The Republicans from Congress continued to turn the spotlight on illegal immigration this week, as the House passed a bill that would now punish sanctuary cities for withholding federal funds.
Sanctuary cities are cities in the United States that have taken a stand not to disclose to Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other federal officials and agencies when illegal immigrants are released from their custody. This measure is what critics say added to the reasons why a woman was killed in the city of San Francisco (a sanctuary city) and others. The relatives of the deceased had testified before Congress this week.
The vote received a lopsided 241-179, with only about a few dozen members of each party crossing the side.
It was pledged by President Obama recently to veto the bill, which is opposed by the Major County Sheriffs’ Association and the Fraternal Order of Police.
The vote is a part of the continuing week of messaging by the Republicans on immigration and sanctuary cities. Recently an emotional briefing was heard from the relatives of those killed or alleged to be killed by undocumented immigrants at the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Earlier this week one of the fathers whose daughter was killed recently testified. While he supported legislation to “take these undocumented immigrant felons off our streets for good,” he also suggested the idea of differentiating between types of felonies when dealing with criminal aliens.
The Obama government is putting in new immigration enforcement programs in place. In this scenario the vast number of illegal immigrants, around 87 per cent would fall under a “degree of protection” to reside in the United States, according to a report. The immigrants would not be a focus of deportation operations.
It was found in the report that around 13 per cent of the estimated 11 million immigrants who were without papers – that is around 1.4 million individuals have criminal backgrounds and have strayed into the country illegally, they are priority for getting deported back under the guidelines which the administration announced in the month of November and put into effect in the month of July recently.
The new program which has been introduced is expected to result in a drop in the overall deportations from the country by as much as 25,000 a year, the report states.
The local and federal immigration policies and procedures came under intense scrutiny after a woman was killed this month in the city of San Francisco by an immigrant from Mexico.He had a long record of felonies and convictions. He was released in the sanctuary city by the sheriff without the federal officials being notified.
Senators are now working towards bills that will compel more coordination and cooperation between local authorities and federal agencies, it was reported.
The U S government’s efforts at planning to deport a 1-year old boy from Honduras has been put on the back burner, according to a report. The mother of the little child, who is a teenager herself has been allowed to stay back in the country and apply for permanent residence.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had earlier strived to deport the little boy ever since he arrived in the U S last year with his 17-year old mother. Both mother and son were part of a huge group that was trying to come from Central America and cross into the U S border.
It was reported last week that the ICE officers decided to keep the deportation on hold, this was stated by the little boy’s lawyer, who said that the toddler would be allowed to apply for permanent residence in a few more years.
“I am very happy that the government decided not to waste their resources prosecuting, pursuing a 1-year-old baby,” said the boy’s lawyer. “This should have been a non-issue.”
Although the officials have not ceased with the case entirely it is no longer active in the immigration court.
The decision to drop the deportation bid came within two weeks of a newspaper publishing the story about the boy and his mother.
As you know, an applicant who wishes to apply for a Green Card or adjust status in residency parameters in the USA has to mandatorily appear for an Immigration Medical.
The Green Card Medical includes :
Physical examination: The applicant is required to go in for a complete physical checkup and examination. The applicant is also required to go in for a mental status evaluation.
Test for TB: All applicants who are more than 2 years of age are required to go in for the Tuberculin skin test.
Serologic blood test: All applicants who are 15 years of age or older shall have to get checked for HIV and for syphilis. Pre-test counseling will have to be given to all applicants taking the HIV test by USCIS-Civil Surgeons or the Panel Physicians. If the applicant is found to carry an HIV infection post-test counseling will have to be provided by the Civil Surgeon.
Vaccinations: The applicant will have to get current with all the recommended vaccinations prescribed by the US Public Health officers.
TESTING POSITIVE FOR HIV
If the tests appear positive for HIV then an application for waiver will have to be filed, and the applicant needs to show that by admission into the country the applicant will not incur costs to any government department and also poses minimum risk to public health.
