The month of June is filled with holidays. Flag Day, a holiday to that honors the U.S. flag’s adoption, is celebrated on June 14th. We celebrate the husbands, fathers, grandfathers, and uncles in our lives on Father’s Day, which falls on June 16th this year. June 21st officially marks the first day of summer.
Happy celebrating!
IMMIGRATION REFORM IS UNDERWAY
On May 21st, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send Senate Bill 744, the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act,” on to the Senate floor for a vote the week of June 10th. The bill passed this first stage in a bipartisan vote of 13 to 5, with 10 Democrats and 3 Republicans voting it through. This bill includes new visa programs for high-tech and low-skilled workers, a focus on strengthening border control, and offers hope that we are on our way to a path toward citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. The legislation also includes an accelerated 5-year path to citizenship for the 1.7 million undocumented young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. Additionally, the new bill would forgive many immigration law violations including visa fraud, re-entry into the U.S. after deportation, and fraudulent entry.
EXTENDED TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR SALVADORANS
Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, just announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has just been extended for 18 months for eligible nationals from El Salvador. The extension will be valid from September 10, 2013 through March 9, 2015. Those Salvadorans currently benefiting from TPS must re-register between May 30, 2013 and July 29, 2013 and are encouraged to register as soon as possible. The extension also lets those re-registering for TPS apply for a new employment authorization document. Please contact the office to learn more about applying for the TPS extension.
WE WANT TO SHARE SOME EXCITING NEWS!
This past month Susan Scheer was nominated and selected as the 2013 LatinaStyle Magazine” Entrepreneur of the Year.” Susan is truly honored and humbled by this nomination and we want to share this exciting news with you. The award was presented to Susan on May 24, 2013 at a lovely luncheon ceremony during a day-long LatinaStyle business series seminar at the Hyatt Hotel in Jersey City. This honor comes after a legacy of service in the community. Very well-deserved Susan!
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office!