Media, Congressman Giving Wrong Impression Of I-140 Ead Plan

[texas]

Source - http://immigrationgirl.com/media-congressman-giving-wrong-impression-of-i-140-ead-plan/

 

 

Media, Congressman Giving Wrong Impression of I-140 EAD Plan

 

As many of you are aware, a Department of Homeland Security memo on possible plans to issue EADs to I-140 holders was leaked some time ago. Yesterday, Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) has issued a press release stating that this memo indicates that DHS’s real plan is to give EADs to undocumented immigrants since litigation has stalled President Obama’s other executive actions, DAPA and DACA expansion: http://lamarsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/smith-dhs-memo-reveals-plans-to-defy-federal-judge-on-immigration

While Representative Smith is correct that the leaked memo does mention the possibility of undocumented immigrants being able to obtain EADs, in actuality, the memo indicates that the “Office of Policy and Strategy recommends Option 2, in which EADS may only be granted to individuals who are lawfully present in the United States.”

Unfortunately, the memo has received more negative press in light of Rep. Smith’s press release:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/11/03/report-dhs-drafts-work-around-in-case-court-keeps-freeze-on-immigration-actions/

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/lawmaker-leaked-memo-shows-obama-ignoring-the-rule-of-law-on-immigration/article/2575602

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/the-administration/258689-leaked-dhs-memo-shows-obama-might-circumvent-dapa

I am worried that the plan to issue EADs to I-140 holders to help employment-based applicants stuck in visa backlogs may be derailed by these reports.

If you are in the 21st District of Texas and you support the I-140 EAD for lawful nonimmigrants stuck in employment-based visa backlogs, consider emailing Representative Smith at: http://lamarsmith.house.gov/contact/email-lamar

If you are not in this district, you can mail a letter to:

The Honorable Lamar Smith

2409 Rayburn House Office Building

United States House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. 20515

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