
IMMIGRATION POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
Latest Immigration Posts
DACA Ruled Unlawful by Texan Federal Judge
Brief #126 – Immigration
By Kathryn Baron
On Friday, July 16, a Federal Judge in Texas ruled the Obama-era program that has protected more than 800,000 young immigrants brought to the US as children – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) – from deportation as unlawful.
VP Kamala Harris Advises Migrants not to Come to the US in First Trip Abroad to Guatemala and Mexico
Immigration Policy Brief #125
By Kathryn Baron
Earlier this week, Vice President Kamala Harris took her first trip abroad in her new position, to Guatemala and Mexico. She announced the launch of an anti-corruption task force to be established for training law enforcement, aiding prosecutors, and targeting transnational crime in Guatemala; a young women’s empowerment initiative; the promise of $130 million in aid for the remainder of Biden’s term; and lastly, that the US would donate 500,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Biden Administration Announces Intent to Expand US Immigration System
Brief # 124 – Immigration Policy
By Kathryn Baron
Recently, the Biden Administration announced its intent to expand the existing American immigration system. The administration’s goal is to reverse anti-immigration efforts from the Trump Administration that led to lower levels of foreign workers, families and refugees, and numerous procedural hurdles.
Biden Administration Enables Task Force to Reunite Immigrant Families Separated during Trump Administration
Brief #123—Immigration
By Kathryn Baron
The Department of Homeland Security will establish a Family Reunification Task Force with the mandate of reuniting families who were separated during the Trump Administration’s Zero Tolerance Policy. The Task Force will be led by Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, and involve substantial interagency coordination with the Department of Justice (settlement negotiation efforts), the Department of State (system for processing in-country requests for travel documents to enter the US), and the Department of Health and Human Services (facilitate services and support for effected families). The Task Force is expected to deliver a progress report by June 2, 2021.
After Intense Pressure Biden Raises Refugee Cap from Historically Low Trump Administration Figures
Brief #122—Immigration
By Kathryn Baron
Under the Trump Administration, the US held a historically low refugee cap of 15,000. On the campaign trail President Biden vowed to increase the limit for this fiscal year to 62,500 and ideally, to 125,000 for the following year. Biden emphasized the low Trump-era cap did not accurately depict America’s values as a “nation that welcomes and supports refugees.”
Our Migrant Workforce: Who Are They? How Did They Get Here?
Brief #121—Immigration
By Kathryn Baron
Migrant workers support the US economy providing American industries like agriculture and technology the critical labor force they need to prosper. In 2019, more than 900,000 temporary foreign workers visas were granted, compared to only 400,000 in 1994. During lockdown measures in 2020, Trump suspended all temporary work visas to ensure public health safety.
The first migrant labor program came during WWI due to severe labor shortages and drew in agricultural laborers primarily from Mexico. In 1952, lawmakers attempted to regulate and consolidate temporary visa regulations into a comprehensive Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which introduced the H2 visa (the precursor to the H1B). There are currently 4 types of H-visas for temporary workers (with the 4th being for spouses and unmarried children of H-visa recipients). See below for an explanation of the different H type visas that that are used by migrant workers.
Southern Border Mass Migration at Highest Level in Decades
Brief #120—Immigration
By Kathryn Baron
In March 2021, CBP apprehended at least 170,000 migrants at the US Southwest Border – the highest in 15 years and a 70% increase from February 2021. Nearly 19,000 unaccompanied children were taken into custody after crossing the border – including at port entries – quadrupling figures for the same month in 2020. Many are meeting relatives in the US and/or they are economic migrants looking for work.
Immigration Policy Recommendations for the Biden Administration
Brief #119—Immigration
By Kathryn Baron
Thus far, 2021 and the Biden Administration have seen a major increase in unaccompanied migrant children crossing the US Southern Border – more than tripled. In the first 3 months of 2021, 4,500 unaccompanied minors were held by CBP and over 9,000 by the Department of Health and Human Services. Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas refers to the phenomena as a challenge – as it is not a new phenomenon or crisis – but rather a pattern. During this fragile transition of power – particularly in the immigration sector – there are a few ways the Biden Administration can seek to strengthen the American immigration system, while dismantling the xenophobic Trump-era policies and still remain realistic in scope.
A Surge of Unaccompanied Children at the US Southern Border
Brief #117—Immigration
By Kathryn Baron
The US is seeing a record-breaking influx of children held in government facilities after crossing the southern border. The amount of unaccompanied children crossing the border has increased 63% so far in 2021 and border facilities are over capacity due to COVID-19 social distance restrictions in addition to the sheer number of children needing accommodations. The US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) is currently holding more than 13,000 unaccompanied children in custody. The children’s ages range from toddlers (usually with an older sibling) to teens. Those under 18 are being allowed to enter the US while their claims are processed.