Posted by Michael Pollak on Mon, Feb 08, 2010 @ 08:49 PM
Immigration attorney Karen Pollak explains on a basic level how foreign nationals can come live and work in the United States.
Posted by Michael Pollak on Tue, Feb 02, 2010 @ 08:28 AM
Immigration attorney Karen Pollak explains how a U.S. Citizen can bring a family member (spouse, parent or child) to the United States.
Posted by Michael Pollak on Tue, Jan 26, 2010 @ 08:19 PM
In this video, Immigration attorney Karen Pollak explains how a U.S. Citizen can bring a brother or sister to the United States.
Posted by Michael Pollak on Fri, Jan 22, 2010 @ 07:00 PM
This is the first video in a series created to answer frequently asked immigration questions. Thanks for your comments, questions, and suggestions regarding immigration topics.
Posted by Michael Pollak on Wed, Dec 16, 2009 @ 11:02 AM
Sam Roberts of the New York Times reports that nearly one in six American workers is foreign-born, the highest proportion since the 1920s, according to a recently released census analysis.
The percentage of immigrants in several states is staggering. Immigrants accounted for more than one in four workers in California (35 percent), New York (27 percent), New Jersey (26 percent) and Nevada (25 percent) in 2007.
Another interesting trend was revealed when the Census Bureau (for the first time) also compared immigrants by generation. As expected, income and other measures of achievement rose from one generation to the next, although educational attainment peaked with the second generation. This reflects the drive instilled into second generation immigrants from their parents.
Other highlights include:
- Median income rose from $50,867 in the first generation to $63,359 and $65,144 in the second and third, respectively.
- Immigrant families living below the government's official poverty level declined, from 16.5 percent to 14.5 to 11.5 among three generations.
- High school graduates increased from one generation to the next, although the share who had bachelor's degrees or more higher education declined from the second to the third generations. Doctorates peaked with the first generation.
Click here to read more.
Posted by Michael Pollak on Wed, Dec 09, 2009 @ 01:39 PM
We recently received an inquiry about money transfer. Whether you are looking to transfer money, make mortgage repayments, purchase real estate abroad or immigrate to another country it is important to have a safe, reliable and cheap way to facilitate these transactions.
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Thanks for your comments, questions and suggestions regarding immigration topics.
Posted by Michael Pollak on Wed, Dec 09, 2009 @ 09:52 AM
DETROIT - Applied Plastic Products, a Detroit-area company accused of failing to properly complete nearly 100 eligibility forms for workers is being pursued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement "ICE". The violations were uncovered in a March 2009 audit and a fine was levied in April.
"These violations include failing to ... ensure that an employee attests to the fact that he is authorized to work in the U.S., and failure to review proper employee documents to ensure work eligibility," ICE spokesman Khaalid Walls said Tuesday. "There were no charges lodged for knowingly hiring" illegal immigrants, he said.
ICE proposed a $41,360 fine in April. The company didn't oppose the penalty within 30 days, and the federal government now wants the money. The government filed a lawsuit last month in federal court in Detroit. The company has until Jan. 11 to respond.
Under immigration law, employers must verify the eligibility of workers on so-called I-9 forms. "Applied Plastic was given the opportunity to correct these errors prior to being fined and failed to do so," Walls said.
Posted by Michael Pollak on Sun, Nov 29, 2009 @ 10:26 AM
We have been getting a lot of questions regarding the role of Notarios and Immigration Consultants so we decided to post more information on this topic to prevent anyone from becoming a victim of immigration fraud.
Notarios and Immigration Consulants
Notarios, notary publics and immigration consultants may NOT represent you before USCIS. While in many other countries the word "Notario" means that the individual is an attorney, this is not true in the United States and they may not provide the same services that and attorney or accredited representative does.
A notario may NOT:
- Give you legal advice on what immigration benefit you may apply for or what to say in an immigration interview
- Represent him or herself as qualified in legal matters or in immigration and naturalization procedure
If you are seeking help with immigration questions, you should be very careful before paying money to a non-attorney. Below are some tips to avoid becoming a victim:
- DO NOT sign blank applications, petitions or other papers.
- DO NOT sign documents that you do not understand.
- DO NOT sign documents that contain false statements or inaccurate information.
- DO NOT let anyone keep your original documents.
- DO NOT make payments to a representative without getting a receipt.
- DO NOT pay more than a nominal fee to non-attorneys or make payments on the internet.
- DO obtain copies of all documents prepared or submitted for you.
- DO verify an attorney's or accredited representative's eligibility to represent you.
- DO report any representative's unlawful activity to USCIS, State Bar Associations and/or State Offices of Attorneys General.
Attorneys and Accredited Representatives
You may choose to have someone, such as an attorney or accredited representative of a recognized organization, represent you when filing an application or petition with USCIS. Only attorneys and accredited representatives may communicate on your behalf regarding your application with USCIS. For more information on finding an attorney or accredited representative to help you file an application or petition, please visit the Finding Legal Advice link on the USCIS website.
Information Source: USCIS
Posted by Michael Pollak on Sat, Nov 28, 2009 @ 04:05 AM
Hurry! Only two days remain to enter the 2011 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2011). The entry submission deadline for DV-2011 is 12:00PM EST (GMT -5) on November 30, 2009. The entry form (electronic) will only be available for submission through this timeframe. Entries will not be accepted through the U.S. Postal Service.
Please note that natives of many countries are not eligible for this visa program: "For DV-2011, natives of the following countries are NOT eligible to apply because the countries sent a total of more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the previous five years: BRAZIL, CANADA, CHINA (mainland-born), COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HAITI, INDIA, JAMAICA, MEXICO, PAKISTAN, PERU, PHILIPPINES, POLAND, SOUTH KOREA, UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and VIETNAM. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible..."
So, before wasting your time, make sure to check out the eligibility and other requirements to qualify for DV 2011. For detailed information and instructions, please visit the official U.S. Department of State website:
U.S. Department of State Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery
U.S. Department of State Diversity Visa DV-2011 Instructions
Good Luck!!!
Posted by Michael Pollak on Wed, Nov 25, 2009 @ 08:16 AM
Although the United States is currently experiencing its highest unemployment levels in a generation, it is untrue that subtracting 8.3 million unauthorized immigrant workers from the labor force would automatically improve job prospects for the 15.7 million Americans who are now unemployed. Employment is not a "zero sum" game. Swapping unemployed natives for employed unauthorized immigrants is not valid economically. In reality, native workers and immigrants workers are not easily interchangeable says the Immigration Policy Center. Even if unemployed native workers were willing to travel across the country or take jobs for which they are overqualified, that is hardly a long-term strategy for economic recovery. Legalizing millions of unauthorized workers, taxpayers, and consumers would benefit the economy by increasing tax revenues and consumer spending.