update on NIAC's work on the Single-Entry Visa Policy

[Amir]

Hi everybody.
FYI, this is from Jamal Abdi, Policy Director of NIAC:


-----------------------------

I wanted to update you on NIAC's work on the Single-Entry Visa
Policy and to see if you would like to set up a conference call next
week to
discuss the latest details.

First-if you haven't seen our latest video and  action alert on the
topic,
you can find it here
<https://secure3.convio.net/niac/site/Advocacy?
cmd=display&page=UserAc...
d=161> .

We've had several conversations with the State Department and all
indications are that they will not change this policy unless Congress
(or
high level Administration officials) push them to change it.  So, we
are
working right now to get a sign-on letter from Members of Congress
urging
the State Department to issue a Multiple-Entry Visa for Iranian
students.
This is not an easy task, but our early meetings with Congress have
been
positive-in fact, all the offices we have talked to have been
supportive of
fixing the SEV Policy.  

But we need grassroots pressure in order for them to make this a
priority
and actually take action.  We need every student who is affected by
the SEV
policy, along with friends, family, fellow students, etc. to write and
call
their Congress person and urge them to write a letter to State to
issue a
multiple entry visa.  So far only 500 letters to Congress have been
sent
through our website regarding SEV-this number should be closer to
5,000.

If you haven't already filled it out the action
<https://secure3.convio.net/niac/site/Advocacy?
cmd=display&page=UserAc...
d=161>  alert, shared it on Facebook, and forwarded it to as many
people as
possible, please do so.  

Right now, we especially need students from UCLA, Stanford, Santa
Monica
College, USC, Pepperdine and other schools in California to write and
call
their representatives, particularly Representatives Henry Waxman
(202-225-3976), Zoe Lofgren (202) 225-3072, and Howard Berman
(202-225-4695).

It is also key that any correspondence you are sending to the State
Department are also sent to your Congressperson (they can be cc'd).

I would be eager to discuss further and go over additional details-
perhaps
we can arrange a conference call next week?  I am available Wednesday
at
2pm, would that work for any of you?

Jamal Abdi

Policy Director

-----------------------------------------------------

National Iranian American Council

1411 K Street NW, Suite 600

Washington, DC 20005

202 386 6325

 <http://www.niacouncil.org/>www.niacouncil.org

Check out NIAC's blog at  <http://www.niacinsight.com/
>www.niacINsight.com