Immigration News Resources

DHS Previews Federal Register Notice Extending and Separately Redesignating Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services News - September 29, 2023 - 16:45
Today, the Department of Homeland Security is previewing a Federal Register notice for an 18-month extension of Venezuela’s 2021 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation and a separate redesignation of Venezuela for TPS. The notice explains how to register for TPS under Venezuela’s redesignation and how to re-register for the extension. Applicants for TPS are eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) during the duration of the TPS designation.

USCIS Continues Fee Exemptions and Expedited Processing for Afghan Nationals

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services News - September 29, 2023 - 14:24
Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it is extending and expanding previously announced filing fee exemptions and expedited application processing for certain Afghan nationals.

DHS’ New Work Permit Measures Are Welcome Change with Potential to Address USCIS Challenges 

On September 20, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced measures to accelerate the processing of some work permits and to extend their validity period for particular categories of individuals. These changes are substantial and are likely to have a meaningful impact on the large work permit backlog in the long run. For the […]

The post DHS’ New Work Permit Measures Are Welcome Change with Potential to Address USCIS Challenges  appeared first on Immigration Impact.

Spotlight on the Changing Demographics of Hispanic Americans

By Karen Aho and Robin Lundh of the American Immigration Council Today, Hispanic Americans form the largest ethnic group in the United States. The value of Hispanic Americans to the makeup of the United States—demographically, culturally, and economically—has grown every year. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we look at the most recent data to highlight the […]

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USCIS Awards $22 Million in FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grants

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services News - September 28, 2023 - 15:01
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today awarded over $22 million in grants to 65 organizations in 29 states to help prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for naturalization.

New Board of Immigration Appeals Decision Sets Roadblock for Cubans, Others Seeking Green Cards 

A recent Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) decision bars certain recently arrived noncitizens from becoming lawful permanent residents. In Matter of Cabrera-Fernandez, the BIA held that the petitioner had not been paroled into the United States when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released him from immigration detention. Without parole he could not apply for […]

The post New Board of Immigration Appeals Decision Sets Roadblock for Cubans, Others Seeking Green Cards  appeared first on Immigration Impact.

What does the looming government shutdown mean for our immigration system?

After weeks of failed negotiations on spending, Congress has less than a week left to avert a potential government shutdown. Members of the House Republicans’ Freedom Caucus have refused to pass any spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unless it contains HR2, their massive overhaul of border and asylum laws, at a […]

The post What does the looming government shutdown mean for our immigration system? appeared first on Immigration Impact.

8 facts about recent Latino immigrants to the U.S.

The Pew Research Center - September 28, 2023 - 10:57

In 2021, there were 2.6 million foreign-born Hispanics who had been in the U.S. for five years or less. This is down from 3.8 million in 2000.

The post 8 facts about recent Latino immigrants to the U.S. appeared first on Pew Research Center.

The Welcoming Spirit

AILA invited members to share stories of welcome with us as the past two years have brought opportunities to help people, as they come to the U.S. through various ways. AILA members and their communities have opened their arms and hearts to people; this blog post includes several short examples.

The post The Welcoming Spirit first appeared on Blog: Think Immigration.

USCIS Increases Employment Authorization Document Validity Period for Certain Categories

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services News - September 27, 2023 - 14:13
We are updating guidance in the Policy Manual to increase the maximum validity period to 5 years for initial and renewal Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain noncitizens who are employment authorized incident to status or circumstance, including those admitted as refugees, paroled as refugees, and granted asylum, as well as recipients of withholding of removal.

USCIS Exempts Biometric Services Fee for all Form I-539 Applicants

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services News - September 25, 2023 - 12:46
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that it is exempting the biometric services fee for Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.

Communities Celebrate Their Commitment to Welcoming and Belonging During Welcoming Week

Co-Authors: Rich André, Asma Easa, Micaela McConnell, Paloma Ramos Last week, communities across the United States participated in Welcoming America’s Welcoming Week. The annual campaign has rapidly expanded over the years to include more than 650 local events that showcase each community’s commitment to fostering welcoming and belonging for all their residents, including their immigrant […]

The post Communities Celebrate Their Commitment to Welcoming and Belonging During Welcoming Week appeared first on Immigration Impact.

Key facts about U.S. Latinos for National Hispanic Heritage Month

The Pew Research Center - September 22, 2023 - 12:30

The U.S. population grew by 24.5 million from 2010 to 2022, and Hispanics accounted for 53% of this increase.

The post Key facts about U.S. Latinos for National Hispanic Heritage Month appeared first on Pew Research Center.

Secretary Mayorkas Announces Extension and Redesignation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services News - September 21, 2023 - 17:07
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from November 21, 2023, to May 20, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Afghanistan that prevent individuals from safely returning.

New Report Uncovers CBP’s Role in Policing Racial Justice Protests in Summer 2020

In the summer of 2020, after George Floyd’s murder, racial justice protests took hold in cities throughout the country. The massive mobilization reflected a nationwide groundswell of opposition to abusive and deadly policing. The importance of the movement and the need for change in the country was clear.   The government’s response to this historic […]

The post New Report Uncovers CBP’s Role in Policing Racial Justice Protests in Summer 2020 appeared first on Immigration Impact.

Citizenship Matters

AILA New England Chapter Community Based Organizations Committee member Lara Wagner explains the importance, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship and describes a recent Citizenship Day event where chapter members offered legal expertise to help people take the final steps to citizenship.

The post Citizenship Matters first appeared on Blog: Think Immigration.

Latinos’ Views of and Experiences With the Spanish Language

The Pew Research Center - September 20, 2023 - 09:58

Most U.S. Latinos speak Spanish: 75% say they are able to carry on a conversation in Spanish pretty well or very well. But not all Latinos are Spanish speakers, and about half (54%) of non-Spanish-speaking Latinos have been shamed by other Latinos for not speaking Spanish.

The post Latinos’ Views of and Experiences With the Spanish Language appeared first on Pew Research Center.

Important Update on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services News - September 18, 2023 - 12:06
On Sept. 13, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued a decision finding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Final Rule unlawful and expanding the original July 16, 2021 injunction and order of vacatur to cover the Final Rule.

DHS Issues Proposed Rule to Modernize H-2 Temporary Visa Programs and Strengthen Worker Protections

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services News - September 18, 2023 - 10:18
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took steps to strengthen protections for temporary workers through the H-2A temporary agricultural and the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker programs (H-2 programs).

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