Here are some recent U.S. immigration news, an essential source to keep you up to date with changes and opportunities that may affect your life.
By reading these summaries, you will gain quick insights into critical issues, allowing you to make more informed decisions and stay on top of what is happening in the immigrant community.
IMMIGRATION NEWS IN THE UNITED STATES
USCIS 2024 Final Fee Rule: FAQ
Immigration Today - February 1, 2024
The new USCIS 2024 Final Fee Rule, effective April 1, 2024, introduces significant changes to application fees for immigration and naturalization benefits. This update is the first since 2016 and seeks to more fully recover USCIS' operating costs by supporting the timely processing of new applications. The final rule, the result of extensive review and public comment, includes limitations on fee increases, keeping costs low for naturalization and adoption, and provides discounts for online filings. In addition, it extends fee waivers for certain humanitarian beneficiaries and other special cases. With these changes, USCIS expects to receive an average of $4.42 billion per year, an increase necessary to match its capacity with projected workloads and avoid future delays.
Some immigration fees soar: the most affected is the visa for foreign professional workers.
Univision - January 31, 2024
The U.S. Immigration Service announced new immigration processing fees effective April 1, 2024. This adjustment, the first since 2016, includes significant increases in several categories. For example, the petition for nonimmigrant workers (Form I-129) will increase by 70%, from $320 to $780. The application for U.S. citizenship by naturalization (Form N-400) will increase by 11%, from $640 to $710. These changes reflect USCIS' effort to more fully recover its operating costs and maintain timely processing of applications. The new fees also seek to strengthen integrity and reduce the potential for fraud in the H-1B registration process.
When registration opens for 2025 for the H-1B, the main visa for US professionals (and what the process will be like).
Univision - January 31, 2024
The United States announced that the initial registration period for fiscal year 2025 H-1B visas will open on March 6, 2024. USCIS also published a final rule that will govern the processing and selection of the 85,000 available slots, of which 20,000 are for foreign professionals who are graduates of U.S. universities with a master's degree. The new rules seek to strengthen the integrity of the process and reduce fraud. In addition, online forms will be launched to facilitate the application process. The H-1B visa is the main professional work category in the U.S. and is granted to skilled workers. The new rule seeks to ensure a more equitable and fair process for applicants.
There is agreement for the new border crisis law. This would provide for
Telemundo News - February 1st, 2024
A tentative agreement has been reached in the U.S. Congress for a new law addressing the border crisis. Although full details have not yet been released, this agreement coincides with Florida's decision to send National Guardsmen to the border and the joint statement by 14 Republican governors on the border situation. This development represents a significant effort to address the growing immigration crisis and border policies in the United States.
Does Biden need a new law to "close the border"?
El Tiempo Latino - February 1, 2024
President Biden has expressed the need for a new law, currently under negotiation in the Senate, to address the growing migration challenge and "close the border" in emergency situations. This statement has generated debate, especially among Republicans, who argue that the president already possesses the necessary legal tools to handle the situation at the border. Biden's proposal seeks to grant him additional emergency authority to take decisive action when the border is overwhelmed by the flow of migrants. This approach reflects the complexity and urgency of the immigration issue in the United States, as well as policy differences on border and immigration management.
House of Representatives approves bill to deport undocumented immigrants who drive under the influence of alcohol
La Opinión - February 1, 2024
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that allows the deportation of undocumented immigrants caught driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). With 274 votes in favor and 150 against, the bill, sponsored by Republican Barry Moore, responds to concerns about traffic accidents caused by drunk drivers. Moore cited statistics on drunk driving deaths and injuries, although he did not specify what percentage involve undocumented immigrants. A CATO Institute report in 2021 indicated that there is no statistical relationship between irregular immigration and traffic fatalities. The bill is part of a broader debate on immigration restrictions pushed by Republicans. On the other hand, Democrats, such as Jerry Nadler, criticize the lack of comprehensive solutions to immigration problems. In addition, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus opposes plans to tighten asylum procedures and cancel aid to immigrants. In contrast, Democrats seek to facilitate the registration of new citizens to vote, as proposed by the INVITE Act of Alex Padilla and Norma Torres.
DeSantis' Florida State Guard heads to Texas amid border fight with Biden
El Nuevo Herald - February 1, 2024
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the dispatch of Florida State Guard members and other state resources to the U.S.-Mexico border to assist Texas in its fight against what he calls an "invasion". The action comes at a time of tension with the Biden administration over border management, especially after the Supreme Court allowed federal officials to tear down barriers erected by Texas. DeSantis, who has spent more than $15 million on immigration-related efforts since 2021, seeks to position himself as a chief rival to Biden's immigration policies. DeSantis' decision has been criticized by state House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, who calls it a "desperate attempt" to gain national attention. The Florida State Guard, revived by DeSantis in 2022, has been activated for the first time for out-of-state operations, marking a significant change in its mission and scope.
South Dakota governor says U.S. is in invasion mode
La Opinión - February 1, 2024
Kristi Noem, governor of South Dakota, has joined Republican voices calling on the federal government to tighten its grip on the southern border of the United States. Noem, considered as a possible running mate for Donald Trump, argues that the country is being invaded by criminals trafficking drugs from Mexico. During a speech before the Legislature after visiting the border, she announced plans to send more National Guard personnel and barbed wire to Texas. According to Noem, Mexican drug cartels are a common enemy for all 50 states, and are causing violence throughout the country, including South Dakota. He criticizes that drugs such as fentanyl are causing violent crime in communities and tribal reservations. However, Will Mortenson, Republican majority leader in the lower house, suggests that Noem is using the border situation for political purposes to align her agenda with Trump's. The governor has previously sent the National Guard to Texas on three occasions due to increased immigration.
"Things are getting out of hand": Denver on the brink of a crisis caused by thousands of immigrants
Univision - February 1, 2024
Denver is facing a humanitarian crisis due to the arrival of thousands of undocumented immigrants, mainly Venezuelan, who have overwhelmed shelters and humanitarian aid. The situation began in May of last year when Texas began sending buses with immigrants to northern states. Denver has received 15,900 immigrants, many in extreme conditions, sleeping under bridges and in tents in freezing temperatures. The city has spent more than $2 million to care for these migrants, opening temporary shelters. The municipality has asked the federal government for help, while activists and local authorities are trying to provide shelter and food. The backlog of cases in Immigration Court and the lack of benefits during the immigration-judicial process leave these people exposed to poverty and destitution.
Boston authorities generate controversy by setting up a compound as a shelter for immigrants
La Opinión - February 1, 2024
The decision of the Boston authorities to convert a recreational center into a shelter for immigrants has generated controversy, especially among the local African-American community that used the place for activities. This measure was taken by the governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey, after the dissemination of images of immigrants sleeping on the floor of the Boston International Airport. The Melnea Cass Recreation Center in Roxbury, now equipped with cots and playground equipment, will serve as a temporary shelter for up to 400 immigrants until the end of May. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu apologized for the impact of this decision on the local community. Since November, shelters in Massachusetts have reached maximum capacity, with 7,500 families in the system. Immigrants have been staying in hospitals and churches, prompting Healey to request an additional $250 million in funding to address the situation.
Crimes increase in and around migrant shelters in New York City
Voice of America - February 1, 2024
In New York, outrage is growing due to the increase in crimes related to migrants, especially after the recent attack on police officers. The police have announced the opening of new offices, including one in Colombia, with the aim of monitoring and filtering migration into the city. This effort seeks to address security concerns surrounding migrant shelters and better manage the arrival of new migrants to the Big Apple.
With laughter and obscenities: how migrants who attacked police officers in New York were released from jail
La Opinión - February 1, 2024
Several migrants arrested for attacking police officers in New York were released on bail, provoking outrage with their defiant behavior as they left the police station. Some of them mocked and made obscene gestures to the journalists present. Jhoan Boada, one of the attackers, was released on bail, looking mocking and unconcerned. The migrants, mainly from Venezuela, attacked a police officer and a police lieutenant near the New Amsterdam Theater in Times Square. NYPD patrol chief John Chell expressed his displeasure at the lack of severe consequences for the attackers. Seven migrants have been charged in connection with the attack, and police are searching for two other suspects. The first five arrested were living in immigrant shelters in the city and had no work permits or known family members in New York.
Governor calls for deportation of those involved in attack
Telemundo News - February 1st, 2024
Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a strong call for the deportation of the individuals involved in the recent attack on two police officers in New York. The incident, which took place outside a migrant shelter, has generated a strong response from the governor, who emphasized the importance of protecting police officers and maintaining public order. This event underscores the growing tensions surrounding immigration and security in the city.
Two officers assaulted by migrants in New York: five men arrested
Univision News - February 1, 2024
A group of at least eight migrants assaulted two police officers in New York. The incident, captured on video, shows the officers being beaten while on the ground, with one of them being kicked in the head. Five of the assailants were arrested, but subsequently released without bail. This event highlights the growing tensions surrounding immigration and public safety in the city.
Chicago migrant crisis: mayor says shelters can no longer be sustained
El Diario NY - February 1, 2024
Chicago faces a humanitarian crisis due to the massive influx of migrants, draining the 2024 budget. Mayor Brandon Johnson has postponed until mid-March the eviction of 14,000 foreigners from the city's 28 shelters. The housing was temporary, and some 6,000 migrants are expected to become homeless or rely on private institutions after 60 days in shelters. The mayor expressed economic concerns, stating that they cannot continue to spend $1.5 million per day to maintain the shelters. The $150 million budget allocated for the immigration crisis will be exhausted in 100 days. Johnson emphasized the need for federal intervention, as a local municipality is not designed to handle this mission. Chicago has been especially generous to migrants, compared to other cities such as Massachusetts and Denver, which have set limits on shelter capacity and length of stay.
ERO New Orleans Locates and Arrests Aggravated Felon in Memphis
ICE - February 1, 2024
On January 30, ERO New Orleans apprehended a previously deported Mexican national considered an aggravated felon in Memphis, Tennessee. The arrest was made by ERO New Orleans fugitive operations officers with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service. During the arrest, an assault rifle, handgun and large amounts of ammunition were found. The Mexican national was initially arrested in 2003 by Customs and Border Protection in Texas and voluntarily returned to Mexico. In 2009, he was convicted in Tennessee of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and criminal forfeiture, serving 24 months in federal prison. In 2010, he was deported from the U.S. ERO discovered that the individual was living in Tennessee and in 2020 a criminal indictment was obtained for illegal reentry and illegal possession of weapons. ERO's mission is to protect public safety and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws.
HSI San Juan warns public about the dangers of human trafficking
ICE - February 1, 2024
HSI San Juan is alerting the public to the dangers of human smuggling by sea as part of its mission to identify, disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal human smuggling networks. This illegal practice poses a risk to public safety, endangers human lives, and generates violence, abuse and extortion. Human trafficking involves deliberately evading immigration laws and illegally importing people into a country, an activity that generates billions of dollars for transnational criminal organizations. On January 31, approximately 30 Dominican nationals were rescued after arriving on the northern coast of Puerto Rico in a "yola", a small artisanal boat, including a minor and a pregnant woman. The boat capsized on the rocky shore of Puerto Herminia beach, causing two deaths. HSI emphasizes that these vessels are not safe to travel on the high seas and are not prepared to face the dangers of navigation. In addition, human trafficking carries risks of attack, rape, physical abuse, kidnapping and robbery. Trafficked persons may be exploited after arrival in the United States and their families may be extorted. HSI prioritizes identifying and prosecuting the organizers of these trips, who take advantage of the vulnerability of uninformed individuals.
ICE arrests 117 undocumented immigrants; several charged with serious crimes in the U.S.
La Opinión - February 1, 2024
ICE arrested 171 undocumented immigrants across the country, many charged with or convicted of murder, manslaughter or child sexual assault. These actions, conducted between January 16 and January 28, seek to protect U.S. communities from dangerous criminals. Among those detained are individuals convicted of child molestation and sexual assault, primarily of Salvadoran and Mexican origin. The Biden administration has been criticized for shifting immigration enforcement priorities, focusing on new arrivals and offenders with criminal records. In FY 2023, ICE arrested 73,833 aliens with criminal records. The agency is also working on new technologies to facilitate the registration and immigration adjudication process for those apprehended at the border. The surge in immigration crime has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the country's protective measures.
LULAC says Abbott's rhetoric is inciting people to "commit possible acts of violence" in Texas
Univision - January 30, 2024
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued a national alert warning that Texas Governor Greg Abbott's political rhetoric is inciting violence and possible mass murder. LULAC urges its members to be on alert for out-of-state armed extremists with a hate agenda. The organization recalls the attack in El Paso, Texas, in 2019, where a gunman killed 23 people, mostly Hispanics. LULAC also criticizes Abbott's restrictive immigration policies, which include installing border barriers and sending migrants to non-border cities. The organization calls for a solution to the immigration system through comprehensive immigration reform in Congress.
Congress approves proposal to deport immigrants with DUIs
Telemundo News - February 1st, 2024
Congress has approved a new legal initiative that allows the deportation of non-citizen migrants convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI). This measure has generated concern among some lawyers, who fear that the law could be applied retroactively. The proposal reflects a tightening of immigration policies and their potential impact on the immigrant community in the United States.
Cuban with kidney failure risks his life to seek treatment in the U.S.
Telemundo News - February 1st, 2024
Hector Gonzalez, a 40-year-old Cuban with kidney failure since 2018, embarked on a dangerous journey to the United States in search of medical treatment. After facing several serious infections in Cuba, Gonzalez decided to risk his life to receive care in Miami. His story highlights the difficulties faced by chronically ill patients in Cuba and the desperate search for better health care options in other countries.
Afro-Latino woman uses art to educate the world about her culture
Telemundo News - February 1st, 2024
As Black Heritage Month kicks off, Melissa Shepherd-Williams, an Afro-Latina, uses art as a means to educate the world about her culture and combat discrimination. Through her involvement with an organization dedicated to educating about her roots, Melissa seeks to raise awareness and understanding about racial and ethnic diversity, and the unique experiences faced by Afro-Latinos. Her work highlights the importance of cultural representation and recognition in society.
The Afro-Latina who did not understand Spanish as a child and made it her life's mission.
Telemundo News - February 1st, 2024
Aisha Cort Hamilton, an Afro-Latino academic and entrepreneur of Cuban and Guyanese parents, turned her childhood challenge of not understanding Spanish into a life mission. Growing tired of not understanding her mother and grandmother, she decided to learn the language and now, as a university professor, inspires her students to explore and value their cultural roots. Aisha's story highlights the importance of language and cultural education in identity formation and personal empowerment.
One out of every ten restaurants in the US serves Mexican food
Voice of America - February 1, 2024
The popularity of Mexican food in the United States continues to grow, according to a recent study that reveals that 11% of restaurants in the country serve Mexican food. This phenomenon reflects not only a fusion of Latin flavors and smells, but also the cultural roots and influence of Mexican cuisine in U.S. society. The success of these restaurants is a clear indicator of the growing appreciation and demand for Mexican cuisine in the US.
Thousands of people use Buenos Aires airport as a shelter
Voice of America - February 1, 2024
The difficult economic situation in Argentina has led an increasing number of people to seek refuge in unusual places, such as the international airport of Buenos Aires. Many of them, facing lack of opportunities and homelessness, have opted to spend the night at the airport. This phenomenon underscores the severity of the economic crisis in the country and the impact it is having on the daily lives of its citizens.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
I have used an artificial intelligence tool, programmed with specific instructions, to summarize each article or video. These summaries provide a quick overview of the most important topics.
Although these summaries are intended to be accurate, it is essential to read the articles or watch the full videos for a complete understanding. I share this information to help you stay informed, but the final interpretation of each article or video is up to you.
As the distributor of this information, I assume no responsibility for the details or interpretations of the summaries. My goal is to provide you with quick and efficient access to the most important immigration news, helping you stay informed and connected to your community.
IMMIGRATION CONSULTATION
News and information found on the Internet is of a general nature and should not be construed as specific legal advice for any individual, case or situation.
Anyone who has questions about U.S. immigration law, including whether or not a particular immigration law applies to his or her situation, should immediately seek advice from a licensed and experienced U.S. immigration attorney to determine his or her immigration legal options.
Avoid being victim of immigration fraud and never consult with notaries, immigration consultants, paper-fillers, multi-services and others. unlicensed persons to obtain immigration legal advice.
Nelson A. Castillo is an immigration attorney with more than 20 years of legal experience and author of La Tarjeta Verde: Cómo Obtener la Residencia Permanente en los Estados Unidos (Green Card: How to Obtain Permanent Residence in the United States). He is a former President of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Westlake South Neighborhood Council of Los Angeles.
For information on how to schedule an immigration consultation with Dr. Castillo, click here. click here.
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