The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is primarily funded by immigration fees. When costs rise but fees do not, the agency experiences shortfalls. The same thing happens when there is a sudden drop in fees collected. Both of those appear to be...
Judge certifies class action for asylum seekers turned back
Since President Trump took office in 2016, it has become much more complex for some immigrants to apply for asylum in the U.S. This is because Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began “metering” the number of people it would allow into ports of entry, especially...
Federal court: US must begin accepting new DACA applications
Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s efforts to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2017 had been illegal. The program, therefore, remains in place. Does that mean that new applicants should be admitted?...
9th Circuit strikes down rule forcing asylum seekers to try Mexico
Last July, the Trump administration issued a rule requiring people who need asylum to ask for it in Mexico before asking for it in the U.S. Only those who were turned down by Mexico would be allowed to apply for asylum here.The government rightly claimed that it can...
New policy would make it harder for some to claim asylum
The Trump administration has issued a new proposed rule that would further limit access to asylum. If the rule goes into effect, would apply extra scrutiny to noncitizens who travel from Latin America to the Southern border of the United States. Primarily, the...
Supreme Court: Immigrants can bring CAT claims even in deportation
The Convention Against Torture (CAT), which refers to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, can prevent the deportation of immigrants who can show it is more likely than not that they will be...
VAWA helps domestic abuse survivors leave abusers, stay in the US
Has your spouse, parent or child said that you could be deported for reporting family violence? That may not be true.When your immigration status depends on another person, you can be vulnerable to spousal or domestic violence. Abusers often claim they have impunity....
USCIS struggles with insolvency, plans to raise immigration fees
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) relies on application fees for 97% of its $4.8-billion budget. Now, immigration has dropped substantially, and the agency is asking Congress for a $1.2 billion cash infusion and the right to add a 10% surcharge to...
To whom does the presidential order suspending immigration apply?
Effective at midnight tonight (12:00 a.m. on April 24, 2020), President Trump has issued an executive order suspending certain types of immigration for 60 days. Although this may sound alarming, there are large categories of immigrants who are not affected at all.The...
Do you need an extension or change of status to remain in the US?
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people are in tough immigration situations. Were you on a work visa but lost your job? Is your non-immigrant visa status expiring? You may have had plans to leave the U.S., but now you're stuck because travel is not advised. Are...
