Deportations of undocumented immigrants without criminal records suspended

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a new directive to suspend the deportation of immigrants without serious criminal records who have pending or approved residency applications from family members who are citizens or legal residents.

Approximately 17,000 pending immigration cases are being reviewed to determine who is eligible to remain in the country according to criteria outlined in a memorandum issued by ICE. That memo outlines "a new policy," which in principle would process the deportation of undocumented immigrants with criminal records who are considered a threat to national security and public safety.

In addition, in order to resolve pending deportation cases as quickly as possible, a collaborative plan has been outlined between ICE and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expedite the processing and adjudication of requests referred by ICE to USCIS to be completed within 30 days for detained aliens and 45 days for non-detained aliens.

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