, ESQ. PANELIST FOR AILA 
May 4, 2006
 
 

 

was one of three esteemed panelists for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Education Department’s May 4 teleconference titled “AILA’s Occupation Series: Hospitality Workers”.  The discussion covered a variety of topics, including the following:

  • Labor Demands of Restaurants, Resorts and Casinos
  • Stars, Chefs, Managers and Service Workers
  • Strategies for NIV Use: H-1B; O-1; E; L; J; and H-2B
  • Labor Certification

 The telecon format offers immigration practitioners a cost-effective and convenient way to stay current on the immigration issues that matter most.  At the end, the panelists with extensive experience in the subject matter being presented answer questions from participants.

 The other two panelists were Nancy-Jo Meritt, a Director in the Phoenix office of Fennemore Craig, P.C. who has more than two decades of practice in the representation of domestic and international companies regarding visa and work authorization issues for foreign national employees, and Martin J. Lawler, named in Best Lawyers in America, lecturer on immigration law in prestigious venues as Harvard University, author of many books, book chapters, and articles over his 28-year practice and 1996 recipient of AILA’s Jack Wassermann Memorial Award honoring excellence in immigration litigation.

 
 
 

 

 Attorneys spoke at the May 1 rally sponsored by the Culinary Union and Las Vegas’ biggest hotel/ casino operators that drew about 10,000 participants who later marched from the Fremont Street to New York, New York on the Strip.

 On behalf of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and the Filipino community in general, Our Attorneys bewailed the worst backlogs in the availability of family-based visas for Filipinos and Mexicans and advocated support for a comprehensive immigration reform program.  Our Attorneys urged everyone to contact their congressional representatives to pass legislation that will lead to a clear path to lawful permanent residence and that will provide families the opportunity to remain together in the United States.

 The event was organized to appeal to immigrant employees not to leave their jobs and instead, to sign a petition posted on Strip casinos calling for immigration reform.  The petition asks Congress to provide a path to citizenship, protect workers, reunite families, enhance security, and promote civic participation and plans for future immigration.

 Hispanic workers comprise about 40% of the almost 60,000-strong union, which represents cooks, maids, waitresses, bellmen and housekeepers at casinos.  Andrew Pascal, President of Wynn Las Vegas said that a boycott potentially could have had a huge impact.

 Earlier during the same day, Metro Police estimated 3,000 rallied from Jaycee Park to the federal courthouse.

 

CHAT WITH ATTORNEYS GARDE  
May 4, 2006
 
 

 

     Individuals with immigration-related questions may log on for free to ilw.com’s Chat with Lawyers. Attorneys Jon Eric Garde and volunteer their expertise and time regularly to assist the immigrant community in finding solutions to their concerns.  Chat dates are every Tuesday of the week, at 5 pm Eastern time or 2 pm Pacific time.  Those interested may receive a convenient reminder on the day of the chat with an immigration attorney by entering an email address.  For an updated schedule of Atty. Garde availability, go to http://www.ilw.com/chat/. 

JEGLAW ON DREAM ACT AT RANCHO H.S. 
February, 2006

Jon Eric Garde, Esq. was invited by Mr. Isaac Baron of Rancho High School to address junior and senior students on February 25.  Held at the school’s auditorium in North Las Vegas, the event was attended by about 35 students and parents.

 Mr. Garde explained the DREAM Act (S. 2075), a bi-partisan legislation introduced by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Richard Lugar (R-IN).  The pending bill is supposed to allow students who were brought to the U.S. years ago as undocumented immigrant children, who have grown up and graduated from high school, and have no criminal record, to go to college and legalize their immigration status.  Mr. Garde enjoined the group to write their Senators in support of this bill and distributed a pro-forma letter (prepared by the American Immigration Lawyers Association) that they could send.

 Also around to stress the importance of contacting the Senators was Rancho High School alumnus Ruben Kihuen.  Mr. Kihuen formerly worked for the office of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) before preparing to run for District 11.  He is a shining example of an immigrant student that has been given the opportunity to pursue education and is now striving to give back to the community by way of public service.

 Later, Mr. Garde discussed other immigration options that are family-based or employment-based before taking questions on a one-on-one with the attendees.  He received a plaque of appreciation from Mr. Baron and the student body officers for the free consultation that he provided that day.

JEGLAW ON DREAM ACT AT RANCHO H.S. 
February, 2006

Jon Eric Garde, Esq. was invited by Mr. Isaac Baron of Rancho High School to address junior and senior students on February 25.  Held at the school’s auditorium in North Las Vegas, the event was attended by about 35 students and parents.

 Mr. Garde explained the DREAM Act (S. 2075), a bi-partisan legislation introduced by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Richard Lugar (R-IN).  The pending bill is supposed to allow students who were brought to the U.S. years ago as undocumented immigrant children, who have grown up and graduated from high school, and have no criminal record, to go to college and legalize their immigration status.  Mr. Garde enjoined the group to write their Senators in support of this bill and distributed a pro-forma letter (prepared by the American Immigration Lawyers Association) that they could send.

 Also around to stress the importance of contacting the Senators was Rancho High School alumnus Ruben Kihuen.  Mr. Kihuen formerly worked for the office of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) before preparing to run for District 11.  He is a shining example of an immigrant student that has been given the opportunity to pursue education and is now striving to give back to the community by way of public service.

 Later, Mr. Garde discussed other immigration options that are family-based or employment-based before taking questions on a one-on-one with the attendees.  He received a plaque of appreciation from Mr. Baron and the student body officers for the free consultation that he provided that day.

 

Jon Eric Garde.
Law Office of Jon Eric Garde & Associates