Musings on Immigration

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS A guide for American citizens or permanent residents at airports or ports of entry If you are traveling into the United States from overseas, you will be questioned by Customs and Border Protections (CBP). You may also encounter other law enforcement officers. Depending on where you were born or your nationality, you may face more questioning than other travelers. Whether you are selected for secondary search may be based on your religion, race, national origin, gender identity, ethnicity, or political beliefs. Here are eight things you SHOULD and SHOULD NOT do if you're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) and you're held for questioning at the border: You will be asked questions about your travels or your immigration status. You should answers those honestly but briefly. Make any required declarations about money or items you are carrying. However, be careful with what you disclose to CBP and do not offer more detail tha...

President Trump signed an Executive Order on January 27, 2017, entitled “Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nationals."  This Executive Order had immediate effects on people traveling to the United States, but also has a long term impact on individuals with visas and permanent residence in the United States today.     First, this Order specifically restricts any and all visa-issuance for individuals from   Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Sudan and Somalia , and   Iran,   e.g.  “Nationals of Countries of Particular Concern”. Additional countries could be included at a later date.  What this means is that the USCIS and the Department of State cannot grant lawful permanent residence, or issue approvals for status changes, or issue visas to people   born   in these countries for the duration of the Executive Order, likely for at least 90 days.  In addition, this means that Customs and Border Protection cannot "ad...

Today we pause to remember the tragic events that took place 12 years ago. No matter how many years pass between us and September 11, 2001, it forever remains a vivid memory in our minds and hearts. It stays with us as constant reminder that bad things happen to good people. That tragedies we hear about happening across the globe can take place at home too. That we as a nation are not immune from acts of hate directed towards us from within, and abroad. Of course we also realized that our vulnerability as a nation correlates directly with our love and unity, because as much sorrow we experienced, 9/11 also drew us closer and strengthened our resolve. It made us appreciate the fragility of life and reminded us to be humble. It reminded us of how much we as Americans have to be proud of, the extent of our values that need our protection. And in the years just after 9/11, we recall the aftershocks that shook us to our core. That trampled over the very essence of our identity as a “land...

Have you ever heard of CARRP?    Most people have not, but you should definitely educate yourself if you are an immigrant to the United States coming from an Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim or South Asian background.  CARRP stands for the C ontrolled A pplication R eview and R esolution P rogram, and it is meant to delay and deny naturalization, green card, and other applications without proper legal authority.   If you have attended numerous InfoPass appointments and the only response you ever receive is that your application is still awaiting “standard” background checks, think again.  Your application may very well be subject to the CARRP security program simply based on your national origin, religion, or affiliations.  A report on the findings of the CARRP program was released August 2013, and can be found HERE . The question is then,  what can be done?   How can an applicant force USCIS to adjudicate and approve an a...