Month: May 2023

Categories
Updates

Biden Administration keeps the fight on for DACA

Biden Admin Keeps Fight on for DACA
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In a recent development, the Biden administration has asked a federal judge in Texas to limit the scope of any ruling that could terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy. 

The administration argues that any ruling should only apply to Texas, since only that state has shown that it is harmed financially by DACA. 

The administration also asks the judge to pause any order to terminate DACA while the government appeals any ruling against the program.

The outcome of this case is uncertain, but it could have a major impact on the lives of nearly 600,000 Dreamers. 

We’re all waiting for this because a ruling against DACA would be a major setback for Dreamers and their families. 

It would force Dreamers to live in fear of deportation and would make it much more difficult for them to pursue their dreams.

If you are a Dreamer or know a Dreamer, please stay informed about this case and let your elected officials know that you support DACA. The future of Dreamers hangs in the balance.

Here are some additional details about the case:

  • The case is being brought by a coalition of Republican-led states led by Texas.
  • The coalition argues that DACA is unlawful because it was created by executive action and not by Congress.
  • The Biden administration argues that DACA is lawful and that it is in the best interests of the United States to continue the program.
  • The judge has not yet issued a ruling in the case as of May 2023

What you can do:

  • Stay informed about the case.
  • Contact your elected officials and let them know that you support DACA.
  • Donate to organizations that are working to protect Dreamers.
  • Volunteer your time to help Dreamers.

Dreamers are our neighbors, our friends, and our family members. They are an important part of our communities. 

If you or anyone you know need further help, contact a trusted immigration lawyer today.

Categories
Updates

COVID -19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Employees and International Travelers to End on May 11, 2023

COVID -19 Vaccination Requirements for Federal Employees and International Travelers Ends May 11, 2023
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The Biden-Harris Administration announced recently that vaccination requirements are no longer necessary for international travelers. 

In a statement released by the White House on May 2, 2023, the following important news was provided:

“Today, we are announcing that the Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors and international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.  Additionally, Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that they will start the process to end their vaccinations requirements for Head Start educators, CMS- certified healthcare facilities and certain noncitizens at the land border.  In the coming days, further details related to ending these requirements will be provided.”

 According to the White House, the Administration acknowledged that COVID-19 vaccine requirements bolstered vaccination across the nation and the broader vaccination campaign has saved millions of lives. “ While vaccination remains one of the most important tools in advancing the health and safety of employees and promoting the efficiency of workplaces, we are now in a different phase of our response when these measures are no longer necessary.”

This new development will take place at the end of the day on May 11, 2023.

Categories
Updates

Citizenship, naturalization, and adopted children: The USCIS makes a clarification

Citizenship, naturalization, and adopted children: The USCIS makes a clarification
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The USCIS on April 21 announced an update on its policy manual to clarify guidance regarding the application of citizenship and naturalization provisions on adopted children.

This includes:

  • The requirements for adopted children to meet the definition of a child for citizenship and naturalization purposes, including having an adoption that is considered full, final, and complete for immigration purposes;
  • The eligibility for US citizenship for adopted children who reside in the United States and how to obtain a Certificate of Citizenship;
  • The eligibility for US citizenship for adopted children who reside outside of the United States and how to apply for citizenship and issuance of a certificate; and
  • The guidance on the acquisition of citizenship and naturalization when an adoption is disrupted or dissolved.

This update does not mean any change for the requirements for adopted children to become US citizens.

Need help with naturalization? Reach out to your trusted immigration lawyer.

Categories
Updates

A crisis at the border? The end of Title 42 and what it means for you

A crisis at the border? The end of Title 42 and what it means for you
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A major immigration policy, Title 42, is set to lapse on May 11. 

It is the policy which allowed the rejection of up to hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers at the border. It was used by the Trump administration during the height of the pandemic, citing the need to stop the spread of the virus.

But it is now April 2023, and the policy is set to expire. What can we expect to happen?

Just as every time immigration policy loosens up, we can expect a downpour of asylum seekers at the border. 

This time, immigration officers cannot just simply turn them away, and so we expect the buildup of a crowd at the border – all now seeing a path towards legal migration.

Why does this matter? With the expected flood of people at the border, it means thousands if not tens of thousands of more immigration applications.

This volume can stress and even overwhelm the system at the border  and the country.

More than the logistics, whatever happens at the border usually influences public and political opinion about immigration and can affect future immigration policies. This means anyone who cares about immigration should tune in to what happens next.

The Biden administration is bracing for this by drafting new policies such as additional screening for asylum-seekers and extending more resources at the border.

Is this enough?

These are short-term solutions that, for the president, can be enough for now. How will this affect your immigration application? Consult your trusted immigration lawyer today.

Categories
Featured

Bipartisan bill seeks to increase employment-based green cards

Bipartisan bill seeks to increase employment-based green cards
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There is currently a bipartisan bill that is seeking to increase employment-based green cards by using accumulated backlogs since 1992 and then exempt these “recaptured” backlogs from the 7% per-country limitation.

How is this possible and how is it moving forward?

The bill was filed on March 10, 2023 by Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, the Democratic congressman from Illinois. He proposed it as the Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023.

Why does this matter?

Every year, the United States only allots 140,000 employment-based green cards. From this allotment, individuals from any one country cannot be issued more than 7% of this each year. 

This cap has proven to be insufficient as there are several countries where many green card applicants come from, like China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. And with a lot of applications competing for a small allotment, a lot inevitably find their way to the backlog. And this has lasted for decades.

The backlog

Due to many factors, such as administrative delay and the pandemic, employment-based green card backlogs have reached 1.6 million by the end of 2022.

This is a problem, especially since the United States has had a labor shortage for a while now despite many immigrants eager to work for American companies.

Where the bill comes in

The proposed Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023 aims to end the decades-long backlogs and assuage the labor shortage at the same time.

While the bill is expected to garner support from immigrant workers, it may face an uphill battle in Congress as previous efforts to increase the green card caps and decrease the backlogs have stalled.

Want to know how this will affect you? Reach out to your trusted immigration lawyer.