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Archive for January 13, 2009

VISA BULLETIN FOR FEBRUARY 2009

The US Department of State has released the February 2009 Visa Bulletin.

HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

If you feel you have been mistreated or abused by a CBP (Customs and Border Protection) officer, the agency has a system set to address traveler complaints.  According to cbp.gov:  “The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) currently has in place four primary programs to address and respond to customer complaints and compliments. They are the Passenger Service Representatives, Comment Cards, Customer Service Center, and a program where port directors and supervisors personally respond to telephone and verbal complaints.”

Although going through immigration is not checking into the Ritz, a certain standard of behavior by the officers is expected.  If you encounter problems, follow the agency’s procedures to complain. 

Most CBP officers are courteous and are simply doing their jobs.  However, as with any occupation, those who make a habit of being rude, unprofessional or abusive to custoners should be replaced.  In this economy, finding qualified people to perform those duties should not be too difficult.  Inspired and qualified?  Go to careers at CBP, they may be hiring now!

WILL THIRD TIME BE A CHARM FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM?

According to an AFP article:  “After two failed attempts in 2006 and 2007, immigration reform could finally be pushed through both houses of the US Congress starting in September, civil rights activists said.”

I think the chances of passage are greater than it was in the last two attempts mainly because:  (1) the make up of Congress is more pro-immigrant; and (2) elections will not be imminent.  A lot may depend on the economic environment at the time.  If unemployment remains at such a high level, CIR is less likely to make it through both chambers of Congress. 

We need to reform the current system on so many fronts that the task is daunting.  Hopefully lawmakers learned from the last few attempts so a new and improved CIR bill will need less debate and the proposed timing means the issue will be less politically-charged.

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