< back
 
 
A MESSAGE FROM SISKIND, SUSSER, HAAS & CHANG
As I am finalizing this issue of our monthly bulletin, I am also following news reports regarding the death of Britain's Princess Diana. Our condolences to our many British readers on this tragic loss. Though the princess was not outspoken on the issue of immigration, she was well-known for advocating for people in need and trying to encourage her people to act with compassion. Immigration advocates, particularly those interested in immigration because of humanitarian concerns, have reason to be saddened by the life cut short.
The month of September 1997 will probably go down as one of the most critical points in modern US immigration history. On September 27th, the new three and ten year immigration bars will take effect. The new law bars persons who are out of status for 180 days or more beginning April 1, 1997 (180 days begins September 27th) from reentering the US in legal status for three years. If that out of status period runs for more than a year, the bar extends to ten years. In the coming days, Congress will have the opportunity to pass a measure that will extend the soon to expire Section 245(i) section of the Immigration and Nationality Act. That section will allow persons in the US who are subject to the bar but otherwise eligible for permanent residency to continue processing by paying a substantial penalty fee. The consequences of the bar will potentially be devastating to many and we will issue a special emergency newsletter when definitive news on this issue is available.
In this issue we also report on other important news including the announcement of the next green card lottery, the coming expiration of portions of the religious worker immigrant category and the INS' massive efforts in border enforcement and increasing deportations. And we also include all of our regular features including Consular Focus, Visa Spotlight, processing times and visa numbers and Immigration and the Internet.
Finally, as always we remind readers that our twelve lawyers are able to serve immigration clients in any state or province in the US or Canada. You are always welcome to call us toll free at 800-748-3819. We also provide full-scale consultations via telephone. Just complete the appointment request questionnaire at http://www.visalaw.com/intake.html. 
| Next >
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.