U.S. to Change Asylum Procedures, Also Admit 100,000 Refugees from Ukraine
This week, the Biden Administration issued a new rule that will allow for asylum officers at the U.S.-Mexico border to adjudicate claims for protection from removal made by immigrants who fear persecution in their home country. The » Read More
U.S. Labor Secretary Laments Outdated Immigration System
During an appearance at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference this week in Austin, Texas, U.S. Labor Secretary Martin Walsh told audience members that the current U.S. immigration is hurting American employers and adding to the country’s workforce issues. » Read More
Congressional Democrats are pressuring President Biden to end the use of a policy by which immigrants stopped at the U.S. southern border can be quickly sent back to Mexico or their home countries without being allowed to request asylum at the time they are apprehended by Border Patrol Officers. » Read More
Designation of Ukraine to Temporary Protected Status
On March 3, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced that in light of “Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence,” Ukraine would be added to the list of countries for which citizens may be granted Temporary Protected Status in the United States. » Read More
The Excluded New Jerseyans fund, which maintains funds for undocumented immigrants who were initially excluded from receiving unemployment or stimulus checks during the COVID-19 pandemic, has finally started methodically distributing relief to thousands of people. » Read More
Federal Government Will Extend Length of Work Authorization for Some Immigrants
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has announced plans to increase the validity length of work authorization cards for certain immigrant classifications. This is an effort to reduce the times that immigrant workers would need to file the applications. » Read More
United States Continues Controversial Border Policy
The Biden Administration decided this week to continue a policy implemented by the Trump administration that authorized the rapid deportation of noncitizens stopped at the U.S./Mexico, citing safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 1.5 million people have been expelled under this program without the opportunity to apply for any form of relief. » Read More
New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy to Restore Immigrant Worker Pandemic Fund
Last week, the Immigration Weekly Round-Up posted about New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s decision to reallocate federal funds from the state’s Immigrant Worker Fund that was designated as pandemic assistance for undocumented immigrants throughout New Jersey. » Read More
Outrage Following Reallocation of Millions in the Excluded N.J. Funds
In a move that has left many immigrants and immigration advocates stunned and angry, New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, has reallocated approximately $34 million of the $50 million from the federally-funded Excluded New Jerseyans Fund – which is dedicated to providing pandemic assistance to those who were exempted from the initial stimulus checks, including thousands of undocumented immigrants – to pay for other state expenses, such as payroll and various department costs due to COVID-19. » Read More
United States Chamber of Commerce CEO Calls for Doubling Legal Immigration
This week, Suzanne Clark, the CEO of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, advocated for the federal government to double the size of legal immigration into the country in order to address widespread worker shortages. » Read More
