Category: Where to find information

Come and get it! Cash for refugees!

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

Your tax dollars:

I’m assuming this site is not a government sponsored site—it’s called Government Grant Search and has an ad for a program called “Cash in on Government Grants that never have to be repaid” on its banner.  Yippee! 

There are a handful of countries that make refugees welcome when they enter the foreign land, and the U.S.A. is one of them. Fortunately, if you happened to be one and stepped on U.S. soil, you’re not only welcomed — you’re treated with sincere care.

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One way that will help you achieve self-sufficiency is through the Matching Grant (MG) program. Services of this program include case management, job development, and transitional support for your first 4 to 6 months of stay. Federal funds per refugee amount up to $2,200. These can also be used for English training in collaboration with employment services, job training, medical support, and allowance. The program is also available for entrants and asylees.

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In 2006,the program achieved 86% self-sufficiency for 25,000 participants. The total program funding was increased to $60,000,000 in 2007.

Wow!  $60,000,000 in 2007, I wonder what 2008’s jackpot will be.

P.S.  I’ll have to pull some information together on the Match Grant program.   We haven’t said much about it but it basically works like this:   Volag (voluntary agency) collects junk (cars, furniture, etc.) and places a value on it, the federal government (you) then matches the volag $2 (cold hard cash) for every $1 of junk.  Money is passed out to refugees through the volag.   Neat huh!   

Special benefits for special immigrants

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

The State Department began to clarify last week what special benefits would be available to immigrants  from Iraq or Afghanistan admitted to the US under the Special Immigrant Visa program.  Signed into law by President Bush at the end of December, the new law extends benefits that are normally for refugees only to this new class of immigrant.   Go here to see what they are entitled to.

Your state, apologies

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

I see lots of readers have been accessing our “your state” page today and yesterday.  So sorry, that I have not worked on that in awhile.  Time is limited and the breaking news every day is so interesting that it’s hard to make myself work on the page.    I’ll try harder in the future.   In the meantime, please e-mail me at Ann@vigilantfreedom.com  and I’ll help you get started researching your state.

Lutheran “church” group funded by you

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is one of the top 10 Volags selected each year by the US State Department to resettle refugees.   Yesterday I wanted to have a look at their Federal Form 990 tax return.  That’s the form that all non-profit groups have to file with the IRS.  But, guess what?  Churches are exempt and this volag has filed as a church, so no Form 990 is required.

Now, here is the funny part (not!) according to its own Financial report it is primarily funded by you–the taxpayer.  Its income side of the ledger for 2006 was $20,925,000 with $18,678,000 coming from the US Government—that is a whopping 89.3% of their budget. 

They receive $810,000 from churches (3.9%) and yet they can file as a church.   When you can’t see a Form 990, you can’t see how the money is spent—how much is going to salaries for instance?

If I were at another of the Top 10 volags, like Church World Service which does a Form 990 even though a larger percentage of its funds come from private people and churches, I’d be a little annoyed.  But, I suspect those Top 10’ers protect each other.

Where is the ACLU when you need them, shouldn’t this be a separation of church and state issue?

P.S.  When you look at the financial statement, the loan servicing fees are also government funds involved with refugee travel loans.

The E-2 Treaty Investor, what’s this all about?

~ Ann Corcoran ~ Leave a comment

I’m getting off track, this is not about refugees, but as far as I know no one is looking into the other immigration programs that bring numbers of future citizens from perhaps less than desireable places to America.    Always on Watch sent me this link the other day and I wondered if it tied in with what I’ve written about our Hagerstown convenience store food stamp scam and others we have written about here.

I was shocked at the list of countries that can send people to invest in America.  What if they are coming in with a bankroll from say Pakistan and opening up convenience stores and gas stations that accept food stamps? 

Let’s start by reviewing the rules for getting E-2 Treaty Investor status. That status gives nationals of certain countries the right to live in the U.S. while directing and developing a commercial enterprise. E-2 status is also available to essential employees of the investor.

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The investment cannot be passive (for example, bank accounts, undeveloped land). Further, an investment that only supports the investor and his or her family is a problem. The government likes to see at least one employee.

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To qualify for E-2 status, you must be a national of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, China (Taiwon), Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Honduras, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Krygzystan, Liberia, Luxemourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, the Phillipines, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey or the United Kingdom.

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As for the investor green card program, many people with substantial financial resources find easier ways to get permanent residence. That’s because the program is very restrictive. Still, for those with the money to invest and no other way to get immigrant status, it can be a path to permanent residence.

Just something to think about.

And, since we don’t have much humor at RRW, here is something a friend sent me last night.  It’s one of those things circulating around the internet with no author.  You gotta laugh!

SERIOUS NEWS

Warning From Pakistan This morning, from a cave somewhere in Pakistan, Taliban Minister of Migration, Mohammed Omar, warned the United States and Canada that if military action against Iraq continues, Taliban authorities will cut off America ‘s and Canada ‘s supply of convenience store managers. And, if this action does not yield sufficient results, cab drivers will be next, followed by Dell and Sprint customer service reps. _____It’s getting ugly!