University of Michigan OKs In-state Tuition for Immigrant Students
Bloomberg Businessweek reports Michigan’s Board of Regents decided to let illegally present immigrants pay lower, in-state tuition at the University of Michigan, effective starting January 2014 at the Ann Arbor campus and satellites in Flint and Dearborn. The proposal, which also allows members of the military to receive in-state tuition, passed 6-2 along party lines. Regent Andrea Fisher, who voted against the proposal, claimed that she felt the matter should be left to the discretion of the federal government. Other critics referenced a 1996 federal law that prohibits states from giving undocumented immigrant students in-state tuition. The state of Michigan itself has not enacted legislations either allowing or disallowing in-state tuition rates for illegally present immigrants. The number of states allowing illegally present immigrants to pay in-state tuition is currently 16, and slowly rising. Supporters hope the University of Michigan’s decision will prompt other prominent schools to follow.
Activists, while largely happy with the regents’ vote, criticized a stipulation requiring university applicants to have attended a Michigan middle school or junior high school for two years in addition to the more reasonable three year high school requirement.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-07-19/u-m-oks-in-state-tuition-for-immigrantstudents/
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New USCIS Program: The USCIS Idea Community
USCIS has announced a new program that allows stakeholders to submit online feedback concerning the various customer service tools it provides. Feedback can be submitted on:
- Change of address online
- e-Request
- My Case Status Online
- Web Self-Help
- Digital Customer Service
- and “How do I?” Customer Guides
The first idea campaign, active through August 7th, focuses on Change of Address Online, a Web-based tool that allows individuals to change their address online to facilitate contact regarding case status.
For more information, visit: http://www.uscisconnect.ideascale.com/
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EB-5 Regional Center Under Investigation
The Associated Press reports that GreenTech Automotive Inc., a startup car company that projected exponential growth at its introduction four years ago, is now under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. In October 2009, Chinese businessman Xiolin “Charles” Wang promised to build a $2 billion dollar plant in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. The company planned to churn out a new line of energy-efficient cars and to create thousands of jobs in the area; today, critics point out that the company uses a former elevator factory 30 miles away from its still-vacant factory site, produces only small neighborhood electric cars (called MyCars), and employs just over 100 people. The company pulled most of its startup funding from foreign investors, which some analysts say is a risky business plan. The startup argues, however, that it will, in fact, produce electric vehicles even if it not progressing at the same pace as originally hoped.
Gulf Coast Funds Management, a company headed by Tony Rodham, is GreenTech’s regional center, and it has raised $45.5 million from foreign investors according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. Of the 91 foreign investors, only one has received permanent residency status. Simone Williams of GreenTech said that all of the first two rounds of EB-5 investors were approved and their investments were released to the company, but the government’s pace in approving foreign investors has slowed down.
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The DREAM 9 Protest
Nine young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children have been put in federal custody after staging a protest at the Nogales, AZ port of entry. To cast light on the problems in the current immigration system, Marco Saavedra of New York, Lizabeth Maqteo of Los Angeles, and Lulu Martinez of Chicago voluntarily crossed the border into Mexico, then attempted to re-enter the U.S. with six other DREAMers who were raised in the U.S. but relocated to Mexico for various reasons. The group, known as the DREAM 9, are seeking asylum in the U.S. based on their belonging to a particular social group; they argue that they are singled out and persecuted in Mexico because they have lived most of their lives in America. Kiran Savage-Sangwan, a member of DREAM 9’s policy team, claimed that DREAMers face difficult cultural assimilation and dangerous conditions in Mexico due to their being more familiar with the U.S. Some of DREAM 9’s members claim that their family members have been killed, and some even face death threats themselves.
During detainment at Arizona’s Eloy Detention Center, the members of DREAM 9 were denied reasonable phone privileges and very limited media interaction. Mohammad Abdollahi, an organizer with the National Immigrant Youth Alliance, claimed that the facility prevented its detainees from making calls, and that previous calls were cut off after ten seconds. In an effort to hasten their release and to raise awareness for their situation, the group began a hunger strike.
The members of DREAM 9 were later released from custody on humanitarian parole. Immigration asylum officers found that all nine had credible fear of persecution in Mexico according to Christopher Bentley, a USCIS representative. An immigration judge will decide whether the individual members are eligible for permanent asylum in the U.S, though it is rare for the U.S. government to grant asylum to Mexican citizens. Litigation for each individual’s case could take years
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RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Program to ID Undocumented Prisoners on Hold
PE.com reports that a three year agreement between Riverside County and ICE expired in June, leading to the discontinuation of a program aimed at identifying undocumented immigrants in Riverside County jails. Sheriff Stanley Sniff says his office is negotiating a potential renewal of the agreement. Immigrant-rights activists are opposed to the reinstatement of the program, but Sniff has also heard feedback suggesting public support of the program’s return. ICE’s 287g program trains deputies on how to determine whether inmates are in the country illegally; those who are found to be illegally present are held for possible deportation. Opponents of 287g argue that Latinos are singled out for questioning that that minor offenders (not just violent criminals) are deported under the program. Additionally, it generates fear in the community. Immigrants are less likely to report crimes due to their fear of deportation, according to Karen Borja, an organizer with the Inland Congregations group. Jessica Vaughan of the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington D.C. says the program helps identify criminals.
Members of the Inland Congregations United delivered 500 cards and letters asking Sniff not to renew the agreement. They have collected more than 2,200 other cards and letters from six congregations throughout the country. They plan to gather more signatures at visits to four other congregations over the next two weekends. They also plan to present an additional 50 cards to the sheriff’s office each day.
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Orleans Jail to Stop Holding Immigration Detainees; New Orleans and U.S. in Standoff on Detentions
The Associated Press reports that New Orleans sheriff Marlin Gusman will limit Orleans Parish’s cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gusman will not hold detainees for ICE at the Orleans Parish jail unless those detainees are charged with certain violent crimes, he will no longer allow ICE to conduct civil immigration status investigations at the city jail, and he will not initiate his own investigations into inmates’ immigration statuses. Gusman’s new policy has been called “the most far-reaching in the nation,” as well as “a rarity in the South.” Chicago, Washington, Santa Clara, and the state of Connecticut have undertaken similar policies limiting cooperation with ICE. The shift in policy stems from the settlement of a civil lawsuit filed in 2011 on behalf of Mario Cacho and Antonio Ocampo. The two were detained after being arrested for misdemeanor crimes for 164 and 91 days respectively, far beyond the 48 hour period specified in the ICE request for detainment. Detainees henceforth can only be held if charged with first- or second-degree murder, aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, treason, or armed robbery with a firearm. If those charges are reduced or dismissed, or if a court recommends that an ICE hold request be denied, Gusman’s office will no longer hold the individual for ICE. Louisiana Senator David Vitter, chairman of the U.S. Senate Border Security Caucus, criticized the policy as an effort to turn New Orleans into “a sanctuary city” for illegally present immigrants.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/NO-jail-to-stop-holding-immigration-detainees-4728625.php
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New “Pocket DACA” Mobile App Helps Young Immigrants Apply for Deferred Action
AILA, AIC, IAN, and the Own the Dream campaign recently announced the release of a smartphone app intended to help young immigrants learn more about DACA. The app offers an “easy-to-use” and “accurate” self-screening tool to help DACA applicants understand their eligibility, a searchable directory of listings for immigration legal service providers, and links to news about the deferred action process and FAQs. Matthew Burnett, Director of the Immigration Advocates Network, notes the app’s intent as a means to “empower those who may be eligible for Deferred Action to better understand the requirements and find reputable legal help” and to “engage more deeply with potential applicants about their experiences and concerns.” The app is free and available to download from the iTunes and Google Play stores.
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NHLA Praises Puerto Rico law Making Immigrants Eligible for Driver’s Licenses
The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda commended the Puerto Rican government for allowing immigrants the ability to obtain provisional driver’s licenses. Governor Alejandro García-Padilla signed a bill into law expanding the public services and protections available to immigrants in Puerto Rico. Hector Sanchez, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), commented that he “hopes this leadership will spur similar measures across the United States.” Earlier this year, Governor García-Padilla signed orders to ensure all immigrants have access to public schools and hospitals.
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