Category Archives: Personally Speaking

Dept. of Homeland Security Has Access to Expunged Criminal Records

It came as a surprise to me that the Department of Homeland Security has access to criminal records that were “expunged” by courts. Furthermore, DHS may use convictions that were “expunged” as the basis for deporting LPRs from the U.S. It is noteworthy that in one case, DHS waiting some 10 years after the conviction to start removal proceedings – after the time had run for all relief for which the LPR could have availed himself regarding the conviction. Please tell me that this offends someone else’s sense of justice other than mine.

Alabama Joins Georgia and Arizona, Among Other States, in Passing Controversial Illegal Immigration Legislation

Today Alabama’s Governor Robert Bentley signed into law immigration legislation aimed at reducing the number of illegal immigrants in Alabama.  There are similarities between Alabama’s law and its Georgia counterpart.  For example, under the new law, set to take effect September 1, law enforcement officers may inquire into the immigration status of persons suspected of having committed a crime.

Alabama’s law goes a step further, however, in also, for example, requiring that the state check the citizenship of all youngsters seeking to enroll in schools.

God bless America and the backs of the immigrants on which she was built.  It speaks volumes that at last as 11:30PM the Governor’s Press Office website said nothing about the new legislation, but instead shows the Governor signing a congressional redistricting bill.  U.S. citizens do not rest easily tonight.  You, much like the undocumented aliens in Alabama, have much about which to be concerned.  The first challenge to the law and millions in taxpayers’ dollars defending the same will hit the news wire by September 1.

Haitian TPS Extended

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced on today that the Department of Homeland Security would extend Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) for Haitians currently residing in the United States.  The extension of TPS will allow the approximately 48,000 Haitian nationals with TPS residing in the US to remain in the country an additional 18 months through January 22, 2013.  This is a very relieving development for all current Haitian US citizens who reside here legally under TPS.

DHS’s compassionate and humane response to the victims of the earthquakes in Haiti is evidence of the ability of the Executive branch to fix our broken immigration system.  Immigration reform, though necessary, can be implemented in a responsible manner.