IMMIGRATION NEWS: ONE PERSON'S OPINION

IMMIGRATION NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY

Dear Reader,

The holidays are always a time for introspection. Not only are we approaching the end of the year, we are also approaching the end of the decade. It has been a decade that started with the events of 9/11 to the election of our first African-American president in 2008, Barack Obama, to the miraculous rescue of the Chilean miners.

Unfortunately, the decade also culminated with the rise in anti-immigration sentiment. This line of thinking has been validated by people in leadership roles, either in support of it, or worse, by saying nothing. Arizona passed the controversial immigration law, SB-1070. And many other states, like Colorado and Kentucky, are thinking of passing similar laws.

But the majority of Americans do not think this way. Most of us know that we are a nation built upon the sweat and vision of immigrants. We are all the sons and daughters of those that came before - those that came to this country to escape persecution, to seek a better life, to live the American dream. The real America can be seen in every day acts of kindness, especially when times are tough. We not only look out after our families, but we are also are willing to give a helping hand to neighbors or even strangers in need. That's the real America and not the loud fanatics that thrive on instigating hatred.

Abraham Lincoln stated it best:

"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

More beautiful words cannot be stated and a more wonderful sentiment cannot be felt. This is the real America and while the loud minority currently holds the microphone, the "better angels of our nature" will rise.

Immigration will never take a holiday because it cannot. And as we come to the end of the year, and of this decade, we should greet the New Year with tolerance and new ideas that will make this nation whole.

Our company has always believed this and we have helped many families re-unite after being apart for years by using our "Family Based Green Card" products, where our system assists you in filing applications for your parents, children and siblings. For married couples, we also offer a simple system for getting a Green Card through Marriage. For those of you who still have a Green Card and want to bring your family members to the U.S., it is usually faster for U.S. Citizens to do that. Click here to become a U.S. Citizen and apply by using Form N-400.

This country has been and will continue to be built on the integration of different cultures and nationalities that bring with them new ideas. And we strongly believe that this is what makes America great.

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." - John. F. Kennedy

We, at Immigration Direct, wish you a Happy and Safe Holiday and May the New Year bring you Joy!

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IMMIGRATION NEWS: The DREAM Act

YES, DEAR SENATE, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS

In a recent Gallup Poll, people were asked if "they (would) vote for or against a law that would allow illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to gain legal resident status if they join the military or go to college?" By a majority, 54% of those polled said "Yes" versus 42% who said that they would not.

Yes, dear U.S. Senate, a majority of Americans would support the DREAM Act.

For those of you who do not know what the DREAM Act is, it is bi-partisan legislation officially called the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (S. 729). The recently reelected U.S. Senator from Nevada, Harry Reid, is trying to put it on the floor of the Senate for a vote, having already passed the House of Representative. He knows that this may be the last chance that this act may have before the new and far more conservative Congress takes office on January 1st, 2011 but he still does not have the votes to stop a Republican filibuster.

What would happen to current law if the DREAM Act was enacted? Well, there would be two major changes:

• It would allow certain immigrant students who have grown up in the U.S. to apply for conditional permanent residence, allowing them to eventually obtain permanent residency and become eligible for U.S. citizenship if they go to college or serve in the U.S. military for at least two (2) continuous years; and
• It would also would not penalize states that provide in-state tuition, irregardless of the immigration status of the student.

As Americans, we could not ask for anything better for these young men and women, who are proud, law-abiding individuals, during this holiday season. They have grown up here and for most, this is the only country they have memories of. So, dear Senate, pass the DREAM Act, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because Santa knows if you've been naughty or nice.

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THE FACES OF U.S. IMMIGRANTS

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, FRANK CAPRA

Born Francesco Rosario Capra on May 18, 1897, Frank Capra immigrated to the United States from Sicily in 1903. He became one of America's renowned film director, creating in the 1930's and 1940's, such classics as Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Meet John Doe (1941) and Arsenic and Old Lace (1944).

He won three (3) Best Director Oscars and many actors, such as Gary Cooper, James Stewart, Barbara Stanwyck and Cary Grant, owed their early successes
to him.

The movie that he will always be remembered for is the holiday classic, It's a Wonderful Life (1946), starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. The movie was based on Philip Van Doren Stern's short story, "The Greatest Gift", and it was recognized by the American Film Institute (AFI) as one of the 100 Best American Films ever made. Not to mention that it is number one on the AFI's list of the most inspirational American film ever made.

Frank Capra became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1920. He died in La Quinta, California on September 3, 1991. Frank Capra was 94 years old.

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