Greetings!
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Managing Partner, Lakshmi Challa to Speak at Virginia Organizing Event
Lakshmi Challa will speak about Immigration Reform this Thursday at the Virginia Organizing Event to be held in Chesterfield Virginia. Virginia Organizing will be releasing the results from the new state-wide poll on immigration reform, as well as opening discussion on immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship.
- When: This Thursday, June 13th starting at 9:30am
- Where: The Congregation Or Ami in Chesterfield, Virginia
- Who: Virginia Organizing
This is an event you won't want to miss! More information can be found on the following website, www.virginia-organizing.org.
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Immigration Reform Bill Update
The Senate bill, authored by the bipartisan "Gang of Eight" has now moved to the Senate floor for debate.
It is expected that the debate will last for the next three weeks with the vote set to take place before the July 4th holiday. Debate has so far centered on the pathway to citizenship for immigrants in the country without authorization and on securing the border.
If the bill passes the Senate, it will then move to the House, where it is expected to face tough opposition.
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| What is the RECLAIM North Carolina Act?
The North Carolina General Assembly recently introduced a bill called the RECLAIM North Carolina Act (HB 786). According to the preamble, the bill was enacted in an effort to makes certain immigration reforms in lieu of the federal government's failure to enact immigration reform legislation. However since the "Gang of 8" (eight US Senators who formed a committee to draft immigration reform bill) formed prior to the introduction of the RECLAIM NC Act just introduced an immigration reform bill to the Senate floor, it begs the question whether that is the true reason the NC General Assembly proposed the RECLAIM NC Act. This proposed legislation may affect an estimated 325,000 undocumented immigrants in the state of North Carolina. Of significance, the proposed bill would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver permits; overturning a 2006 NC law which barred undocumented immigrants from renewing their driver's licenses.
To obtain a driver's permit under the RECLAIM NC Act, undocumented immigrants would be required to do the following: 1. Submit to a criminal background check; 2. Prove one year residency in the state prior to April 1, 2013; and 3. Pay an annual renewal cost of $25 each year to maintain the driver's permit.
With a fingerprint image placed on the face of the license and other distinct demarcations, an undocumented immigrant's status would be obvious to store owners, the police, bank tellers, and others who view it. These demarcations would differ from North Carolinians whose driver's licenses were conferred through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
Various pro-immigration organizations have touted the proposed bill as a start in the right direction. While others groups such as the ACLU of North Carolina, find many of the provisions remnant of the harsh Arizona SB 1070 bill, which was recently upheld by the United States Supreme Court.
Although we applaud the efforts to provide undocumented immigrants with driver's permits; the additional provisions in this bill are problematic and lead to discriminatory practices. Therefore, we ask you to contact our local government officials and ask him/her to eliminate the above-mentioned measures from the RECLAIM North Carolina Act.
For more information, see the Challa Law Offices website, www.challalaw.com.
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Que es la legislacion "RECLAIM Carolina del Norte?"
La legislación por el Congreso de Estado de Carolina del Norte presento de una ley propuesta que se llama RECLAIM Carolina de Norte (HB 786). Según la exposición de motivos, la ley fue promulgada en un esfuerzo que hace algunas reformas de inmigración en lugar del fracaso del gobierno federal para promulgar una reforma migratoria. Sin embargo, desde la "Grupo de los 8" (ocho senadores estadounidenses que formaron un comité para el proyecto de reforma migratoria) se formó antes de la introducción de la RECLAIM Carolina del Norte (NC), acaba de presentar una ley de reforma migratoria en el Senado, se plantea la cuestión de si dicha es la verdadera razón por la Asamblea General propuso la legislación RECLAIM NC. Este proyecto de ley afectará a unos 325.000 inmigrantes indocumentados en el estado de Carolina del Norte. De importancia, la ley propuesta permitiría a los inmigrantes indocumentados obtener permisos de conducir; revocar una ley de Carolina del Norte de 2006, que prohibía a los inmigrantes indocumentados de la renovación de sus licencias de conducir.
Para obtener el permiso de conducir bajo la legislación RECLAIM NC, los inmigrantes indocumentados tendrían que hacer lo siguiente: 1. Someterse a una verificación de antecedentes penales; 2. Demostrar un año de residencia en el Carolina de Norte antes del 1 de abril de 2013; y 3. Pagar un costo de renovación anual de $ 25 cada año para mantener el permiso a conducir. Con una imagen de la huella colocada en la licencia y otras demarcaciones distintas, el estatus de un inmigrante indocumentado sería evidente para los propietarios de tiendas, la policía, los cajeros de los bancos, y otros que verlos. Estas demarcaciones serían diferentes de Carolina del Norte, cuya licencia de conducir se otorgan de la Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA.)
Varias organizaciones pro-inmigrantes han promocionado la ley como un paso en la dirección correcta. Mientras que otros grupos como la ACLU de Carolina del Norte, encuentran muchas de las disposiciones duras de la ley de Arizona SB 1070, que fue confirmada recientemente por la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos.
Aunque aplaudimos los esfuerzos para proporcionar a los inmigrantes indocumentados con los permisos de conducir, las disposiciones adicionales de la ley propuesta son problemáticas y abren la puerta por prácticas discriminatorias. Por lo tanto, le pedimos que se comunique con nuestros funcionarios del gobierno local y pedirles para eliminar las medidas antes mencionadas de la legislación RECLAIM Carolina del Norte.
Para mas informacion, ver la página web de las Oficinas de Challa Law, www.challalaw.com
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Challa Law & the North Carolina Railhawks "Go Red!"
Lakshmi Challa and other women's' heart health supporters showed their commitment to the cause during halftime at the Railhawks' game against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, June 8th.
Congratulations to the Railhawks for their 2-1 Victory and greater awareness for women's health!
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Attorney Eileen Earnhardt Participated in "Ready Virginia" Info Session
Attorney Eileen Earnhardt participated in the "Ready Virginia" information session last Thursday, June 6th 2013, which was held by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
"Ready Virginia" is an initiative of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. "The Virginia Department of Emergency Management works with local government, state and federal agencies and voluntary organizations to provide resources and expertise through the four phases of emergency management." Basically, they provide resources for emergency "Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation." Eileen found the event to be very informative, and you might too!
More information can be found on their webpage, http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia.
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Supporting Our Troops and Showing Our Love for the Military
Challa Law continues to send a box every month to our Military men and women who are overseas. If you would like to be a part of our continuing effort, you can donate and we will purchase the items to send them on your behalf, along with hand written notes to our troops.
You can send a check to Challa Law Office with AnySoldier.com in the memo line, or you can donate via PayPal at www.challalaw.com. The soldiers typically ask for basic items such as socks, snack foods, and laundry detergent. For a more comprehensive list of necessary items, more information can be found on the Challa Law Facebook Page.
 Challa Law is doing good things
with your support. Please help this effort continue to grow.
Donations are tax-deductible !
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Priority Dates: July 2013: Family Based
China India
F1 01 JUNE 06 01 JUNE 06
F2A 08 OCT 11 08 OCT 11
F2B 01 NOV 05 01 NOV 05
F3 01 OCT 02 01 OCT 02
F4 22 MAY 01 22 MAY 01
Priority Dates: July 2013: Employment Based
China India
First C C
Second 08 AUG 08 01 SEP 04
Third 01 JAN 09 22 JAN 03
Other Workers 22 MAR 04 22 JAN 03
Fourth C C
Religious Workers C C
Fifth C C
If you would like to know about your case status, please call our office 804-360-8482 in Richmond or 919-380-4044 in NC and ask your attending paralegal/attorney or email them directly or send an email to our office at info@challalaw.com and someone will be able to help you. |
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Disclaimer
This newsletter has been prepared for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No information included herein shall create an attorney/client relationship or constitute an invitation for such a relationship. This newsletter is not intended to be an advertisement. You should always seek professional, independent legal consultation before taking or refraining from any action. |
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Sincerely,
Challa Law Offices |
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Upcoming Events at Challa Law
Virginia Organizing Event:
June 13th, 9:30am
9400 Huguenot Rd,
Richmond
VA 23235
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Challa Law Offices After Hours Drop Box
For your convenience we now have this facility at our
Richmond office.
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Our Office Locations:
RICHMOND, VA:
5040 Sadler Place
Suite 200
Glen Allen, VA 23060
804-360-8482
MORRISVILLE, NC:
5105 Grace Park Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
919-380-4044
HYDERABAD INDIA:
Challa Legal Services Pvt. Ltd
401 Flora Apartments
Road Number 3
Banjara Hills
Hyderabad, AP. India
91 40 23352295
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