Deferred Action for Certain Young Immigrants: Don't Get Scammed

To contact us Click HERE
On June 15, 2012, DHS announced that certain young people who entered the US before age 16 will no longer be removed from the United States. Qualifying individuals will be granted "deferred action" and be eligible for a work permit.
In order to be eligible for deferred action an individual must prove that he or she: 

1. Was under 31 years old on June 15, 2012
2. Came to the United States at the age of 16
3. Has continuously resided in the United States for at least 5 years before June 15, 2012, and was physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012.
4. Is currently attending school, has graduated from high school, has obtained a G.E.D. certificate or is an honorably discharged veteran of the US Armed Forces or Coast Guard.
5. Has not been convicted of a felony offense,significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise possessed a threat to the community or national security.

The government will inform the public how to apply within 60 days or by August 13, 2012. Until then anyone CANNOT APPLY for deferred action. You should not turn yourself in to start the process. 

However, you can begin gathering the documents that you will need.

1. Documents such as birth certificate or passport, showing age on June 15, 2012;
2. Financial records, medical records, school records, employment records, and military records that demonstrate an individual came to the US before the age of 16, and resides in the US for at least five years preceding June 15, 2012 and was physically present in the US as of June 15, 2012;
3. School records, including diplomas, G.E.D. certificates, report cards, school transcripts and other evidence of enrollment, or documentation as an honorably discharged veteran of the US Armed Forces or Coast Guard.

Request for deferred action will be  reviewed on a case to case basis, and not every young immigrant are qualify.
Source: AILA 
If you have any questions or need assistance with your immigration matter,
please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Sharlene Mae Bagon, Esq.
BAGON LAW FIRM
6700 Fallbrook Avenue
Suite 125H
West Hills, CA 91307
Toll Free: (888) 992-2466
Main Tel.: (818) 539-0120
Fax: (888) 589-0804
www.bagonlawfirm.com

Supreme Court Ruling on SB 1070, Arizona's Immigration Law

To contact us Click HERE
On Monday, June 25, 2012, the US Supreme Court upheld the main provision of Arizona's crackdown on illegal immigrants but threw out three other parts. 
These three provisions required immigrants to carry immigration papers at all times, banned illegal immigrants from soliciting work in public places, and requires state law enforcement officials to determine the immigration status of anyone they stop or arrest if they have reason to suspect that the individual might be in the country illegally. 
Though the court gave the go-ahead to a key provision of Arizona's crackdown on illegal immigrants, it also warned that people could not be held for extended periods for not having proper immigration papers.
In their ruling, the justices said the federal government had the ultimate authority to decide who would be held on immigration charges and possibly deported. Arizona police officers must also check with federal immigration agents before deciding to hold any suspects, the court ruled. Federal immigration officials in Arizona were instructed by the Department of Homeland Security  not to respond to traffic stops or similar law enforcement encounters unless the person in custody was a convicted criminal, had been removed from the U.S. previously and reentered illegally or was a recent border crosser. They will, however, respond to telephone requests from local law enforcement to verify a detainee's immigration status.
Arizona became the first of half a dozen U.S. states to adopt laws to drive illegal immigrants out. About 360,000 of the country's illegal immigrants, or 3 percent, reside in Arizona. Most of the state's nearly 2 million Hispanics are in the country legally.  Arizona borders Mexico, where the foreign ministry issued a statement assailing the high political costs it said were attached to such laws and voicing concern for the civil rights of Mexicans living in or visiting U.S. states with such laws.
Last year, the court upheld a different Arizona law that penalizes businesses for hiring illegal immigrants.
Source: NY Times, LA Times, Reuters
If you have any questions or need assistance with your immigration matter,
please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Sharlene Mae Bagon, Esq.
BAGON LAW FIRM
6700 Fallbrook Avenue
Suite 125H
West Hills, CA 91307
Toll Free: (888) 992-2466
Main Tel.: (818) 539-0120
Fax: (888) 589-0804
www.bagonlawfirm.com

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Statistics - 53,273 Applications Approved as of 11/15/12

To contact us Click HERE
The table below shows the most recent statistics related to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process. The figures are based on data gathered from August 15, 2012 to November 15, 2012. It shows that as of Nov. 15, 2012, 308,935 people applied, and 53,273 applications have already been approved.


Based on the data, there had been zero (0) case reviews done and zero (0) case approvals made in the month of August. However, there had been 1,707 approvals in September, 26,908 approvals in October and 24,658 approvals in November. 
Moreover, data show that majority of the DACA candidates are from Mexico, with at least five times more candidates than the next country, El Salvador.
The current DACA processing time will take 4 to 6 months according to USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. 

If you believe that you qualify for DACA or have questions related to DACA,please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Sharlene Mae Bagon, Esq.
BAGON LAW FIRM
6700 Fallbrook Avenue
Suite 125H
West Hills, CA 91307
Toll Free: (888) 992-2466     
Main Tel.: (818) 539-0120     
Fax: (888) 589-0804
www.bagonlawfirm.com

U.S. Mission in India Expands Interview Waiver Program

To contact us Click HERE
New Delhi | November 19, 2012

In March 2012, the United States Mission to India unveiled the Interview Waiver Program (IWP) which allows qualified individuals to apply for additional classes of visas without being interviewed in person by a U.S. consular officer. Following the success of the IWP, as part of continuing efforts to streamline the visa process, and to meet increased visa demand in India, the U.S. Mission is pleased to announce an expansion of the IWP. We expect this expansion to benefit thousands of visa applicants in India.Under the current Interview Waiver Program, Indian visa applicants who are renewing visas that are still valid or expired within the past 48 months may submit their applications for consideration for streamlined processing, including waiver of a personal interview, within the following visa categories:

• Business/Tourism (B1 and/or B2);
• Dependent (J2, H4, L2)
• Transit (C) and/or Crew Member (D) - including C1/D.
• Children applying before their 7th birthday traveling on any visa class
• Applicants applying on or after their 80th birthday traveling on any visa class

Under the expanded program, the following Indian applicants may also be considered for streamlined processing:

• Children applying before their 14th birthday traveling on any visa class
• Students returning to attend the same school and same program
• Temporary workers on H1-B visas (same classification with the same petitioner, and visa is still valid or expired within the last 12 months)
• Temporary workers on Individual L1-A or Individual L1-B visas (same classification with the same petitioner, and visa is still valid or expired within the last 12 months)

The renewal application must be within the same classification as the previous visa. If the previous visa is annotated with the words “clearance received,” that applicant is not eligible for a waiver of a personal interview. 
Not all applications will be accepted for streamlined processing. As always, consular officers may interview any visa applicant in any category. Applicants who are renewing their visas may still need to make an appointment for biometrics (fingerprint and photograph) collection, and all applicants must submit all required fees and the DS-160 application form.
This initiative is one of many steps the Department of State is taking to meet increased visa demand in India. In 2011, consular officers in India processed nearly 700,000 nonimmigrant visa applications, an increase of more than 11 percent over the previous year. Presently, applicants wait fewer than ten days for visa interview appointments and spend less than one hour at U.S. consular facilities in India. In September 2012, the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to India implemented a new visa processing system throughout India that further standardizes procedures and simplifies fee payment and appointment scheduling through a new website at www.ustraveldocs.com/in.
For more details about procedures for submitting a renewal application, please see http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-visarenew.asp.


If you have any questions or need assistance with your immigration matter,  please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Sharlene Mae Bagon, Esq.BAGON LAW FIRM6700 Fallbrook AvenueSuite 125HWest Hills, CA 91307Toll Free: (888) 992-2466Main Tel.: (818) 539-0120Fax: (888) 589-0804www.bagonlawfirm.com

Expanded e-Request Services

To contact us Click HERE
USCIS has expanded the services offered by the e-Request system. This Web-based tool allows customers to inquire about applications and petitions submitted to USCIS. Starting November 19, customers will see the following enhancements to e-Request:

• Create a service request for all forms to either inquire about the status of your application or petition if it is outside of the normal processing time OR notify USCIS about an administrative error in a notice or document we sent you.
• For Forms I-90 and N-400 only, inquire about an Application Support Center appointment notice or other notice you were expecting to receive.
• Accessibility to individuals with disabilities (section 508 compliant). 

To submit an e-Request, please visit USCIS e-Request home page and have your receipt number available. 

Source: USCIS

If you have any questions or need assistance with your immigration matter,  please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Sharlene Mae Bagon, Esq.
BAGON LAW FIRM
6700 Fallbrook Avenue
Suite 125H
West Hills, CA 91307
Toll Free: (888) 992-2466     
Main Tel.: (818) 539-0120     
Fax: (888) 589-0804
www.bagonlawfirm.com 

Germans crack down on animal-rights cuckoos...

To contact us Click HERE

Laughing Donkey (Photo credit: jaxxon)

... European Court of Human Rights agrees.

http://verdict.justia.com/2012/11/28/the-european-court-of-human-rights-upholds-german-ban-on-petas-holocaust-on-your-plate-campaign

Related articles

• Las Vegas Activists Protest Backyard Chimp Permit
• Wow. This Is Going To Tick Off The Animal "Rights" Folks.
• Squirrel invasion? Try the chilli defence
• Are we cruel to our food?

Public education still has an important place in America

To contact us Click HERE

English: Higher Education US postage stamp (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Why most parents still choose... and need... public K-12:


http://www.hireananny.org/blog/10-reasons-parents-choose-public-schools-for-their-kids/

Related articles

• Students Organize to Support Public Education
• "Out of the Public School Grows The Greatness of the Nation"; the 112th Anniversary of Mark Twain's Boxer Speech
• Michigan Is On Its Way to Ending Public Education
• Michigan Parents Push Back Against Business Model
• 11 Reasons Why I am Thankful for American Education: Revisiting Perspective
• Ann Romney: "We Need To Throw Out" Public Education
• Saving Public Education: Quality Education for All
• Nine questions about '21st Century curriculum'
• New Student Initiative: Students United for Public Education

Energy Department awards $130 mil for research into alternative sources

To contact us Click HERE

Seal of the United States Department of Energy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced 66 cutting-edge research projects selected by the Energy Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) to receive a total of $130 million in funding through its “OPEN 2012” program. ARPA-E seeks out transformational, breakthrough technologies that show fundamental technical promise but are too early for private-sector investment. These projects have the potential to produce game-changing breakthroughs in energy technology, form the foundation for entirely new industries, and have large commercial impacts. The selected projects encompass 11 technology areas in 24 states, and support the Obama Administration’s all-of-the-above approach to solving our nation’s most pressing energy challenges.
“With ARPA-E and all of the Department of Energy’s research and development efforts, we are determined to attract the best and brightest minds at our country’s top universities, labs and businesses to help solve the energy challenges of this generation,” said Secretary Chu. “The 66 projects selected today represent the true mission of ARPA-E: swinging for the fences and trying to hit home runs to support development of the most innovative technologies and change what’s possible for America’s energy future.
The OPEN 2012 projects will focus on a wide array of technologies, including advanced fuels, advanced vehicle design and materials, building efficiency, carbon capture, grid modernization, renewable power, and energy storage. The projects were selected through a merit-based process from thousands of concept papers and hundreds of full applications. The projects are based in 24 states, with approximately 47% of the projects led by universities, 29% by small businesses, 15% by large businesses, 7.5% by national labs, and 1.5% by non-profits. Today’s announcement brings ARPA-E’s total portfolio of projects to about 285 projects for a total of approximately $770 million in awards.
ARPA-E’s first funding opportunity, “OPEN 2009,” was issued three years ago and was similarly an open call to America’s top scientists and engineers for transformational energy technology solutions. ARPA-E’s previously selected projects have already made major progress, by demonstrating the world’s first 400 Wh/kg lithium-ion battery poised to revolutionize the electric vehicle industry; building a wind turbine, inspired by the design of jet engines, that could deliver 300% more power than existing turbines of the same size and cost; and engineering a high power laser drilling system that can penetrate hard rock formations over long distances and is ten times more economical than conventional drilling technologies.
Information on all projects announced today is available here.
Examples of the new projects are below:
Electron Energy Corporation, Landisville, PA ($2,904,000) - Improved Manufacturing For High-Performance Magnets
Electron Energy Corporation will develop a technology to manufacture permanent magnets that are both stronger and lower cost than those available today, based on a friction consolidation extrusion process. If successful, this technology would supply the growing market of wind turbine generators and electric vehicle motors with alternative higher-performance materials compared to the imported rare earth magnets currently used in these machines.
Grid Logic, Incorporated, Lapeer, MI ($3,800,000) - Low-Cost, High-Temperature Superconducting Wires
Grid Logic will develop a low-cost and innovative superconducting wire for electric utility applications. Using a new manufacturing technique, Grid Logic will embed very fine superconducting particles in a combination of metals to induce superconductivity. Such a wire would reduce the cost of transmission lines, motors for wind turbines, and other electric devices.
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND ($472,586) - Novel Dry Cooling Technology for Power Plants
The University of North Dakota Energy and Environmental Research Center will develop an air-cooled device for power plants that helps maintain water and power efficiency during electricity production with low environmental impact. The University of North Dakota’s device uses an air-cooled adsorbent liquid that retains and releases moisture to cool power plants that could result in efficient power production with minimal water loss.

Related articles

• ARPA-E awards $130 million for 66 transformational energy technology projects
• ARAPA-E Backs 66 New Projects
• 4 Colorado energy-research projects to get $4M in fed grants
• Massachusetts is No. 2 in latest round of federal energy research grants
• GE, Gencorp, United Technologies Get Millions in U.S. Grants - Bloomberg

Social Justice meets Social Media at CUNY

To contact us Click HERE
Ford Foundation gives half a mil for a new research project about social justice and the social media.

http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/social-justice-researchers-meet-social-media-in-new-effort-at-cuny/41136?cid=pm&utm_source=pm&utm_medium=en

Related articles

• Social Media Meets Social Justice Research in CUNY Project
• Social Justice Is Not as Important as Food
• Social Justice And Environmental People Don't Hate Each Other
• Social Justice: Our True Calling
• Social Justice is a Proven Failure... and So Is Obama
• Chicago Teachers Union sponsors "Teaching for Social Justice Curriculum Fair"
• Pro-life is a 'social justice' issue, says new San Francisco Archbishop
• IN PERSON: Champion of social justice prepares the next generation of leaders
• What is Social Justice?
• My Massive List of Social Justice Resources

Crime apparently pays... even in public higher education

To contact us Click HERE

President Graham B. Spanier with Alan Greenspan (Photo credit: pennstatelive)

Penn State's Spanier walked away with $3.3 mil in 2011.

http://chronicle.com/article/Penn-State-Paid-Spanier/135970/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en


He may need it for his lawyers.


http://secureu.aacrao.org/articles/index.php?doc_id=1315

Related articles

• Former Penn State President Graham Spanier still drawing $600K salary
• Penn State's Spanier Earned $3.2 Million in 2011
• Penn State Paid $3.3 Million to Fired President Facing Charges
• Spanier Indicted Over Failing to Report Sandusky
• Penn State ex-President Spanier arraigned

Something else for the Christian right to get upset about

To contact us Click HERE
A New York artist has depicted President Obama as a Christ-figure, complete with a crown of thorns.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/barack-obama-jesus-cross-painting-the-truth-controversial_n_2199073.html?1354045267

If Obama is Christ, Grover Norquist is the devil, or perhaps the Great Oz, as represented in the same traveling show.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/27/grover-norquist-wizard-of-oz_n_2198484.html?utm_hp_ref=arts

Naturally, the Catholics are worked up about it:


Bill Donohue released the following remarks today:Michael D’Antuono is a left-wing artist known for exploiting racial tensions (e.g, depicting George Zimmerman as a Klansman and Trayvon Martin as a generous child). But now he has succumbed to a new low.D’Antuono’s painting of President Barack Obama with outstretched arms wearing a crown of thorns, against the backdrop of the Seal of the President of the United States, is called “Truth.” [Click here.] It is being hosted by the Bunker Hill Community College Arts Gallery in Boston, Massachusetts.What makes this display so interesting is the flat denial of truth by so many artists and academicians, as well as their irrepressible hostility to Christianity. Yet when it comes to their savior, President Obama, they not only pivot, they proselytize.“Truth” was supposed to make its debut on April 29, 2009 in New York’s Union Square; it was to commemorate the first 100 days of Obama’s presidency. But D’Antuono withdrew his masterpiece after being hit with angry e-mails. Now he is back, apparently thinking that after Obama won reelection, the time is ripe to witness his crucifixion. Imagine if his God had lost what our Christmas gift would look like.It is one thing for the Italian nativity scene builder Ferrigno to include Obama as a figurine in this year’s crèche (it has regularly featured public persons such as Princess Diana), quite another for an angry artist to rip off Christian iconography for the purpose of making a cheap political statement.
Source: http://www.catholicleague.org/obama-crucified/

Related articles

• Barack Obama Depicted As Jesus: 'The Truth' Painting Draws Criticism For Controversial Metaphor (PHOTO)
• Bunker Hill Community College displays controversial painting depicting Obama as Jesus
• Crucified Obama Painting Sets Off Internet Firestorm Among Christians (IMAGE)
• -Obama Now 'Our Lord and Savior'?
• It's Art: The Truth by Michael D'Antuono