Seattle Times
Passports made easy
Originally published Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Need a passport? You can get one more easily on Dec. 5 when the federal Seattle Passport Agency hosts a special "Passport Day" at its downtown...
By Kristin Jackson
Seattle Times travel staff
Need a passport? You can get one more easily on Dec. 5 when the federal Seattle Passport Agency hosts a special "Passport Day" at its downtown office.
Read the whole article here.
Kristin Jackson: kjackson@seattletimes.com
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Outside the Walls of Ancient Babylon
Taken on Camp Babylon, Iraq, on March 5, 2004. In the distance is Saddam's palace overlooking Babylon.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
R.L.S. (II)
Tombstone of Robert Louis Stevenson. Taken in Edinburgh, Scotland, on February 20, 2006.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
BW - H-1B Visa Law: Trying Again. Senators Dick Durbin and Charles Grassley plan to reintroduce legislation aimed at curbing abuses of the H-1B visa.
From my archive of press clippings:
Business Week
H-1B Visa Law: Trying Again
Senators Dick Durbin and Charles Grassley plan to reintroduce legislation aimed at curbing abuses of the H-1B visa program
By Moira Herbst
April 24, 2009, 12:01AM EST
Two U.S. senators are reintroducing legislation aimed at revamping the H-1B visa program for guest workers in the U.S., at a time of rising unemployment and growing evidence that the program has been marred by fraud. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) hope that the bill, "The H-1B and L-1 Visa Fraud & Prevention Act of 2009," has a better chance of passing now than when they originally introduced it in 2007.
Read the whole article here.
_____
Herbst is a reporter for BusinessWeek in New York.
Business Week
H-1B Visa Law: Trying Again
Senators Dick Durbin and Charles Grassley plan to reintroduce legislation aimed at curbing abuses of the H-1B visa program
By Moira Herbst
April 24, 2009, 12:01AM EST
Two U.S. senators are reintroducing legislation aimed at revamping the H-1B visa program for guest workers in the U.S., at a time of rising unemployment and growing evidence that the program has been marred by fraud. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) hope that the bill, "The H-1B and L-1 Visa Fraud & Prevention Act of 2009," has a better chance of passing now than when they originally introduced it in 2007.
Read the whole article here.
_____
Herbst is a reporter for BusinessWeek in New York.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
R.L.S.
Tombstone of Robert Louis Stevenson, "A Man of Letters." Taken in Edinburgh, Scotland, on February 20, 2006.
SI.CH - Expert warns e-passports are open to abuse
From my archive of press clippings:
SwissInfo.ch
Expert warns e-passports are open to abuse
April 24, 2009 - 8:39 AM
Plans for a new passport have sparked debate over the inclusion of an electronic chip containing biometric details, and the creation of a central fingerprint database.
Read the whole article here.
_____
swissinfo-interview: Urs Geiser
SwissInfo.ch
Expert warns e-passports are open to abuse
April 24, 2009 - 8:39 AM
Plans for a new passport have sparked debate over the inclusion of an electronic chip containing biometric details, and the creation of a central fingerprint database.
Read the whole article here.
_____
swissinfo-interview: Urs Geiser
Friday, September 18, 2009
JO - US tightening re-entry rules
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
US tightening re-entry rules
CMC
Thursday, April 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, USA (CMC) - The United States' Department of Homeland Security says it is tightening the rules for citizens re-entering the country from the Caribbean, Mexico or Canada.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The Homeland Security Department said children of US citizens under the age of 16 would be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of US citizenship, such as a naturalisation certificate or citizenship card."
Jamaica Observer
US tightening re-entry rules
CMC
Thursday, April 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, USA (CMC) - The United States' Department of Homeland Security says it is tightening the rules for citizens re-entering the country from the Caribbean, Mexico or Canada.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The Homeland Security Department said children of US citizens under the age of 16 would be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of US citizenship, such as a naturalisation certificate or citizenship card."
Thursday, September 17, 2009
USA-T - Accused Americans could be stuck in Brazil for months
From my archive of press clippings:
USA Today
Accused Americans could be stuck in Brazil for months
Updated 7/9/2009 3:31 PM
By Andrea Stone, USA TODAY
Three U.S. graduate students arrested last month for suspected poaching and visa violations could be stranded in a remote corner of Brazil for months as their case goes through the courts, their lawyer says.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"University of Arizona geoscientists Michael McGlue, 31, and Mark Trees, 48, and University of Minnesota-Duluth student Kelly Wendt, 26, were arrested by federal police June 16 while working on a climate change project with the University of the State of Sao Paulo. The Americans spent eight nights in jail before being released on bail June 26. Police confiscated their passports as well as computers, research equipment, cellphones and cash."
&
"State Department spokeswoman Laura Tischler said U.S. diplomats had spoken with the men but suggested there was little they could do.
"The traveler really needs to check what the requirements are by checking the embassy websites," she said. "Once you travel and are in another country, you are subject to local law." "
______
USA Today
Accused Americans could be stuck in Brazil for months
Updated 7/9/2009 3:31 PM
By Andrea Stone, USA TODAY
Three U.S. graduate students arrested last month for suspected poaching and visa violations could be stranded in a remote corner of Brazil for months as their case goes through the courts, their lawyer says.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"University of Arizona geoscientists Michael McGlue, 31, and Mark Trees, 48, and University of Minnesota-Duluth student Kelly Wendt, 26, were arrested by federal police June 16 while working on a climate change project with the University of the State of Sao Paulo. The Americans spent eight nights in jail before being released on bail June 26. Police confiscated their passports as well as computers, research equipment, cellphones and cash."
&
"State Department spokeswoman Laura Tischler said U.S. diplomats had spoken with the men but suggested there was little they could do.
"The traveler really needs to check what the requirements are by checking the embassy websites," she said. "Once you travel and are in another country, you are subject to local law." "
______
TBH - Passport fairs now operate like clockwork
From my archive of press clippings:
The Brownsville Herald
Passport fairs now operate like clockwork
June 27, 2009 9:04 PM
By LAURA TILLMAN, The Brownsville Herald
At 6:30 a.m. Anita Tipton started her Saturday at the main Brownsville post office with her baby boy in her arms and high heels on her feet.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"By now, the passport fairs executed by De La Garza's office are like a well-oiled machine: De La Garza split her staff into three teams. The first accepted passports application materials, the second reviewed whether the information provided was complete, and the third doublechecked the applications to ensure that as few errors as possible made it to the U.S. Department of State."
_____
ltillman@brownsvilleherald.com
The Brownsville Herald
Passport fairs now operate like clockwork
June 27, 2009 9:04 PM
By LAURA TILLMAN, The Brownsville Herald
At 6:30 a.m. Anita Tipton started her Saturday at the main Brownsville post office with her baby boy in her arms and high heels on her feet.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"By now, the passport fairs executed by De La Garza's office are like a well-oiled machine: De La Garza split her staff into three teams. The first accepted passports application materials, the second reviewed whether the information provided was complete, and the third doublechecked the applications to ensure that as few errors as possible made it to the U.S. Department of State."
_____
ltillman@brownsvilleherald.com
KDBC4 - Hundreds in El Paso Flock to Passport Fair
From my archive of press clippings:
KDBC4
Hundreds in El Paso Flock to Passport Fair
Posted by Armando Saldivar, KDBC 4 News
May 17, 2009 09:42 PM EDT
For the past two years, foreign travelers were given word that a passport would be required in order to travel even into Juarez. With less than two weeks before the regulation is enforced, El Paso County is seeing thousands of people scrambling to get their document.
Read the whole article here.
KDBC4
Hundreds in El Paso Flock to Passport Fair
Posted by Armando Saldivar, KDBC 4 News
May 17, 2009 09:42 PM EDT
For the past two years, foreign travelers were given word that a passport would be required in order to travel even into Juarez. With less than two weeks before the regulation is enforced, El Paso County is seeing thousands of people scrambling to get their document.
Read the whole article here.
AVB - Warning about dodgy American visa websites
From my archive of press clippings:
American Visa Bureau
Warning about dodgy American visa websites
22 April 2009
The US Government is still lodging complaints that dodgy websites are making money from the free American visa system called the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"As of January this year, the US Government introduced a American visa replacement program for those travellers who do not officially require a visa to travel to America. This means that all nationals or citizens from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program who wish to travel to America for business or travel purposes for 90 days or less must obtain approval through the ESTA ."
_____
The American Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in American visa and immigration services.
American Visa Bureau
Warning about dodgy American visa websites
22 April 2009
The US Government is still lodging complaints that dodgy websites are making money from the free American visa system called the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"As of January this year, the US Government introduced a American visa replacement program for those travellers who do not officially require a visa to travel to America. This means that all nationals or citizens from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program who wish to travel to America for business or travel purposes for 90 days or less must obtain approval through the ESTA ."
_____
The American Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in American visa and immigration services.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
TS - American hikers captured in Iran could face charges of spying
From my archive of press clippings:
The Star
American hikers captured in Iran could face charges of spying
Trio charged with entering the country illegally as neighbour Iraq says they 'simply made mistake'
Aug 05, 2009 04:30 AM
Nasser Karimi Jason Keyser Associated Press
TEHRAN–Iranian authorities were deciding yesterday whether three American hikers who were caught inside the country near the Iraqi border will be charged with spying, a lawmaker said.
Read the whole article here.
JO - USAID fulfilled obligations for humanitarian assistance
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Observer
USAID fulfilled obligations for humanitarian assistance
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Dear Editor,
The article in the Sunday Observer of June 28 (pages 1, 4 and 5), and the editorial in the Daily Observer of June 29 (page 8) make reference to USAID's financial support for the reconstruction of houses that were damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"Providing humanitarian assistance to reduce the impact of natural or man-made disasters is a core area of our work. Therefore, USAID/Jamaica sought to improve the living conditions in the communities that sustained heavy damage due to the impact of Hurricane Ivan. In response to a request from the Government of Jamaica and in support of the government's reconstruction efforts, USAID financed the construction of 186 units in Portland Cottage and Rocky Point in partnership with the Office of National Reconstruction."
_____
Dr Karen R Hilliard
Mission Director
US Embassy
Kingston 6
Jamaica Observer
USAID fulfilled obligations for humanitarian assistance
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Dear Editor,
The article in the Sunday Observer of June 28 (pages 1, 4 and 5), and the editorial in the Daily Observer of June 29 (page 8) make reference to USAID's financial support for the reconstruction of houses that were damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Read the whole letter here.
Snippet(s):
"Providing humanitarian assistance to reduce the impact of natural or man-made disasters is a core area of our work. Therefore, USAID/Jamaica sought to improve the living conditions in the communities that sustained heavy damage due to the impact of Hurricane Ivan. In response to a request from the Government of Jamaica and in support of the government's reconstruction efforts, USAID financed the construction of 186 units in Portland Cottage and Rocky Point in partnership with the Office of National Reconstruction."
_____
Dr Karen R Hilliard
Mission Director
US Embassy
Kingston 6
TLFP - Have passport, will travel
From my archive of press clippings:
The London Free Press
Have passport, will travel
Thu, June 25, 2009
Teams are finding out the necessity of players having the proper documents to play in -- or even just drive through -- the U.S.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"It isn't just non-Canadians coming in who need their papers. Since June 1, an up-to-date passport is required for Canadian citizens entering the United States.
That includes the large group of local sports clubs that zig-zag in and out between the two countries on a regular basis."
______
ryan.pyette@sunmedia.ca
The London Free Press
Have passport, will travel
Thu, June 25, 2009
Teams are finding out the necessity of players having the proper documents to play in -- or even just drive through -- the U.S.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"It isn't just non-Canadians coming in who need their papers. Since June 1, an up-to-date passport is required for Canadian citizens entering the United States.
That includes the large group of local sports clubs that zig-zag in and out between the two countries on a regular basis."
______
ryan.pyette@sunmedia.ca
S&S - Kaiserslautern memorial honors ‘littlest raiders.’ Airmen and soldiers remember deceased American youths at annual ceremony.
From my archive of press clippings:
Stars and Stripes
Kaiserslautern memorial honors ‘littlest raiders’
Airmen and soldiers remember deceased American youths at annual ceremony
By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, May 17, 2009
Steve Mraz / S&S
Chief Master Sgt. Edward Horsch with U.S. Air Forces in Europe financial management, left, and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Jessup of U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern light candles Saturday morning at the Kaiserslautern cemetery during the annual Kindergraves memorial service.
Steve Mraz / S&S
Xavier Rodriguez of Ramstein High School's Air Force Junior ROTC program stands before the 451 graves of American children interred at the Kaiserslautern cemetery. The annual Kindergraves memorial service took place Saturday morning at the Kaiserslautern cemetery.
Steve Mraz / S&S
Most of the children buried at the cemetery were infants who died of complications before reaching six months of age, and were children of American military stationed in the Kaiserslautern area.
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — A pink carnation and a tiny U.S. flag graced the markers of the 451 graves of American children buried at the Kasierslautern city cemetery.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"On a beautiful Saturday morning, dozens gathered at the final resting places for the youngsters who died in the Kaiserslautern area to pay tribute to those taken before their time. The children were interred at the cemetery from 1952 to 1971, a time when U.S. servicemembers in the area were unable to transport the deceased to the States for burial.
Most of the children buried at the German cemetery were infants who died of complications before they were 6 months old, and nearly all were sons and daughters of American military stationed in and around Kaiserslautern."
&
"The current lease for the grave site ends in 2011, and the cost of renewing it will be around 7,000 euros, which will require donations from the community. For more information, see www.kindergraves.delayineurope.com."
Stars and Stripes
Kaiserslautern memorial honors ‘littlest raiders’
Airmen and soldiers remember deceased American youths at annual ceremony
By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, May 17, 2009
Steve Mraz / S&S
Chief Master Sgt. Edward Horsch with U.S. Air Forces in Europe financial management, left, and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Jessup of U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern light candles Saturday morning at the Kaiserslautern cemetery during the annual Kindergraves memorial service.
Steve Mraz / S&S
Xavier Rodriguez of Ramstein High School's Air Force Junior ROTC program stands before the 451 graves of American children interred at the Kaiserslautern cemetery. The annual Kindergraves memorial service took place Saturday morning at the Kaiserslautern cemetery.
Steve Mraz / S&S
Most of the children buried at the cemetery were infants who died of complications before reaching six months of age, and were children of American military stationed in the Kaiserslautern area.
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — A pink carnation and a tiny U.S. flag graced the markers of the 451 graves of American children buried at the Kasierslautern city cemetery.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"On a beautiful Saturday morning, dozens gathered at the final resting places for the youngsters who died in the Kaiserslautern area to pay tribute to those taken before their time. The children were interred at the cemetery from 1952 to 1971, a time when U.S. servicemembers in the area were unable to transport the deceased to the States for burial.
Most of the children buried at the German cemetery were infants who died of complications before they were 6 months old, and nearly all were sons and daughters of American military stationed in and around Kaiserslautern."
&
"The current lease for the grave site ends in 2011, and the cost of renewing it will be around 7,000 euros, which will require donations from the community. For more information, see www.kindergraves.delayineurope.com."
CNN - Homeland Security chief seeks to repeal Real ID Act
From my archive
CNN
Homeland Security chief seeks to repeal Real ID Act
April 22, 2009 -- Updated 0308 GMT (1108 HKT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A post-9/11 law that sets federal standards for state driver's licenses and identification cards is under fire from the head of the agency enforcing that law, the Department of Homeland Security.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The law, which requires all states to enforce specific identification requirements for driver's licenses and identification cards, went into effect last year, but the federal government has given states until the end of this year to implement it. States can get extensions until May 2011 for implementation if they meet certain benchmarks."
CNN
Homeland Security chief seeks to repeal Real ID Act
April 22, 2009 -- Updated 0308 GMT (1108 HKT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A post-9/11 law that sets federal standards for state driver's licenses and identification cards is under fire from the head of the agency enforcing that law, the Department of Homeland Security.
Read the whole article here.
Snippet(s):
"The law, which requires all states to enforce specific identification requirements for driver's licenses and identification cards, went into effect last year, but the federal government has given states until the end of this year to implement it. States can get extensions until May 2011 for implementation if they meet certain benchmarks."
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
WS - Adoption rules benefit children
From my archive of press clippings:
Windsor Star
Adoption rules benefit children
Published: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Re: Adoption madness, April 15, guest column by Beth Nonte Russell.
Most agree with Ms. Russell's call to end orphanage care for children. Although some have dedicated staff, they provide only a semblance of a family experience. Children thrive in a healthy family setting.
Read the whole article here.
_____
Arlene E. Klie, Kingsville
Windsor Star
Adoption rules benefit children
Published: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Re: Adoption madness, April 15, guest column by Beth Nonte Russell.
Most agree with Ms. Russell's call to end orphanage care for children. Although some have dedicated staff, they provide only a semblance of a family experience. Children thrive in a healthy family setting.
Read the whole article here.
_____
Arlene E. Klie, Kingsville
Monday, September 14, 2009
JG - A visa may be revoked at any time and for any reason
From my archive of press clippings:
Jamaica Gleaner
A visa may be revoked at any time and for any reason
Published: Tuesday April 21, 2009
Walker-Huntington
Q: I was married to a Jamaican who is a citizen of the United States (US). He filed for me while I was there with him, and then came down for my interview here in Jamaica. I was denied the visa because I had overstayed in the US.
Now I need to know if I will be able to ever go back to the US. I am dating now and he happens to be an American-born. Should this man and I get married and he decides to file for me, will I still be denied the fact that I had once overstayed in the US?
Thanking you in advance.
J.D.
Read the rest of the article here.
_____
Dahlia A. Walker-Huntington, Esq. is a Jamaican-American attorney who practices law in Florida in the areas of Immigration, Family, Corporate & Personal-Injury Law. She is a mediator, arbitrator and Special Magistrate in Broward County, Florida. Send your questions and comments to: editor@gleanerjm.com or info@walkerhuntington.com.
Jamaica Gleaner
A visa may be revoked at any time and for any reason
Published: Tuesday April 21, 2009
Walker-Huntington
Q: I was married to a Jamaican who is a citizen of the United States (US). He filed for me while I was there with him, and then came down for my interview here in Jamaica. I was denied the visa because I had overstayed in the US.
Now I need to know if I will be able to ever go back to the US. I am dating now and he happens to be an American-born. Should this man and I get married and he decides to file for me, will I still be denied the fact that I had once overstayed in the US?
Thanking you in advance.
J.D.
Read the rest of the article here.
_____
Dahlia A. Walker-Huntington, Esq. is a Jamaican-American attorney who practices law in Florida in the areas of Immigration, Family, Corporate & Personal-Injury Law. She is a mediator, arbitrator and Special Magistrate in Broward County, Florida. Send your questions and comments to: editor@gleanerjm.com or info@walkerhuntington.com.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Y! - Abducted Calif. boy may have been found in Mexico
Yahoo!
Abducted Calif. boy may have been found in Mexico
By DAISY NGUYEN, Associated Press Writer
Daisy Nguyen, Associated Press Writer – Sat May 16, 7:48 pm ET
LOS ANGELES – Officials in Mexico have found a child they believe is a 3-year-old boy abducted from his California home, but that country's identification process is slowing the family's ability to confirm the child's identity, authorities said Saturday.
Read the whole article here.
____
Associated Press Writers Mariana Martinez and Alexandra Olson contributed to this report from Mexico City.
Abducted Calif. boy may have been found in Mexico
By DAISY NGUYEN, Associated Press Writer
Daisy Nguyen, Associated Press Writer – Sat May 16, 7:48 pm ET
LOS ANGELES – Officials in Mexico have found a child they believe is a 3-year-old boy abducted from his California home, but that country's identification process is slowing the family's ability to confirm the child's identity, authorities said Saturday.
Read the whole article here.
____
Associated Press Writers Mariana Martinez and Alexandra Olson contributed to this report from Mexico City.
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