- CBS reported on Wednesday that USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service) will indefinitely stop processing applications for people who entered the country on a categorical parole program (CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela) Parole program, Uniting for Ukraine, etc). This applies both to applications for temporary status, such as Temporary Protected Status, and applications to adjust status to that of a lawful permanent resident. This continues this administration’s attacks on lawfully present parolees and follows earlier news that the administration intends to revoke parole status
- As we face a March 14th deadline for Congress to pass a federal budget, many are wondering if we are headed for another government shutdown. Both chambers have passed a budget resolution, basically a broad outline for what should be included in the budget, but remain far apart on what should actually be included in this reconciliation process. Senate leadership is still pushing for 2 bills while House leadership is hoping to push for their entire agenda in a single bill. In the meantime, Congress may look to another continuing resolution (CR) to keep the lights on after mid-March. The expectation is that the Senate will begin debating amendments this week while the House is in recess. However, things remain in flux as Senators were caught off guard on Wednesday when Trump endorsed the House approach of a single large bill to include immigration, tax cuts, and cuts to vital social programs.
- Although the White House directive of across the board spending cuts has been suspended by court order, the administration continues to make piecemeal cuts to critical services for immigrants. The latest cut is to a program providing legal services to unaccompanied minors, leaving up to 26,000 children, some as young as 2 years old, without legal representation in immigration court. These children are expected to represent themselves in a court of law where the decision will reverberate throughout their entire lives.
- The House is expected to vote on HR 32 as early as next week. This bill would strip critical social service funds from jurisdictions if those funds could be used to support undocumented immigrants. Although this is being touted as an “anti-sanctuary” bill, it does not actually deal with any law enforcement issues. Debate on this bill could be delayed as the House debates the budget process.
- Congress passed the Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act last week. This bill would make anyone inadmissible or deportable if they flee from a CBP (Customs and Border Protection) officer, or other LEO (law enforcement officer) working with CBP, within 100 miles of the border.
- The Department of Homeland Security has asked the IRS to deputize investigators as immigration officers. It’s not clear how this will impact the privacy rights of tax filers who use an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number). The AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations) & NILC (National Immigration Law Center) are looking for plaintiffs for potential litigation around ITINs being used for removal.
- Lawsuits
- Birthright citizenship: Preliminary injunctions issued by 4 judges in 5 cases. On Wednesday, a federal appeals court denied an administration request to lift the injunction issued by the Seattle court.
- Asylum: ACLU has sued over the ban on asylum seekers
- Refugees: Catholic bishops have sued over the freeze in refugee resettlement funding.
National organizations are looking for plaintiffs to stop the termination of categorical parole programs. Anyone who might be interested should email ssekhavat@miracoalition.org