IMMIGRATION NEWSMAN — THE NEWS SOURCE FOR ALL IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA
IMMIGRATION ON THE WEB
Surfin' the Immigration Web sites that click
By the Editorial Staff
IF YOU'RE old enough to remember the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, you know exactly where you were when you heard the news and how you spent the next few days (glued to the television watching round-the-clock news of grisly events and the national shock that followed).
Now, quick: Do you recall where you were when you first heard about the Monica Lewinsky tapes disclosing a scandalous affair with then President Clinton? If you were among the first to be aware of that story, you weren't watching TV or listening to the radio; you were surfing the Web.
That's the influence of the 'net. In the media as elsewhere, the Internet is changing the rules of the game — sometimes for the better, sometimes not. The interactive world is now part of everyday life for millions of computer-savvy naturalized citizens and future immigrants in America. Indeed, the letter "e" — as in e-Mail, eBay and e-commerce — has become the prefix for a massive social and economic transformation. The Internet is a medium that, when used properly, could have a positive impact to all of us. It brings convenience to our lives, and empowers us in ways we never thought possible.
Many enterprising lawyers and immigration-related companies have realized such power of the Internet. Adding to the proliferation of Web sites from attorneys are those from consultants, advocacy groups, associations and others devoted to the subject. We've visited many Web pages, and we know we've missed an overwhelming number of others, but we know that you'll agree that the sites featured below are compelling enough for a double click.
- The Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khana, PC
- www.immigration.com
Lawyer Rajiv Khana's Web address is probably the best address on cyberspace for any immigration-related site. It is easy to remember: immigration.com. No wonder, despite the site's lack of compelling layout and design it still ranks among the most visited sites on every major search engine. But don't be fooled by the site's lack of visual graphics. Click on the site's Immigration Forums and you'll understand why immigration lawyers would feel envious. Its Labor Certification section, for example, has recorded more than 143,000 posts and one on Adjustment of Status (I-485) shows almost 816,000 posts. It has moderators and helpful members who would gladly share their opinions on almost any topic related to immigration.
- American Immigration Network
- http://www.usavisanow.com
Do-it-yourself kits may not be the kind of stuff immigration lawyers would enjoy promoting, but that's exactly what this site offers its visitors. The New York-based firm, with its on-staff licensed immigration attorneys, claims to have helped thousands of individuals and businesses since 1989. The Web site says the company's “Immigration Kits” for H-1B, L-1 and K-1 visas and green cards through Labor Certification offer “an inexpensive alternative to retaining an attorney.” Each kit contains all the necessary forms, government agency addresses and phone numbers, sample forms and even sample letters.
- Canada Citizenship & Immigration
- http://www.immigration.ca
Colin R. Singer was Canada 's first immigration attorney to establish a well-known identity on the Internet, providing guidance through cyberspace since 1994. It's no wonder then that his Web site has become one of the most useful places for questions concerning Canadian immigration – and on U.S. immigration, too! The site's forum often helps immigrants in the U.S. get advice from fellow immigrants in Canada about their paperwork problems. The site is very user-friendly. Canada is a great option for immigrants who are having trouble with their immigration paperwork in the U.S. and so this site also answers frequently-asked questions in French, Bulgarian, Chinese, Hungarian, Romanian, Polish, Russian and Spanish.
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- American Immigration Center
- http://www.us-immigration.com
This is a good Web site for people checking the latest Visa Bulletin or those in need of translation services. It offers a “US Citizenship Multimedia Kit” which, according to the site, contains “everything you need to file an application and prepare for the U.S. Citizenship test” for $79.99, or a kit for “Green Card by Marriage” for $59.95 or a “Fiancé Visa Petition Kit (K-1),” which tells you how to petition your alien fiancé to enter the United States, also $59.95. And it is also Latino-friendly with its “Version en Español,” which would come in handy for immigrants from Mexico and South America.
- Amnesty International
- http://www.amnesty.org
An immigrant facing deportation, Mr. George D. objected when he was forced to strip in front of male guards at a USCIS detention facility. Neither the nurse, who examined him, nor the guards who watched him strip, had any clue as to why he objected so vehemently. They didn't know he was seeking asylum from jails of Togo, where he had been raped by the guards. Such stories make this Web site a must-visit for immigrants who have applied for political asylum. The site offers related links and comprehensive reports on detained immigrants in the U.S. It surely isn't the kind of Web site that pleases U.S. immigration officials.
- United States Immigration Support
- http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org
Although the site looks like an official government site, a legal disclaimer at the bottom of its homepage makes it clear that it's not affiliated with the U.S. government. The site is a division of U.S. Publisher, a leading publisher of legal books and immigration guides. Its products include applications for U.S. visas, green cards, citizenship and passports. The site provides plenty of basic information for immigrants, including on topics pertaining to Social Security and U.S. driver's license. Visitors can download PDF files of applications for different kinds of visas, from B-1 Business Visa to H-1B Work Visa.
- The Immigration Superhighway
- http://www.immigration-usa.com/i_suphwy.html
While this site may be quite informative, it surely can't beat consulting an experienced immigration lawyer. However, it offers a lot of basic information on questions such as “How a foreign national in the U.S. may request a change of status to become a permanent resident” or “How to extend visit or change status in the U.S.; get permission to work in the U.S.; or obtain a permanent residence or green card.” It has several articles on sensitive issues, such as on the problem of enforcing immigration laws and on the “immigration debate.”
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
- http://www.uscis.gov
And how could we miss mentioning the mother of all immigration Web sites? The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services site offers a ton of information particularly to those with pending applications. It gives you an estimate how long it would take the bureau to process your case. It also features a "How Do I" factsheet for permanent residents or employers planning to hire foreign nationals and for those with refugee or asylee status. And for just plain U.S. citizens asking questions such as "How do I get proof of my U.S. citizenship?" or "How do I help my relative become a permanent resident of the United States?" And for Americans who've fallen in love with someone from another country, the urgent question is often like this: "How do I help my fiancé (é) or girlfriend become a permanent resident of the U.S.? All those questions, and more, are answered in this official Web site.
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