- Afghan interpreters disqualified from U.S. visas. The quick exit from Afghanistan over a year ago has left many people in danger under Taliban rule. Afghan interpreters who are considered “blacklisted” claim they were unjustly barred from receiving U.S. visas promised to Afghans who helped the U.S. Advocacy groups such as the International Refugee Assistance Project resulting in thousands affected. Some interpreters were denied visas even though they had positive reviews from their military supervisors. Many of the denials came after the interpreters were terminated by the private contracting companies that hired them. Interpreters and advocates have explained that the smallest inconsistency can result in a denial.
- Parents suing after being separated from children at the border. The Justice Department is requesting a federal judge to require psychological examinations of some of the families that were separated at the U.S.-Mexico border under the Trump administration as part of an ongoing lawsuit against the U.S. government. The Biden administration walked away from settlement discussions last year, raising concerns among attorneys about re-traumatizing parents whose children were taken away from them at the border. In 2018, Trump began a so-called zero tolerance policy where the Justice Department began criminal prosecutions against every adult illegally crossing the border, resulting in thousands of families being separated.
- Border patrol agent fatally shoots a migrant in custody. The FBI is investigating a fatal shooting of a migrant that was in U.S. custody at a Border Patrol station near El Paso, Texas. The FBI responded Tuesday afternoon to a shooting involving a Border Patrol agent and “a person detained” at the station. Neither the FBI nor CBP have yet to provide information regarding the victim’s nationality or the circumstances of the shooting. CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility is also reviewing the incident.
- Extension of temporary waiver for civil surgeon signatures. USCIS is extending the temporary waiver of the requirement that civil surgeons must sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an individual applies for the underlying immigration benefit. The waiver was originally effective until Sept. 30, 2022 but USCIS has extended it until March 31, 2023 to ease the processing delays and other difficulties in timely completing the immigration medical examination. The waiver applies to all Forms I-693 associated with applications for underlying immigration benefits that have not been adjudicated, regardless of whether an application was submitted to USCIS or when a civil surgeon signed the form.
- Biden administration falls 80% short of 2022 refugee admissions. For the fiscal year 2022, the U.S. only allowed 25,000 refugees into the country, using only 20% of the 125,000 spots the Biden administration had available. The U.S. received approximately 25,4000 refugees under the Refugee Admissions Program, which helps resettle vulnerable immigrants that have been displaced due to war and violence. Throughout the past two years, the Biden administration has failed to come close to the max for refugee admittance, resulting in tens of thousands of spots unused. In fiscal year 2021, only 11,411 refugees were resettled in the U.S. even though Biden allocated 62,5000 refugee spots.
- FY 2022 Citizenship and Integration grants. USCIS awarded about $20 million in grants to 66 organizations throughout 35 states to help prepare lawful permanent residents and those with a clear pathway to lawful permanent residency for naturalization. The money for the grants was provided through funding by Congress and is double the funding that was available for fiscal year (FY) 2022. Citizenship and Integration Grants give money to organizations that prepare immigrants for naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history and civics. Since the beginning of the grant in 2009, it has awarded $132 million through 579 competitive grants to immigrant-serving organizations in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
- Former prison warden and his brother charged with killing a migrant. The former warden from a Texas prison and his brother are facing manslaughter charges stemming from a fatal roadside shooting of a migrant last week. Michael and Mark Sheppard were arrested on Thursday for killing a migrant and injuring another person. It is believed the men pulled their truck over near Sierra Blanca, about 25 miles from the Mexico border, and began shooting at a group of migrants who were getting water alongside the road. The shooting resulted in the death of a man and a woman who was injured and is now recovering at a hospital in El Paso. The brothers are still in custody and it is unclear whether they have obtained legal representation or if bail has been set.
- Why the visa process could be discouraging visitors. About 40% of international visitors coming to the U.S. need to apply for a visa to enter which can be an expensive and long process. Visa applicants typically have to do online paperwork then wait for their appointment time with the embassy for an interview where applicants must show proof of finances, plans upon arrival in the U.S., and proof of business or travel plans. These extra steps sometimes discourage people from applying for visas and result in the U.S. often missing out on a lot of tourist dollars. Experts believe that many visa applicants do not discuss their experiences during the visa process with the press due to fear of their ability to be approved being deterred.
- Extension of temporary waiver for civil surgeon signatures. USCIS is extending the temporary waiver of the requirement that civil surgeons must sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an individual applies for the underlying immigration benefit. The waiver was originally effective until Sept. 30, 2022 but USCIS has extended it until March 31, 2023 to ease the processing delays and other difficulties in timely completing the immigration medical examination. The waiver applies to all Forms I-693 associated with applications for underlying immigration benefits that have not been adjudicated, regardless of whether an application was submitted to USCIS or when a civil surgeon signed the form.
- Biden administration falls 80% short of 2022 refugee admissions. For the fiscal year 2022, the U.S. only allowed 25,000 refugees into the country, using only 20% of the 125,000 spots the Biden administration had available. The U.S. received approximately 25,4000 refugees under the Refugee Admissions Program, which helps resettle vulnerable immigrants that have been displaced due to war and violence. Throughout the past two years, the Biden administration has failed to come close to the max for refugee admittance, resulting in tens of thousands of spots unused. In fiscal year 2021, only 11,411 refugees were resettled in the U.S. even though Biden allocated 62,5000 refugee spots.
Posted in: Immigration
posted on: October 7, 2022