Dear Readers:

We’re just learning of some movement on the legislative front concerning two of the biggest immigration problems facing skilled and professional workers today – the retrogression of EB numbers and the H-1B cap. We’ll write about this proposal in a special alert that will go out separately from this newsletter. The alert will discuss what you can do to make your voices heard in Congress on the need for such legislation.

The President’s political problems are not normally the subject of discussion in this newsletter. But they factor into the immigration debate twice this week. First, the Administration seems to be finally moving forward with plans to push immigration reform in Congress. Next week the Senate will have hearings on immigration reform and the White House is now planning on sending senior officials to testify on the need for reform. Last month they pulled their speakers at the last minute. Many speculate that immigration is one of the only issues left for the White House to make headway in Congress and that is why we’re seeing movement on this question now.

The White House’s post-Katrina problems also arose in the nomination of Julia Myers to head up Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In the wake of a barrage of criticism over cronyism in the appointment process, the appointment of Myers suddenly received more attention than would be expected. Critics question Myers experience in enforcement and management.

Even the Harriet Miers’ nomination to the Supreme Court had an immigration connection this week. Miers is, according to many, a “blank slate” and everyone is anxious to know more about her positions on key issues. There are few answers, but we do know that she is remembered for taking on pro bono immigration cases while she was a private lawyer. She put in a significant number of hours working on immigration matters with Catholic Charities of Dallas. How Miers would vote on immigration questions is, of course, not known, but it is helpful to know that she has had real world contact with immigration clients and has some experience with their issues.

In firm news, lawyers at Siskind Susser were quoted in two newspaper articles this week. Jack Richbourg is quoted in the Village Voice in an article on undocumented immigrants in the military. And I was quoted in an article in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

As always, we remind readers that we're lawyers who make our living representing immigration clients and employers seeking to comply with immigration laws. 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