The Trump administration last week announced support for a proposed bill aiming to reduce legal immigration in order to “preserve” jobs for Americans and increase wages. In response, leading economists say that such a reduction of legal immigration will not create more American jobs and may even have a negative impact on the economy. Economist Giovanni Peri from the University of California, Davis, for example, believes that the average American worker is likely to lose rather than gain anything from such a reduction in immigration. The administration says it still wants foreign high-skilled workers to come to the US, and the cuts target low-skilled immigrants.
Read moreAngle of Perception
Boat Dance 2017
It’s one of our favorite events of the year: the firm’s annual “Boat Dance.” Everyone took a break last night from working hard preparing visa petitions to enjoy some good food (shrimp cocktails!), conversation, and drinks! Despite menacing skies and thunderstorm forecasts, our boat, The Manhattan, took us all on a lovely ride on the Hudson and East Rivers where we were able to view Ellis Island, Governor’s Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Although it was a bit windy, the weather turned out great in the end, and we all were able to watch a beautiful sunset at the Statue of Liberty. Alla, Gabby, Ashley, and Lourdes (shown above) had some great laughs and even learned a valuable lesson—don’t wear skirts on a windy boat!
New York Times: “Survivors of Smuggling Trip Could Gain Entry to U.S. by Becoming Witnesses”
Twenty-nine immigrants who were rescued from an overheated tractor-trailer last week in what officials believe was a tragically botched human trafficking or smuggling operation may be given an opportunity to stay in the US under a T or U visa. The immigrants suffered without water in over 100 degree temperatures, and eight immigrants tragically died inside the trailer, with two dying later. Some surviving immigrants fled, and the remaining immigrants were taken to local hospitals to be treated for critical conditions including heat stroke and exhaustion. James M. Bradley, the driver of the truck, is currently in jail facing smuggling charges while local and federal authorities investigate with hopes of reaching higher levels of smuggling rings that would lead to more arrests.
Read moreWhatever They Want
The Edge of Milos Island
Liz is in Greece for a well-deserved vacation. Here she is on Milos Island, a small, volcanic island located off the coast of the Greek mainland in the Aegean Sea. It is known as the “Island of Colors” for its colorful rock formations. It is also known as the “Island of Lovers” because it is where the world-renowned Venus de Milo statue depicting Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, was discovered. Visitors, like Liz, can explore its many diverse beaches, snorkel, sail, kayak, or windsurf before catching a breathtaking sunset near the Greco-Roman marble theater, one of the only ancient Greek theaters with an elevated view. Or, like Liz, you can just hang out on big rocks overlooking the sea! Ever since Liz was young, she has had a joke with her father about standing on the edge of a cliff and appearing rather precarious, but in reality being completely safe. This is her Greek version. Be careful, Liz!
USCIS Launches Mobile Form for Replacing Green Card
US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new way to file the Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders) who file the online Form I-90, without assistance from an attorney or accredited representative, can now file the I-90 and upload the necessary evidence entirely on a mobile device. This redesign of the online Form I-90—which applicants use to renew or replace a Green Card—also allows lawful permanent residents to navigate the online site more easily and should, USCIS claims, make the overall process of renewing or replacing Green Cards “more convenient.” The I-90 is one form that can easily be prepared and filed by foreign nationals themselves without the assistance of attorneys. Protima previously discussed the process of applying for an I-90, which is helpful knowledge in case the Green Card is ever lost (God forbid!) or needs to be replaced or renewed.
Read moreNew Haven Register: “Connecticut women who was to be deported takes refuge in New Haven church”
Since President Trump took office in January, arrests of undocumented immigrants have increased over forty percent compared to the final three months of the Obama administration. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested 13,914 people last month, and the agency averaged 13,085 monthly arrests from February through June of this year. (In the final three months of the Obama administration, ICE averaged 9,134 arrests per month.) While the Trump administration has not converted those arrests into more deportations—rather numbers are steadily dropping—ICE Acting Director Thomas Homan recently explained that the drop is because of the backlog in federal immigration courts and the lengthy time to process each case. Perhaps the most telling piece of data: the biggest increase in arrests involved undocumented immigrants without a criminal record, a 156% increase from last year.
Read moreReimagine Migration
Chihuly at Botanical Gardens
Dale Chihuly, Sapphire Star, 2010.
After more than ten years, renowned glass sculpting artist Dale Chihuly has returned to New York City with his exhibition of larger-than-life glass sculptures in New York’s Botanical Garden (NYBG). Chihuly has created more than twenty amazing hand-blown pieces that bring organic shapes and vibrant colors to the gardens, reflecting the contrast between both color and light and art and nature. Some pieces have been designed for existing garden spaces, while others were created with the intention of adding new nature-inspired elements. “These glass works of art belong in the New York Botanical Garden in many ways," NYBC’s CEO Gregory Long tells Metro. "The beauty of nature here inspires artists of many kinds.” The exhibit also contains early drawings and sketches in the NYBC’s library, which give insight into Chihuly’s creative process and evolution. Visitors can even view this exhibition during NYBC’s night visit experiences. The exhibition will be at NYBC until the end of October, and I can't recommend it enough. I was truly dazzled by his artistry.