Immigration Beat: 600,000 People Have Applied for DACA
StarTribune.com reports that a study released by the Center for American Progress shows almost 600,000 people have applied for DACA status. Of this number, over 430,000 applicants have been approved. The study also revealed that the program does not reach all immigrant groups equally; Mexican immigrants occupy a large portion of the applicant population, while other groups (particularly Asian immigrants) are underrepresented. Several states have statistically lower implementation rates than expected. Minnesota, for example, had only 4,375 applicants as of August, out of an estimated 14,903 who could be eligible.
Over 60% of eligible immigrants have applied for DACA in the first year.
http://www.startribune.com/local/229785881.html
*
IRS Warns of Pervasive Telephone Scam
The IRS has issued a warning to consumers about a phone scam targeting taxpayers (including recent immigrants) in nearly every state in the country. Potential victims are told that they owe money to the IRS and must pay the outstanding fee immediately. They are then threatened with arrest, deportation, or the suspension of a business or driver’s license.
Here are some characteristics of the IRS scam:
- The scammers use very common fake names. They also use fake IRS badge numbers.
- Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security Number.
- Scammers spoof the IRS toll-free number on caller ID.
- Scammers sometimes send fake IRS emails to some victims to supplement these calls.
- Victims hear background noise of other calls being conducted to mimic a call site.
- After threatening victims with jail time or driver’s license revocation, scammers hang up and others soon call back pretending to be from the local police or DMV, and the caller ID supports their claim.
To dismantle this scam, here are some tips from the IRS:
- If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue – if there really is such an issue.
- If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484.
- If you’ve been targeted by this scam, you should also contact the Federal Trade Commission and use their “FTC Complaint Assistant” at FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments of your complaint.
The IRS urges taxpayers to remember that first contact from the IRS usually occurs via mail, not on the phone.
*
Sister of Border Agency Leader Pleads Guilty to Human Smuggling Charge
Cironline.com reports that Tammy Leigh Stephens, sister of Jeffrey Self (commander of the Arizona branch Joint Field Command) has plead guilty to charges of aiding and abetting an illegal entry. Stephen, along with associate Jason Miles English cooperated with Mexican national Marlene Josefina Rodriguez-Fernandez, who told Border Patrol that she agreed to pay money for illegal entry and the use of a U.S. passport. Stephens, English, and Rodriguez-Fernandez were pulled over and questioned during the attempt, where Rodriguez-Fernandez’s identity became clear. Stephens and English were sentenced to 30 days each in prison.
There is currently no information to suggest that Self or any other employee of U.S. Customs and Border Protection were aware of the alleged criminal activity. However, Border Patrol elected to reassign Self to Washington, where he will serves as the acting deputy assistant commissioner for the Office of Training and Development. The union that represents Border Patrol agents took issue with the reassignment, claiming that Self’s familial ties to Stephens necessitate further investigation.
http://cironline.org/reports/sister-border-agency-leader-pleads-guilty-human-smuggling-charge-5493
*
Driver’s Licenses Privileges to Begin in Maryland and D.C. for Undocumented Immigrants
Heraldmailmedia.com reports that undocumented immigrants in Maryland can now begin applying for state driver’s licenses. Appointments to test for these licenses will begin on January 2, 2014. Supporters of this development believe it will lead to safer roads, as more people will be able to undergo official driver’s ed training. Some, however, are concerned that making driver’s licenses easier to obtain could lead to identity theft and fraud. Officials at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration are taking measures to prevent this by requiring the following information of all applicants: individual taxpayer ID number through the IRS, confirmation through the Maryland Comptroller’s Office for two years of income tax filing, and identification documents such as a valid foreign passport.
Meanwhile, The Hoya reports that the Washington D.C. council has voted to pass an amendment to the D.C. Drivers Safety Amendment Act creating a two-tiered ID system. Undocumented immigrants can apply for a special driver’s license marked “not for federal purposes.” Applicants must submit a valid foreign passport, birth certificate, or tax identification number, and they must be able to prove at least six months of residency in D.C.
http://www.thehoya.com/drivers-licenses-allowed-for-illegal-immigrants-1.3115476#.Un085fnryIg
*
Immigrants Closely Tied to Military Get Reprieve
The New York Times reports that in accordance with a new policy issued by the Obama administration, immigrants who are close relatives of active military members, reservists, and veterans will be eligible for “parole in place.” This term means that these immigrants—whether in the country illegally or not—will be allowed to remain in the U.S. while they proceed with applications for legal residency. Many immigrants have to leave the country to collect visas they applied for through various means, but immigrants in military families will no longer have to leave to complete their visa applications. Immigrants involved will have work permits and must renew their documents yearly. There could be as many as tens of thousands of immigrants affected by this new policy.
*
USCIS Message: Reminder for Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
In June 2013, USCIS made available a revised Form I-821D, also known as the Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals form. USCIS is experiencing a high rejection rate for Form I-821D as a result of customers submitting outdated versions of the form. Applicants should be using the June 25, 2013 edition of Form I-821D when applying for deferred action for childhood arrivals.
To access the new form, visit http://www.uscis.gov/i-821d.
*
USCIS Message: New Security Enhancement Helps E-Verify Deter Employee Fraud
USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas announced an advancement to the E-Verify system that will help combat identity fraud by identifying and deterring fraudulent use of Social Security numbers during employment eligibility verification. Once an employer enters an employee’s vital information into E-Verify, the new safeguard will identify and lock information that appears to be stolen, borrowed, or purchased. If an employee attempts to use a locked SSN, E-Verify will generate a Tentative Nonconfirmation (TNC). The employee will then have the opportunity to content the finding at a local Social Security Administration field office. A confirmed identity will turn the TNC status into Employment Authorized status in E-Verify’s system. USCIS claims these standards have proven effective in protecting individual identity.
*
Biden Visits Immigration Reform Fasters
The Hill reports that Vice President Biden made an appearance at the protest site for “Fast for Families” at the National Mall. The group had been fasting for a week and a half to encourage speedy immigration reform. Speaker John Boehner spoke to their concerns, stating that immigration reform “is not dead” despite the lack of major legislative movement.
*
Zuckerberg Awards ‘Dreamers’ for Immigration Lobbying Apps
The Hill reports that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Dropbox CEO Drew Houston hosted a 25-hour marathon coding event to help garner support for the immigration bill stagnating in the House. The event, sponsored by Zuckerberg’s political advocacy group, FWD.us, charged 20 tech-savvy “Dreamers” with creating web apps that would help FWD.us lobby for immigration reform by “highlighting the technical talents of young immigrants.
Zuckerberg, Houston, FWD.us co-founder Joe Green, Groupon co-founder Andrew Mason, and a team of other judges selected the most impactful apps from the pool of completed projects. One app, called “Undoculife,” challenged users with real-world scenarios illegally present immigrants face in their daily lives. It also aims to educate undocumented immigrants about the rights in the U.S. FWD.us plans to incorporate another app—“Push for Reform”—into their website. Push for Reform helps users contact their congressional representatives for their district via social media or phone. It also grades each lawmaker’s stance on immigration legislation based on data pulled from the Sunlight Foundation and FWD.us. Still another app called “Noble Paths” allows people to share their experiences with green card and citizenship application processes.
The House isn’t expected to move on immigration legislation before the end of the year.
*
Regents Nix Cheaper Immigrant Tuition, for Now
Azstarnet.com reports that Arizona Board of Regents member Dennis DeConcini’s proposal to create a cheaper tuition category for DACA-qualifying immigrants has been voted down. Only one other board member, Regent LuAnn Leonard, voted in favor of the motion, which would have charged eligible immigrants a fee comparable to in-state tuition (with a 10% surcharge). Board Chairman Rick Myers opposed the motion due to concerns concerning the state attorney general. Tom Horne, Arizona’s current Attorney General, is suing Maricopa County’s community college system for its practice of offering in-state tuition to immigrants protected by the DACA program. Pima Community College, which offers a similar service, has also been question by the Attorney General.
Myers claimed he and the other regents would support a financial break for young immigrants if they can develop a formula that would survive a court challenge.
*
USCIS Message: Update on the Processing Times of Form I-130 Filed by U.S. Citizens for their Eligible Immediate Relatives
In response to applicant concerns regarding delays in the processing of Forms I-130, USCIS has announced that it will adjudicate U.S. citizens’ immediate relative forms filed as early as February 2013. USCIS expects the processing of these forms to be “increasingly timely.” By March 2015, USCIS expects to return to an average processing time of five months for Forms I-130. This decision follows a step taken last month to help expedite processing times; USCIS began transferring stand-alone Form I-130 from the National Benefits Center to its Nebraska, Texas, and California Service Centers. For more information regarding the transfers, see here.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.