Afghan Adjustment Act

In the month of July 2023, the United States witnessed several significant developments in immigration policy. Lawmakers are actively working on legislation to offer a path to permanent status for Afghan evacuees, while other bills challenge birthright citizenship and propose the creation of a Federal Office of New Americans. Additionally, executive agencies are implementing new family reunification parole processes and exploring refugee programs for non-Mexicans in Mexico. On the judicial front, the Supreme Court has made rulings on various immigration-related cases. In this blog, we’ll explore these immigration policy updates.

On July 13th, 2023, a group of bipartisan lawmakers reintroduced the Afghan Adjustment Act, aiming to grant permanent status to thousands of Afghans evacuated to the U.S. after the fall of Kabul in 2021. This legislation holds promise for countless Afghans, including those living in Greater Cleveland and Ohio, offering them a pathway to a secure future.

Source: National Immigration Forum

Rep. Matt Gaetz proposed a bill that would deny birthright citizenship to children born in the U.S. to non-U.S. citizen parents. Gaetz cited children born to parents on tourist or temporary visas and those born to undocumented parents as reasoning behind the bill. The bill would not apply to those “lawfully admitted as refugees or permanent residents or performing active services in the U.S. Armed Forces.” Though the bill faces constitutional hurdles, it reflects growing nativist sentiments and requires close monitoring.

Source: Washington Examiner

Representatives Jayapal, Meng, and Garcia, along with Senator Markey, introduced a bill that would establish an Office of New Americans to support immigrants in adjusting to life in the U.S. and improve the immigration system. This initiative, endorsed by the National Partnership for New Americans, offers hope for immigrant communities seeking better integration.

Source: National Partnership for New Americans

The Department of Homeland Security launched family reunification parole processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. This program aims to reunite individuals with their families already in the United States, providing an opportunity for thousands stuck in backlogs.

Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

The Welcome Corps introduced Welcome Corps on Campus, enabling colleges and universities to resettle refugee students. This initiative seeks to offer education and career opportunities to refugee students and could pave the way for similar programs worldwide.

Source: National Immigration Forum

U.S. and Mexican officials are reportedly discussing a potential refugee program for non-Mexican asylum seekers in Mexico. If implemented, this program could provide legal avenues for migration for refugees from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

Source: Reuters

The Customs and Border Protection reported a significant decrease in migrant encounters at the US-Mexico border, attributing the decline to enforcing consequences and providing lawful pathways. However, the recent overturning of asylum policies may impact these numbers.

Canada opened visa slots to attract skilled workers and international students who were unsuccessful in the U.S. H1-B lottery, highlighting the challenges in the current H1-B system.

Source: Forbes

The Supreme Court ruled that states cannot sue the federal government to enforce specific immigration policies and upheld a law criminalizing the encouragement of undocumented immigration.

Source: Politico

A federal judge blocked the Biden administration’s rule disqualifying certain asylum seekers who entered the U.S. without an appointment. The rule aims to curb unauthorized crossings but has faced legal challenges.

Source: Los Angeles Times