Magyar News, 1991. szeptember-1992. augusztus (2. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1992-07-01 / 11-12. szám
...LET’S GO TO AMERICA... At the annual dinner of the International Institute, I was lucky to have a few words with Mr. John P. Weiss, Officer in Charge of the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the U.S. Department of Justice. The few words were asking him to write us an article on Immigration problems. Since the political relation to Hungary changed, naturally the refugee possibilities for the Hungarians switched to the practice of immigration. The laws changed but the desire to come to the United States still lingers on. It is important that people going to Hungary for a visit have a clear Our nation is a land of immigrants who have left their homelands in hope of finding freedom. Freedom... can anyone define freedom in such a way that it is all encompassing? Freedom is different things to different people. Within the framework of freedom there must be laws... Following are some highlights of Immigration laws and regulations. Immigrants as defined by U.S. Immigration law, are persons granted legal permanent residence in the United States. A majority of immigrants arrive in the United States with immigrant visas issued abroad. The latest statistics show that 1.8 million foreign nationals were granted legal permanent resident status during 1991. This number is 19 percent greater than in 1990, which had been the record year for immigration. U.S. law gives preferential immigration status to aliens with a family relationship to a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, aliens with needed job skills or aliens who qualify as refugees. Aliens in other categories account for relatively few admissions. • FAMILY -SPONSORED VISAS Family approved immigrant visas include: 1) spouses,children and parents of United States citizens, (no numerical limit) 2) unmarried sons and daughters of United States citizens 3) spouses, children and unmarried sons and daughters of alien residents 4) children of unmarried sons and daughters of United States citizens and permanent residents 5) married sons and daughters of United States citizens and their children 6) brothers and sisters of United States citizens and their children 7) spouses and children of legalized aliens Section 201 specifies that in no case shall the family-sponsored preference limit (#2 through 7) be less than 226,000 in total. • EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE Section 201(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by the Immigration Act of 1990, specifies that the worldwide level of employment-based preference immigrants for a fiscal year is equal to: 140,000 plus certain preference immigrant numbers which were unused during the previous fiscal year. picture on who can, and how can anybody immigrate to the U.S. They should know that it is not enough to promise to take care of a person in the U.S. Those who come here with the hope to stay should understand that it is the law that matters and not a relative or a friend. I thank Mr. Weiss for helping us with this article. I also would like to thank Ms. Jacqueline Pelletier, the Assistant Officer,for her concern of all immigrants, among them the Hungarians. (Editor) country) were divided into two categories: those to perform temporary agricultural labor or services (as defined by the Secretary of Labor) and those to perform other temporary labor or services. The employer sanctions provisions found at Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act were added by Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986. These provisions further changed with the passage of the Immigration Act of 1990. Employment is often the magnet that attracts persons to come to or stay in the U.S. illegally. The purpose of the employer sanctions law is to remove this magnet by requiring employers to hire only persons who may legally work here: citizens and nationals of the U.S. and aliens authorized to work. To comply with the law employers must verify the identity and employment eligibility of anyone hired, and complete and retain a Form 1-9. All employers may request Form M-274 Handbook for Employers in order to obtain the current information and instructions for completion of the Form 1-9. In addition the law obliges employers not to discriminate against individuals on the basis of national origin or citizenship, or to require more or different documents from a particular individual. The law has been strongly supported by the Public. Employers have joined and continue to join, the effort to protect our heritage of legal immigration. This cooperation has made jobs available to American citizens and to aliens who are authorized to work in our country. In addition to being the law, it is good business practice for employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of workers. During the past six months, the Hartford Immigration Office has issued six Notices of Intent To Fine to businesses in the Connecticut area who were found in violation of the Employer Sanctions provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Actof 1986. A total of 43 arrests were made in connection with sanctions cases along with recommendations for fines totalling $34,915. At the time a foreign national applies for admission to the United States the Immigration Inspector determines the period of admission allowed the specific applicant. Individuals remaining longer than allowed as stated on Form 1-94 given by the Immi- ^ gration Inspector become out of status: in ^ • REGISTRATION FOR THE AA-1 IMMIGRANT PROGRAM The Immigration and Nationality Actof 1990 established a Transitional Diversity Category, where 40,000 immigrant visas for each fiscal year 1992, 1993 and 1994 will be allotted to natives of thirty-five countries, Hungary being one of them. The application period for registration for the 40,000 to be issued during FY-1993 has not yet been determined. For update information, you may call the Department of State at 202-663-1600 for a recorded message or you may send a postage paid, self-addressed envelope to obtain the necessary information as soon as it is available. Mail request to: AA-1 Lottery 1401 Wilson Blvd. Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22209 •NONIMMIGRANTS A nonimmigrant is an alien admitted to the U.S. for a specified temporary period of time but not for permanent residence. Although the typical nonimmigrant is a tourist who visits for a few days to several months, there are numerous classes of nonimmigrant admissions, ranging from students to ambassadors. For most nonimmigrant classes of admissions there has been an “open door” policy by the U.S. government. Regulations govern such areas as the grounds for nonimmigrant admission, length and extension of stay, employment in the United States, accompaniment by family members, travel restrictions within the U.S. and change of admission status. Most nonimmigrants are not allowed gainful employment while in the U.S., though exceptions may be granted for example to students and to family members of international representatives. On the other hand, temporary workers come to the U.S. expressly for purposes of employment. • SANCTIONS In recent years Congress has reformed immigration laws preserving our tradition of legal immigration while closing the door to illegal entry. The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986 revised existing nonimmigrant class of admission for temporary workers. Those allowed to enter the U.S. to perform labor or services (if unemployed persons capable of performing such labor or services cannot be found in this
