Seminar sheds light on Obamas immigration reforms

By JACQUELINE DURETT

Correspondent

Members of the South-Asian community discussed the impact of immigration reforms during a recent forum sponsored by the Indian Business Association (IBA).

This was a very important seminar that we felt addressed a need in the community, IBA President Dhiren Amin said of the Dec. 18 event at the Mirage Banquet Hall, Oak Tree Road, Edison.

President Barack Obama unveiled his new immigration initiatives on Nov. 20, seeking to repair what he termed a broken immigration system.

Part of his plan provides deferred action or the ability to remain in the country temporarily to undocumented immigrants who have been in America for more than five years or have children who are citizens or legal residents of the U.S. To be considered for such status, one must register, pass a criminal background check and begin paying taxes.

The president also said he would step up border patrols to prevent new arrivals of undocumented individuals and will seek to deport those who break the law. Most people woke up the day after the president announced the orders and asked, Whats next? Hopefully we answered some questions, Amin said.

To answer those questions, three speakers addressed the crowd, sharing insights and information.

Satish Poondi, an attorney with Woodbridge based Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, spoke about the goals and potential impacts of Obamas order.

He said there are many situations in which members of the community are undocumented; for instance, a husband may be in the country legally, but his wife may not.

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Seminar sheds light on Obamas immigration reforms