Murthy Takes Action : AILA Lobby Day
Posted Apr 04, 2003

The Law Office of Sheela Murthy advocates for immigrants on a number of fronts. One key avenue towards assisting our clients and the entire immigrant community is through lobbying for sound immigration laws. As part of this ongoing endeavor, one of our attorneys went to Capitol Hill on March 27, 2003 to speak with Congressional aides in legislative offices as part of AILA's Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. Together with other members of the AILA Washington D.C. Chapter, we helped to promote AILA's national agenda. Issues included in that agenda are: the restoration of due process rights for nonimmigrants and immigrants; re-introduction of the DREAM act for students; Congressional oversight and funding for the immigration services functions in the Department of Homeland Security; and earned legalization for essential workers.

Other matters discussed with the Congressional aides were possible solutions to the H1B cap reduction (back from 195,000 to 65,000 from October 1, 2003); the need for the elimination or streamlining of special registration; and the recognition that implementing such procedures as requiring the filing of the AR-11 within 10 days of any move does not make our country safer. All of the aides appeared receptive to AILA's issues, even at this time of war and tight security.

With the initial meetings completed, The Law Office of Sheela Murthy intends to continue pursuing pro-immigration issues with these aides and the members of Congress they represent. Communicating with the aides is rather easy, and we recommend that our voting readers spend some time each year corresponding with their Congressional members through eMails, letters, telephone calls, or personal visits to the members' national or local offices. When all voices of the public are heard, our representatives make their most informed decisions. This is why our Office appreciates the opportunity to present these positive initiatives to our leaders in Washington. Our aim is the improvement of due process and immigration benefits for our clients, for readers of MurthyDotCom and the MurthyBulletin, and for the rest of the country, as well.

We believe that the continued greatness and strength of America is, at least in part, due to the hard work of our immigrant population. They revitalize our economy, enrich us with a diversity of culture, and enliven our spirit of appreciation for the many freedoms that the native-born sometimes take for granted. By lobbying for stronger pro-business and pro-family immigration laws, we at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy help to make the United States a better country and pay tribute to our roots in acknowledging the fact that we are a nation of immigrants.