Month: September 2012

OnRamp – New Jersey Job Seekers Online Tool

Note: OnRamp became inactive as of October, 2018. Job search tools for New Jersey job seekers are available at the state’s Career Services webpage.

The state Department of Labor and Workforce Development has launched a job-search tool named OnRamp. It allows New Jersey job seekers to post a resume online, receive email alerts on job matches, all free of charge.

When introduced last November Labor Commissioner Hal Wirths was quoted as saying, “This service is open to everyone. People don’t have to wait to receive a pink slip to use it. We believe this will further our efforts to link job-seekers to the employers that are searching the state for new talent.”

OnRamp is considered an interactive tool as it allows employers to search resumes for prospective employees based on job skills not just job titles. It also allows consumers to have customized job profiles based on their job search strategies.

The OnRamp website is located at http://www.jobs4jersey.com. An OnRamp overview and registration instructions are also available. Other job search services are available at the state’s network of One Stop Career Centers.

The unemployment rate in New Jersey has risen for the last five months and stands at 9.9%, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Veteran’s Homeless Resources

This is a short note based on an email I received today from a representative of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. His email reads as follows:
“I would like to thank you providing valuable resources and support to the people of New Jersey. I thought you and your visitors would be interested in VA’s initiative to end Veteran homelessness by 2015. The initiative showcases VA’s unprecedented commitment to ending homelessness by providing funding for and access to programs that aid homeless and at-risk Veterans.”

“I highly encourage you to learn more about the initiative. VA’s site www.va.gov/homeless contains information about resources for homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families such as: Housing Assistance, Employment Programs, Health Care, Mental Health Services.”

A short note but a very useful website for vets.

President Declares Immigration Policy Change For Young People

On June 15 President Obama announced changes to immigration policy that would allow a deferral of deportation to young people who came to this county as children.
The announcement appeared in the White House Blog and the Department of Homeland Security website with a title of “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: Who Can Be Considered?”

The President’s Rose Garden remarks are available as a video.

Details of the deferral action process is available online on the Homeland Security website at www.dhs.gov/deferred-action-process.

The White House and Homeland Security articles read as follows:

Today, USCIS will begin accepting requests for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals. Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer removal action of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion. Under this process, USCIS will consider requests on a case-by-case basis. While this process does not provide lawful status or a pathway to permanent residence or citizenship, individuals whose cases are deferred will not be removed from the United States for a two year period, subject to renewal, and may also receive employment authorization. To be considered for this process, you must show that:

  • You came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday
  • You have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time
  • You were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
  • You entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012
  • You are currently in school, have graduated or obtained your certificate of completion from high school, have obtained your general educational development certification, or you are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
  • You have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat
  • You were present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS

If you meet the above guidelines, and want to submit your deferred action for childhood arrivals request with USCIS, you will need to:

  • Collect documents as evidence you meet the guidelines
  • Complete USCIS Forms I-821D, I-765 and I-765 Worksheet
  • Mail USCIS the forms and fees (total $465, accompanying Form I-765)
  • Visit your local USCIS Application Support Center for a scheduled biometrics services appointment

After you file, you will be able to check the status of your request online. For more information, visit our website for the latest news and updates on this process at www.uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals.

This policy change will have immediate impact for thousands of young people, often referred to as “Dreamers”, who came to this county at a very early age and consider themselves Americans.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Application Support Centers in New Jersey are located at 285-299 North Broad Street, Elizabeth and 116 Kansas Street, Hackensack. Other centers are located at 201 West Houston Street, Room #1023, New York, New York or 10300 Drummond Road, Suite 100, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.