Author Archive:

Catholic Leaders Meet To Discuss Immigration

Catholic Leaders Meet To Discuss ImmigrationCatholic leaders with over 20 bishops met with Vatican representatives and prelates from Central America at an emergency meeting held in Chicago from June 1st to June 2nd to discuss immigration. The meeting, held by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, planned to set forth a welcoming response to immigrants from the Catholic Church. El Paso Bishop Mark J. Seitz saw the meeting as a counter to recent political decisions against immigrant rights, and the bishop hoped to “raise anew the moral voice of the church with decision makers at this critical time in defense of the rights and dignity of those who are forced to flee.” Attendees also wanted to understand the underlying causes of migration from the region, in order to become better advocates for them. They worked closely with bishops from Central America and Mexico, and stressed the importance of collaboration. Shortly after the meeting, an archbishop affiliated with the organization criticized Congress for “kicking the can down the road” when it comes to immigration reform. This involvement of the Catholic Church on matters of immigration reform reflects the important moral concerns the entire fight for immigrant justice rests on.

Supreme Court Rules Against Immigrants Once Again

TSupreme Court Rules Against Immigrants Once Againhis Monday, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously against the thousands of immigrants living in the United States for humanitarian reasons, ruling them ineligible for permanent residency if they entered the country unlawfully. Justice Elena Kagan wrote the opinion, declaring that permanent residency and TPS designation are separate immigration tracks that can only merge if the TPS recipient entered the United States legally. 

The case, Sanchez v. Mayorkas, was brought before the court by Jose Sanchez and Sonia Gonzalez. The two El Salvadorian natives entered the United States unlawfully in the late 1990s, but were granted Temporary Protected Status after earthquakes devastated their home country in 2001. This designation protects individuals from deportation to countries affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters. The married couple then applied for green cards in 2014. This application was rejected, and the pair sued. The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled against them, referring to the permanent residency eligibility requirement that applicants be “inspected and admitted” into the United States. According to Judge Thomas M Hardiman, the Temporary Protected Status designation “does not constitute an admission.” The Supreme Court upheld this decision. 

Despite this judicial setback, the House of Representatives have already passed legislation that would make it possible for TPS recipients to become permanent residents. Its future in the Senate is uncertain, but the move is supported by President Biden and his administration. If passed, it would allow thousands of immigrants who have made this country their home to continue living and thriving within the United States. 

 

If you need to talk to an experienced immigration attorney. We’ve helped hundreds of couples traverse the complicated immigration and citizenship process. We would love to help you as well.  Call 617-676-0503 or email hello@cambridgeimmigrationlaw.com to get in touch.

Temporary Protected Status Designation for Haitian Nationals

EMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS DESIGNATIONThe Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, announced a new Temporary Protected Status designation for Haiti for eighteen months, beginning May 22nd. This new designation allows Haitian nationals, as well individuals without nationality who last resided in Haiti, to apply for TPS, provided they are already residing in the United States as of May 21st, 2021 and meet certain eligibility requirements. To determine eligibility, all individuals will undergo security and background checks. Current Haitian TPS beneficiaries will also need to file a new TPS application to ensure they do not lose coverage.

According to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the decision to grant Haiti Temporary Protected Status designation status comes in response to “serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty, and lack of basic resources” in the country. These are situations exacerbated by the 2010 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Temporary Protected Status protects individuals of designated countries from deportation on the basis of immigration status. Individuals eligible for TPS under Haiti’s new designation must first file an application with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to be granted TPS status. The registration period will begin with the publication of the Federal Register notice.  Individuals applying for TPS may also request an Employment Authorization Document or travel authorization.

 

Find more information here: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/05/22/secretary-mayorkas-designates-haiti-temporary-protected-status-18-months 

Immigration and the United States 2020 Census

United States 2020 CensusThe 2020 United States Census has raised alarms for economists. Population growth is slowing, and projections do not see the trend changing anytime soon. Economists agree that population growth fuels economies, and some parts of the country are already experiencing negative effects. Shrinking tax bases in rural areas has made it harder to fund public services like infrastructure and education. In addition, the aging population poses a serious dependency problem, placing a major economic strain on the working population. 

While the government is pondering family-planning solutions, it is overlooking the best option–increased immigration. Immigration has historically been a major accelerator of population growth. It is a far easier and simpler way to fix the population problem, and would benefit more lives. Many immigrants populate large metro areas, which would have otherwise lost population in recent years. Furthermore, many of these immigrants are younger than the median American, adding supply to the labor force.

While there are many humanitarian reasons to support immigration, this new economic angle of the should silence all critics. It is time for Congress to work together and open up the country to more immigrants, for the benefit of all.

Indigenous Guatemalans Face Communication Challenges At Border

Indigenous people have faced major hurdles in their migration to the United States. Language and cultural barriers add extra challenges and stress, as they grapple with an unfamiliar asylum system. 

El Paso Times talked with 26-year-old Melinda and her family about the difficult journey the Guatemalan family made to the U.S.-Mexico border. Speaking only the Indigenous language of K’iche’, Melinda was entirely reliant on another Guatemalan migrant for all communication. Melinda did not speak directly with any United States Customs and Border Protection Officer upon reaching the border. She was extremely confused and scared, and considered herself lucky to be assisted by the Mexican government agency Grupo Beta. 

Another Indigenous Guatemalan immigrant, Alma, shared Melinda’s grief with the process. Her son, Salvador, fainted in the extreme conditions of the journey. At the border, according to Alma, “no one came near” to explain the asylum process in the United States.

These experiences are not uncommon. Recent studies discovered that one in five detainees in the United States are Indigenous. It is essential that the United States allocate resources to expand language services at the border, in order to effectively explain the asylum process to migrants. Failure to do so would be a failure in justice.

Read El Paso Times’ Story Here: https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2021/05/11/el-paso-juarez-us-immigration-system-mexico-border-untracked/5004407001/

Biden Administration Resurrects Entrepreneurship Program for Immigrants

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RESURRECTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM FOR IMMIGRANTSPresident Biden announced last Monday his intent to revive an Obama-era Entrepreneurship Program that allowed immigrant entrepreneurs to work in the United States. The International Entrepreneur Rule, it allowed foreign entrepreneurs to work in the country up to five years, given they met certain criteria, including the ownership of at least 10% of a startup and the attraction of at least $250,000 in United States venture capital. 

The Trump administration published a notice intending to suspend the Entrepreneurship Program policy before it went into effect, citing its parole benefit as grounds for opposition. Parole allows the United States to admit migrants without visas, provided there is a significant public benefit. Ultimately, the program was not officially terminated by Trump, but withered away regardless, since investors and entrepreneurs believed the notice indicated Trump’s intent to deny applications.

The new attention to the program and increased resource allocation will likely sponsor a new influx of immigrant entrepreneurs. This is a major benefit to the country as a whole, and hopefully will offer new opportunities to immigrants.

 

 

 

If you need to talk to an experienced immigration attorney. We’ve helped hundreds of couples traverse the complicated immigration and citizenship process. We would love to help you as well.  Call 617-744-7919 or email hello@cambridgeimmigrationlaw.com to get in touch.

Biden Selects Trump-Era Hires for Immigration Court

Washington Dc, Biden and Trum EraPresident Biden has upset many immigrant advocates this past weekend by hiring several immigration judges previously selected by former President Trump. Many of these judges are former prosecutors and counselors for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Almost none have experience representing migrants in court. This move by the Biden administration has puzzled many voters, as it stands at odds with Biden’s stated commitment to reverse the harm the previous administration inflicted upon the immigration system. There should be far more immigration advocates within the court system, which would provide an important counter to the influx of deportation advocates that began filling the benches during the Trump presidency. Biden’s budget allows for a total of 100 immigration judge hires. Now that seventeen with questionable motivations have already been appointed, it is time to place pressure on the administration to ensure that court selections uphold the values Biden promised.

 

If you need to talk to an experienced immigration attorney. We’ve helped hundreds of couples traverse the complicated immigration and citizenship process. We would love to help you as well.  Call 617-676-0503 or email hello@cambridgeimmigrationlaw.com to get in touch.

US Withdraws Biometrics Proposal

Biometrics in USCISThe United States government withdrew a Trump-era Biometrics proposal last Friday. The measure sought to collect biometric details from all individuals applying for immigration or naturalization benefits, an expansion of previous biometric policy. While supporters of the rule argued it would improve security vetting and reduce fraud, many critics saw it as another unnecessary step in an already inefficient immigration process. The withdrawal is part of a wider effort to “restore faith” in the immigration system in the wake of the Trump presidency, an initiative set into motion through President Biden’s February Executive Order “Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration System.”

 

If you need to talk to an experienced immigration attorney. We’ve helped hundreds of couples traverse the complicated immigration and citizenship process. We would love to help you as well.  Call 617-676-0503 or email hello@cambridgeimmigrationlaw.com to get in touch.

Boat of Migrants Capsizes Near San Diego

Rescue boats for the boat of migrants capsized in San DiegoA 40-foot cruiser boat of migrants carrying about 30 people capsizes near San Diego early Sunday morning. Passengers were met with a powerful current. Three died, and of the 29 rescued, five were taken to the hospital. After one day, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search. 

According to the authorities, the passengers were migrants, likely coming from Baja California, Mexico. These maritime passages are not new, and have been on the rise in recent years as border security has increased. Between 2019 and 2020, Border Patrol reported a 92% increase in apprehensions at sea. They expect to see a similar increase this year. 

Many lives could be saved if the United States established more efficient, safe, and easy opportunities for immigration. The increase in migrant sea passage correlates with the implementation of stricter measures at the border. Individuals seeking a new life should not have to resort to such dangerous means. 

State Department Announces the winners of 2022 Diversity Immigration Visa Program

Diversity Immigration Visa ProgramThe State Department announced the winners of the 2022 Diversity Immigration Visa Program this Saturday. The program, also known as “The Green Card Lottery,” allows winners to apply for visas, opening up a pathway to citizenship. The program is limited to individuals from countries where less than 50,000 natives migrated to the United States within the previous five years. It benefits about 55,000 people each year.

The Diversity Immigration Visa Program lottery this year is especially important. Individuals banned by former President Donald Trump’s Presidential Proclamation 9645–which blocked migration from Yemen, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Syria, Somalia, Chad, and Libya–are now eligible once again under the Biden presidency. According to the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, “pursuant to President Biden’s proclamation, the State Department will undertake a review to ensure that individuals whose immigrant visa applications were denied on the basis of the suspension and restriction on entry imposed by P.P. 9645 or 9983 may have their applications reconsidered.” Finally the individuals needlessly barred from opportunity may see hope on the horizon once more.

 

If you need to talk to an experienced immigration attorney. We’ve helped hundreds of couples traverse the complicated immigration and citizenship process. We would love to help you as well.  Call 617-744-7919 or email hello@cambridgeimmigrationlaw.com to get in touch.

Free Download!

Marriage-Based Green Card Document Guide

We work hard to make your immigration case easy for you. Use this easy guide to help you organize the documents that you would use if you are eligible to submit an application for a marriage-based green card application. You should consult with an attorney to figure out if you are eligible for a green card before you submit any applications or documents to the U.S. government.