Shaheen Successfully Seeks Extension of Immigrant Visa Program for Iraqis Who Served as US Interpreters
TribTown.com reports that through bipartisan legislation put forth by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (NH), John McCain (AZ), Lindsey Graham (SC), and Patrick Leahy (VT), the visa program for Iraqis who served as interpreters for the U.S. military has been extended for another year.
http://www.tribtown.com/view/story/936b77e2305d40aba578c1a11dd473fc/NH–Shaheen-Immigrant-Visas
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E-Verify System Affected During Shutdown
Fox News Latino reports that USCIS’ E-Verify system was offline during the government shutdown. Many employers were forced to keep new hires in a limbo status. Some were advised to keep new hires who received a Tentative Nonconfirmation on their payroll until further notice. Some pro-enforcement organizations were concerned that businesses might try to take advantage of the “weakened” system.
Following the resumption of normal government activity, the E-Verify system went back online.
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Reid, Amodei Can’t Wait to Move on to Next Big Issue: Immigration
The Las Vegas Sun reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and fellow Nevada Representative Mark Amodei are eager to resume discussions on immigration reform now that the federal budget has been squared away. Amodei has expressed frustration with House legislators’ hesitance regarding the bill. Both Amodei and Reid support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., and they intend to introduce legislation addressing such.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/oct/16/reid-amodei-eager-move-next-big-issue-immigration/
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Critics: DHS Nominee Jeh Johnson Lacks Immigration Experience
The Washington Times reports that some Republican legislators oppose President Obama’s pick for the new head of the Department of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson. Obama cites Johnson’s management experience and his time as a Democratic fundraiser and former top lawyer at the Defense Department among key reasons for his appointment. Johnson would oversee all three of the government’s immigration services: Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Senator John Corryn spoke out against Johnson, claiming that someone with knowledge of the “unique dynamics of [the] Southern border” would be better suited to direct federal immigration programs.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/18/dhs-jeh-johnson-nominee-lacks-immigration-experien/
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