Immigration fees increased July 30

In a rush somewhat reminiscent of the deadline for filing income tax on April 15, immigrants all over the United States made an attempt to mail off applications and related fees to the United States Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS) before fees increased on July 30.

Those who failed to meet the deadline for the increase in fees will now be required to pay $265 extra for applying for U.S. citizenship (from $330 to $595). The sharpest increase is in the application fee for a green card which is up from $325 to $930, with renewals up from $190 to $290. Another significant increase is that for a foreign worker visa petition which has increased from $195 to $475.

The increase in fees for citizenship and green cards will most likely have a serious impact on the Caribbean communities in the U.S. as several families and individuals, who are already experiencing financial hardships who need to urgently upgrade their respective immigration status, will be hard pressed to finance the increased application fees.

War torn Iraq are soccer champions

Despite the ravages of war; frequent bombings; killings; electric blackouts, and curfews, Iraqis had reason to be jubilant when the country defeated Saudi Arabia to win its first Asian Cup.

During the game Baghdad was placed under a citywide curfew for fear of insurgent attacks on sports fans, but the curfew was forgotten when the Iraqi team won the game. The citizens of Baghdad celebrated in wild jubilation. According to an AP report, patriotic music filled the airwaves and children with their faces painted in Iraq’s national colors of red, black and green, pelted their neighbors with candies, and families made plans to have feasts consisting of sheep or chicken.

Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki in a televised speech after the game said the soccer team (“our gallant youth”) fulfilled their vows to their country and people. The players, he said were able to portray Iraq beautifully in all its shades, and bring a smile of hope to the people. “They are a stark contrast to those who lurk in dark corners to plant death and sorrow among the innocent,” he said.

Florida presidential polls

A Mason-Dixon Poll last week pertaining to the current Republican and Democratic presidential candidates revealed that a large percentage of Florida voters are disinterested in the candidates thus far in the campaign. About a third of those polled stated that were undecided about either Republican or Democratic candidates.

On the Republican side, 21 percent of those polled expressed support for New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 18 percent favor Fred Thompson, whose candidacy is still undeclared, and 11 percent for John McCain, with over 34 percent undecided. For the Democrats, Hillary Clinton was far ahead with 31 percent, Barack Obama second with 17 percent and John Edwards with 12 percent. Undecided voters among Democrats amounted to 30 percent.

Analysts are reported to have said that the Democrats should be more concerned about the large number of undecided voters, as winning this state will be very crucial to the Democrats in November 2007. It is felt that there should be more interest shown among Democrats at this stage, especially as the Democrats have been getting more media news coverage and since the polls was carried out just after the highly publicized YouTube/CNN debate.

US Congress seeks pay raise

In sharp contrast to the $70 cents an hour increase which went into effect last week. It seems that many members of the US Congress are about to give themselves a pay increase approximating $4,400 per year.

Some Congress representatives had been saying that it would not have been right for Congress to accept a pay increase until Congress had raised the minimum wage. This was done earlier this year with the minimum going from $5.15 to $5.85 per hour last week, and further to $7.25 an hour in July, 2009. Now that that promised was kept, some House members are seeking the pay increase.

Reports indicate that the House of Representative has already cleared the way for increase in the pay of members in 2008. However, a bipartisan coalition has postured itself against the increase, with its members saying that the funds that would go towards such a pay increase could be better spent during the deficits caused by the Iraqi war. Even Republicans are saying that increasing the pay of Congressional members is not a priority.

A similar block against the pay increase could be brewing in the Senate, with Democrat Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill saying she would back a similar measure in that chamber. Other opponents to the raise increase say that for Congress to approve such a raise would be ill-timed.