Conventional wisdom holds that immigration bills in Congress don't pass as an election nears. But 2012 may prove different. First, four key, very popular immigration programs expire September 30th and their extension is likely to garner bipartisan support. They are the E-Verify, Conrad 30 J-1 doctors, religious worker immigrants and EB-5 investor programs. The programs are all very likely going to be extended, but what is less clear is whether substantive changes intended to improve aspects of these programs stand a chance of passing as well.

Then there is HR 3012, a bill that would remove per country quotas from the family and employment-based green card categories. The bill has largely been pushed by those negatively affected by the current system of limiting green cards for each country to 7%. That bill passed easily in the House. The Senate is proving to be more of a challenge and a recent deal to include some very controversial H-1B provisions that are ostensibly intended to address fraud could jeopardize 3012's chances.

There are also bills designed to make more green cards available to those with degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, particularly if they have received advance degrees in the US. Some propose scrapping green card caps for this elite group and others call for pulling the numbers from elsewhere (such as the diversity visa lottery).

The calendar is short to do anything before the election. Of course, the bills could also pass in the lame duck session after the election when there is often less political pressure on members of Congress. We'll be closely following the Congress over the next few months and I invite readers to check on my blog on law and policy at http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind if they want to follow these issues on a day to day basis.

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More than a month after the monumental announcement that DHS would establish a deferred action program to keep about a million young people out of deportation proceedings and grant them work cards, we still have no details regarding how the program will work. By August 15th, USCIS promised applications would be accepted. But time is running short if that target is to be met. Look for more news on this shortly as well.

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The presidential campaign is growing more heated and the news for Mitt Romney with Latino voters is still grim, particularly due to his recent anti-immigration rhetoric and his association with Kris Kobach and other anti-immigrants who are reviled in the Latino community. The latest evidence is a poll released this week by Latino Decisions showing Romney now trailing President Obama by nearly 50 points (http://www.latinodecisions.com/blog/2012/07/18/after-sb1070-decision-obama-widens-lead-over-romney/). Many consider this extreme deficit to be jeopardizing Romney's chances in a number of key battleground states. Some are saying that the situation is so dire, that Romney may feel compelled to choose a Latino vice presidential nominee. He's largely boxed in on most of his immigration positions because of past statements and also because a number of his base supporters would not accept moderation.

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Readers are reminded that they are welcome to contact my law office if they would like to schedule a telephone or in person consultation with me or one of my colleagues. If you are interested, please call my office at 901-682-6455.

Regards,