As the campaigning for the 2018 midterm elections begins to ramp up, politicians position voter messages around issues like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, border security and immigration reform. Especially for those with a hefty constituency geared toward immigrant interests, the call to action centers on installing representatives who are ready, willing …
California state officials continue brazen demonstrations against federal policy and enforcement efforts as the Oakland mayor offers city residents a heads up on raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.) Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf’s efforts in impeding ICE and other federal agencies ring harmoniously with that of other state officials claiming moral and …
Immigration and Border Patrol Issues Heat Up in California Read More »
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) hosted a panel discussion in early February centering on current and historic immigration from Mexico as well as U.S. policy approaches. The discussion, “Understanding Immigration: How Can the U.S. Achieve a Fair, Human Policy for Accepting and Integrating Immigrants,” explored the trends, perceptions and realities of Mexican and other …
Legislative leaders in Washington D.C. opt to allow continued ambiguity for immigrant Dreamers as they choose a partisan stance during floor votes on overhaul proposals. The Senate failures come with the March 5 end date for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program just a couple of weeks away. In mid-February, the series of …
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi made history in early February with a more than 8-hour monologue on the House floor to protest the lack of Dreamer protections as legislators work to pass another short-term spending bill. Rep. Pelosi plans to follow up her words– spoken while wearing 4-inch heels for the duration– with a vote against …
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a waiver around environmental, natural resource and land management laws to pursue “expeditious construction of barriers and roads” in the high undocumented crossing areas of New Mexico’s southern border. The federal government’s move, which affects a 20-mile segment in U.S. Custom and Border Patrol’s (CBP) El Paso Sector, …
The California city of Oakland positions itself to take on the federal government as the city council voted to end cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The council’s legislation echoes state moves implementing a “sanctuary” designation across the entire state effective January 1. On the city level, representatives clarified the position of non-cooperation …
The overall number of family-based visas approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the first 9 months of 2017 show a 25 percent year-over-year decrease. USCIS attributes the drop to an overall slowdown in the adjudication process as officials increase scrutiny on immigration law and the overall vetting process. Through Sept. 30, 2017, …
With legislators back in Washington after the winter break, lawmakers move into 2018 with an agenda to address Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the limbo status currently imposed on beneficiaries. In their first week back in session, representative leadership plan meetings with White House officials to discuss DACA and overall immigration reform, among …
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency charged with immigration enforcement and removal operations (ERO), reports year-over-year increases in arrests and interior removals. The focus of ICE officials’ efforts in 2017 centered on the “roadmap of guidance and support to accomplish its homeland security mission” provided through President Trump’s directives. According to an agency report, …