I attended a lecture and discussion on migration and trade today that was really interesting. Given the seemingly pro-imigration policies being put forth by the president, one might assume that migration / immigration advocacy groups would be on board. As I've increasingly heard, and as confirmed by the speaker this evening, this is not the case at all. Through the negotiation process between dems and republicans, the current bill as is is has been reengineered in such a way to appease too many stakeholders. In the eyes of advocacy groups, a better bill can be had, and a better time may be when dems are in greater strength, not that dems own the immigration charge by any means... after all, it is the president's agenda.

I hardly know enough or understand the intricacies of this debate, but as I find good articles, I will share. Here is a link and excerpt of one that sheds light on the immigration application / green card process.


Hard Line on Immigrants
How long is the queue for green cards?
By Michelle Tsai
Posted Thursday, June 14, 2007, at 5:10 PM ET

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff met with Republican and Democratic senatorson Wednesday, in an effort to revive a proposed overhaul of the nation's immigration laws. Back in May, Chertoff took pains to note that under the new law, illegal immigrants wouldn't be able to skip the line for obtaining green cards. Opponents have argued the opposite, saying that illegal immigrants would indeed get to jump to the front of the line. Just how long is the green card line, anyway?

It depends on whom you know. The spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens skip the line altogether and get to apply for their green cards right away. (It can still take months or years for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to process these applications.) Most other would-be immigrants must wait on one of two lines to get their visas for permanent residence. Those who secure sponsorship from an employer get on the faster track. This one favors the people at the top of their field—like top scientists and athletes—while less illustrious folks can wait for years. Those stuck on the much slower family line—which includes relatives not mentioned above, like siblings—must wait at least six years before they reach the front; some people have been queued up for more than two decades. (Refugees and asylum-seekers move in their own line, with the president deciding how many to accept from regions around the world.)