Serious Penalties for Overstaying Visa, One Million Asian-Pacific People Affected

World Journal ^ | Dec. 21, 2005 | Lin Baoqing

[joeu]

Serious Penalties for Overstaying Visa, One Million Asian-Pacific People Affected

Asian Pacific Justice Center Vigorously Denounces New Bill passed by US House of Representatives

(World Journal Reporter Lin Baoqing, Washington, DC) If the immigration bill passed by the House of Representatives becomes law some one million people of Asian Pacific descent may be labeled illegal immigrants and face federal penalties of a year in prison.

In addition, if the Department of Homeland Security is not notified of a permanent address within ten days of a residential address change the holders of uncorrected student residency F1 visas and those with temporary H1B employment visas are, along with those who smuggle, transport and conceal illegal aliens, subject to the law and face possible prosecution. Lack of knowledge of illegal status is irrelevant.

Representing 38 organizations The Asian Pacific Justice Center (formerly National Asia Pacific Law Alliance) on December 20 made the above declaration, vigorously denouncing the bill passed by the House of Representatives on December 16.

The new immigration bill making it a federal crime to overstay one’s visa has a possible penalty of one year in prison. Current law only requires deportation of illegal aliens but does not provide for a prison sentence.

The House bill also severely penalizes employers who hire illegal aliens. Employers must use an electronic verification system to match the social security numbers of current and future employees with their date of birth.

Mainland Chinese might be unable to enter the US under the bill’s restrictions. The bill strengthens deportation of illegal aliens and citizens of countries that do not accept the return of deportees’may be prohibited from entering the US.

California Democratic legislator Zoe Lofgren describes the bill as a “Chinese Exclusion Law” and says “it penalizes the victims of Communism” .

The bill eliminates the immigration lottery, increases the number of border patrol agents and requires all employers to check the identification of current and prospective employees. The bill also requires law enforcement to immediately take into custody and deport illegal immigrants who are drunk drivers.

2005-12-21

[joeu]

My translation from original lead story in Chinese language newspaper.

[LaineyDee]

Oh well!

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[LaineyDee]

Just being a bit sarcastic ya know.... It's time we put our foot down on immigration.......and I'm truly sorry those people will be affected by ignoring the rules. :)

[kingu]

First concern: Those who are here illegally might face deportation and prison. Good. They should be kicked out.

Second concern: Those seeking to enter the country via a visa from a country that doesn't accept deportees might not be able to. This seems to be what should have been the thrust of the article, and it would be a valid concern. They should seek an exception to this rule with appropriate safeguards.

As for the rest.. Congress is doing something to curb illegal immigration? Ok, where's the amnesty in the bill - they can't seem to ever pass one without it.

[zeaal]

Something HAS to get people's attention to force them to abide by the law of reporting their residency.

[starbase]

This is all quite normal. Laws change, one must be aware of them, all my life I was taught that "ignorance is no excuse", sure you'd like to say "but I didn't know" but the clever law enforcers won't allow that.

Otherwise, just following procedures and informing authorities of address changes is hardly an onerous burden. All Americans must follow the laws too.

And with their propensity for low level spying, sometimes forced by the Communist authorities, I agree that Mainland Chinese should not enter the US, not until they change their totalitarian government.

[WatchingInAmazement]

There have been many reports, some articles here on FR about Chinese nationals being brought across the southern border.

44 Indicted In One Of The Largest Marriage Fraud Investigations In The U.S.
Posted by Calpernia
On General/Chat 12/01/2005 10:40:57 AM PST · 5 replies · 98+ views

ICE, ICE, Baby! ^ | November 30, 2005
44 INDICTED IN LANDMARK MARRIAGE FRAUD INVESTIGATION Probe targets Orange County network that arranged sham marriages primarily for Asian aliens SANTA ANA, Calif. - A total of 44 individuals, many of them based in Orange County’s Little Saigon, have been indicted for their roles in an elaborate scheme to obtain fraudulent immigrant visas for hundreds of Chinese and Vietnamese nationals based on sham marriages to U.S. citizens. The 13 separate indictments stem from a three-year, multi-agency investigation known as Operation “Newlywed Game.” The probe, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is believed to be one of the...