Immigration
FY 2021: Highest Number of Naturalization Ceremonies in Years
Number of Naturalization Ceremonies increased during the last year According to official figures, the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) sponsored the highest number of Naturalization Ceremonies in more than a decade during Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. Approximately 808,000 LPRs (Lawful Permanent Residents) became American citizens in FY 2021, which ended on September 30. This…
Read MoreBiden’s Border Plans Did Not Go as Expected
Biden took office with ambitious border plans Since launching his political campaign for the November 2020 elections, President Biden always emphasized the need to lift restrictions and remove certain policies implemented by his Republican predecessor (Donald Trump) on the immigration system. In fact, Biden’s initial plans were heavily focused on rebuilding the political asylum process,…
Read MoreTitle 42 Remains in Effect After Border Reopening
The US reopens its borders The White House announced in mid-October that, as of November 8, the US borders would be reopened for non-essential travel, that is, tourism, family reunions, student exchange, inter alia. It is worth clarifying that the US borders are open again only for travelers fully vaccinated against COVID-19, who must also…
Read MoreFully Vaccinated Travelers may Now Enter the US
Fully vaccinated travelers are welcome As of November 8, the US borders are open again and travelers fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are welcome in this North American country, regardless of their reason for travel. Naturally, this news is extremely positive for the world at large because it shows that we are making progress in gradually…
Read MoreExpert: The Most Significant Immigration Proposal in Decades
Expert comments on immigration resolution in spending bill An immigration law professor from a leading US university recently commented on the immigration provisions included by Democratic leaders in the most recent spending bill. This budget package, which is currently under review by the US House of Representatives, seeks to invest in the immigration sector to…
Read MoreGrowing Tension Over Immigration Reform
Biden feels pressure related to immigration reform Tension around immigration reform is growing and the Biden administration is feeling pressure from every corner, especially now that the House of Representatives passed his infrastructure bill. To understand the issue at hand, it is important to explain that the House passed Biden’s infrastructure bill last Friday, but…
Read MoreSenate Parliamentarian Has Yet to Comment on Democrats’ ‘Plan C’
The Senate Parliamentarian’s opinion The Senate Parliamentarian, also called Senate referee, is the official policy advisor to this branch of Congress. In other words, the Senate Parliamentarian is an impartial interpreter of Senate rules and parliamentary procedure. That is why the Senate Parliamentarian has the right to give his/her opinion regarding certain proposals and bills,…
Read MoreDemocrats Might Remove Path to Citizenship from Budget Package
Democrats’ immigration plans have been intercepted The Biden administration has opened the door for Democratic leaders to introduce a fairly comprehensive immigration plan through the most recent budget package, which could pass through the reconciliation process. Broadly speaking, this process would allow Democrats to circumvent the Republican filibuster in the Senate by needing only 51…
Read MoreIs Mayorkas’ Neutral Approach to Immigration Effective?
Mayorkas’ stance and vision on immigration When President Biden appointed Alejandro Mayorkas as the Secretary of DHS (Department of Homeland Security), there was great expectation and uncertainty among the American population as he is the first Latino, coming from an immigrant family, to lead this federal agency. It is worth mentioning that DHS is the…
Read MoreSupreme Court Might Allow Republican Leaders to Defend the ‘Public Charge Rule’
Supreme Court to hear arguments on defense of Trump’s Public Charge Rule On Friday, October 29, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments from a group of Republican leaders who are asking to defend Trump’s Public Charge Rule. This decision comes after 13 Republican state attorneys general filed a petition to uphold Trump’s Public…
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