itzel

I don't know about you all but Im super excited about hearing any type of update on my case. I have my receipt numbers for I821d and I765 and am constantly going to the USCIS just to enter it in the Case Status tab in the upper left corner of the screen. Well, no more of that!!! I found this link on the USCIS website "Sign up for Case Updates" Here you will create and account and in your portfolio you will add your receipt numbers. You should have 2. Then you'll turn on email notification and mobile notifications to be updated on the minute of when new advances/decisions on our cases or if theyve sent correspondence to you. Heres the link to get started: https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/selectusertype.jsp Good luck!!!!

Some of us have already been approved and have even received our EADS and SS Cards...now the tough climb begins.... This topic is for us to share our experiences and tips upon entering the workforce. Ill start by sharing mine: I worked "under the table" and never attempted to use my SS # because of the NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT restriction, neither did I use a fake one for fear of getting caught and the consequences. This "under the table" jobs dont qualify as experience and shouldnt because I shouldnt have been working in the first place. Needless to say, the economy SUCKS. At this moment as we approach the holiday seasons, is when more jobs should be available but it seems they arent availble to those "unexperienced" Ive been applying mostly at retail jobs, heres my list: Kmart Sears Pet's Smart Pet's Barn Radioshack Dollar General Family Dollar Ross Jack In the Box Macys Local supermarkets Clerical jobs at local businesses Local Laundromat Some of these places have already sent me emails from their human resources departments that I cant be considered for the position because I have NO WORK EXPERIENCE. Its sad and disheartening but all I can do is continue. I prepped up my resume with special skills to see if I'd catch anything with the following statement: I am highly skilled in the use of computers and the Internet, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook and Internet searches. I learn very quickly, possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. I am fluent in both English/Spanish and possess the ability to speak, read and write at an advanced level. I can type 55 words per minute and am a firm believer in providing exceptional customer service. I am currently training at a local business as a cashier. I started intershiping/training as a cashier at my father in laws business. Hopefully Ill be able to learn quickly and find a job ASAP. Some jobs ask if you have a DL, be sure and obtain this ASAP. It shows one is prepared. Im still in the process of obtaining mine but will eventually. My personal advice is: Many doors will close but when that "golden" door finally does open, its because it was meant to be.

I was scheduled to attend a non profit organization meeting at the Catholic Diocese regarding new info about DACA in my city in Texas at 10am mountain time. I arrived at 920 and was turned away because it seems that they had reached their max number of people to be seen. I was very upset due to the fact that I called yesterday to confirm such meeting and was told it was for all, no number limit of spectators. Of course I spoke to the manager in the office and was told they could only do soo much. I also found out while at the office how ignorance abounds among DREAMERS. Most if not all are calling it THE DREAM ACT. Its the DACA, it is NOT a permanent solution. I am also disappointed in the fact that this organization is the one of the main if not the MAIN organization helping in my city, or I can hire an attorney. I'll be considering hiring an attorney in the next few days..although I believe that the application shouldnt be too difficult to fill out. I was informed by the main manager at the office of this organization that the informational meeting are MANDATORY in order to leave ones information, so then later you can be called and set up with an appointment to help with filling out applications. Thanks but no thanks. EPIC FAIL!!! This was my personal experience but I hope the rest of you have more competent organizations near you or in your city. Good luck to all.

On Wednesday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus held a press conference rejecting a weak attempt by Republicans to address the country's broken immigration system. Both pieces of legislation offered by GOP legislators, ACHIEVE Act and STEM Jobs Act, were revealed as falling short of real comprehensive reform. "The problem with the ACHIEVE Act is it does not achieve the dream," Senator Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) said during a news conference on Wednesday morning. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Illinois) said the proposal was "too little, too late." "We've asked for one simple thing – fairness," Gutierrez said, adding that the Republican Party "demonized immigrants." "All of a sudden we're the belle of the ball," Gutierrez said, referencing the power of Latino voters in the recent election. "Well, we're here to say it's time to start the dance."During the press conference, members of the Caucus released their 9 principles for what a just and Comprehensive Immigration Reform should look like: Congressional Hispanic Caucus The Honorable Charles Gonzalez, Chair November 28, 2012 ONE NATION: Principles on Immigration Reform and Our Commitment to the American Dream Today, we declare our commitment to the American people to work tirelessly toward common-sense, comprehensive immigration reform that serves America’s interests, promotes fairness and the rule of law and contributes effectively and meaningfully to our economic well-being and recovery. America has always been a nation of immigrants. In order to preserve our history, national identity and culture we must create a modern, 21st century legal immigration system that reflects our legacy. Therefore, we commit to fighting for principled, comprehensive immigration reform that: 1. Requires the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to register with the federal government, submit to fingerprinting and a criminal background check, learn English and American civics, and pay taxes to contribute fully and legally to our economy and earn a path to permanent residency and eventual citizenship; 2. Protects the unity and sanctity of the family, including the families of bi-national, same-sex couples, by reducing the family backlogs and keeping spouses, parents, and children together; 3. Attracts the best and the brightest investors, innovators, and skilled professionals, including those in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies, to help strengthen our economy, create jobs, and build a brighter future for all Americans; 4. Builds on the extraordinary success of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and incorporates DREAMers—those who were brought to the U.S. at a young age and are Americans but for a piece of paper—into the mainstream of life in the United States through a path to citizenship so that America benefits from their scholastic achievements, military service and pursuit of their dreams; 5. Includes a balanced, workable solution for the agriculture industry that ensures agricultural workers have a route to citizenship and employers have the workers and American agriculture continues to lead in our global economy; 6. Ends the exploitation of U.S. and immigrant workers by providing sufficient, safe, and legal avenues for foreign workers to fill legitimate gaps in our workforce, with full labor rights, protection from discrimination, and a reasonable path to permanency that lifts up wages and working conditions for both native and foreign-born workers and their families; 7. Ensures smart and reasonable enforcement that protects our borders and fosters commerce by targeting serious criminals and real threats at our northern and southern borders and promotes the safe and legitimate movement of people and goods at our ports of entry and which are essential to our economy; 8. Establishes a workable employment verification system that prevents unlawful employment and rewards employers and employees who play by the rules, while protecting Americans’ right to work and their privacy; and 9. Renews our commitment to citizenship, to ensure all workers pay their fair share of taxes, fully integrate into our way of life and bear the same responsibilities as all Americans and reaffirms our shared belief that the Citizenship Clause of the Constitution is a fundamental freedom that must be preserved. Our immigration laws ought to reflect both our interests and our values as Americans and we believe these principles are consistent with our nation’s commitment to fairness and equality. We commit to adhering to the above principles as we negotiate on behalf of all Americans in good faith with both parties and all stakeholders in the immigration reform debate. We acknowledge that the time to reform the system is long past due. We ask all sides to set aside the vitriol and gamesmanship that is often a part of this debate and that blocks our ability to truly solve the problem. The American people deserve nothing less. LINK: http://causaoregon.blogspot.com/2012/11/congressional-hispanic-caucus-reject.html All Ive got to say is VOTE FOR GUTIERREZ!!!!

I called USCIS hotline today to inquire about what paperwork would be sufficient to establish ones identity. I was informed that any document not in english, such as birth certificates, need to be notarized and translated. I also inquired if a mexican consulate id was sufficient and I was told it was as long as the id is government issued. In other words, start getting your birth certificates translated if you havent done so yet and make sure to have some type of id. I also asked about passports but was told that if needed that information would be released the 15th. Good luck to everyone.

The Homeland Security Department said Friday that illegal immigrants will have to pay $465 to apply for legal status in the U.S. under President Obama’s administration Dream Act, with the fees going to make sure no taxpayer funds are used. Illegal immigrants will be able to begin applying Aug. 15 under the program announced in June by President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, which will apply to illegal immigrants age 30 and under who were brought here before age 16. In another key decision, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas said the agency will generally not use the information from the applications to try to deport illegal immigrants who don’t qualify unless they lie on their application, have serious criminal records or are otherwise deemed threats to the country. That move is likely to draw fire from critics who say the Obama administration is knowingly turning its back on illegal immigration, but an administration official, who briefed reporters on condition that he not be named, said they made that decision in order to try to convince illegal immigrants to come forward. “Information contained in the request will not be used for immigration enforcement purposes,” the official said. Driving without a license would not rise to the level of a criminal offense where the information would be used, nor would having worked in the U.S. under a false identify. But gun offenses, sex offenses or drunken-driving convictions would rise to the level where the information would be shared with deportation authorities. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, Texas Republican, said the program will push illegal immigrants into the workforce, letting them legally compete with American workers at a time when the unemployment rate is still over 8 percent. He also worried about the guidelines, which he said aren’t strict enough to weed out bad applicants. “The lack of specific standards for employees processing the applications is an open invitation to fraud,” he said Officials couldn’t say how long processing would take since they don’t know the volume of requests or how long background checks will take. The official who briefed reporters said 1,200 illegal immigrants who were already pending in the deportation system have been granted deferred action. The legal status — and a work permit — will last for two years at first, but can be renewed again, meaning those who qualify can remain in the U.S. without fear of deportation, and with the right to work. The specific conditions are that an illegal immigrant: was under 31 years of age on June 15, when the president announced the policy; came to the U.S. before age 16, has been in the country continuously for five years; and has graduated high school, earned a GED or was honorably discharged from the military. Convicted felons and those with multiple misdemeanors would not be eligible. Those are generally the same requirements as the Dream Act — legislation that never passed Congress but that would have granted a full path to citizenship to young illegal immigrants. Mr. Obama’s order does not confer those same citizenship rights. Officials said in very rare cases illegal immigrants who are well below the federal poverty line can request an exemption from the $465 fee. Cesar Vargas, a former law school student who would be eligible for the Dream Act, said the administration’s move was welcome, but not enough. “Of course, the administrative directive is just the first step and we will keep pressuring both Democrats and Republicans to ensure a modern immigration process is enacted next year,” he said. Link:http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/3/dream-act-students-will-pay-465-fee-legal-status-d/

I came upon this article and dont agree with the authors comments that with DACA, we have been granted amnesty, that is far from the truth and I have commented. Read it and share what you think, or even better if you disagree, comment on the article, thats what I did. Theres no need to hide in the shadows any more. DREAM Act: Basics of what undocumented youth must do to not be deported WASHINGTON, August 3 2012 — On June 15, President Obama — who did not call it that, but that is what it basically is — gave amnesty to the undocumented children of illegal immigrants. Some call it “DREAM Act Lite.” Whatever it is, it can be a lifeline to end the fear of deportation and the beginning towards one day becoming an American citizen. Since Republicans in Congress have now prevented the original DREAM Act legislation from being passed, the President intervened with a directive to at least give these young people who were brought here, often as babes in the arms of their parents, a chance at staying here until the DREAM Act is finally the law of the land. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had 60 days to set up the application process after the President’s directive. That means in less than two weeks, Dreamers, as undocumented youth are often called, will be able to apply legally for a work permit and not be deported. Here are the basics, including a USCIS hotline number to call: 1. Those individuals who are not in removal proceedings for deportation or those who are subject to a final order of removal will need to submit a request for a review of their cases and supporting evidence to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 2. But the federal agency has not yet crafted the procedures and no requests are being taken at this time. The application process should be in place by mid-August. 3. Those who have met the eligibility criteria (see below) can call the USCIS hotline at 1-800-375-5283 with questions or to request more information on the new process. The hotline offers assistance in both English and Spanish. 4. Information is also available at the government’s website: www.uscis.gov Are You Eligible to Apply? Basically, the government will be using its discretion not to pursue those: * who arrived in this country before turning 16; * have no felony record; * have resided here continuously for at least five years; * are currently in school; * have graduated from high school or obtained an equivalency diploma; * or are honorably discharged veterans. But they cannot have turned 30 at the time of their application. Those young people who are found eligible for the process can get what amounts to a two-year deferment from any prosecution for living in this country illegally. It is a deferment that is infinitely renewable. They also will be given permission to work legally in the United States. U.S. officials will then keep their records on file and any call from state or local police checking to see if someone is here illegally will be told that person cannot be held by law enforcement. The Pew Research Center says that President Obama’s order could affect up to 1.4 million children and young adults, including young people who are 18 to 30 years old, having arrived in the U.S. as kids and are in high school or have graduated. There are currently another 700,000 children younger than 18 still in school with 150,000 of them in high school. On the day that the President announced his directive for “DREAM Act Lite,” he said, “This is not a permanent fix. This is a temporary stop-gap measure that lets us focus our resources wisely while giving a degree of relief and hope to talented, driven, patriotic young people. It is the right thing to do.'' Source: Author Catherine Poe Source: link:http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/ad-lib/2012/aug/3/DREAM-Act-basics-undocumented-youth-not-deported/

DreamRelief Day Announcement FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, please call: 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY or 1-855-435-7693 ICIRR AND CONGRESSMAN LUIS GUTIERREZ ANNOUNCE HISTORICAL DREAM RELIEF DAY AND WEB SITE TO ASSIST UNDOCUMENTED YOUTH IN APPLICATION PROCESS Chicago, Illinois — Congressman Luis Gutierrez joined the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) to announce DREAM Relief Day on August 15 at Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom from 9 am to 2 pm and to unveil the website DreamRelief.org, where undocumented youth will be able to apply for their work permits starting August 15. On June 15, 2012, the Obama Administration announced that it would offer many DREAM Act-eligible youth temporary relief through “deferred action.” The memorandum offers hope to many eligible young adults by providing the opportunity to live and work in the US lawfully. The State of Illinois is home to over 75,000 DREAM Act-eligible youth. “August 15 marks the beginning of a new life for many undocumented youth,” said Lawrence Benito, ICIRR’s Chief Executive Officer. “We encourage every undocumented youth who fits the criteria to take advantage of this great opportunity to come out of the shadows by applying for deferred action,” he added. The historic DREAM Relief Day will be the first opportunity for undocumented students to apply for the President’s “deferred action” initiative, allowing them to be free from deportation and eligible for work permits, driver’s licenses, and other basic protections. DreamRelief.org is designed to provide undocumented youth with current updates, resources, and information about upcoming events. People can also call ICIRR’s family support hotline at 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY for information. Requirements Youths must meet five criteria to qualify for deferred action: They must have come to the US before they turned 16; They must have been born after June 15, 1981; They must have continuously resided in the US since June 15, 2007, and must have been present in the US on June 15, 2012; They must currently be in school, have received a high school diploma or GED, or been honorably discharged from the US Armed Forces or the Coast Guard; They must not have been convicted of a felony, a “significant misdemeanor,” multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. Anyone applying for deferred action would need to go through a criminal background check. Congressman Luis Gutierrez provided an update on the application process that will be issued by USCIS on August 1st. “This is the most important development in two decades for undocumented immigrants and we intend to get as many young people as are eligible signed up and in the system,” said Rep. Luis Gutierrez. “We are organizing the community and working with partners across the country to make it happen.” “I hope young people will come forward and check with us before paying huge fees to lawyers and others, because we are going to make this policy work and it will serve as a model for the broader immigration reform we need in the future.” “We fought for and won this by acting without fear and we will not be afraid to claim our freedom at this point, said Jose Alejandro, undocumented youth. ICIRR encourages youths to visit www.dreamrelief.org for information about upcoming information sessions, workshops, and webinars and other updates on “deferred action.” The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is a statewide coalition of more than 130 organizations dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society. For more information, visit www.icirr.org.

Before this forum was available, one would log in at adreamact.com Ive said it before and I'll say it again, this forum is GREAT, I enjoy being able to converse with fellow dreamers and follow up on news. However, some continue to hide in the shadows, logging in as guests and even though theyve been repeatedly told to log into the forum, they wont and honestly one cant help others if they dont help themselves... Its frustrating too see soo many "guests" confused and pondering about the "dream act". ITS NOT THE DREAM ACT, ITS THE DEFFERED ACT... Does anyone feel the same way about the guest?? sorry...maybe im just ranting because of the call that got canceled today...

I was approved yesterday but I thought I should bring up the number of texts one receives from USCIS regarding ones case. I kid you not, Up to today at 616pm (mountain time) I have received 6 texts from USCIS regarding my case. One that the DACA was approved Two that Ive been approved for an EAD Three that they sent out the DACA approval notice in the mail Four that my EAD was being printed Five that EAD would be mailed Six that EAD has been picked up by USPS and should arrive within 7 days Thanks for the info USCIS, but receiving soo many texts from you worried me and made me scared checking my status that maybe you changed your mind and denied my DACA and EAD This is just a heads up for anyone else that receives "multiple" texts, to not worry. It seems USCIS can be very precise at times..

Today we had the last number of the question everyone has been asking..... How much will this cost?? First we'll be applying for the Deferred Act/ I-821D $465 With it the employment authorization application/I-765 $380 Then biometrics $85 Grand total $930 How do you all feel about these fees? Are they too steep, just right? Do you have the money? How do you plan on getting money by 15th of August? I dont have all the money, but will be stretching out my last dollar to save...if I have to go without milk and eggs for a few weeks, thats all right. I'd like to be one of the first in line.. Family/friends loans? A do or dont? To me theyre a dont. Every family is different but unfortunately when money come into the picture it tends to change the family "relationship" I'd love to see what you all think....

Sooo many of us are excited about obtaining our DL and dont all know the requirements. This link has all the states and requirements: https://docs.google....c5MXhvbVE#gid=0 Enjoy!!!!!!

For those that have received an EAD, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Now the next step is obtaining a SS card and then DL. Heres the link to the SS card application http://ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf Good luck!!!!

We all know that this isnt the only forum available for DACA applicants and I like to enter other forums and look at their timelines regarding how long it takes for one to get the EAD after biometrics. It seems to me, in my opinion, that California Service Center is the center that processes applications fastest. Texas seems to be lagging and my service center, Nebraska, can be a pain in the ***. Anyways, I ran into a thread about an applicant that spoke to an officer from Nebraska Service Center, bios done 9/17 and on will start getting approved this week and the next and it seems that they are going in order of bios done. Heres the link: Also, heres this interesting spreadsheet with applicants from Nebraska, it gives one an idea of the approximate wait time: http://www.editgrid....o/DACA_Nebraska

The receipt number is one of the most commonly used numbers, by immigrants and lawyers alike, to track the progress or identify a particular immigration case or filing. These receipt numbers start with three letters and follow by a series of numbers, for example EAC-06-123-45678. Here is how to understand what the numbers mean. The first three letters indicate the USCIS service center which is processing the petition, as follows: - EAC - Vermont Service Center; - WAC - California Service Center; - LIN - Nebraska Service Center; and - SRC - Texas Service Center. The next two digits represent the fiscal year in which USCIS received the petition. In the example above, “06″ means that the petition was received by USCIS during Fiscal Year 2006. The next three digits represent the computer workday on which the receipt was processed and the fee was taken. Finally, the last five digits are used to identify uniquely the petition filed. Source: http://www.cilawgroup.com/news/2008/07/21/receipt-numbers-explained-lin-src-eac-wac/

We're all waiting for the moment we receive our EADs and then apply for SS cards, ID, DL...but what about a job? Most of us have worked under the table or even used a fake SS card.. Where will you apply for a job? Will you be preparing a resume? Going to school at the same time? I have no previous job experiences...I have a SS# but its NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT..to me its just for decorative purposes..I never used it.. I have worked as an elderly caregiver, babysitter and cleaning homes...its not easy but its an honest work.. I have had experience in volunteering at different school districts in my city as a teacher aide, helping with small children and especially circulationa and organization in libraries.. Ill be listing those "experiences" in my resume. I will also add that Im fluent in English and Spanigh, speaking, reading, writing and translations. I will be starting school in January and will pursue my associates degree in surgical technology. I have done a few basics and those courses will be added to my college plan....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/20/daca-drivers-licenses_n_1811899.html

I have a little concern. All of us who applied for DACA had to send in payment for this process. My question is, if your MO or check were cashed/cleared, is it safe to assume that your application was approved? If it was cashed then, did they send out your biometric appointment or are about to, if you havent received it? Im happy for all of you whove received your appointments and hope that I can receive mine soon too. The reason I ask these questions is because if USCIS did cash/clear the payment, then that means we're approved, no? I mean, why would they cash something if you'll be denied?? Any thoughts on this?

By Kevin Milliken for La Prensa Sept. 4, 2012: US Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur originally voted against the DREAM Act in 2010. Now the long-time legislator is co-sponsoring the latest version of the bill that would give the Latino children of undocumented immigrants a second chance to stay in the U.S. to pursue an education. The political turnabout may have resulted from a long conversation Rep. Kaptur (D-Toledo) had in early August in Washington, D.C. with Baldemar Velásquez, president and founder of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) and a long-time congressional colleague, Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Chicago). Marcy Kaptur “We’re on a bill that would essentially secure the executive order that’s already signed,” said Rep. Kaptur, a reference to an order signed by President Barack Obama on June 15, 2012, which allows those who entered the country as children whose parents or caretakers were without documentation (or overstayed their visas) to remain and work without fear of deportation for at least two years. Ms. Kaptur received heavy criticism from northern Ohio Latinos during the March primary race, which pitted her against long-time Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Cleveland). Ms. Kaptur voted against a 2010 version of the DREAM Act, while Kucinich supported it. At the time, Ms. Kaptur pointed out that “every group should be treated fairly,” and “no one should be given special privilege and no one should be singled out and targeted.” The FLOC founder and president, speaking by phone from the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte where he is a first-time delegate, stated the conversation in the nation’s capital was wide-ranging, but centered on immigration-related issues. “That was a great conversation. Gutiérrez is very insightful on these issues, understanding the Puerto Rican labor issues,” said Velásquez. “He’s been on board with this stuff for quite some time so it was a good round-robin conversation.” At the same time, the head of the migrant farmworkers’ union took partial blame and even some responsibility for Rep. Kaptur’s viewpoint on the DREAM Act. “To me, it’s just a question of evolving people’s thinking, and a lot of times it has to do with people not having enough or correct information. It’s really on us, the advocates, to get people, to convince them to be on our side on stuff and I think that’s the case with this situation,” said Velásquez. “I know Marcy’s heart and her heart is in a right and good place with labor and minorities and it’s just a question of getting the right information into her hands over a period of time.” According to FLOC’s leader, Ms. Kaptur now fully understands the impact of the DREAM Act as it relates to immigration as a whole and his group’s quest to obtain amnesty for undocumented migrant farm workers and others. “So, to me, the DREAM Act deals with a segment of a population that has been deeply exploited-- and that’s where we need to focus attention,” said Rep. Kaptur. “I’ve fought for that my entire career.” Thousands of young Latinos flocked on August 15, 2012 outside help centers and lawyers’ offices across the United States to begin applying for relief from deportation. They took advantage of one of the biggest immigration policy changes in years. As many as 1.7 million youths may qualify for the program, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center. That ‘misunderstanding’ may be a symptom of a larger problem facing Toledo’s Latino community: the lack of local advocacy for Latino-related causes and legislation. “I think a lot of us were negligent in making sure that elected officials get educated about immigration issues that impact our families and there's not enough Latino grass-roots organizations to make that happen,” said Velásquez. “Look how long it took the civil-rights movement to convince legislators and other folks who didn’t live that experience to bring the public opinion around.” But tying the DREAM Act to immigration, labor, and trade issues has seemed to get the congresswoman fired up about the cause. “The real problem is the trafficking of labor across this continent. That’s the biggest issue we have to face,” said Rep. Kaptur. “If we dealt with that and labor was treated with the full rights they deserve, we wouldn’t need any additional acts, because we would have recognized their right to a decent wage and a fair labor contract across this continent. They wouldn’t be trafficked-- and that issue is not yet being addressed.” The congresswoman was quick to point out it’s not just an issue related to migrant farmworkers, but many of northern Ohio’s Latino and other immigrant families. Under NAFTA, workers “essentially have no rights” “Hotel workers, restaurant workers, meat packers, bakery workers, people who clean the buildings-- all this under-the-table hiring that’s being done across this country, which resulted from NAFTA and trade agreements like that where workers essentially have no rights and that is at the heart of what is wrong,” she said. That’s the biggest issue to crack and I know how tough that is.” “That comes right out of some of our discussions. Legalizing workers is the first step, because whether those workers are documented or not, citizens or not, the inequities in the economic relationship is something that’s got to be addressed,” said Velásquez. “I was raised as a farmworker. I was an American citizen-- and that did not keep me from being exploited when I was being raised by my mom and dad out in those fields.” While the congresswoman declined to comment on a recent raid on Northwest Ohio IHOP restaurants, the alleged recruitment and use of undocumented immigrants by the restaurant’s owner and managers serves as a glaring example of what can and does happen. But her ire also is directed at Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “What ICE agents ought to be going after are the labor coyotes who traffic people-- and we as a country ought to stand up for the rights of workers,” said Rep. Kaptur. “So what they’re doing is they're picking on the people who’ve been exploited. They’re not going after the people who are making millions and millions and millions of dollars off their sweat. Velásquez and Rep. Kaptur may have more opportunity to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, where both are representing Toledo as delegates. The FLOC founder and president looks at the convention as a learning opportunity as well. “There’s a lot of things I don’t know about the internal mechanisms of political parties, operations and work. My role is to find out what opportunities there are to bring greater representation to the farmworkers and the Latino community-- what we can do to better organize the Latino community,” said Velásquez. “It’s got to end up with more representation, more ground organizations, more democratically-built organizations for Latinos, because those are going to be the vehicles that drive participation in the future.” Editor’s Note: The DREAM Act and DREAM action applications are part of the dialogue and panel discussion at the September 13, 2012 event at the Believe Center and co-hosted by FLOC. Link:http://www.laprensatoledo.com/Stories/2012/090712/kaptur.htm I dont know about you guys, but this seems to me like a way to get more votes for herself when she runs again..

What month do you all think we'll finally be able to work, this is after the biometrics are done? Im crossing my finger for Thanksgiving 2012 (November 2012)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Benita Veliz, a 27-year-old San Antonio woman whose parents brought her into the country on a short-term tourist visa nearly two decades years ago, became the first undocumented person to address the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night. Veliz, who graduated from high school at age 16 as valedictorian and double-majored at St. Mary’s University on a full academic scholarship, was nearly deported to Mexico after being pulled over in 2009 for a traffic infraction. The case was eventually dropped in 2011. But Veliz, who identifies herself as an American and has hardly any connection to Mexico, has become the poster child for a generation of young immigrants rooting for the DREAM Act, proposed legislation that would provide them a path to citizenship. “I know I have something to contribute to my economy and my country. I feel just as American as any of my friends or neighbors,” Veliz said in her Wednesday night address. “But I’ve had to live almost my entire life knowing I could be deported just because of the way I came here.” Obama’s selection of Veliz to speak at the DNC was a clear reach to the Latino voters his re-election bid needs, and an opportunity to remind them of his own immigration policy: He signed an executive order last month that grants many undocumented youth who entered the country illegally as children — people who would be eligible for the DREAM Act if it passed — temporary permission to stay in the U.S. and work. “President Obama fought for the DREAM Act to help people like me. And when Congress refused to pass it, he didn’t give up,” Veliz said. “Instead, he took action so that people like me can apply to stay in our country and contribute.” I'm soo proud of Obama and letting one of us voice how we feel, this is just the beginning of great things to come.... http://trib.it/RN4CSz

Apply for Driver License Requirements for all Applicants All first time applicants for a Texas driver license must: Apply in person at a Texas driver license office. Present documents that verify your identity. Present documents that verify you are a U.S. citizen or have lawful presence. All information on each document must match. Additional documentation may be required to verify conflicting information, incomplete names, and date of birth. Present proof of Social Security Number. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you must complete a Social Security Affidavit form available at the driver license office. Present proof of your Texas residency. Present proof of Texas vehicle registration and liability insurance on all vehicles you own. Complete the application for driver license or identification card (PDF). You may type your information on the form, print it, and bring it with you to the office. If you don’t have a printer, the form is also available at the office. Consent to be photographed, fingerprinted, and provide your signature at the time of application. Pass the written, driving, and vision examinations. (Read more about foreign language examinations.) Pay the required fee with a credit card, cash, money order, or a non-temporary check. Provide a vehicle for the driving exam and present current liability insurance, Texas vehicle registration, and inspection for the vehicle. NOTE: Anyone age 18 through 24 who does not have a valid driver license from another state or country must also provide proof of Adult Driver Education. Under age 18 A learner license to drive allows a beginning driver to operate a vehicle with someone in the front seat that is 21 years of age or older and holds a valid license. The minimum legal driving age in Texas is 15 years of age. Please refer to the Teen Driver information for additional requirements. A current or new resident of Texas who is under 18 years of age must: Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above). Present the driver education completion certificate. All applicants who have a learner’s license or a provisional (full class) driver license will be required to submit the completion certificate. OR Present a Parental Driver Education Affidavit (DL-90A) and Classroom Instruction and Behind-the-Wheel Record (DL-91A and DL-91B) for parent taught driver education only. Submit a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form, or a letter from the school administrator as a substitute for the Verification of Enrollment and Attendance form. The letter must contain the same information as the VOE form. Obtain parental authorization (If Parent Taught Driver Education was completed, parent must be present to sign). NOTE: The VOE form verifies the applicant is enrolled in a public school, home school, private school or GED program. The VOE form is required for original and renewal applicants under the age of 18. VOE forms are valid for 30 days after issuance in the spring and fall semesters and for 90 days during the summer. If you want to obtain a hardship license (Minor’s Restricted Driver License-MRDL), the minimum age is 15, but not more than 18. You must: Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above). Complete the DL-77 MRDL application (PDF) for screening of eligibility. Obtain Parental Authorization Signature (parent must be present to sign). A certificate of completion of driver education must be submitted and the hardship license must be renewed annually. Driver Licenses for Age 79 and over Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above). Once you are age 85, the driver license must be renewed every two years. Read additional information regarding Katie’s Law and elderly drivers. Currently Licensed in Another State or Country A new resident moving into Texas, who is at least 16 years or older and has a valid driver license from another state, has 90 days after entry into the state to secure a Texas Driver License. You must: Apply in person at a Texas Driver License office. Complete the requirements for an original applicant (see Requirements above). Surrender your VALID out-of-state learner or driver license, or a VALID out-of-country learner or driver license from France, Canada, Germany, or Korea, at the driver license office. The written and driving examinations will be waived, but you must still pass a vision exam. OR Surrender your EXPIRED driver license at the driver license office. You will be required to pass the written, driving and vision exams. If you are under age 18, you must pass the mandatory driving test. NOTE: For customer convenience, some locations are pre-scheduling the driving exam. Contact your local Driver License office to see if appointments are offered. SUPER EXCITED for those of us that live in TX and that will be able to obtain DL as soon as we obtain our work permit and our SS card..... Link/source: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm

I think this article just confirms what we all know, Romney wont be changing his mind on immigration. He should not receive the votes of our loved ones.. By MAGGIE HABERMAN From this Andres Oppenheimer column in The Miami Herald yesterday on immigration: Even top Republicans who disagree with Romney on some issues, such as House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, tell me that Romney is highly unlikely to change course if he gets to the White House. In an interview last week, I asked Ros-Lehtinen how can she, as a Hispanic, support Romney’s “horrendous” — my word — stands on immigration. I was referring to Romney’s opposition to the Dream Act that would grant a path to legal residence to up to 1.8 million students who were brought to this country as infants by their parents and were raised as Americans, or his call for seeking the “self-deportation” of 11 million undocumented immigrants, which many of us fear would amount to making life impossible for all Hispanics regardless of their legal status. To my surprise, Ros-Lehtinen, a conservative Republican who supports Romney, told me: “I agree with you. I am in a position that is opposite to that of Mitt Romney on immigration, totally. But I think that, in this election, the most important issues will be first the economy, then creating jobs, and third, the economy and creating jobs.” Asked whether she believes Romney adopted hard-line positions to win over the ultra-conservative wing of his party, and that he will shift to the center if elected president, Ros-Lehtinen said, “Nobody should vote for Mitt Romney thinking that he will change his positions.” She added that nobody should cast a vote for Romney thinking that “he says x, but he will do y.” “He says he does not support the Dream Act, and I wouldn’t want somebody to vote for Mitt Romney [thinking] that I and Mario Diaz-Balart [R-Miami], and others will make Mitt Romney change his mind. It’s not possible,” she said. “Mitt Romney says he does not support the Dream Act, and I think he is a person who stands by what he says, and won’t change his mind,” she said. Romney, who Democrats spent months hitting as a flip-flopper for positions he changed on abortion, has made avoiding new grounds for such a charge a staple of his general election campaign (as I reported a few months ago, he told Rupert Murdoch at a Ken Langone-hosted fundraiser that he wasn't going to be a flip-flopper on immigration). This comment from one of his most prominent Hispanic backers is consistent with that. But it also is a reminder that the Republican Party, going forward, has a deficit with Hispanic voters that is problematic. Source:http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/09/romney-backer-dont-expect-his-mind-to-be-changed-on-134189.html

Many have asked : I got caught without a DL, will that affect me? I shoplifted as a teenager, can I still apply? Minor traffic incidents wont affect you in qualifying as long as they arent a large number and repetitive because you havent learned your lesson. Shoplifting if commited in your past as a teenager, is just that, your past and a mistake commited by an immature tennager. USCIS is looking closely at people who keep repeating the same offenses over and over again without learning their lesson. These people will be looked at more closely. However, if it was a one time thing, thats what it is a mistake and lesson learned. Juvenile records if expunged will just be looked over and shouldnt be used against you as long as you havent repeated this type of behavior. USCIS guidelines are pretty clear about felonies, misdemeanors and traffic violations, if you feel its big and dont know if you'd qualify or that it could affect your case then maybe itd be better to consult a lawyer... What offenses qualify as a felony? A felony is a federal, state, or local criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. What offenses constitute a significant misdemeanor? For the purposes of this process, a significant misdemeanor is a misdemeanor as defined by federal law (specifically, one for which the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is one year or less but greater than five days) and that meets the following criteria: Regardless of the sentence imposed, is an offense of domestic violence; sexual abuse or exploitation; burglary; unlawful possession or use of a firearm; drug distribution or trafficking; or, driving under the influence; or, If not an offense listed above, is one for which the individual was sentenced to time in custody of more than 90 days. The sentence must involve time to be served in custody, and therefore does not include a suspended sentence. The time in custody does not include any time served beyond the sentence for the criminal offense based on a state or local law enforcement agency honoring a detainer issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Not withstanding the above, the decision whether to defer action in a particular case is an individualized, discretionary one that is made taking into account the totality of the circumstances. Therefore, the absence of the criminal history outlined above, or its presence, is not necessarily determinative, but is a factor to be considered in the unreviewable exercise of discretion. DHS retains the discretion to determine that an individual does not warrant deferred action on the basis of a single criminal offense for which the individual was sentenced to time in custody of 90 days or less. What offenses constitute a non-significant misdemeanor? For purposes of this process, a non-significant misdemeanor is any misdemeanor as defined by federal law (specifically, one for which the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is one year or less but greater than five days) and that meets the following criteria: Is not an offense of domestic violence; sexual abuse or exploitation; burglary; unlawful possession or use of a firearm; drug distribution or trafficking; or, driving under the influence; and Is one for which the individual was sentenced to time in custody of 90 days or less. The time in custody does not include any time served beyond the sentence for the criminal offense based on a state or local law enforcement agency honoring a detainer issued by ICE. Notwithstanding the above, the decision whether to defer action in a particular case is an individualized, discretionary one that is made taking into account the totality of the circumstances. Therefore, the absence of the criminal history outlined above, or its presence, is not necessarily determinative, but is a factor to be considered in the unreviewable exercise of discretion. If I have a minor traffic offense, such as driving without a license, will it be considered a non-significant misdemeanor that counts towards the “three or more non-significant misdemeanors” making me unable to receive consideration for an exercise of prosecutorial discretion under this new process? A minor traffic offense will not be considered a misdemeanor for purposes of this process. However, your entire offense history can be considered along with other facts to determine whether, under the totality of the circumstances, you warrant an exercise of prosecutorial discretion. It is important to emphasize that driving under the influence is a significant misdemeanor regardless of the sentence imposed. Will offenses criminalized as felonies or misdemeanors by state immigration laws be considered felonies or misdemeanors for purpose of this process? No. Immigration-related offenses characterized as felonies or misdemeanors by state immigration laws will not be treated as disqualifying felonies or misdemeanors for the purpose of considering a request for consideration of deferred action pursuant to this process. Will DHS consider my expunged or juvenile conviction as an offense making me unable to receive an exercise of prosecutorial discretion? Expunged convictions and juvenile convictions will not automatically disqualify you. Your request will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether, under the particular circumstances, a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion is warranted. If you were a juvenile, but tried and convicted as an adult, you will be treated as an adult for purposes of the deferred action for childhood arrivals process.

A group of immigration agents filed a lawsuit Thursday to stop a new Obama administration program that gives work permits to some immigrants who came to the country as children. The 10 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, seven of them from Texas, say the new deferred action program that helps some young immigrants who came to the country illegally as children also prevents agents from doing their jobs. Deferred action, which began last week, allows some students, graduates and veterans age 30 or younger to apply for a two-year protection from deportation and work permits. The agents said as part of the program, they're being told not to pursue removal proceedings against people who might be eligible for deferred action. Following those orders, they say, would mean disobeying immigration laws and their oaths as agents. “We have officers who are under threats of losing their jobs and retirements ... if they attempt to enforce the laws that are on the books,” said ICE agent and union president Chris Crane, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The lawsuit against homeland security Secretary Janet Napolitano and ICE Director John Morton filed in a Dallas federal court alleges that in July, agents in El Paso were ordered to release an illegal immigrant who had been arrested by local police and who assaulted agents. The agents are represented by Kris Kobach, an adviser to Mitt Romney and strong advocate for cracking down on immigration, and the lawsuit was funded by the anti-immigration group NumbersUSA. Kobach said he'd kept the GOP presidential hopeful's campaign advised about the lawsuit, but had not received input from it. The involvement drew derision from the AFL-CIO “These agents are working with some of the most anti-immigrant forces in the country, forces that have long sowed division and destruction,” Richard Trumka, president of the labor federation, said in a statement. Republican lawmakers voiced their support Thursday for the agents and their lawsuit. “This policy not only hurts ICE agents but also unemployed American workers who have to compete with illegal immigrants for scarce jobs,” House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, said in a statement. “The Obama administration regularly puts illegal immigrants ahead of the interests of American workers.” In a conference call with reporters, Crane said agents have been instructed not to deport immigrants who might be eligible for deferred action but haven't been given guidance on how to determine that. “The one consistent guidance we do have in the field as ICE agents and officers is when we come into contact with individuals who say they're a Dreamer, ‘I went to high school, I have a GED,' we have to accept that claim, and there's no burden of proof for the alien to prove that claim,” he said. Under Obama, DHS and ICE officials have implemented policies that they say shifts the agency away from random deportations and instead targets illegal immigrants who are a risk to public safety or national security. The ICE rank and file has pushed back, saying the policies, like deferred action and a memo from Morton last year that set priorities for deportations, tie their hands. The confrontation came to a head this week with the Dallas lawsuit. The policies are rooted in prosecutorial discretion, a legal concept that says law enforcement can decide which criminals it pursues. But opponents of ICE's new policies say they've taken it too far, circumventing congressional intent by choosing not to deport large groups of people. DHS officials did not respond to a request for comment Thursday, but Alonzo Peña, ICE's former deputy director, called the lawsuit “ludicrous.” “ICE doesn't have the manpower nor the money to arrest and detain every single person that's in the United States illegally,” Peña said. “So they have to have some kind of criteria to say, ‘How are we going to use the resources?' I think it's very meritorious to say, ‘We're going to focus on the people that pose the greatest threat to public safety and national security.'” Peña likened it to a narcotics agent choosing to investigate large drug rings rather than arrest someone smoking a joint, or a state trooper ignoring someone speeding to pull over a drunk driver. “He's got to focus on the one who's causing the greatest threat to the community,” Peña said. Immigration officials have exercised prosecutorial discretion for decades, said Dan Kowalski, an Austin immigration attorney. He disagreed with claims that Obama's most recent policy, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, applies prosecutorial discretion too broadly. “One obvious weakness of the case is that it alleges DHS is granting relief wholesale, to a (large) group, when in fact the DACA process is a one-by-one, case-by-case determination, individualized,” Kowalski said of Thursday's lawsuit. “A lot of individuals, to be sure, but still one-by-one, each one judged on the merits.” Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Immigration-agents-sue-over-new-rules-3810200.php#ixzz24xS4n4F5