Join the Sep 18th Immigration Voice Rally!
Posted Sep 07, 2007
©MurthyDotCom
As the September 18th Rally organized by Immigration Voice approaches, we at the Murthy Law Firm and MurthyDotCom would like to encourage all in the immigrant community to consider attending and participating in this important event. [See our Aug 26th article, Immigration Voice Group Organizes September Rally, available on MurthyDotCom.]
©MurthyDotCom
Law-abiding, highly-skilled foreign nationals need to bring their dire situation to the forefront; awakening lawmakers and U.S. citizens to the broader social and economic implications. This segment of the immigrant population, represented by Immigration Voice, on the one hand is contributing to the U.S. economy, paying taxes, and following the complex and expensive path of legal immigration. On the other hand, they are caught in backlogs caused by processing delays and a shortage of immigrant visas stemming from annual numerical caps under U.S. immigration law. Their problems have been too long ignored by Washington. The time is right to add your voice and make sure you are heard.
©MurthyDotCom
Add your number to those whom history will recognize as having made an important difference. Invite not only others in the immigrant community to join you at the rally, but also your U.S.-citizen colleagues, business associates, and friends. Let's not forget that throughout the history of this country, leaders have been moved to action through peaceful protest. Be a part of this historically significant rally. Help to change the present course and build a better future for immigrants to the United States!
©MurthyDotCom
We at the Murthy Law Firm and MurthyDotCom support this peaceful demonstration and rally, organized by Immigration Voice, and offer to help where needed. A schedule for Lobby Day and the Immigration Voice Rally are available under September 18 Rally: Updates and What You Should Know, on the Immigration Voice WebSite.
©MurthyDotCom
NOTE : For individuals who have concerns about participating in this event, we at the Murthy Law Firm would like to allay some of those fears. The right to gather peacefully is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, in the Bill of Rights. It specifically allows peaceful demonstrations and the freedom to gather as a measure to address injustice. It states, in relevant part, that "Congress shall make no law … abridging … the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." [See http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/funddocs/billeng.htm for the full text of the Bill of Rights. The U.S. Constitution, in its totality, is available at http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/funddocs/consteng.htm.]
©MurthyDotCom
The following FAQs are provided by Immigration Voice.
©MurthyDotCom
Question 1. What is First Amendment? Does it apply to me? I'm on H-1 / H-4 / EAD / and have applied for I-485, etc.
©MurthyDotCom
Constitutional rights of an individual are applicable to everyone, including foreign nationals.
©MurthyDotCom
---
©MurthyDotCom
Question 2. Will I get arrested and/or deported for participating in the rally?
©MurthyDotCom
No, participating in rally with proper permits from city police and other authorities is legal. You cannot be arrested or deported for simply participating in the rally.
©MurthyDotCom
---
©MurthyDotCom
Question 3. Will participation in the rally negatively impact my current nonimmigrant status or future green card application?
©MurthyDotCom
No, exercising your civil rights does not impact your nonimmigrant status or future green card application. There are certain procedures and processes for rejecting or denying petitions and applications, it is not done on whims and moods of agencies or USCIS employees. There is a process driven by federal regulations and rejections and denials are backed up by reasons described in federal regulations and the laws. Participating in rallies, meeting with your lawmakers, exercising your civic duties, and enjoying your civil rights granted by the Constitution are not grounds for denial or rejection of petitions and applications or any other adverse action on immigration petition or application.
©MurthyDotCom
---
©MurthyDotCom
Question 4. Can my employer take action against me for participating in the rally? Do we have any obligation to inform my employer if I participate by taking a day off?
©MurthyDotCom
No, an employer cannot simply take action against you for having exercised your Constitutional right granted by the first amendment. Whether you inform your employer about your plans for your vacation or day off is up to you and your relationship with your employer. Usually employers do not care what their employee do with their time off from work, as long as those activities are legal.
©MurthyDotCom
---
©MurthyDotCom
Question 5. What kind of identification do I need to carry? Will my driver's license be enough?
©MurthyDotCom
Yes. Your driver's license or a state-issued identification card is enough for ID purposes.

Remember the Immigration Voice Rally on Sep 18th  Posted Sep 14, 2007
Immigration Voice Group Organizes September Rally  Posted Aug 23, 2007