom€a€qualified€family€member€or€employer€filed€an€approvable€petition€before€AprilÐ &g!% Ð30,€2001.€€There€are€a€lot€of€legal€traps€in€the€process,€such€as€three€and€ten€year€bars,Ð ý&M"& Ðgrounds€of€inadmissibility€and€deportability,€changes€in€law€and€policy,€which€make€theÐ ã'3#' Ðprocess€unpredictable€and€sometimes€breaks€families€apart.€€€It€is€important€toÐ É($( Ðunderstand€the€law€before€beginning€the€process.€€One€should€not€rely€merely€onÐ ¯)ÿ$) Ðgeneral€information€such€as€this€column,€and€should€speak€with€a€qualified€immigrationÐ •*å%* Ðlawyer€before€deciding€how€to€proceed€in€oneððs€own€individual€case.Ð {+Ë&+ ÐÓK€(€Xa,±'+KÓÌÓK€ (€Xp-À(),KÓÐ p-À(- ÐÔ€ô“¢òXXÒqÔÔ€ô »òòô“¢Ô