PRESIDENT OBAMA PRESSURING FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS TO REGULATE HUMAN TRAFFICKING

In a memo issued on November 1, 2010, President Obama stated that the U.S. will not be providing financial assistance to Burma, Zimbabwe, Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, Eritrea or Iran until these countries begin to comply with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2009.   As of right now, these countries are not doing much to put an end to human trafficking, and, by issuing this statement, President Obama has made it quite clear that the U.S. will not tolerate this behavior. 

 Until the countries make changes to solve the human trafficking problem, the U.S. will not give them any more money in aid.  The only exception to this, according to Mr. Obama, is a partial waiver that will allow funding for programs that help victims of human trafficking and for programs that work to stop human trafficking. 

By issuing this policy, Mr. Obama has once again demonstrated that the U.S. does not tolerate any violations of human rights.   To read the full Presidential Memo, click here. 

For picture source, click here.

U VISAS FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME AVAILABLE AGAIN ON OCTOBER 1, 2010

In 2008, USCIS began issuing U Visas to immigrants who have suffered physical or psychological abuse – such as domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, etc. – and agree to help US authorities in investigating the crime.  This year, USCIS has approved 10,000 U Visa petitions – the maximum number that can be approved in a fiscal year. 

USCIS will only begin to issue U Visas again in October, when the 2011 fiscal year begins.   As of right now, however, U Visa petitions will still be accepted for USCIS to conditionally approve and put on to a waiting list.  These conditional approvals will enable immigrants to stay in the US, even if they are in removal proceedings or on a final order of removal, and to apply of employment authorizations. 

If you are eligible for a U Visa, don’t waste any time and apply today.   Because more and more people are applying for U Visas and because USCIS can only approve 10,000 U Visa applications every year, it is crucial that you apply as quickly as possible.  At BOILA PC, we will file your application in a speedy manner so that you don’t have to worry about missing the statutory cap.

To read the full article, please go to: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=5d5d58a734cd9210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD