Dear Readers:

I am writing this from Washington, D.C. instead of my office in Tennessee. I’m here again in the nation’s Capitol advocating on immigration issues. This time I’m here in my capacity as a Board Member of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and will be joining fellow HIAS board members in meetings with USCIS, DOS, White House, Homeland Security and UNHCR officials. We’ll be discussing refugee admissions, religious worker visas, comprehensive immigration reform, the DREAM Act and other major issues.

On my second day in DC, I’ll be taking off my HIAS hat and going to Capitol Hill to discuss the pending J-1 physician bill. That bill would extend the Conrad 30 program and add make needed changes to the program. Hopefully, a bill will be passed by Congress in the coming weeks.

Over the last few years, I’ve gotten more involved in lobbying on immigration issues. Instead of just reacting to changes in the immigration system, I’m learning that it is possible to influence the debate. I used to be intimidated by the process, but the more involved I’ve gotten, the more I realize that it is not that tough and can actually be fun. Immigration lawyers reading this should really consider getting involved with AILA’s advocacy efforts. And for everyone else, there are plenty of other organizations that organize grassroots advocacy on immigration issues. Go to the American Immigration Lawyers Association web site at www.aila.org for information.

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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