BAGON LAW FIRM

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the controversial part of the California Dream Act, which would allow illegal immigrant students who qualify for reduced in-state tuition to apply for an estimated $40 million in Cal Grants, community college fee waivers, and other public scholarship and grant programs. Since 2006, different versions of the bill have been passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature but were vetoed by then-Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles), the author of the Dream Act, said he expected this bill to pass the Senate and Assembly next week and land on the governor’s desk soon after. In a Fresno campaign event last year, Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown has pledged support for the bill’s concept. Last month he signed a companion bill, AB 130, that gave undocumented students access to $88 million in private scholarship and grants for the first time. In order to address the governor’s concerns about the measure’s cost...

On August 18, 2011, the Obama administration said it will allow many illegal immigrants facing deportation the chance to stay in this country and apply for a work permit. According to White House officials, the policy could also benefit illegal immigrants who have family members in the States.    Cecilia Munoz, the White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, wrote in his blog that the Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department will apply “common sense guidelines” in deciding who to deport. Some factors listed as guidelines include: ·          The person’s length of presence in the United States; ·          The circumstances of the person’s arrival in the United States, particularly if the alien came to the United States as a young child; ·          The person’s pursuit of education in the United States, with particular consideration give...

Below is a comparison of the August and September 2011 Visa Bulletin: September 2011 Family 1st: No forward movement for chargeability for all other chargeability areas. Slight movement for Mexico (08MAR93 to 15 MAR93). Few months of movement for the Philippines (15APR96 to 01NOV96). 2A: Forward movement for chargeability for Mexico (01JUN08 to 22SEP08). Also, forward movement for Philippines and all other chargeability areas (22 JUL08 to 01DEC08).   2B: Slight movement for Mexico (01OCT92 to 22 NOV92) and Philippines (01DEC00 to 22MAR01). No movement for all chargeability areas. 3rd: A few days of movement for Mexico (15NOV92 to 22NOV92) and a slight movement for the Philippines (01APR92 to 15MAY92). But no movement for all others. 4th: Slight progress for Mexico (08MAR96 to 22MAR96), Philippines (15MAY88 to 08JUL88) and for all others (08APR00 to 15APR00). Family- Sponsored All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed ...

As of August 12, 2011, 25,300 cap eligible H-1B regular petitions had been filed, out of the maximum 65,000 while 14,700 H-1B Master's Exemption had been filed, out of the maximum 20,000 for the year 2012. Cap Type   Cap Amount   Cap Eligible Petitions    Date of Last Count H-1B Regular Cap  65,000  25,300 8/12/2011 H-1B Master’s Exemption  20,000 14,700 8/12/2011 If you need any assistance with your H-1B filing for the year 2012, please do not hesitate to contact our office. For more information, contact our office:  BAGON LAW FIRM 21550 Oxnard Street, 3rd Floor Woodland Hills, CA 91367 Main: (818) 224-6632 Direct: (818) 539-0120 Fax: (888) 589-0804 www.bagonlawfirm.com

On August 2, 2011, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas outlined a series of policy, operational, and outreach efforts to fuel the nation's economy and stimulate investment by attracting foreign entrepreneurial talent of exceptional ability or who otherwise can create jobs, form startup companies, and invest capital in areas of high unemployment. "The United States must continue to attract the best and brightest from around the world to invest their talents, skills, and ideas to grow our economy and create American jobs," said Secretary Napolitano. "Today's announcements will help our nation fully realize the potential of existing immigration laws." "Current immigration laws support foreign talent who will invest their capital, create new jobs for American workers, and dedicate their exceptional talent to the growth of our nation's economy," said Di...