New Jersey Immigration Attorney Welcomes You to Springtime 2016
UNIVISION AIMS TO REGISTER MORE HISPANIC VOTERS
With the presidential election just a few months away, Univision has set a goal of registering 3 million new Latino voters, which is about the same number who have come of voting age since the 2012 election. In 2012, 11 million Hispanics voted, but that was less than half of the number of Hispanics who were eligible to vote. Univision plans to run advertisements on all 126 local TV and radio stations as well as on their digital platforms and their sports channel, Univision Deportes. They will also share a user-friendly online voter guide and hold events in several communities. During this summer’s soccer tournament Copa América, Univision will have voter drives by the stadiums and air announcements during the broadcasts to reach millions of people. In addition to informing and entertaining, one of Univision’s missions is “to empower the Hispanic community.” Additionally, the network’s news division has a huge staff assigned to election coverage, which they are calling “Destino 2016,” and they will host a Democratic debate on March 9th and a general forum with Republican and Democratic nominees on July 14th.
Please remember to apply for citizenship soon in order to be able to vote in the November election.
PLANS FOR SUPREME COURT CASE TO BE HEARD NEXT MONTH
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away last month. He was the longest serving member on the 9-person Court, and it’s doubtful that his spot will be filled before the U.S. v. Texas immigration case scheduled for April that challenges the President’s executive actions. It was anticipated that Justice Scalia would not vote in favor of President Obama’s executive actions. If there is a 4-4 tie, the decision goes with the lower court’s decision to uphold an injunction against the executive actions. California is one of the states already making plans for many immigrants seeking to stay in the country after the case decision is made in June. If the actions are approved, 1.5 million undocumented immigrants in California will be eligible to apply to temporarily stay in the U.S. legally. The state’s Department of Social Services approved a program that will provide 61 nonprofits across the state with $14.5 million to expand immigration aid, outreach and education over the next year and a half.
U.S. CHURCHES A SAFE HAVEN FOR IMMIGRANTS
So far, 12 religious institutions across the country have opened their doors to Central American immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally and are under deportation orders. While the scope of this movement is not like how it was in the 1980s when 500 churches and synagogues declared themselves safe havens for Guatemalans and Salvadorans in need, the Church World Service shared that they know at least 300 more congregations in 30 states who are willing to support this sanctuary movement if need be. In 2011, an USCIS memo indicated that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents will avoid arresting anyone at churches, schools, or hospitals as long as they are not a terror suspect or dangerous felon. Since the latest ICE roundups, 11 out of 13 immigrants who sought refuge in a church received stays of deportation after their cases were made public.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office!