Miami Immigration Lawyers Blog

At the outset it has to be made clear that Immigration Reform is not amnesty. It is a concept that involves the reforming of immigration enforcement as well as creating a path to residency for nearly 11 million people who do not have the benefit of adjusting status in the U.S. by virtue of how they entered the country.

The path to residency would entail strict requirements that must be met. The majority of these 11 million individuals entered the U.S. without documents, which means that they cannot adjust their status from that of undocumented to that of legal status in the U.S. On the other hand, individuals who entered the U.S. and overstayed their authorized stay can adjust their status in the U.S. if they are beneficiaries of an immediate relative visa petition.

The inability to adjust status for such a large number of people only hurts the U.S. economy. For starters, many of these individuals do not file income tax returns due to the misplaced fear that the IRS will report them to immigration. The job opportunities are limited for the majority of individuals due to the lack of work authorization. The inability of so many individuals to seek diverse job opportunities creates stagnation in the overall economic progress of the nation. This is due in large part to a decline in or lack of competition in the job market.

A strong economy requires competition in the work place to spur new ideas and innovation which stimulates the economy. Finally, the spending habits of undocumented individuals are generally overly conservative. They tend to spend on bare minimum consumer goods due to the prospect of an uncertain future of living permanently in the U.S. The majority of these individuals have a tendency not to make larger purchases or make investments in their future because of the uncertainty in their lives.

While the economic conditions would improve with the ultimate legalization of so many people, these individuals, as it stands now, are certainly not a drain on the economy as many pundits have inaccurately espoused. These are individuals seeking a better life and are eager to be part of the American community. They are also human beings, complete with the need for shelter, clothing, and food. This means that they are spending money in America on items necessary for these needs which in and of itself is a strong contribution to the economy.

Contrary to public misconceptions, these individuals are the least likely to receive government benefits. The inability of our politicians and the American electorate to support Immigration Reform is attributed to underlying bigotry and fear mongering which has no place in the American discussion. Anybody who is serious about improving our economy and making America more competitive should give Immigration Reform serious consideration.

About Revilla Law Firm, P.A.
Antonio Revilla is a Former U.S. Immigration Prosecutor and Miami Immigration Lawyer. Mr. Revilla founded his immigration law practice, Revilla Law Firm, when he saw a dire need for aggressive immigration representation and deportation defense in order to keep families united.

If you wish to receive more information about any immigration issue, you can contact Revilla Law Firm at 305-858-2323 to speak with Antonio Revilla. He can also be reached via email at arevilla@immigrationmiami.com or by phone (305) 858-2323.

President Obama has always promised the nation immigration reform to help unite families and offer a path towards residency and citizenship for millions. He has been speaking about immigration reform since his campaign for the presidency.

President Obama is now campaigning again for reelection and therefore has revived his stance on immigration by speaking to the nation with fervor of how he supports immigration reform. Likewise, President Obama is calling upon Congress, yet again, to pass immigration reform. The Hispanic vote is a crucial part of the electorate, so it should come as no surprise that this vote is being courted with promises of immigration reform.

It is clear that immigration reform has become a political pawn. As a political move to garner Republican support for immigration reform, the Obama Administration has detained and deported more people than the Bush administration ever did, among other measures, such as strengthening border control. Even though the Obama administration has done exactly what the Republicans wanted to gain their support for immigration reform, the Republicans maintain their opposition to any such legislation.

If President Obama was really serious about uniting families, he would utilize executive measures which could help millions of people legalize their status. For example, the executive branch, through the Department of Homeland Security, has the authority to grant humanitarian parole to any person. This would help millions of people who are otherwise unable to apply for residency in the United States because of having entered without documents. A person with an immediate relative that can transmit residency such as a spouse, son, or daughter, can only apply for residency in the United States if the person has been admitted or paroled into the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security could conceivably parole millions of individuals who were not admitted and have not been paroled. Eligibility for humanitarian parole could be limited to those individuals that can demonstrate good moral character and have an immediate relative that can transmit residency. Right now, in general, the only people that are given parole after entering the country without documents are natives or citizens of Cuba.

The Obama administration has tried to appease the opponents of an immigration overhaul, but they are steadfast in their opposition to any immigration reform including the DREAM Act. It is about time that the Obama administration stood behind its principals and exerted executive power for the good of the United States.

Antonio Revilla is a Former U.S. Immigration Prosecutor and Miami Immigration Lawyer. Mr. Revilla founded his immigration law practice, Revilla Law Firm, when he saw a dire need for aggressive immigration representation and deportation defense in order to keep families united.

Mr. Revilla has dedicated his career to educating the public on the importance of immigration reform in our country. He has appeared on television to discuss various immigration issues and the benefits of passing bills such as the DREAM Act.
If you wish to contact Mr. Revilla about any immigration issue, he can be reached via email at arevilla@immigrationmiami.com or by phone (305) 858-2323.

President Obama will visit El Paso, Texas, this week and plans to address the issue of immigration reform. He will likely make a renewed plea for bipartisan support in moving forward with the issue. An Obama administrative official said the president will discuss a plan of action and will likely press the immigration issue in the months ahead as a broader effort to "responsibly move forward in advancing legislation in Congress."

The president pledged to pass immigration reform during his presidency and has thus far been unsuccessful in producing results. Recently, the president has become more proactive on immigration reform by reviving the dialogue by meeting with political figures, celebrities, community leaders, and stakeholders to discuss how to garner outside support for the issue, urging those who care about this issue to take a stand and pressure Congress to act.

President Obama will likely argue that, with the increased border security, the U.S. has the opportunity and obligation to address immigration reform and how to let millions of undocumented people currently residing in the U.S. step out of the shadows. The president's speech is also said to be an effort to draw attention to Republicans who are blocking action on an immigration overhaul.