USCIS Unveils New Statue of Liberty Logo
USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou unveiled a new insignia during an agency-wide town hall in Los Angeles, California. Featuring an image of the Statue of Liberty, the insignia is designed to embody the agency's culture and create a visual connection to USCIS's core values and long-term objectives.
Texas AG Paxton Investigates El Paso Nonprofit Amid Ongoing Scrutiny of Immigration Advocacy Groups
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, an El Paso-based nonprofit, for alleged violations of consumer protection laws related to a federal migrant sponsorship program. This marks at least the fifth probe into immigration-focused nonprofits by Paxton's office this year. Las Americas has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit seeking to halt the investigation, arguing it infringes on their First Amendment rights and is an overreach of state authority. The nonprofit is being required to provide information under Texas's Deceptive Trade Practices Act, a novel approach in these investigations. This action follows a broader trend of investigations into organizations whose missions oppose Paxton's politics, including those working on immigration, gender-affirming care, and workplace diversity.
Ohio Attorney General Urged to Exit Lawsuit Against Federal Immigration Program
The nonprofit American Families United is petitioning Ohio officials to withdraw from a Texas-led lawsuit challenging the Biden administration's "Keeping Families Together" parole program. The program, temporarily halted by a federal judge, aims to allow undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to apply for permanent residence without leaving the country. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost joined 15 other states in the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, alleging the program promotes illegal immigration. Legal experts note the case highlights ongoing tensions between state and federal immigration policies.
Biden Administration Extends Controversial Asylum Restrictions, Faces Legal Challenges
President Biden's administration is extending and bolstering asylum restrictions at the southern border, potentially violating U.S. and international law. The policy, which caps asylum-seeking entries and closes the border after certain thresholds, has faced legal challenges from the ACLU and other advocacy groups. Critics argue that the restrictions violate the right to seek protection guaranteed by U.S. and international law. The administration defends the policy, citing its effectiveness in reducing border crossings, while facing ongoing litigation over its legality.
Economists Counter Trump’s Claims: Immigration Expected to Boost U.S. GDP by $8.9 Trillion
Immigration remains a contentious issue in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, with former President Trump claiming immigrants are taking jobs from U.S. workers. However, economists largely agree that immigration benefits the overall economy and job market, with the Congressional Budget Office projecting an $8.9 trillion boost to GDP over the next decade due to recent immigration. While there's ongoing debate about potential wage impacts on workers without high school degrees, most research finds little evidence of significant negative effects on employment levels for U.S.-born workers. The article notes that as of 2022, undocumented immigrants represented 3.3% of the total U.S. population and 23% of immigrants.
USCIS Updates CSPA Age Calculation Guidance for Extraordinary Circumstances Cases
USCIS has revised its Policy Manual to clarify Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) age calculations for noncitizens demonstrating extraordinary circumstances. The update specifies that when a visa is continuously available for one year, the CSPA age calculation uses the date the visa first became available. In cases of visa unavailability, applicants may use the initial availability date if they prove extraordinary circumstances prevented earlier application. This guidance aims to streamline adjudication in cases involving extraordinary circumstances within the visa availability period.
U.S. Immigrant Population Hits Record High, Legal and Unauthorized Migration Trends Shift
The U.S. immigrant population reached a record 47.8 million in 2023, accounting for 14.3% of the total population. This growth is largely attributed to policy changes, including the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which opened immigration from Asia and Latin America. In 2022, most immigrants came from Mexico, India, and China. Nearly 77% of immigrants are in the U.S. legally, with 23% being unauthorized. Recent legal protections, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), have allowed some unauthorized immigrants to remain and work legally in the U.S.
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