Newsletter April 2001

LIFE ACT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

"Will I get a green card just for paying $1000?"

No. You may only get a green card if you fall into a certain category. The most common categories are "family member" or an "employee." A "visa petition" filed with INS proves that you meet the requirements for your chosen category. Once the petition is "approved," you may apply to pick up the green card. If you are here illegally and want to remain in the U.S. to pick up the green card, you must pay a penalty fee of $1000. If you do not want to pay $1000, then you must leave the U.S. border to pick up the green card at an American consulate elsewhere. However, you might be prevented from returning to the U.S. for up to ten years simply because you had been living here illegally. Thus, the $1000 fee buys you safety to remain in the U.S. and get your green card.

"What must my employer do to help me?"

Your employer must be willing to run an ad in the newspaper, interview applicants, explain to INS why you are more qualified than the applicants, show INS his/her tax records and financial books, and wait for up to five years for the paperwork to be approved.

"What about Late Amnesty?"

This has not started yet. Everyone must wait for INS to publish regulations. Only certain persons (and their spouses and children) who tried to file for Amnesty earlier will qualify.

"May I get a work permit because I have been waiting three years?"

Yes, but only if you apply for the new "V" visa at the same time. This will protect you from deportation too.

PROPOSED NEW LAWS

New NACARA to give green cards to Salvadoreans, Guatemalans, Hondurans and Haitians who were in the U.S. before December 1, 1995 -- just like Nicaraguans and Cubans! (Bill # HR 707)

Children under 18 to get green cards if they have lived in U.S. for 5 years, or if it's in their best interests to stay in the U.S. (Bill # HR 505)

Veterans of U.S. military (current or honorably dis-charged at any time) to get green cards. (Bill # HR 171)

No voluntary deportation after being caught by INS un-less you get translated legal consultation (Bill # HR 22)

Notary Fraud protection through criminal penalties; notaries must return files upon request (Bill # HR 654)

** NOTE: The proposed law that would change the Registry date to 1986 was not approved in 2000, and has not been renewed for 2001.

Don't forget about
TPS for El Salvador
and the
Child Citizenship Act
(green cards for kids of U.S. citizens!)

See our March newsletter

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