BAGON LAW FIRM

Federal authorities have issued a new policy aimed at stopping deportation proceedings for some illegal immigrants, according to a memo issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The memo, which ICE released on Aug. 20, could affect up to tens of thousands of illegal immigrants who are married or related to a U.S. citizen or a legal resident who has filed a petition on their behalf. Illegal immigrants with criminal convictions will not qualify under the plan. ICE Assistant Secretary John Morton wrote the memo to Peter Vincent, principal legal adviser and head of the agency's removal operations. (read more)

WASHINGTON—On Aug. 13, 2010, President Obama signed into law Public Law 111-230 , which contains provisions to increase certain H-1B and L-1 petition fees. Effective immediately, Public Law 111-230 requires the submission of an additional fee of $2,000 for certain H-1B petitions and $2,250 for certain L-1A and L-1B petitions postmarked on or after Aug. 14, 2010, and will remain in effect through Sept. 30, 2014. Source: USCIS.gov

Given the hot topic of immigration reform, illegal immigration, Arizona's immigration law and anything immigration, some Republicans are now looking at extreme solutions to fix the "problem" such as repealing or amending the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The 14th Amendment is best known for its Equal Protection and Due Process Clause. "...nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Now, the 14th Amendment, which ensured rights to many people during the dark era of slavery, has become part of the immigration debate. Under the 14th Amendment, there is the doctrine of "jus soli" - birthright citizenship. The 14th Amendment states, in part: "All persons born...in the United States...are citizens of the United States..." The argument for the repeal or amendment to birthright citizenship comes from the belie