On June 27, 2013, the Senate made big news by passing 68-32 S.744 bill – the comprehensive immigration reform bill that creates a new path toward legal residence for the undocumented and alleviates many problems with the high-skilled and semi-skilled employment needs that the current system cannot currently handle. The Senate bill is a major… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Legislative Updates
Update on Immigration Reform Bill: On to the Senate Floor
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform dubbed “CIR” has made its way out of the Senate committee system and now goes to the Senate floor this week for debate and vote by all members. A special procedure called cloture (to end debate) must be invoked and approved in order to eventually end debate on the floor and… Read more »
Colorado Legislature Ends Session with Drivers License Bill for Illegal Immigrants
On May 8, 2013, the Colorado legislature approved a bill allowing undocumented/illegal residents the ability to obtain a Colorado drivers license. The bill is now sitting with Governor Hickenlooper to sign into law, who according to the Colorado Observer, is likely to sign. The bill – known as Senate Bill 251 – was handily… Read more »
Colorado Thinks Dreamers are an Asset – In State Tuition Bill Signed into Law
Today, Colorado Governor John Marking Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 33, also known as the ASSET bill into law. The bill provides for in-state tuition for undocumented college-bound youth who live and reside in the state. This bill ends a decade-long effort to provide in-state tuition rates to undocumented Colorado college students by many legislators and… Read more »
Senate Immigration Reform Bill Proposed – What it Means for the Illegal Community?
On April 16, 2013 8 US Senators announced a detailed bill — Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 — to overhaul the existing immigration system. The bill is comprehensive in hopes of tackling both the illegal problem, the huge backlog in immigrant visas for family and workers, border security and worksite… Read more »
Positive Movements on Comprehensive Immigration Reform
This was an exciting week for advocates of immigration reform with news from the Capitol and the White House. On January 28, 2013, 8 Senators (Schumer (D), McCain (R), Durbin (D), Graham (R), Menendez (D), Rubio (R), Bennet (D), and Flake (R)) announced a bipartisan agreement on a blueprint for comprehensive reform. First, they all… Read more »
The Proposed Achieve Act for Certain Undocumented
In November 2012, two Senate Republicans introduced the Achieve Act, legislation that could offer renewable work permits to undocumented young people living in the United States. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and Jon Kyle, both of whom are retiring in the near future, introduced the bill with support of Congressional Republicans but to a lukewarm response… Read more »
Provisional Waiver Process Becomes Effective
DHS announced today, that the long-awaited provisional waiver process – announced back in April 2012 – has been finalized and will become effective March 4, 2013. The provisional waiver allows for the filing of a new form, I-601A, for qualifying relatives of US citizens present in the US PRIOR to a departure to attend an immigrant… Read more »
I-9 Compliance for Your Colorado Workforce
The federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (“IRCA”) states that every employer is required to verify the identity and work authorization status of every employee of the business. This I-9 compliance regulation is critical for all Colorado employers and those across the US. Failure to comply with IRCA’s I-9 rules can result in significant fines, loss of access… Read more »
2nd Circuit Ruling on Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Court recently struck down Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as being unconstitutional and discriminatory. The section of the law defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. Historically, same-sex marriages, regardless of whether they were legal in the jurisdiction performed,… Read more »
Deferred Action Oct Update — Pending Elections
As most readers know, on June 15th the Obama administration announced a new immigration program — Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. While there is not much new information to report, the USCIS FAQ page was updated on Sept. 14, 2012 to provide additional answers to common questions. New questions & answers are highlighted in red with… Read more »
Deferred Action Announced for Dream Act Kids: Am I Eligible?
The Obama Administration just announced today that certain undocumented individuals will be eligibile for deferred action. Deferred action is a discretionary agency action to NOT prosecute or deport a particular alien. It cannot be granted by the Immigration Judge – only through an agency District Director. It also permits people granted to obtain a work… Read more »