Expanding Housing Solutions for International Newcomers

Housing Solutions for International Newcomers
Northeast Ohio has long been a place of opportunity, diversity, and community. As the region continues to welcome newcomers from around the world, Global Cleveland works to ensure that the international newcomer community feels supported and connected to the services that can make their transition as smooth as possible. Over the years, our team has addressed the critical needs of immigrants and refugees, including connecting individuals with workforce and healthcare access, legal assistance, education, and social services. However, one need that unites everyone, regardless of background, is the fundamental need for a home.
Global Cleveland expanded its efforts in the past year to address the pressing need for stable, affordable housing for newcomers. Our organization has deepened its collaboration with community partners to create scalable housing solutions that not only provide newcomers with a roof over their heads but also offer a foundation for successful integration into their new home in Northeast Ohio.

Scalable Housing Solutions
Affordable housing is a cornerstone of successful resettlement, yet it can be a challenge for many newcomers to secure safe, quality housing where they can begin to establish their new lives. Global Cleveland has taken strategic steps to address this challenge by working closely with housing developers, resettlement agencies, and local stakeholders to create housing solutions tailored to the unique needs of immigrants and refugees.
One of our key initiatives has been exploring the guidelines set forth by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) and helping developers navigate the process of accessing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). By doing so, Global Cleveland has enabled developers to include resettlement organizations in their housing proposals, creating a competitive advantage for these projects. In turn, resettlement agencies gain confidence knowing that the housing they refer newcomers to will be available, safe, and accommodating. This partnership approach is a win-win for both developers and resettlement agencies, as it ensures that some of the community’s most vulnerable international newcomer individuals and families can secure dignified, long-term housing.
Educating Stakeholders on Newcomer Housing
An important part of Global Cleveland’s work in housing is bridging the knowledge gap between newcomers, private landlords, and housing developers. Understanding the intricacies of housing eligibility and the cultural considerations needed to create inclusive housing spaces is essential for ensuring that newcomers can truly feel at home.
To assist in this effort, Global Cleveland has developed the Newcomer Housing Guide. This guide serves as an educational tool for private landlords and developers, helping them understand the specific needs and eligibility of different immigrant groups. It also provides guidance on creating housing spaces that consider the cultural and economic needs of newcomers, ensuring their successful integration into the community.
By offering a clear overview of how newcomers access housing and begin their lives in the region, the guide fosters greater cultural competency and understanding. It levels the playing field for landlords and developers, enabling them to better serve the diverse populations arriving in Northeast Ohio.

Building Partnerships and Raising Awareness
Global Cleveland’s efforts to connect newcomers with housing opportunities have not been done in isolation. Our team has worked hand-in-hand with local partners to bring key stakeholders together and raise awareness of the housing challenges facing newcomers. These partnerships are essential in creating sustainable solutions that benefit both newcomers and the broader community.
One of the notable successes in this area is the collaboration between The NRP Group and The May Dugan Center, Cleveland’s newest resettlement agency. This partnership has resulted in the development of a new LIHTC project, which has already received approval and is scheduled to open in 2025 in University Circle. The project will provide much-needed housing for newcomers in a central, accessible area of the city.
In addition, Global Cleveland is currently working with developers Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation and Wallick Communities, alongside resettlement agencies Catholic Charities and USCRI, to bring two additional housing projects to life. These initiatives are still in the application phase, and Global Cleveland is optimistic about their success, as they will contribute to the region’s housing capacity and offer affordable housing options for international newcomers who need them most.
Continued Momentum for Housing Solutions
As the need for affordable, quality housing continues to grow, Global Cleveland remains committed to expanding its efforts. The organization is working to establish a Global Cleveland Housing Committee, which will bring together stakeholders to focus on long-term housing solutions for newcomers. The committee will promote further LIHTC opportunities, build capacity with private landlords, and explore new training programs for the building trades, allowing newcomers to actively participate in the region’s growth.
Through continued collaboration, education, and advocacy, Global Cleveland is working to create a region where newcomers can not only find a home but also thrive. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to providing the support and resources that will ensure that international newcomers have a place to call home in Northeast Ohio.
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February 2025 Immigration Update

February 2025 Immigration Update
Want to keep up with immigration news in the U.S.? Every month, Global Cleveland publishes our immigration update so that you can stay informed about the latest immigration news.
This month’s Immigration Update at a glance:
- We break down the Trump Administration’s executive orders impacting immigration
- Refugee Program Suspension Challenged in Court
- Proposed House Bill 42 would require the collection and reporting of data related to immigration status, citizenship status in crimes

Executive Order Breakdown
Initial Recissions of Executive Orders and Actions
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This order overturned five Executive Orders from the Biden Administration, including those that:
- Focused enforcement priorities on national security and public safety threats.
- Established a process for the orderly handling of asylum seekers.
- Aimed to reunite families separated during Trump’s first term.
- Enhanced support for workforce and language access for individuals involved in the immigration process.
- Worked to rebuild the US Refugee Admissions Program.
Securing Our Borders
There are two main themes in this order: one focuses on border wall construction and increased enforcement, while the other aims to complicate the asylum process and end parole programs.
- Section 3: Calls for the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to build barriers to achieve “complete operational control” of the southern border.
- Section 4: Directs DOD, Department of Justice (DOJ), and DHS to deploy personnel to further ensure complete operational control. This will likely lead to increased militarization of the border and prioritization of funding for the border wall.
- Section 7(a): Focuses on ending the CBP One App, which allowed parolees, asylum seekers, and others to easily request entry to the US and inform immigration officials of their intended time and port of entry. This app helped manage appointments and streamline the immigration process.
- Section 7(b): Terminates “categorical parole” programs, which provided temporary legal status and work authorization for individuals from specific countries without offering a path to citizenship. Examples of impacted programs include the 2022 Humanitarian Parole for Venezuelans, the 2022 Uniting for Ukraine program, the 2021 Afghan Placement and Assistance program, and the 2014 Central American Minors program.
It is unclear how these changes will affect parolees already in the United States, particularly those from Afghanistan and Ukraine, who number in the thousands.
Protecting the United States from Foreign Nationals and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats
- This Executive Order introduces stricter screening requirements and mandates that:
- The Department of State (DOS), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Director of National Intelligence report jointly within 60 days on any countries where vetting and screening information is so inadequate that it may justify suspending the admission of nationals from those countries (Section 2(i)).
- The report also requests information on:
- How many nationals from those countries have been admitted to the United States since January 21, 2021 (Section 2(ii)).
- Immigration advocates anticipate that this could lead to the imposition of travel bans.
- Early analysis suggests that individuals from countries failing to meet the screening standards may be deemed inadmissible, meaning they should not have been allowed entry in the first place and could potentially be subject to removal.
Protecting the American People Against Invasion
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The Executive Order directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other agencies to take broad action to enforce immigration laws against all “inadmissible and removable” noncitizens.
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It largely empowers DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to increase immigration enforcement, including:
- Deputizing cooperating state and local law enforcement to assist with enforcement.
- Prosecuting cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
- Expanding the use of Expedited Removal, a process for quick deportation.
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Key provisions to increase enforcement include:
- Section 4: Establishes the primary mission of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations division as enforcing the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and federal laws related to illegal entry and unlawful presence of noncitizens.
- Section 11: Authorizes state and local law enforcement, under a voluntary agreement with DHS, to perform immigration officer duties, such as investigating, apprehending, and detaining noncitizens, to the full extent allowed by law.
- Section 21: Directs DHS, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), USCIS, and other agencies to significantly increase hiring of immigration officers.
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Other measures include the authorization of legal actions against sanctuary cities:
- Section 17: Instructs DHS and DOJ to pursue criminal and civil action against sanctuary cities, which would result in those cities losing access to federal funds.
- Section 9: Expands DHS’s authority to use Expedited Removal, which allows for the swift deportation of certain noncitizens. Key concerns include the risk of erroneous deportation, insufficient protection for asylum seekers, and lack of judicial review.
Increased Arrest Quotas
- Reports indicate ICE arrest quotas have increased by as much as three or four times in response to Federal pressure.
Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group
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The DOJ has formed a group to prosecute cities that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities or federal immigration policies.
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The House Oversight Committee has started an investigation into sanctuary cities and has requested that the mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City testify.
“Off-Limits Areas” Enforcement
- A 2011 ICE memo defined schools, hospitals, places of worship, sites of funeral, wedding, or religious ceremony, or public demonstration as places where immigration enforcement officials may not conduct arrests, interviews, searches, or surveillance absent clear danger.
- A new DHS directive rescinds those protections, and was followed by a Federal lawsuit in Maryland on behalf of several Quaker organizations who claim DHS would be in violation of their First Amendment rights.
Adjudication of Asylum Claims Within 180 Days
- A new agency directive includes three policy memoranda related to the processing of asylum claims:
- One memo instructs Immigration Judges to decide asylum claims within 180 days of the application, significantly speeding up the decision-making process.
- The memo also clarifies that “good cause” alone does not justify postponing asylum proceedings beyond 180 days. This means that cases that would typically qualify for an extension may be canceled at the 180-day mark, potentially denying qualified asylum seekers protection.
- Another focus of the memo is on employment authorization:
- Asylum seekers are currently eligible for employment authorization (EADs) 180 days after applying for asylum.
- The intent of this policy is to deny legal work authorization to anyone submitting an asylum application, limiting their ability to work legally in the U.S. during this period.
Termination of 2023 TPS Designation for Venezuela
- Venezuela was initially designated for Temporary Protected Status in 2021, and was redesignated by the Biden Administration in 2023 and January 2025. Current Secretary of DHS vacated the January decision, which means Venezuelan TPS is set to expire on April 2nd, with a report on February 1st formally terminating the program.
- Benefits under this program including legal presence and work authorization are set to expire April 7th, 2025.
- Venezuela has been undergoing a period of severe economic and political crisis that has grown more severe in the last year after the Venezuelan government announced the reelection of Nicolás Maduro, despite election results that many observers reported actually indicated a victory for Maduro’s opponent.
1,500 Active-Duty Troops to Border
- Military forces along the border are set to drastically increase and are being tasked with supporting detection and monitoring efforts and continuing border wall construction.
Stop Work Order for Federally Funded Legal Service Providers
- Through The Executive Office of Immigration, certain legal service providers including Immigration Court Helpdesk, Family Group Legal Orientation Program, and Counsel for Children receive federal funds in their efforts to serve vulnerable populations moving through the immigration system.
- On January 24th, a stop-work order was issued to organizations who have agreements with the State Department and Bureau of Populations, Refugees, and Migrants.
- Order urges “The Recipient (of State Department and PRM funds) must cancel as many outstanding obligations as possible.” These obligations include initial resettlement support, fast-track financial assistance and employment programming, intensive case management for those with chronic illness or other acute barriers to self-sufficiency, support for survivors of torture, and entrepreneurship programming, among many other program areas.
- Refugee resettlement funding falls under PRM programs, and the impact this order and funding freeze has fundamentally upended the provision of support to individuals on a legal pathway already within the United States.

Laken Riley Act Passes
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The Laken Riley Act was passed with significant bipartisan support and signed into law by President Trump in early 2025. The law mandates that immigration authorities detain undocumented individuals charged with robbery, larceny, theft, or shoplifting, and requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue a detainer in these cases.
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The bill is named after Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student who was murdered last year. Her suspected killer was an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela who had previously been arrested but released on theft-related charges.
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The law also includes a provision that allows states to sue the federal government to force the use of expedited removal and enables state-led lawsuits challenging federal parole authority.
- https://phillipslytle.com/congress-passes-laken-riley-act-wwith-controversial-immigration-provisions/
House Bill 42 Proposes Required Reporting of Immigration Data
- Introduced in the house, Bill 42 would require the collection and reporting of data related to immigration status, citizenship status in crimes
- It would require law enforcement to report to the state the number of people detained/put into custody by them who are:
- US Citizens
- Noncitizens with legal status in the United States
- Noncitizens without legal status
- The bill has thirteen co-sponsors, all of whom are Republicans
- https://legiscan.com/OH/bill/HB42/2025
House Bill 26 Mandates Local Authorities Report Immigration Status of Arrestees
- The bill would mandate local authorities
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- participate in any DHS program enabling them to report immigration status of arrestees
- report the identity of any arrestee they believe to be unlawfully present to the relevant federal immigration authorities
- detain someone unlawfully present upon receiving a legal federal request or order to do so
- It also prohibits any “county, township, or municipal corporation or the law enforcement agency that serves the county, township, or municipal corporation” with enacting a range of policies that restrict its citizens or employees from doing the above, or from maintaining information about someone’s immigration status
- Municipalities found to be noncompliant will have reduced funding from the state
- Members of the general assembly have the power to bring charges of noncompliance, though the determination is made by the office of the attorney general.
- This is the old House Bill 666, introduced in the previous session

Trump Birthright Citizenship EO Blocked in Court
- Three federal judges blocked a Trump executive order limiting birthright citizenship on constitutional grounds
- The 14th amendment states that all born in the US, and subject to the jurisdiction of the US, are US citizens from birth. Generally this has been taken to mean anybody in US territory, with some narrow exceptions, notably for foreign diplomats and their families, who are not subject to US law.
- Trump’s order would’ve made children of undocumented immigrants as well as legal immigrants who are here on a non-immigration visa ineligible.
- The issue is expected to end up at the Supreme Court
- https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5135920-judge-blocks-trump-birthright-order/
Refugee Program Suspension Challenged in Court
- A coalition of refugee groups are suing in federal court to see the suspension of refugee admissions overturned.
- The executive order “Realigning the United States Refugee Resettlement Program” (discussed in detail above) suspended the program.
- The groups say that the orders violate federal law, particularly the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Immigration and Nationality Act, as well as the Constitution’s due process clause. They also say that the order usurps Congress’ legislative power
- Groups backing the lawsuit included HIAS, Church World Service, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest, as well as individual refugees.
- https://www.jurist.org/news/2025/02/rights-groups-challenge-trumps-executive-order-suspending-refugee-admissions-in-court/
Explore Previous Immigration Updates
February 18, 2025
February 2025 Immigration Update
January 13, 2025
January 2025 Immigration Update
December 12, 2024
November 2024 Immigration Update
October 7, 2024
September 2024 Immigration Update
September 11, 2024
August 2024 Immigration Update
August 2, 2024
July 2024 Immigration Update
July 1, 2024
June 2024 Immigration Update
June 6, 2024
May 2024 Immigration Update
May 2, 2024
April 2024 Immigration Update
April 2, 2024
March 2024 Immigration Update
January 2025 Immigration Update

January 2025 Immigration Update
Want to keep up with immigration news in the U.S.? Every month, Global Cleveland publishes our immigration update so that you can stay informed about the latest immigration news.
This month’s Immigration Update at a glance:
- TPS Extended for Four Countries
- Proposed Changes to Citizenship Test Canceled
- Courts Deciding Record Numbers of Immigration Cases

TPS Extended for Four Countries
- In his last weeks in office, President Biden extended temporary protected status for Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan.
- President-elect Trump discussed ending the program altogether, making the extension, which lasts for 18 months, especially significant.
- Those eligible re-enroll include 600,000 Venezuelans, 232,000 Salvadorians, 103,700 Ukrainians, and 1,900 Sudanese.
- https://www.axios.com/2025/01/10/immigration-temporary-protected-status-extensions-biden
Philippines-US Processing Partnership Starts
- A program announced last year that enables visas to be processed abroad for Afghan refugees began operations in early January 2025
- The Philippines agreed to host the program, with the US agreeing to pay for the costs to refugees.
- The AP reported the program would be limited, only serving about 150-300 applicants.
- https://apnews.com/article/philippines-afghans-us-immigrant-visa-2fbbc522321e3ab71b33d2cbcf58e9ac
Government to Refund Parole in Place Fees
- $55 million in fees for the Keeping Families Together initiative will be refunded.
- The initiative, which provided for a path to permanent residency for undocumented spouses of US citizens, was announced last year, but was suspended when a federal judge ruled that “the policy exceeded executive authority.”
- USCIS announced the refunds and said that they would be processed automatically.
- https://www.boundless.com/blog/u-s-refund-55-million-fees-blocked-parole-in-place-expansion/\
Proposed Changes to Citizenship Test Canceled
- Federal immigration authorities canceled planned changes to the US citizenship test after the proposal received negative feedback
- Public comments on the redesign criticized it for being an ineffective way to evaluate English language skills and was overly difficult for adult learners.
- The naturalization test format in use since 2008 will continue to be used in the future, Boundless Immigration reported.
- https://www.boundless.com/blog/uscis-scraps-trial-new-naturalization-test/
Homan: Family Detention Centers Being Considered
- Tom Homan, tipped as the “border tsar” by President-Elect Trump, said that the use of family detention centers remained on the table.
- The practice, which was used to great controversy during Trump’s first administration, was ended by the Biden administration.
- Homan said it may be necessary to use family detention centers, as it was, in his view, essential to end the ‘catch and release’ policy.
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-border-czar-tom-homan-family-detention-centers-deportation-rcna185508

Laken Riley Act Advances in Senate, would detain undocumented immigrants charged with crimes
- The US Senate voted to advance the Laken Riley Act with large bipartisan support, 84-9, though some have suggested it may need to be amended before it will have the support for final passage.
- The bill would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take custody of those in the country without authorization who had been charged with theft and other similar crimes.
- The bill was introduced after its namesake, a Georgia nursing student, was murdered, with the suspect in her murder being a Venezuelan man in the country without authorization who had previously been arrested on theft charges.
- While mostly supported by Republicans, many Democratic Senators have also supported the bill.
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-laken-riley-act-vote-illegal-immigration-rcna186775
Massachusetts IMG Bill Passes
- Massachusetts joins Washington State, Florida, Tennessee, Colorado, Virginia and more as state lawmakers passed a bill to open pathways for foreign-trained physicians in the state
- The Physician Pathway Act was passed as part of a broader economic development bill that was signed by Governor Maura Healy.
- The law will, like the Virginia bill, require physicians to practice in an underserved area for a period of time.
- https://commonwealthbeacon.org/health/new-law-grants-pathway-for-foreign-trained-doctors-to-fill-massachusetts-physician-shortage/
House Rules Package Contains Immigration Bills
- The rules package passed in the new session of the House of Representatives, including several proposals for new immigration legislation
- The measures include:
- An amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act
- The Laken Riley Act
- Making assaulting a law enforcement officer a deportable offense
- Imposing criminal penalties for fleeing a pursuing federal officer in a car
- Restrictions on federal funding for sanctuary cities
- https://rollcall.com/2025/01/02/house-republicans-look-to-tee-up-immigration-bills/
Tennessee Bill would exempt SROs from immigration enforcement
- Tennessee Senator Todd Gardenhire proposed an amendment that would change an earlier law that would exempt School Resource Officers from a requirement that they report a person’s immigration status.
- Senator Gardenhire stated the previous law was poorly written, and that it was wrong to punish children in school.
- The Senator also said if the law wasn’t passed, it would return to the agenda in the Spring.
- https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-politics/republican-sponsored-bill-would-exempt-tn-sros-from-immigration-status-reporting-requirement/

SCOTUS: No Judicial Review for Revoked Visas
- The Supreme Court found that appeals to revoked visas cannot be heard in federal court because the USCIS is a discretionary agency.
- The Court’s majority opinion, which was unanimous, was written by Justice Kentaji Brown Jackson.
- The court found that USCIS’ decisions to revoke a visa were not mandatory (which would have meant that officials were required to follow specific rules) but discretionary, which they said makes them ineligible for judicial review in federal court
- https://bizlegalservices.com/2024/12/12/supreme-court-confirms-no-judicial-review-for-revoked-visas/
Courts Deciding Record Numbers of Immigration Cases
- Amid attempts to reduce a backlog of immigration cases from the outgoing Biden administration, the immigration court system is deciding the most cases it has in years.
- President Biden has implemented a “fast track” system to reduce the backlog which has been estimated at exceeding 3 million cases.
- Syracuse University found that if this pace continues “immigration judges will rule on more deportation cases in 2025 than in any previous year.”
- https://www.axios.com/2024/12/31/biden-immigration-courts-deportations
Explore Previous Immigration Updates
February 18, 2025
February 2025 Immigration Update
January 13, 2025
January 2025 Immigration Update
December 12, 2024
November 2024 Immigration Update
October 7, 2024
September 2024 Immigration Update
September 11, 2024
August 2024 Immigration Update
August 2, 2024
July 2024 Immigration Update
July 1, 2024
June 2024 Immigration Update
June 6, 2024
May 2024 Immigration Update
May 2, 2024
April 2024 Immigration Update
April 2, 2024
March 2024 Immigration Update
November 2024 Immigration Update

November 2024 Immigration Update
Want to keep up with immigration news in the U.S.? Every month, Global Cleveland publishes our immigration update so that you can stay informed about the latest immigration news.
This month’s Immigration Update at a glance:
- President-Elect Donald Trump’s immigration plans
- Lebanon has faced a deteriorating situation as war has broken out over the past year between the Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel. The Department of Homeland Security designated the country for Temporary Protective Status for 18 months.
- Three immigration-related bills are currently pending in the Ohio legislator
SD Governor Noem Named DHS Secretary
- President-Elect Donald Trump nominated Kristi Noem to be the Secretary of Homeland Security, which has responsibility over most immigration-related agencies
- Noem, currently Governor of South Dakota, was previously a US Congresswoman from the state’s at-large congressional district.
- Noem has occasionally been involved in immigration policy as Governor, in 2021, she sent her state’s National Guard to the border, funded by a Tennessee-based private donor, a practice subsequently banned in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.
- https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/12/politics/kristi-noem-homeland-security-secretary/index.html
Trump targets TPS Statuses
- President-elect Trump may move to revoke Temporary Protective Status designations in an effort to curb immigration
- Trump and VP-elect Vance have particularly criticized the use of the program for Haitians and made the influx of Haitian immigrants in the Ohio city of Springfield an issue in their presidential campaigns.
- TPS Designation was offered to Haiti in the aftermath of the 2010 Earthquake and has been maintained since then, as the country has been in political turmoil.
- The TPS designations for Venezuela and Ukraine, among others, have been cited as potential targets.
- https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/15/us/trump-immigrants-temporary-protected-status.html
Trump Threatens New Canada and Mexico Tariffs, Citing Border Concerns
- Citing concerns over border security and drug trafficking, President-Elect Trump vowed to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico until measures were taken by the US’ two neighbors to address these concerns.
- With both countries being top trading partners of the US, analysts have said this could cause severe economic consequences for the US as well as Canada and Mexico.
- Both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum have had calls or meetings with Trump, and some have suggested this was a proposal intended to push both leaders to agree to measures on border security, and not intended to actually be implemented.
- https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-promises-25-tariff-products-mexico-canada-2024-11-25/
New Administration May Return to “Remain in Mexico” Policy, but May Delay
- With the return to the White House of Donald Trump next January, the US is expected by some to re-implement the “Remain in Mexico” Policy which required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while having their claims processed.
- Earlier in the campaign, Trump said he would immediately reinstate the policy
- However, Senator Ted Cruz has suggested to Newsweek that the policy would in fact not be implemented for some time, perhaps months, while negotiations with Mexican authorities were ongoing.
- https://www.newsweek.com/trump-said-remain-mexico-will-start-day-1-heres-why-it-wont-1991018
Senator Paul Opposes Trump's Plan to Use Military for Deportations
- The stated plan of President-Elect Trump to use military forces to deport unauthorized immigrants has received criticism from the President’s Own Party, with Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky emerging as a critic of the plan
- Citing the imagery of military units deporting migrants, Paul stated that he “I’ll not support and will not vote to use the military in our cities.”
- With a closely divided Senate, Republican opposition to certain Trump immigration policies could potentially block certain legislative proposals from the White House.
- https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/25/rand-paul-trump-mass-deportation
Trump plans National Emergency declaration on immigration, use of military
- President-elect Trump has confirmed his intention to immediately declare a national emergency on the subject of illegal immigration, stating he would sign such a declaration on his first day in office.
- In the same statement, made on social media, Trump said he would use “military assets” to do the deportations.
- The use of military personnel and assets for deportations has proved controversial, including within Trump’s own Republican Party
- https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-confirms-plan-to-declare-national-emergency-use-military-for-mass-deportations/ar-AA1uirLn?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=d2ebc740540248188eb6b4e37fd4b5ef&ei=95
Musk v. Miller Battle on High-Skilled Immigration Predicted
- In Trump’s first administration, attempts to increase high-skilled immigration were stymied by the opposition of immigration hardliners, especially Stephen Miller, who has called for large reductions in legal immigration
- However, the inclusion of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, himself an immigrant, in Trump’s circle, has led some in Silicon Valley and beyond to believe Musk and others may move the president in a different direction.
- Dan Stein of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which advocates for a more restrictive immigration policy, said that Trump was “definitely going to be more receptive to certain kinds of legal immigration expansion”
- Musk has at times publicly called for making the legal immigration process for highly skilled foreigners easier and faster.
- https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/01/elon-musk-steven-miller-battle-high-tech-immigration-00191922
Horman Appointed Border Czar
- Tom Homan, considered a hardliner on the issue of illegal immigration, was named by President-Elect Trump to be the new ‘border Czar’ to advise the president on border security issues
- Homan was previously at Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Trump’s first term.
- In an interview with News Nation Homan said that mass deportations were a necessity and took a critical view towards sanctuary cities. As a non-cabinet post, the ‘border Czar’ appointment does not require congressional approval.
- https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/immigration/border-czar-tom-homan-deportations/
High-Skilled H-1B Visa Maxed Out Two Months Into Fiscal Year
- Only two months into the fiscal year, the cap for high-skilled visa applicants on H-1Bs has been hit.
- Around 85,000 additional visas were allotted, according to the US Citizenship and Naturalization Service
- An immigration attorney told reporters from Newsweek that the current system and caps were “not sustainable” and with 8 million jobs open in the US, restrictions were hurting the economy
- https://www.newsweek.com/h1b-visa-cap-reached-uscis-immigration-1994405
DHS Announces Lebanon TPS, Relief for F-1 Students
- Lebanon has faced a deteriorating situation as war has broken out over the past year between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel
- The Department of Homeland Security designated the country for Temporary Protective Status for 18 months.
- In addition, DHS will allow students here from Lebanon to “work more hours, take fewer classes, and apply for off-campus jobs to ease the financial strain.”
- To be eligible, F-1 students must:
- Be citizens of Lebanon or stateless individuals who last resided in Lebanon
- Have valid F-1 status as of November 27th 2024
- Be enrolled in an institution certified by the student and exchange visitor program
- Prove they are facing severe economic hardship because of the ongoing crisis in Lebanon
- https://www.boundless.com/blog/dhs-announces-tps-for-lebanon-and-relief-for-lebanese-f-1-students/
Senator Urges Biden to Extend Protections
- Senator Catherine Cortez Mastro called for the extension of temporary protected status for immigrants by the Biden administration, amid concerns the incoming administration will likely curb them
- “what the president can do is just take legal action to extend their TPS statuses … but it’s not just our TPS recipients. My hope is that the president, in the last two months, also quickly processes our DACA recipient applications,” the senator told reporters.
- TPS currently covers seventeen countries, many of which run out in 2025
- https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/senator-calls-on-biden-to-protect-legal-immigrants-before-trump-takes-office-226034245512
California Congresswoman Urges Closure of Detention Center
- California Rep. Judy Chu called on the administration to close a privately run Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in her state
- The Adelanto Detention Center has been the subject of complaints from non-profits, media, and government, including ICE officials, arguing it has failed to meet standards of care
- ICE had a self-imposed deadline last year to decide whether to close the facility, but no decision was made at that time.,
- https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/3249827/california-democrat-biden-administration-close-ice-detention-center/
Three bills currently pending in the Ohio legislator:
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House Bill 671
- Would criminalize the entry of an immigrant to Ohio if they lacked legal authorization to be in the US
- The bill is modeled on a controversial Oklahoma Law, which is currently on hold amid legal challenges in federal court
- The bill’s sponsor, Representative Gary Click, says that he doesn’t expect it to pass this year, but plans on reintroducing it next year.
- Immigration attorneys have raised concerns based what they called on constitutional issues as well as text that seems to be based on a misreading of federal immigration law.
- https://woub.org/2024/10/17/republican-bill-penalize-immigrants-enter-ohio-without-federal-legal-status/
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House Bill 656
- Introduced by Rep. Tom Patton, this bill would create restrictions and penalties for the hiring of unauthorized immigrants in the state
- Under the bill, the company would face penalties for violations as well as verification and a probationary period to ensure compliance after an initial violation
- Penalties would be worse for repeated violations of the law by the same company
- https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2024/08/27/ohio-bill-would-punish-employers-of-people-living-in-the-u-s-illegally/74877359007/
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House Bill 666
- Called the Protecting Ohio Communities Act, this bill would require local law enforcement to actively assist federal immigration authorities
- Specifically, agencies would be required to report to ICE or other federal immigration authorities if they suspected someone was in the country without authorization
- Entities that failed to do so would face serious losses of state funding, which could have significant consequences for the agencies’ budgets.
Explore Previous Immigration Updates
February 18, 2025
February 2025 Immigration Update
January 13, 2025
January 2025 Immigration Update
December 12, 2024
November 2024 Immigration Update
October 7, 2024
September 2024 Immigration Update
September 11, 2024
August 2024 Immigration Update
August 2, 2024
July 2024 Immigration Update
July 1, 2024
June 2024 Immigration Update
June 6, 2024
May 2024 Immigration Update
May 2, 2024
April 2024 Immigration Update
April 2, 2024
March 2024 Immigration Update
Supporting International Med. Grads
Healthcare is arguably Northeast Ohio’s strongest sector; we are home to world-class, internationally renowned hospitals and healthcare institutions that provide exceptional care and drive economic growth to our region. Healthcare is also one of the most international sectors of our economy.
A study published in 2022 found that “physician” was tied for the most common profession for foreign-born Northeast Ohio residents. Despite this, across the country hospitals are facing severe staffing challenges, and Northeast Ohio is not immune to this shortage.
Nationally, the United States could see a shortage of 139,000 physicians within the next decade (American Association of Medical Colleges). Due to retirement, the aging of Ohioans, and an increased population, Ohio will be short 1,200 primary care physicians next year (Ohio Academy of Family Physicians). If these demographic trends continue, Ohio’s physician workforce will need to grow 8% just to keep pace with our healthcare demands (Robert Graham Center).

By embracing the international talent that has contributed so much to our healthcare sector, Ohio can take steps to remedy this workforce shortage problem and make our hospitals and healthcare institutions even stronger, benefitting all residents of our state.
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) make great contributions to our healthcare sector, comprising 25% of the physician workforce nationally. Since 2010, the rate of IMGs practicing in the United States has grown 18%. Twenty million Americans live in areas where IMGs are over 50% of the physician workforce, and Ohio is no exception (American Medical Association).
In order for IMGs to reenter their healthcare field of expertise upon entering the U.S., IMGs must repeat their residency, an expensive and lengthy process that deters many. Today, over a dozen states have addressed this issue, adopting legislative solutions in a bipartisan effort to increase the physician workforce and improve access to care.

The bills being introduced reflect the unique workforce needs and the broad political perspectives of the states introducing them. Impressively, the majority of these bills pass with bipartisan support and with the approval of the state’s Medical Board. Some states create IMG legislation to prioritize care to underserved communities, while others require an IMG to receive supervision from different entities before they can obtain temporary or full licensure. What unites all of these legislative efforts is a recognition that internationally educated physicians will help us meet healthcare workforce needs throughout the country.
Supporting the reentry of IMGs into the medical workforce will have a resounding impact on our ability to access care and our economy. In fact, 40% of newcomers with medical degrees are working in jobs beneath their education (The American Immigration Council). This contributes to $39 billion in lost wages and $10 billion in unrealized taxes every year (National Institutes of Health). Regulatory changes could benefit domestically educated residents as well, with IMGs comprising over 30% of the state’s capacity for medical residencies in a given year (Residency Programs List). Because IMG legislation would allow certain qualified newcomers to bypass residency, over 100 residencies could be opened to domestically educated trainees who would otherwise not receive a placement.
Beginning in 2024, Global Cleveland has worked to advocate for this issue, educating stakeholders in the medical sector and aligning our voices to advance urgent and commonsense IMG solutions for our state. We’ve met regularly with partners at the region’s hospitals to receive feedback and their expert analysis of the regulatory considerations to ensure the continuation of high-quality care. We’ve also worked closely with state and national coalitions like Vibrant Ohio and the American Immigration Council to develop a bill that reflects the best practices nationally, meets our state’s needs, and increases healthcare access for all Ohioans.
Moving forward, Global Cleveland will continue elevating the needs of IMGs, garnering the support of the medical community, and engaging elected officials in earnest to advance this potential workforce solution. As we continue in these efforts, we encourage anyone interested to subscribe to our monthly IMG newsletter, which will track our progress, report on data concerning the healthcare sector and IMGs’ contributions, and share other ways to get involved.
All Ohioans will benefit if our great hospitals and healthcare institutions can bring on board the best talent in medicine from around the world. Global Cleveland looks forward to playing a role in making this a reality for our state; and we look forward to hearing from friends and partners on this important issue.

September 2024 Immigration Update

September 2024 Immigration Update
Want to keep up with immigration news in the U.S.? Every month, Global Cleveland publishes our immigration update so that you can stay informed about the latest immigration news.
This month’s Immigration Update at a glance:
- Governor DeWine Pens Op-Ed on Springfield Rhetoric
- Trump Says He’ll End Legal Status for Immigrants Currently in the U.S. on Two Programs
- Rep Duarte Proposes Bill with Pathway for Dreamers, DACA Recipients

Congress Passes Funding without SAVE Act
- Congress passed a funding measure that will keep the government open without attaching the SAVE Act, a voting-related bill.
- The SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship to register as a voter. Voting in federal elections is already limited to US citizens, and critics of the bill said that it would make it harder for citizens to vote who may lack specific forms of documentation.
- The effort to pass the bill had support from House Republicans, but did not have enough support to pass the Senate.
- The funding bill means that the government is funded until after the November election, where voters will elect the president as well as Congress.
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/22/republican-house-speaker-johnson-trump-government-shutdown-funding-bill.html
Report: Immigration Reform Needed for STEM Industries
- A major new study from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reported that the US is in serious need of international talent
- The report recommended congress and the white house simplify the visa process for STEM graduates.
- The current process, the report concluded, is overly burdensome and are limiting our access to talent in ways that harms the US national interest
- https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27787/international-talent-programs-in-the-changing-global-environment
Ohio lawmaker Proposes bill to Require Cities Cooperated with Federal Immigration Authorities
- State Rep. Josh Williams introduced the Protecting Ohio Communities Act, which would require that state and local authorities cooperate with the federal government in the enforcement of immigration laws.
- Under the bill, municipalities would lose some state funding for noncompliance with the law
- Williams said that Ohio municipalities were encouraging undocumented immigration, and that cities that refused to cooperate with the federal authorities were costing the state money, as it had to do more to enforce laws.
- Casey Weinstein opposed the bill, saying it was trying to prevent something that isn’t happening in the state anyway and that it infringed on home rule.
- https://www.nbc4i.com/news/your-local-election-hq/immigration-targeted-by-proposed-ohio-bill/
Oregon’s Non-Citizen Registration was largely due to government mistake; almost no non-citizens voted
- A new report found that while over 300 non-citizens had been mistakenly registered to vote in Oregon, only two of those people actually voted, and the issue was attributed to a legislative issue, not an attempt to illegally influence an election
- Oregon has had automatic voter registration at the Department of Motor Vehicles since 2016. In 2019, a change in state laws led to proof of citizenship not being required to be shown at the DMV, causing for some non-citizens to be mistakenly added to the voter rolls.
- Tobias Read, the Democratic nominee for Secretary of State, called on the Secretary of State’s office to work quickly to prevent the accidental registration from happening in the future.
- https://www.opb.org/article/2024/09/13/noncitizens-registered-oregon-error/
Bill Requiring Undocumented Immigrants with History of Domestic Violence, Sex Crimes, Be Deported Passes the House
- The Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act passed the House of Representatives. The bill would require the federal government deport migrants who were in the United States without documentation if they had a history of domestic violence or sexual offenses.
- While backed by the GOP, the bill had significant bipartisan support, with 51 Democrats joining all Republicans in voting in favor.
- Many of the opponents of the bill have said that the issue is already covered by existing law, and new legislation is not needed.
- https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/3158796/house-bill-passes-requiring-deportation-illegal-immigrants-history-sex-offenses/
Rep Duarte Proposes Bill with Pathway for Dreamers, DACA Recipients
- Republican Congressman John Duarte discussed proposed legislation that would pair funding for border security with a pathway for legal status available to some DACA recipients and Dreamers
- Those who married a US Citizen, have children, or have been working in the US for five years would be eligible for a green card if they have no criminal history.
- “Dreamers and DACA recipients would be eligible for a Conditional Permanent Residency.,” which could be upgraded into a Lawful Permanent Residency if the applicant has “obtain(ed) a college degree, serve(d) at least three years in the military, or (have been) employed for at least four years,” Your Central Valley reported
- https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/local-news/get-our-families-out-of-the-shadows-rep-john-duarte-presents-immigration-bill-in-kerman/

Governor DeWine Pens Op-Ed on Springfield
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine published a New York Times op-ed on the controversy surrounding immigration in Springfield, Ohio, which had become a topic in the ongoing presidential campaign
- DeWine, who grew up in nearby Yellow Springs, said “it is disappointing to me that Springfield has become the epicenter of vitriol over America’s immigration policy” and criticized false statements about Haitian immigrants in the city.
- DeWine has also sent state-level assistance to local authorities in the city.
- https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/20/opinion/springfield-haitian-migrants-ohio.html
Trump Says He’ll End Legal Status for Immigrants Currently in the U.S. on Two Programs
- Former President and current candidate Donald Trump told reporters if elected he would end two humanitarian parole programs instituted by President Biden, thus ending the legal status of about one million people.
- The program that allows for migrants to use the CBP One app to enter the country and seek asylum, as well as the CHNV program that is open to nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, would be ended under this plan.
- Both programs have been the subject of ongoing litigation.
- Immigration advocates criticized the former President’s statement, saying that the revoking of parole on this scale would be “unprecedented, and simply cruel”.
- https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-border-cuba-haiti-nicaragua-venezuela-biden-kamala-election-2b0a533fd9f4e96789f96f3e36021cf5

Naturalization Rate Hits High
- Statistics show that naturalization applications are being approved at the fastest rate in years, with more then 4 million people gaining US citizenship since the end of 2020.
- Administration officials said that the increase is due to efforts to reduce the backlog of citizenship applications, which, though it existed before 2020, reached new heights during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Many new citizens have cited a desire to gain their citizenship in time to be eligible to vote in the upcoming general elections in November; naturalization rates are often higher than normal in election years.
- https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-09-26/with-an-election-looming-the-u-s-is-approving-citizenship-applications-at-the-fastest-speed-in-years
Appeals Court: Law on non-citizens firearm ownership constitutional
- The US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Affirmed a federal law prohibiting those in the country without documentation from owning firearms.
- The case, Medina-Cantu v. US, involved an undocumented immigrant charged with unauthorized firearm possession, which Medina-Cantu argued violated his second amendment constitutional rights.
- Judges James Ho, Carolyn King, and Kurt Englehardt wrote that the second amendment did not provide a right for those in the country without authorization to carry firearms, citing the case United States v. Portillo-Munoz.
- https://mynbc15.com/news/nation-world/appeals-court-affirms-federal-law-banning-noncitizens-from-having-guns-common-sense-united-states-v-medina-cantu-jose-paz-medina-cantu-second-amendment-illegal-immigraton
Miscellaneous News
American Immigration Council: Almost Half of Fortune 500 Founded by Immigrants or Their Children
- A new report from the American Immigration Council found that 230 of the 500 companies listed on the Fortune 500 list were founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants.
- Several of America’s largest companies were in the list, including Apple (found by the son of a Syrian immigrant), Google (founded by a Russian immigrant), JPMorgan Chase (who’s co-founder’s father was born in Austria).
- Firms founded by immigrants and their children have a higher revenue than the entire GDP of Germany.
- https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/new-american-fortune-500-2024
Explore Previous Immigration Updates
February 18, 2025
February 2025 Immigration Update
January 13, 2025
January 2025 Immigration Update
December 12, 2024
November 2024 Immigration Update
October 7, 2024
September 2024 Immigration Update
September 11, 2024
August 2024 Immigration Update
August 2, 2024
July 2024 Immigration Update
July 1, 2024
June 2024 Immigration Update
June 6, 2024
May 2024 Immigration Update
May 2, 2024
April 2024 Immigration Update
April 2, 2024
March 2024 Immigration Update
Welcoming Week 2024 Photos
Please view the gallery below to explore some of our favorite Welcoming Week 2024 memories.
Sister Cities Flag Dedication

Welcoming Week Naturalization Ceremony

International Job and Resource Fair

Welcoming Week Volunteer Day

Welcoming Week Kick-Off PartyFull Gallery - Photography by Michael Collier
Global Cleveland, City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County condemn hateful rhetoric

CLEVELAND, OH – Global Cleveland, the City of Cleveland, and Cuyahoga County strongly condemn the hateful, dishonest rhetoric voiced by political leaders regarding Haitian refugees and immigrants of the Springfield, OH community.
There is no space for such dangerous language and rhetoric in this country, one built upon and survived by immigrants.
We call on all leaders, elected officials, and those in positions of influence to renounce and cease the spread of fabrications about the immigrants and refugees of Springfield. The Haitians impacted by these false statements have committed their work ethic, culture, families, hopes, and dreams to an important Ohio community. Our responsibility is to ensure that America is a safe and welcoming place for those seeking to build productive and fruitful lives, communities, and homes in this great country.
Together, Global Cleveland, the City of Cleveland, and Cuyahoga County stand by the Haitian community of Springfield and the immigrant and refugee community. You are welcome here.
August 2024 Immigration Update

August 2024 Immigration Update
Want to keep up with immigration news in the U.S.? Every month, Global Cleveland publishes our immigration update so that you can stay informed about the latest immigration news.
This month’s Immigration Update at a glance:
- A proposed STEM bill would extend the period of OPT for STEM students from 29 months to 48 months
- EB3 visas have hit their cap for Fiscal Year 2024, leading to a pause on the issuance of visas until October of this year
- A group of Republican-run states have challenged a new rule in court that allows recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) to access healthcare through the Affordable Care Act

Rep Thanedar Introduces Keep STEM Graduates in America Act
- Congressman Shri Thanedar, a Michigan Democrat, introduced a new bill that would reform the H1B process as well as make changes for international students
- The bill would extend the period of OPT for STEM students from 29 months to 48.
- It would also change the H-1B system, reforming the lottery as well as increasing the number of STEM H-1B visas from 20,000 to 30,000
- The Bill, which has one co-sponsor, Dan Goldman (D-NY) is currently in the judiciary committee
- https://bizlegalservices.com/2024/08/01/new-bill-introduced-to-keep-stem-graduates-in-u-s/
California Bill would Allow Those without Documentation to Use Homebuyer Loan Program
- Assembly Bill 1840 passed its committee in the California senate, and would expand the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation loan program.
- The bill would allow for undocumented immigrants to apply for the program, which was started in 2023 to help first time homebuyers
- California Governor Gavin Newsom has not said whether he will sign the bill or not.
- https://ktla.com/news/california/california-bill-that-could-open-new-pathway-to-homeownership-for-undocumented-immigrants-advances-in-state-legislature/

EB3s and EWs Hit Cap
- EB3 visas have hit their cap for Fiscal Year 2024, leading to a pause on the issuance of visas until October of this year
- The caps are set annually by the Immigration and Nationality Act, and will be reset in the new FY2025, which starts this fall
- Limits are set to be 28.6% of the worldwide employment limit. No more than 10,000 of these can be EW visas
- https://www.boundless.com/blog/eb-3-and-ew-visa-categories-reach-annual-cap/
AIC and Scientists to DHS – Expand STEM List
- The American Immigration Council joined five major organizations in the immigration and scientific spaces in calling for the SEVP to add to the list of STEM programs that qualify for more post-graduate training
- The letter specifically cited the needs of the Artificial Intelligence sector as making an update necessary
- The letter said that the retention of STEM talent was “critical for technological development and U.S. competitiveness.”
- https://immigrationimpact.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/stem-opt-letter-ai-240603.pdf
Naturalized Citizen says Ohio Not Following Law in Voter Audits
- A British-born naturalized citizen said that a letter challenging his registration from the Ohio’s Secretary of State office was unlawful.
- Andrew Pearson, a teacher from Cincinnati, has lived in the US since he was 5 after his family relocated from the UK. He was naturalized as a US citizen last year.
- The voting audit seems to have obtained citizenship information from the individual’s citizenship status recorded on their last visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- https://stateline.org/2024/08/20/naturalized-citizen-says-ohio-secretary-of-state-is-not-following-law-in-voter-audits/

Judge in Texas pauses Biden program offering legal status to spouses of U.S. citizens
- A Biden administration order that allowed a new path for immigrant spouses of US citizens to acquire citizenship was paused by a US Federal judge
- Sixteen attorneys general challenged the program in a lawsuit. The states argued that the order caused increased unauthorized immigration.
- Judge J. Campbell Barker said that the claims “were substantial and warrant closer consideration.”
- https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/26/federal-judge-pauses-spouses-citizens/
H1B Spouses Work Authorization Upheld in Federal Court
- A US Court of Appeals upheld an earlier decision in favor of the Department of Homeland Security, declining to block a DHS rule that allows spouses of H-1B visa holders to gain work authorization provided they meet certain criteria
- The decision followed a lawsuit from a group called Save Jobs USA, which argued that the Department of Homeland Security “exceeded its authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act”
- The ruling was seen as having broader implications, as an earlier Supreme Court decision this summer overturned the “Chevron” doctrine in favor of a more narrow criteria of how federal agencies can regulate. It had been speculated that this change may have aided Save Jobs USA’s argument.
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2024/08/05/court-ruling-good-news-for-h-1b-spouses-employers-and-students/#
Fraud Concerns Lead to Pause of Migrant Sponsorship Program
- President Biden’s administration paused a program that allowed for 30,000 migrants from specific countries to enter the US if they had a sponsor agree to support them financially.
- The program, which dates to 2022, is limited to nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
- DHS cited concerns about fraud among program sponsors as its reasons for the pause, which it says will be temporary
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-migrant-sponsorship-program-paused-cuba-haiti-nicaragua-venezuela/
States take action to Block DACA recipients from ACA
- A group of Republican-run states have challenged a new rule in court that allows recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) to access healthcare through the Affordable Care Act.
- The Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, allows those who are “lawfully present” to access its care. In 2012, the government issued a rule that made DACA recipients ineligible, but this changed in May 2024.
- The group, led by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, said that DACA recipients are not ‘lawfully present’ and therefore are not eligible under the Affordable Care Act.
- https://immigrationimpact.com/2024/08/23/states-sue-to-block-daca-affordable-health-insurance/
Explore Previous Immigration Updates
February 18, 2025
February 2025 Immigration Update
January 13, 2025
January 2025 Immigration Update
December 12, 2024
November 2024 Immigration Update
October 7, 2024
September 2024 Immigration Update
September 11, 2024
August 2024 Immigration Update
August 2, 2024
July 2024 Immigration Update
July 1, 2024
June 2024 Immigration Update
June 6, 2024
May 2024 Immigration Update
May 2, 2024
April 2024 Immigration Update
April 2, 2024
March 2024 Immigration Update
Remembering Kwame Botchway
Remembering Kwame Botchway
Kwame Botchway wasn’t just a friend to Global Cleveland; he was part of our family. As our team – like so many others in our region and around the globe – try to comprehend this loss, we wanted to share about Kwame and the light he brought to our lives.




Kwame Botchway radiated positivity, intelligence, laughter, and kindness. For Global Cleveland, Kwame was a constant presence, an ardent supporter, and a steadfast advocate. Above all else, he was a friend and brother to our team and to so many international newcomers in Northeast Ohio.
It was during his time as an inaugural member of our Global Rising International Leadership Program that Kwame first became beloved by our staff. His work ethic, compassion, and drive to make a difference was abundantly clear. Kwame became one of our go-tos when seeking advice or guidance. He was always willing to help Cleveland’s international community, and he touched countless lives in the process.
Kwame embodied our mission. One only had to look at Kwame to see the truth in our tagline: We Strengthen Our City By Welcoming Our World. Cleveland and Northeast Ohio were strengthened by Kwame’s presence here. We were changed by his work, inspired by his commitment and drive. He made us smile. He made us laugh. He made us stronger. How lucky we were to have him in our lives…
A native of Ghana, Kwame came to Cleveland to study at Case Western Reserve University. He supported many projects and endeavors and spoke frequently as an international leader here in Cleveland. He helped advise us on what it was like being an international newcomer and how we could all make the ride smoother and less steep for fellow immigrants and international students.
Kwame’s work on community and economic development in cities captured the attention of the globe. He spoke at the Davos World Economic Forum, one of only 50 people from around the world and one of four from the US to participate. He was a force for good in lifting the voices of young leaders, of Black leaders, and of seeing truly seeing the African immigrant community here in northeast Ohio for the blessing it is and teaching us what a welcoming community looks like.
Kwame, with Crystal Bryant, forged the relationship between Tema, Ghana and Cleveland Ohio as the newest of Cleveland’s Sister Cities. The Tema Ghana Sister City relationship is so critical as it embodies the close ties between great cities, places, and people. For Kwame it was always about people – with his smile and sense of humor AND keen ears, he showed up at meetings, forums, and events to get to know the people who were like him a few years ago: new to the city and nation, seeking connections and futures. He was always finding friends in cups of coffee, gatherings, and doing the biggest, best thing one can do: see our international sisters and brothers for who they are and for what dreams they worked to pursue.
Kwame was a source of life and light. His superpowers came from his brilliant analytical mind and the way he worked to improve conditions in Cleveland for all Clevelanders. His superpowers came from his heart; he showed up, he cared, and he lifted as he rose. What a blessing we have been given to know him and see him and experience his energy, even if it was too short – too painfully short for those lucky enough to call him friend and brother.
Kwame lived in a way that directs us to do the work of building this city and region by welcoming the world. We pick up where he left off, and our work is a tribute to him.
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