July 1st was a significant day in the lives of many American kids born abroad who celebrated this day as they received their US citizenship certificates from the government. Many children between the age group of 3-14 years received their US citizenships. Some have expressed their feelings by saying that it is one of the most memorable days of their life as they have become the proud citizens of United States.

The US citizenship is the legal document for those children who are born in some foreign country but one of their parents is a citizen of United States. Being born to a US citizen already makes them a citizen of the nation. However, these children lacked the necessary legal documents which had to be issued by the Federal Government.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows the children to become a legal citizen of US, if any one of their parents is a US citizen legally. Earlier, it was mandatory for both the parents to be the citizens of the nation for their foreign born children to acquire a US citizenship. But now they have introduced certain changes keeping the convenience of the American couples in mind. US immigration services have estimated that it grants around ninety certificates to foreign born children every month.

It is compulsory to be a citizen of the United States incase an individual wants to apply for educational loan, US security card and for government jobs in the country. For security reasons in the nation, it has become very important for every US resident to have a legal citizenship. As terrorism and illegal immigration is growing, citizenship is extremely important for anyone to live peacefully and with security in the country. And certificates really help in obtaining the permanent resident status. This also helps the person to freely exercise the right to vote in the nation.

A Somali man was held by the U.S. officials and was denied the permission to over fly the United States. The U.S. officials did not bother to give any explanation on this issue that how this man could be a threat to a commercial jet. Abdirahaman Ali Gaal has been held for his outspoken views about U.S. policy in the Middle East, frequent comments on an internet website and his recent travel to Mauritania in Northern Africa to study Islam.

Gaal’s brother, Abdifatah Gaal expressed his feelings of disgust and anger by saying that his brother is not able to understand that why he has been detained. This is especially when he was assured by the U.S. officials that he will not be restricted from entering the nation. The case was formally received by the U.S. officials when the authorities denied permission for the Aero-Mexico flight he was on, traveling from Paris to Mexico City to fly over the United States.

The Canadian officials arrested Gaal before turning him over to the U.S. officials. A new fact has come into light that the U.S. officials have claimed that Gaal was on ‘no fly’ list, complied by the government of people banned from flying in the United States.

Gaal confessed that he has committed an offence by applying for a refugee status in Canada in October 2008 in order to get rid of his legal permanent residence in the United States by moving out of the nation for more than 10 months. But in a situation like this, a person is not usually put into a ‘no fly’ list which includes about 6,000 people.

As per the media reports, Gaal holds strong beliefs and ideas regarding political matters which he abides by. He also said that Gaal feels that he has not done anything wrong for which he has been arrested. He had critical views for U.S policies in the Middle East and went on air to express his view on the same. In fact, he went to Mauritania in Northern Africa to study Islam. There, Gaal’s wife informed him on phone that Canadian police came to enquire about him. At the U.S. Embassy, he was assured that there are no restrictions on him to return to his home. He even called the FBI to check on his status.

Gaal’s brother said that Gaal wanted to meet his mother in Seattle, Washington. His hand was found broken when he got down from the aircraft in Montréal but he maintained his calm and didn’t show any resistance.Gaal then went to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritania and was told there is an impediment on him returning home.

The above case clearly demonstrates the threat that the US authorities feel when it comes to such open views and Islam in particular. At the same time, it should not be forgotten that since Gaal is a legal permanent resident of the United States, he has the freedom of expression. Also, no matter how strongly he has felt over particular issues, he has never imposed his opinions over others. Agreed that some lines have drawn, but denying the basic freedom of expression would be wrong.

On the other hand, if Gaal despised the US so much, sooner or later he would leave the nation. This clearly shows in his attempt to remain away from the nation for a period of 10 months. All in all, the case should be looked into detail before concluding upon a decision.

With Australia tightening its immigration rules and making amendments in its occupation list, students from all over the globe are thinking US and UK as their prospective study destination. Chinese students are not lagging behind too.

The student recruiters in China are pacing up in sending the students to US and UK, seeing the less stringent rules as compared to Australia. Further, other aspects like racial attacks and closing down of certain private institutions have resulted in the increased popularity of US and UK with regard to the land of Kangaroos.

Various students who recently attended the Beijing International Education Expo are of the similar view that their recruiters are eager to send them to the educational institutes in the UK or US.

True that Australia is seen as one of the most liked countries for commencing higher studies, but the students have confirmed that Tier 4 UK visas and US F1 are easier ways to gain entry in the concerned countries a compared to Aussie land, that is what these students have to say on the issue.

Critics believe that students are still eager to make Australia as their study destination but with the crack down of lower level of courses, students are gradually running away from the country. The strict qualifying criteria sometimes create delay in the immigration process, hence making it difficult for the students to commence further.

If you are one of those students, who are facing dilemmas in choosing the apt study destination, consult a Study Visa expert for more info!

New York’s mayor along with other chief executives from various business companies has joined hands to form a coalition group in support of reformation in immigration in the United States. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and many other important people from top corporate companies like Disney, Hewlett-Packard and News Corporation have joined their hands in advocating reformation issues.

Bloomberg has always spoken against the US immigration bill publicly. In the year 2006, he put forwarded his plan of DNA testing which would help in checking and verifying the United States legal workers. He also proposed his suggestion that removing 12 million illegal immigrants from America is impossible and this would affect the economy of America to a large extent.

In one of his statement he said that US immigration policy would affect the country to a large extent. He further commented that every year America spends loads of money on foreign students to educate them and then we deny giving them permanent residency status. America wants to produce more jobs but does not allow capable entrepreneurs to reside in America. This way America can not expect to scale new heights for its economic development.

This new partnership is expected to bring security in the borders of America by developing a new and innovative method for employers to check work eligibility and use of better technology to check illegal immigration.

Chairman and CEO of News Corp. Rupert Murdoch himself is an immigrant and said that country must introduce new immigration laws that can meet with the growing demands of employment needs. And also can chalk out some mid way path through which an illegal resident can obtain legal status which would help in ending unlawful immigration. Immigration is the key behind America’s strengthening economic condition but its illegal form is also harmful for the country, so America must come up with such policies which can make the most optimum use of immigration.

In a document released by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), it states the plans regarding dealing with workers who have expired US Work Visas. According to the plan, it has been stated that aggressive policies should be made against those employers who knowingly go on to provide recruitment to those workers who have exceeded their visa limit to work in US or the ones who are without the visas.

The motto is to come out with strict restrictions and craft a “culture of employer compliance” in order to ensure that workers in US are employed in legal manner and have their valid work visas with them in order to work in any field.

In addition to it, employers who hire undocumented workers would have to bear the wrath of the strict regulations which would be applied under this act. These also include employers who are linked with corporate and business sector.

Already, there has been a program termed as E-Verify which takes care of the validly of hired employees and check their eligibility requirements to work in the US. But with these current amendments in the immigration and custom policies, things are likely to become stricter and rigid, especially for the overseas workers who are intending to work in the US. A valid work visa is what is essential to gain good employment in the country, along with ensuring that the date is not expired.

Reports also say that ICE is intending to bring criminal charges who fake out on their visa applications.

It has been confirmed from the government of United States that they have held talks with the government of Cuba on the aspect of promoting a legal immigration for both the countries. In addition, talks have been maintained to keep the entry of immigrants safe and in an orderly manner.

Philip Crowley, who is the spokes person from the Department of State, stated that since the time President Obama took the oath of being a President, it has underlined their interest in the facet to come up with talks with the government of Cuba to advance the U.S. interests.

It has been confirmed by the spokesperson that the administration under Obama is expecting direct discussions with the authorities of Cuba, in order to ensure that the U.S. interests section in Havana can operate in an effective manner.

In addition, it can take care of the repatriated migrants, in addition to taking back the Cuban government’s acceptance for the repatriation of Cuban nationals who have been ordered deportation on the basis of their criminal history from the United States.

Reports believe that the same talks could not commence at the time when Bush government was in power. The same resumed under Obama’s governance. Hence, it is a positive news for both the countries.

According to many Republican senators in Georgia are not in favor of allowing illegal students in the colleges and other educational institutions. They say unlawful immigrants should not be permitted in the state’s public colleges and universities. They are in complete disagreement of allowing such international students to attend public colleges and universities in state of Georgia.

The stance has been supported by as many as fourteen Republican senators of Georgia. They have put forward their views in written in front of the state’s Board of Regents. The issue regarding the illegal international students was fuelled by a recent instance where a Kennesaw State University student was found to be living in the United States unlawfully. The student was paying in-state tuition as well. Following this instance, all universities in Georgia were instructed to go through proper verification of all students’ citizenship status. The deadline for the status check is coming fall.

Along with the Republican senators, many of the gubernatorial candidates also supported the stance of prohibiting illegal students from studying in public educational institutions of Georgia. The Republicans’ letter to the Board of Regents stated that the students who have been paying out-of-state tuition, the cost does not constitute the complete cost of their education at a public institute.

For information on any issues and aspects related to immigration, it is advised to seek the help of a professional Immigration and visa consultant!

A student from Harvard University was found having an undocumented status. Speculations rose in the air that he may face deportation for carrying the illegal status. He faced detention at the Texas authorities but now it has been confirmed that he won’t face deportation to Mexico.

It has been affirmed by the US immigration officials that Eric Balderas, the teenage boy in concern, faced detention on June 7, 2010. His mistake was he was intending to make use of his University ID card for the motive of boarding a plane to Boston. A spokes person from ICE has confirmed that the Balderas would be given deferred action, a facet which he can use for the purpose of stopping his deportation on the basis of the merits on his case. He has been using Mexican passport for the motto of boarding planes, but he lost it somehow.

At present he is enrolled in a molecular and cellular biology course at the Harvard University. His plans are to become a Cancer Researcher in future after completing the course. He has also confirmed that he has qualified the mandates for achieving Harvard’s privately-funded scholarship meant for few students.

The whole Harvard University placed its support for the guy. They say that Balderas has shown ample discipline and work ethics which are essential for the University and has shown ample intentions to bring out huge change in the world in the coming years.

The US government has made certain changes in its fee structure for students coming from Kenya. Kenyan students who are intending to travel to the US would now be required to pay up to Sh1, 500 more in order to get the visa.

Earlier the fee structure was Sh10, 500 and now it has been confirmed by the US government that it has been hiked to 11,200 for acquiring visas in non-immigrant categories. This can include student visa and tourist visa, to name a few.

According to US Embassy in Nairobi, it has been confirmed that the fee structure for non-immigrant visa would show an increase and this would specially be applicable to temporary workers as well professional athletes who come here for a temporary basis.

However, the procedure for the payment of the fees has not been changed at all. Regardless of the nationality of the overseas students, it is mandatory for the applicants of non-immigrant visas to pay the amount for individual applications made in regard for the same, at the Commercial Bank of Africa. Seeing this report, it has been expected that fee structure for other countries might rise too.

The amendments in immigration rules leave the prospective applicants in a state of limbo sometimes. Therefore, it is always advised to go for assistance from an expert Study Visa expert to avoid any visa denial, courtesy the change in immigration rules.

US Airports have become stricter and stringent when it comes to checking the immigration status of overseas people coming into their land. The strict regulations are courtesy the plenty of undocumented workers who come in numbers every year, just to work on an illegal manner in the US. Therefore, the implementations of strict checks at the airport are genuine.

Looking back at the statistics of people who have been barred entry in the US, 1194 Aussie residents were restricted from entering the US since last twelve months or so. What would we call it? Is it the strict immigration rules which is barring the entry of so many people or is it the illegal immigration status if these people for which they have been restricted for the same.

If correct stats are to be seen, one in every 760 people, who come from the “Land of Kangaroos” to the US, face rejection at the US Border. And if the same time is considered for New Zealand Border, only 18 Aussies faced rejection for the same.

It has been believed that many people visiting US tend to overstay their visits, some tend to misuse their immigration status while some go on to breach the code of conduct, hence allowing the Immigration officer with ample reasons to bar them from entering the premises.

Hence, people are advised to go for legal route while filing their immigration application and take assistance from an experienced Immigration expert.