They are known as "LEGAL IMMIGRANTS". They went through the correct Federal INS procedures, including health testing and legal background check, and waited in line, and spent the costs, and were awarded their visas.
They hail from Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia. God Bless 'em. These we should reward. And these are the ones who should truly be outraged over President Bush, Karl Rove and the GOP House Leadership (along with plenty of Democrats who want illegal alien 'regularization', too).
Thank you for pointing out that this is not, as so many claim, complaint against immigration. It is about the rule of law. Plain and simple. I fear that there has been such blatant disregard for the rule of law by our "leaders" we have become too accustomed as a nation to even recognize that it is the basis of the issue here.They miss the point and seek some X factor for the protests.
It would be wonderful to see the LEGAL immigrants protest this. But I think it may be a case of "When in Rome..."
What is it?
Our immigration laws allow qualified individuals to enter the United States as lawful permanent residents ("green card" holders) when they first obtain immigrant visas from a consulate or embassy outside the United States or, for many immigrants already lawfully in the United States, through a process called "adjustment of status." If you entered the United States unlawfully, or if you entered with permission but did not stay in lawful status, you normally would have to leave the United States in order to apply for an immigrant visa. Special rules under Section 245(i) may allow you to apply to adjust status without leaving the United States.
If I entered without permission or I did not stay in lawful status, how can I adjust my immigration status without leaving the U.S.?
- INS Form I-130 must be submitted by a close relative who agrees to sponsor you. Your relative must be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident. If the filing date of the I-130 is after January 14, 1998, then you will need to show that you were in the United States on December 21, 2000, when you file later for adjustment of status.
- United States citizens may sponsor their parents, spouse, children (regardless of age or marital status), and siblings
- Lawful permanent residents may only sponsor their spouses and their unmarried children.
- No one can sponsor uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, brothers- and sisters-in-law, or grandparents.
OR
- Department of Labor Form ETA-750 and/or INS Form I-140 should be filed if your employer agrees to sponsor you. Your employer should check with the local Employment Services Office to see which form(s) are required. In some cases, you may be able to file the forms yourself. If the filing date of the form(s) is after January 14, 1998, then you will need to show that you were in the United States on December 21, 2000.
OR
- INS Form I-360 may be filed, if you are a member of a special group such as an Amerasian, the widow(er) of a United States citizen, a battered spouse, or you may file a Form I-526 if you are an alien investor.
This information about adjustment of status is based on the Immigration and Nationality Act, as changed by the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (LIFE) and LIFE Act Amendments. Detailed information on Section 245(i) will be included in the regulations to be published.
You might be eligible to adjust your status under a different part of Section 245, without paying the penalty and without regard to the filing deadlines, if you are someone who entered with permission but who has been out of status for 180 days or less, or if your sponsor is your spouse, parent, or child and a United States citizen. More information on application filing procedures and updates on LIFE and other immigration benefits can be found on the INS website, www.ins.usdoj.gov, or on the INS Help Line at 1-800-375-5283, as it becomes available.
Link.