Dear Readers:

The average American typically has no idea how our immigration system works. In the post-9/11 world, that system is even more complicated and the chances for snags and problems to arise in processing are greater than ever. Occasionally, however, the public does get a glimpse of what immigration lawyers and their clients see everyday. That particularly comes up in the arts and sports where athletes and entertainers from around the world have had to cancel appearances in the US because of visa delays. Tonight, for example, if you tune into the Latin Grammy Awards, you will probably hear about several performers from Cuba who are absent because they could not get their visas in time. Security clearances are the presumed reason for the delay.

This is not the first and will certainly not be the last event in the US missed because of visa snafus. But our government can certainly do more than shrug its shoulders and blame the hijackers every time this happens. I don't think you will find many people disagreeing with the concept of security clearances. But what the government doesn't tell you is how woefully underfunded the security program is and how overwhelmed the FBI is trying to clear hundreds of thousands of new cases every month. They also don't tell you how much of this work is done manually instead of using technology that could make the process much faster and more effective.

Recently released data from the Department of Homeland Security is showing dramatic declines in the issuance of tourist, student and other visas. While the economy may have a little to do with this, much more has to do with the fact that coming to the us can be a major headache these days. In person interviews at US consulates combined with months-long security clearances simply send the message that we no longer welcome the world to visit our country (and spend much needed dollars as well). The Bush Administration needs to finally take seriously the proposition that having a secure immigration system and having one where processing is fast and efficient are not mutually exclusive concepts.

One item in our news bytes this week is a notice of yet another name change for the immigration bureaus. If you notice some unfamiliar acronyms in this issue, it is because the agencies handling immigration are in the process of dropping “bureau” and adding “United States” to the beginning of their names. Thus the agency known as BCIS will be referred to as USCIS.

This week I am pleased to welcome two new additions to our firm. Jaimie Naimi is a recent graduate of the University of Memphis Law School. Jaimie was an auctioneer in a prior life and brings an energy and enthusiasm to the office that is refreshing. We know clients are going to enjoy working with him. Jaimie can be reached at jnaini@visalaw2.com. Arda Beskardes also joins us this week. Arda, a University of Memphis Law School graduate as well, has been working for the past several years as the in-house immigration specialist for the University of Memphis. Those of you who are members of NAFSA may know his name. He's been very active in that organization for the past few years and brings a depth of expertise in the area of university immigration that will certainly add to our firm's capabilities. Welcome Arda and Jaimie!

In other firm news, I'm quoted this week in a Boston Globe article on abuses in the H-3 program. Most of you have probably never heard about this program, so it’s news to many people (myself included) that some people are unhappy. You can find the article on our site at www.visalaw.com/news.

Finally, as always, we remind readers that we're lawyers who make our living representing immigration clients. We would love to discuss becoming your law firm. Just go to http://www.visalaw.com/intake.html to request an appointment or call us at 800-748-3819 or 901-682-6455.

Regards,

Greg Siskind