Immigration Lawyers Weigh In On Public Policy

Immigration Lawyers Weigh In On Public Policy March 31st, 2018 family-based immigration, immigration law | Tags: immigration law, Immigration Policy, undocumented workers | No Comments »The recently published Policy Manual of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) [insert link to manual] contains a number of proposed solutions to the country’s immigration problems.AILA makes a particularly strong case for “earned” lawful permanent residence status for those currently residing in the U.S. temporarily. Two targeted earned adjustment programs that AILA endorses are in the DREAM Act and the AgJOBS Act, which are specifically aimed at students and agricultural workers respectively.AILA also endorses a path to legal status for undocumented workers who are essential to the economy and could be contributing tax payments to the government. Such a path, says AILA, should require illegal immigrants to come out of the shadows, register with the government, pay an appropriate fine, go through security checks and comply with applicable non-immigration laws.There should also be better avenues to legal residence for family members of those foreigners who are working here legally, lawyers argue, noting that legal residents and even U.S. citizens are often required to wait 7 to 10 years or more to reunite with close family members residing abroad.The Policy Manual of AILA adds that when all immigrant workers have full labor rights, the result will be higher wages for all American workers according to various labor studies.If and when Congress does move forward with immigration reform, we will be ready and able to assist individuals and families seeking permanent status or citizenship pursuant to newly enacted legislation. For more information about our immigration practice representing individuals and families seeking legal status, please visit the pertinent section of our Website  or call our office at