It was a good gathering of over a dozen members of immigrationportal (all the participants, if you have already not, please send me an email to rkm@justice.com). We shared our views on many issues of mutual concern. we also resolved to focus more on fax campaigns , strengthen immigrationportal.org and broaden the scope to general welfare of immigrant community (beyond issues related to 485 processing because immigration train does not stop when the 485 is approved). It appears that these efforts are already yielding results. It is evident from a noticeable improvement in processing speed. But we need to push more.
We also discussed ( and agreed to explore ) ways to collect more money for lobbying in the congress. The ultimate goal is to create a powerful association so that the voice of the immigrant community does not fall into deaf ears (you must have seen how politicians run to the unions for endorsement before every elections... ). If we want the law makers to hear us we will have to be a "Sierra Club" of immigrants. In my opinion, the goal should be that the congress calls our representatives in hearings before tabling new laws regarding immigration.
Why should I participate, what is in for me?
Look, everybody is going to get 485 approved sooner or later. But, as I mentioned, the train does not stop here. there is more. You will want to be citizen, will probably sponsor family members, family members and friend will visit you... there are many benefits that are not available to non-citizens... we can unite and do something to make these things easier. Moreover, there is one more thing ...
"An 85 year old man was planting a fruit tree, a passerby asked "grandpa why are you planting this tree, you will be dead before this tree bears the fruits. The man replied " I enjoyed fruits from trees planted by my ancestors, it is my duty to plant tree for my next generations".
Lets do something for us and for the next batch and the next. Please participate in the campaigns and donate generously to immigrationportal.org.
(we are going to have these meetings at least once a month, everybody is welcome to join. we also encourage people in other regions to form small groups, or say, local chapters of immigrationportal.org. Lets take small step toward creating a powerful association. )
*** Unity is Power ***
We also discussed ( and agreed to explore ) ways to collect more money for lobbying in the congress. The ultimate goal is to create a powerful association so that the voice of the immigrant community does not fall into deaf ears (you must have seen how politicians run to the unions for endorsement before every elections... ). If we want the law makers to hear us we will have to be a "Sierra Club" of immigrants. In my opinion, the goal should be that the congress calls our representatives in hearings before tabling new laws regarding immigration.
Why should I participate, what is in for me?
Look, everybody is going to get 485 approved sooner or later. But, as I mentioned, the train does not stop here. there is more. You will want to be citizen, will probably sponsor family members, family members and friend will visit you... there are many benefits that are not available to non-citizens... we can unite and do something to make these things easier. Moreover, there is one more thing ...
"An 85 year old man was planting a fruit tree, a passerby asked "grandpa why are you planting this tree, you will be dead before this tree bears the fruits. The man replied " I enjoyed fruits from trees planted by my ancestors, it is my duty to plant tree for my next generations".
Lets do something for us and for the next batch and the next. Please participate in the campaigns and donate generously to immigrationportal.org.
(we are going to have these meetings at least once a month, everybody is welcome to join. we also encourage people in other regions to form small groups, or say, local chapters of immigrationportal.org. Lets take small step toward creating a powerful association. )
*** Unity is Power ***
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