The Local Reach of ICE Reduced
“Detained immigrants, their families, and communities have fought for over a decade to end the 287(g) program”
DACA ruling leaves undocumented in limbo
On July 16, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) “is illegal,” according to the website of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. DACA is an immigration policy that permits some people with unlawful presence in the country, who came to the U.S. as children, to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and to be eligible for a work permit. Local activists in Boston responded […]
Call for Biden to end Southeast Asian deportations
Under the Biden administration, Southeast Asian refugees have continued to be deported, and in Boston, community organizations and legislators have collaborated to combat the problem. Over the past few years, Greater Boston Legal Services’ (GBLS) Asian Outreach Unit and the Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW) have served as advocates and fought in individual cases. This past June, 15 senators and 44 other representatives joined the Massachusetts House Asian Caucus to sign a statement condemning “the disproportionate rise in deportations of […]
Ruling in Texas Halts DACA, Throwing Many into Uncertainty
On July 16, US District Judge Andrew Hanen of the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy is unlawful. This decision does not immediately harm the over 600,000 individuals that have previously attained lawful status while protected under DACA or that have had their DACA applications approved. However, it does effectively halt the DACA review process for approximately 60,000 immigrants currently hoping to receive protection and work authorization […]
USCIS requests public input to identify barriers in its services
On April 19, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began requesting public input to help “reduce barriers within its regulations and policies, including those that prevent foreign citizens from obtaining access to eligible immigration services and benefits in an effective and efficient manner.” The public comment period is set to end on May 26, with written comments accepted on Regulations.gov until May 19. Click on the blue “comment” button right under the title to be taken to […]
Public Charge Rule ends, more people should apply for public benefits
(請點這裡閱讀中文版。) By Alex Milvae, Equal Justice Works Fellow Attorney The Biden Administration has ended the Trump Administration’s Public Charge Rule. This change means that everyone who is eligible should apply for public benefits. Because the Trump Administration’s Public Charge Rule made getting a green card harder for people who needed public benefits, many immigrants were afraid to apply. For many people, public benefits are necessary to daily survival. Benefits have become even more important during the pandemic. In the past […]
Immigration ban on H/J/L visas expired as of March 31, 2021
(請點這裡閱讀中文版。) On March 31, 2021, the immigration ban on entry for H, J, and L visas officially expired. The Trump administration’s ‘nonimmigrant proclamation’ began on June 24, 2020 and was originally meant to expire on Dec. 31, 2020. However, right before leaving office, former president Trump extended the ban on entry and visa processes until the end of March. President Biden did not extend it further and allowed it to expire. According to Fragomen, a legal firm dedicated to immigration […]
Business and university leaders speak immigration reform and economic recovery during New England Immigrant Business Summit
Following the White House’s announcement of a sweeping bill that would overhaul the current immigration system for millions, a broad coalition of New England businesses, higher education and political leaders gathered to discuss the advancement of immigration reform measures on Friday, Feb. 19. Harvard University President Lawrence Bacow and Exelon Chairman Emeritus John Rowe were among the dozens of speakers to attend the New England Business Immigration Summit. The event, cohosted by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, aimed […]
USCIS cancels 2020 changes: Naturalization Civics Test reverts back to 2008 version
On February 22, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will cancel the changes made to the Naturalization Civics Test from December 2020 and revert back to the 2008 version of the Civics Test. This is part of President Biden’s executive order on “Restoring Faith in our Legal Immigration Systems.” The Civics Test is an oral exam that takes place at the end of the naturalization process. According to the USCIS website, there are a total of […]
Advocates cautiously optimistic about Biden’s immigration policies
City representatives and advocates have said that president Joe Biden’s newest immigration policies have brought them hope, but that there is still skepticism in the community. While Biden’s sweeping reforms have appeared bold, it will likely take time for the former Trump administration’s actions to be reversed. One of Biden’s first steps was to sign a memorandum on January 20 that ordered the attorney general and the secretary of Homeland Security to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood […]