On his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed a memorandum fortifying the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. His administration also has granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to more individuals: those from Venezuela and Burma. Building on this, President Biden also proposed broad legislative immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for
Asylum / Refugee
Immigration Reform Bill
The United States Citizenship Act was introduced on February 18, 2021. Sponsored in the House by Representative Linda Sanchez (D-Calif) and in the Senate by Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the bill calls for broad immigration reform, including creating paths to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, expanding the number of available visas, and creating more access for…
Biden Directs Review of Immigration Policies, Seeks to Reduce Unnecessary Barriers
By Michael H. Neifach, Amy L. Peck & Otieno B. Ombok on
Posted in Asylum / Refugee, Biden Administration, Citizenship, DAPA / DACA, DED, EADs, Executive Orders, H-1B, H-4, PERM, TPS, Travel Ban, Trump Administration, USCIS
On the same day his nominee for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Alejandro Mayorkas, was confirmed, President Joe Biden signed several Executive Orders regarding immigration, including one that directs complete review of policies.
The first, “Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New…
USCIS Fee Increases Challenged; New Forms Expected
By Aimee Guthat on
Advocacy groups have filed suits challenging the USCIS fee increases scheduled to take effect on October 2, 2020.
The fee increases are not equal across the board. Certain types of business immigration petitions have been targeted for large percentage fee increases: 51% for TNs and E visas, 75% for L petitions, and 53% for O…
Federal, DHS Succession Rules Were Not Complied With to Fill Agency’s Top Positions, GAO Reports
A recent non-binding report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found the appointments of Kevin McAleenan and Chad Wolf (both as “acting” DHS Secretaries) and Ken Cuccinelli (senior official performing the duties of the deputy secretary) violated the governing federal and DHS succession rules because they were not eligible for the positions they occupy.…
USCIS Experiences Revenue Decline, Asks Congress for Loan of $1.2 Billion
USCIS has announced that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has suffered a steep decrease in revenue and, without assistance, might run out of funding this summer. The agency has asked Congress for $1.2 billion in emergency relief (as a loan) along with a 10% COVID-19 surcharge (to repay the loan) on top of a…
Trump Introduces Outlines of Immigration Reform in Advance of 2020 Campaign
By Forrest G. Read IV on
President Donald Trump has introduced the broad outlines of his proposal for immigration reform. The “merit and heart system” focuses on security and establishing a more fully merit-based system for permanent residence (“green card”) status.
What do we know about the proposal so far?
In terms of security, it includes:
- Construction of parts of the
…
Pressure Mounting in Canada to End Canada-U.S. ‘First Safe Country’ Refugee Agreement
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
There is currently a debate in Canada regarding the pros and cons of the bilateral Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA). When the number of individuals leaving the U.S. to seek asylum in Canada increased in September 2017, questions about the agreement’s sustainability arose.
STCA was established in 2004 between the U.S. and Canada proving that…