Janet Napolitano, the Shadow Lands, and USCIS layoffs...

[WhiskeyGirl]

I don't think illegal aliens are living in the shadows, they are living in broad daylight.  How many get public aid for their families?  How many take advantage of free schooling, free lunches, housing, energy assistance, medical care?

How do you reimburse a nation for all these freebies?  How many houses have you lived in for the past twenty years? 

Anyone doing a serious background check?  How many banks/mortgages did you abandon when the economy turned sour?

How much have taxpayers expended on your behalf?

Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.), who will lead the overhaul effort in the Senate with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), said his office is working to produce "a tough, fair bill" that can get 60 votes in the Senate. "The administration has laid out a very ambitious agenda, but we are confident we can have a bipartisan immigration bill ready to go under whatever timeline the President thinks is best," he said in a statement.

One of the toughest issues is likely to be what to do about millions of illegal immigrants already in the U.S. Ms. Napolitano called for a "tough and fair pathway to earned legal status," including "registering, paying a fine, passing a criminal background check, fully paying all taxes and learning English."

Not included in her list was a requirement that illegal immigrants leave the country, and re-apply for legal entry. In 2007, many members of Congress said they couldn't support a program of mass legalization in the face of opposition from constituents and activist groups critical of easing the road to legal immigration for those who had already violated the law.

Lamar Smith (R-TX), the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, voiced concern in a statement Friday about Ms. Napolitano's proposals. "How can they allow 12 million illegal immigrants to take jobs that should go to citizens and legal immigrants?" he said.

How does anyone do a background check on people living in the shadows?  With a fake, or stolen identity?  Perhaps multiple identities?

Are you going to check property records?  Financial records?  Require that all government and business and financial records verify citizenship?  Identity?

What taxes will they pay?  Social Security?  Will they make good on 100% of the Social Security obligation?  Will past employers be expected to chip in?  Or perhaps Janet will have the ability to ‘waive’ the tax requirment or apply ‘credits’ to make citizenship more affordable?


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125816110639347917.htm

In the olden days, immigrants paid their own way.  There were few if any entitlements. 

jmho

[WhiskeyGirl]

Immigration officials weigh fee increase, layoffs

By SUSAN CARROLL

HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Nov. 13, 2009, 8:57PM

The director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said Friday that the agency is seriously considering increasing fees for immigration benefits amid a major budget shortfall.

Alejandro Mayorkas, the director of USCIS, said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle that a fee increase is considered a last resort, but is still “probable” considering the agency's steep drop-off in revenue last year and dismal projections for 2010.

A set of hefty fee increases by immigration officials two years ago sparked widespread criticism by immigrant advocates, who charged that steep hikes could price some immigrants out of citizenship and other immigration benefits.

USCIS, which relies heavily on fees paid by immigrants, closed the 2009 fiscal year with a $164 million shortfall after a sharp decline in immigration benefit applications.

The agency also is reviewing possible cost-cutting measures, including layoffs, Mayorkas said, adding that those, too, would be considered a last resort.
“Our overhead, our costs, need to be reduced,” he said. “There exists the possibility that we may have to seek a fee increase. We're considering all the options.”

Maybe they will subcontract out the background check to community organizations like ACORN?

Citizenship costs more

In July 2007, the cost of processing a citizenship application increased from $330 to $595, plus an $80 fingerprinting fee. At the same time, the cost of a green card application including biometrics rose from $325 to more than $1,000 with the fingerprinting charge.

IIRC, my local police department may do the fingerprinting free for some, or charge a small fee like $25.  $675 for fingerprinting?  Did they outsource fingerprinting?  I find this hard to understand.

For fiscal year 2010, USCIS received a $55 million general appropriation from Congress — not including funding designated for specific programs, such as citizenship grants or the E-Verify electronic employment verification system, Mayorkas said. He was unable to pinpoint the projected shortfall for 2010 on Friday, but said it was anticipated to top $100 million.

Maybe they will just stop using E-Verify?  Open the borders?  Confirm applicants whereabouts for the last 24-48 hours?

It's bad timing

Mayorkas acknowledged that the timing of the agency's financial woes is unfortunate, considering that talks are under way in Washington, D.C., about the prospects for a comprehensive immigration reform bill next year.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Friday reiterated the Obama administration's commitment to seeking a legalization program in 2010 for the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S., which would increase USCIS' workload exponentially.

All that wasted money – stimulus, earmarks, budget…programs that don’t work.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/special/immigration/6719789.html

[WhiskeyGirl]

While the dollar continues to fall in value, Americans are losing their jobs and homes at record pace, the government is giving away green cards?

Foreign investors who spend $1 million in Federal Way will qualify for green card
By JACINDA HOWARD
Federal Way Mirror Reporter
Nov 12 2009, 7:21 PM • UPDATED

Federal Way hopes its offer of conditional U.S. residential status in exchange for economic capital will catch the attention of foreign investors.

The federal government, on Nov. 5, approved Federal Way as a member of its EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. The city's downtown is now considered a regional center — an area in need of economic growth. Foreign investors who pump a minimum of $1 million into the area and help to create at least 10 new Federal Way jobs are granted permanent U.S. residential status for two years. Their spouses and unmarried children are also eligible for a visa, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Web site.

According to the USCIS Web site, to qualify for the program, foreign investors must spend a minimum of $1 million to accomplish any of the following:
• Create a new business
• Purchase and restructure or reorganize an existing business, creating a new commercial enterprise
• Expand an existing business, increasing the number of jobs or net worth of the enterprise by 140 percent
• Contribute to retaining all existing jobs in a business that has lost 20 percent of its net worth in the past two years
The visa program is ideal for larger economic projects, Doherty said. In the past, immigrants could gain a green card by traveling to the U.S. and setting up their own business. The EB-5 program allows them to invest in a business and economic growth without having to own or operate the business.
"It's almost like buying a share," Doherty said.

Investors wishing to take advantage of the program must undergo a background check. They must also document the source of their money and provide information about their investment to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Do these business have to stay in the US?  Employ US citizens? 

What kind of verification system will be used?  Tracking the money trail?

Will all these businesses pay taxes?  Will there employees pay taxes?  I’m thinking there are lots of ways to avoid contributing to the US treasury.

All this at a time when USCIS may be downsizing?

read more here http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/fwm/news/69928482.html

With the dollar declining, I imagine it will be cheaper and cheaper for foreigners to qualify.  Someday, immigrants will be able to take their weekly budget for say toilet paper and buy a green card…

[WhiskeyGirl]

EB-5 Investor Green Card Program Offers Alternative to Employment Sponsorship

Long wait times for alternative immigrant visas spur increased interest in this employment creating program say the experts at Which EB5

Boca Raton, FL. (PRWEB) November 11, 2009 -- With the rapid-fire layoff announcements in the United States, the potential applicant pool of qualified candidates for open positions is high. While this might be good news for employers looking for skilled workers, it’s not welcomed tidings for potential immigrants hoping to gain sponsorship for a U.S. green card but there is still a way for qualified immigrants to gain the Visa status they need to legally relocate to the United States. The E-5 investor green card provides the option with minimal waiting times.
 
“Gaining employer sponsorship in this economic climate is becoming increasingly more difficult,” explained Andrew Bartlett, joint managing partner of Which EB5 (www.whicheb5.com). This impartial organization provides information and education to those interested in becoming EB-5 Visa immigrants. “In order for employers to provide sponsorship, they have to be able to prove they cannot find a qualified worker within the local job market. Considering unemployment figures, proving an inadequate applicant pool is extremely difficult right now.”

read more here – http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/11/prweb3176604.htm

see…you could hire the self employed domestic, seasonal temporary workers…

If you and your family want to become legal permanent residents of the USA (get a green card) and you can afford to invest $500,000 in one of the Government approved EB5 regional center programs you could be living legally in America in six months. You can choose to live anywhere in the USA by using this program which includes green cards for you, your wife/husband and all children under 21. Your children can attend all American schools, colleges and universities under this program. Get all the facts on which regional center is best for you and which EB5 program gives you the greencard as quickly as possible with the most success and you could be living in the USA in six months. Get all the information you need - simply click here now. ( //www.whicheb5.com/contact_us.php )

[WhiskeyGirl]

“…our system is stacked against middle-class workers who live paycheck to paycheck and are a layoff away from financial calamity…”

King: Lou, you used to do financial news only. That was primarily The Lou Dobbs Report. ... What changed?
Dobbs: What changed was Sept. 11, Larry, and what changed were a series of the worst horrific corruption scandals in this country's history and the very clear evidence that the middle class of this country, about 250 million Americans, the backbone of this country, the foundation of this country, were put into direct competition for their jobs from the cheapest labor around the world by corporate America, U.S. multinationals.

After his political awakening, Dobbs left the Republican party and registered as an Independent. The BFF of billionaire Ted Turner had realized that both political parties had succumbed to corruption by multinational business interests. From the bowels of that scrappy organization known as Time Warner ( TWX - news - people )--née AOL-Time Warner--Dobbs spouted a seemingly serious form of populism.

While some competitors droned on about "the war on Christmas" Dobbs talked about "the war on the middle class."

We lived through Enron, Tyco ( TYC - news - people ) and Worldcom, and we swore that we would never again let those shiftless stock promoters at Morgan Stanley ( MS - news - people ), JPMorgan Chase ( JPM - news - people ) and Citigroup ( C - news - people ) ruin the American economy. Then our government gave them a bunch of easy money and lax regulations so they could make an even bigger mess.

I’d add junk bonds, sub prime mortgages…  What ever happened to that robust audit of the Federal Reserve?

Dobbs is right that our system is stacked against middle-class workers who live paycheck to paycheck and are a layoff away from financial calamity (and yet who seem to rate no assistance from the government until tragedy strikes them, if even then). He's also right that the two major political parties have been corrupted by the influence of big money in politics.  But he never should have looked south for the cause of our problems, and it's hard to believe he ultimately wants to change anything.

More good reading here - http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/12/lou-dobbs-cnn-populist-angry-opinions-columnists-michael-maiello.html

When will American government in Washington start working FOR Americans?  It seems like all the opportunity, wealth and debt benefits big global banks, corporations, and rich global citizens.

When will all those secret societies end?

I never really knew who Lou Dobbs was.

Was it his immigration ideas?  Or, his assault on corruption in Washington?

[WhiskeyGirl]

After the dollar collapses, and it takes millions to buy a loaf of bread in the US, how many will flock to the US to take advantage of our generous traditions? 

How many will get their $1 million from Global Community organizations and foundations?

It seems like every global person, rich or poor will have the price of admission to the US. 

What about those that have saved their entire working lives for the day Social Security wouldn't be there?  Doesn't anyone in Washington care about them?  Their security?

[Babybear]

After the dollar collapses, and it takes millions to buy a loaf of bread in the US, how many will flock to the US to take advantage of our generous traditions? 

How many will get their $1 million from Global Community organizations and foundations?

It seems like every global person, rich or poor will have the price of admission to the US. 

What about those that have saved their entire working lives for the day Social Security wouldn't be there?  Doesn't anyone in Washington care about them?  Their security?

Your questions:  Does anyone in Washington care about them?  Their security?
The answer is NO!