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.
Sharing knowledge is key to strengthening our communities. If you find this information useful, I encourage you to share it with your family and friends.
Also, if you are not already subscribed to our email distribution list, we invite you to do so to receive regular updates on immigration issues. The subscription form can be found at the end of this article. Your privacy is important and we will not sell or disclose your information to third parties.
Thank you for your support!
IMMIGRATION NEWS IN THE UNITED STATES
President Joe Biden's Remarks on Immigration - State of the Union Address
The White House - March 7, 2024
In his State of the Union Address, President Joe Biden highlighted bipartisan negotiations for a border security reform bill, the toughest in the United States, which proposes to hire 1,500 additional security agents, 100 immigration judges, and 4,300 asylum officers to expedite cases. It would also include 100 advanced drug detection machines and give the President the authority to temporarily close the border in critical situations. Despite support from the Border Patrol Union and the Chamber of Commerce, the policy has stymied passage. Biden criticizes his predecessor's attempts to block the bill, stressing that it would benefit America, not individual political interests. He rejects the demonization of immigrants and advocates for an inclusive immigration system that reflects American values, urging Congress to pass the bill.
Below is a Spanish translation of the full text of President Biden's remarks on immigration:
In November, my team began serious negotiations with a bipartisan group of senators.
The result was a bipartisan bill with the toughest set of border security reforms we have seen
in this country.
That bipartisan agreement would hire 1,500 more border security agents and officers.
100 additional immigration judges to help address a backlog of 2 million cases.
4,300 additional asylum officers and new policies so that they can resolve cases in 6 months instead of 6 years.
100 more high-tech drug detection machines to significantly increase the ability to inspect and stop vehicles smuggling fentanyl into America.
This bill would save lives and bring order to the border.
It would also give me, as President, new emergency authority to temporarily close the border when the number of migrants at the border is overwhelming.
The Border Patrol Union supported the bill.
The Chamber of Commerce supported the bill.
I believe that, given the opportunity, a majority of the House and Senate would also support it.
But, unfortunately, politics has derailed it so far.
I have been told that my predecessor called the Republicans in Congress and demanded that they block the bill. He feels it would be a political victory for me and a political loss for him.
It's not about him or me.
It would be a victory for America!
My Republican friends, you owe it to the American people to get this bill done.
We need to act.
And if my predecessor is watching, instead of playing politics and pressuring members of Congress to block this bill, join me in telling Congress to pass it!
We can do it together. But here's what I won't do.
I will not demonize immigrants by saying that they "poison the blood of our country," as he said in his own words.
I will not separate families.
I will not ban people from entering America because of their faith.
Unlike my predecessor, on my first day in office I presented a comprehensive plan to fix our immigration system, secure the border and provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers and much more.
Because unlike my predecessor, I know who we are.
as Americans.
We are the only nation in the world with a heart and soul that thrives on the old and the new.
Home to Native Americans whose ancestors have been here for thousands of years. Home to people from all over the Earth.
Some came freely.
Some forcibly chained.
Some when hunger struck, like my ancestral family in Ireland.
Some to flee persecution.
Some to pursue dreams that are impossible anywhere but here in America.
That's America, where we all come from somewhere, but we're all Americans.
We can fight over the border, or we can fix it. I'm ready to fix it.
Send me the border bill now!
Biden tells Republicans to join him in passing border security bill
Univision News - March 7, 2024
During a speech, President Joe Biden called on Republicans to work together to pass a bipartisan border security bill. He hinted at Donald Trump's cooperation, urging him to put aside politicking and support the plan before Congress, seeking consensus to strengthen border security and effectively address immigration.
Verification of Joe Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address
PolitiFact - March 8, 2024
During his State of the Union 2024 address, President Joe Biden addressed challenges and accomplishments, touching on immigration, the economy, and security. PolitiFact verified several key statements, including Biden's handling of the border crisis and his efforts to strengthen border security. Contrary to criticism of obstructing a legislative solution, Biden has urged bipartisan cooperation to pass meaningful border security reforms. On economics, Biden's claims of reduced inflation and support for the middle class were contrasted with missing context and exaggerations. PolitiFact also examined Biden's indirect references to Donald Trump, clarifying the context and accuracy of the comparisons. This analysis highlights the complexity of the issues discussed and the importance of contextualizing policy statements.
Fact-checking Biden's State of the Union address.
FactCheck.org - March 8, 2024
In his final State of the Union address before the November general election, President Joe Biden touched on topics such as Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, the economy, reproductive rights, prescription drug costs and border security, criticizing his predecessor's policies without naming Donald Trump. However, he sometimes exaggerated facts or omitted important context. For example, he claimed that wages have increased under his leadership, but adjusted for inflation, wages have declined. He also claimed that the recent U.S. inflation rate is the "lowest in the world," which is inaccurate, and that he has "cut the federal deficit by more than $1 trillion," although the declining deficits are primarily due to the expiration of emergency pandemic spending. Biden highlighted the creation of "a record" 15 million new jobs, although it is not the largest job growth in percentage terms compared to other presidents. He also suggested that many of the new jobs in semiconductor fabs would not require a college degree and would pay $100,000 a year, which is inaccurate according to an industry trade group. In addition, he cited private investments in clean energy and advanced manufacturing based on announcements about intentions to invest, not actual investments. Biden noted recent declines in murder and violent crime rates, but did not mention that they are still declining from their pandemic peak. He omitted the context of a Trump comment after a school shooting in Iowa and said that billionaires pay an average federal tax rate of only 8.2%, which includes unsold stock gains as income, a methodology that distorts the comparison to current tax rates. It is important to check the facts and provide the necessary context for a complete understanding.
We analyze in the Detector several falsehoods that Biden said in his State of the Union speech.
Univision News - March 8, 2024
Univision Noticias' segment, "El Detector," focuses on evaluating the accuracy of statements made by President Joe Biden during his third State of the Union address. Through a thorough analysis, the program seeks to identify and correct several inaccuracies presented in the speech, underscoring the importance of fact-checking in the political arena. This critical exercise aims to provide the public with a clearer and more objective understanding of the president's statements, emphasizing the value of transparency and honesty in political communication.
Remarks on Immigration by U.S. Senator Katie Britt, R-Ala. in the Republican Response to the State of the Union Address.
The Associate Press/ABC News - March 7, 2024
In the Republican response to President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala. criticizes President Biden's border policies, holding him accountable for the crisis on the southern border. She highlights increased insecurity, citing the case of a young woman sex-trafficked by cartels and the murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student, as examples of the human consequences of the administration's actions. Senator Britt argues that the crisis, including problems such as fentanyl trafficking and violence, could be prevented and demands that President Biden take responsibility and reverse his policies to solve the crisis and stop the suffering of American families.
Below is a Spanish translation of the full text of Senator Britt's remarks on immigration:
The true unvarnished state of our Union begins and ends with this: Our families are hurting. Our country can do better.
And you don't have to look any further than the crisis at our southern border to see it. President Biden inherited the most secure border ever. But minutes after taking office, he suspended all deportations, halted construction of the border wall and announced a plan to grant amnesty to millions.
We know that President Biden didn't just create this border crisis. He invited it with 94 executive actions in his first 100 days.
When I took office, I did something different. I traveled to the Del Rio sector of Texas, where I spoke with a woman who shared her story with me. She had been sex trafficked by the cartels since she was 12 years old. She told me not only that she was raped every day, but how many times a day she was raped.
The cartels put her on a mattress in a room the size of a shoebox, and sent men through that door, over and over again, for hours on end.
We would not agree to this happening in a third world country. This is the United States of America, and it's about time we started acting like it.
President Biden's border crisis is a disgrace. It is despicable. And it is almost entirely preventable.
From fentanyl poisonings to horrific murders...there are empty chairs tonight at kitchen tables like this one because of President Biden's insane border policies.
Think Laken Riley. In my neighboring state of Georgia, this beautiful 22-year-old nursing student went for a run one morning. But she never had a chance to return home. She was brutally murdered by one of the millions of illegal border crossers that President Biden chose to unleash on our homeland.
That could have been my daughter. It could have been yours.
Tonight, President Biden finally said his name. But he refused to take responsibility for his own actions.
Mr. President, enough is enough. Innocent Americans are dying. And you have only yourself to blame. Live up to your oath of office. Reverse your policies. End this crisis. And stop the suffering.
Verification of Katie Britt's immigration claims in response to State of the Union 2024.
PolitiFact - March 08, 2024
In response to Biden's State of the Union address, Senator Katie Britt criticized the president's immigration policies, attributing the current border crisis to him. PolitiFact examined her claims, finding that while Biden temporarily suspended deportations and halted construction of the border wall, these actions were more nuanced than Britt presented. The suspension of deportations was quickly blocked by the courts, and although Biden ceased construction of the wall, he later resumed construction in certain areas with previously appropriated funds. Furthermore, Britt's claim about Biden releasing Laken Riley's killer ignores that release decisions are based on available capacity and resources, not personal political choices. These checks show that Britt's criticisms need additional context to be fully understood.
Secretary Mayorkas' Statement on the President's State of the Union Address
U.S. Department of Homeland Security - March 07, 2024
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas endorsed President Biden's efforts presented in his State of the Union Address, recognizing the work of the Department's members in keeping American citizens safe. He highlighted historic achievements in seizing fentanyl and apprehending smugglers, in addition to supporting a cross-party border security bill to strengthen homeland security. Mayorkas urged Congress to pass this bill, which would facilitate the hiring of more Border Patrol agents and officers, provide advanced security technology, and fund the hiring of more asylum officers and immigration judges, among other measures. This call underscores the urgency of implementing pragmatic and effective solutions to the challenges at the border and across the country, putting partisan politics aside.
The emotional reunion of three children abandoned by coyotes at the border with their mother
Univision News - March 7, 2024
Siblings Alan, Ashly, and Yami, ages 9, 6, and 3 respectively, were abandoned by coyotes at the southern Arizona border on February 17. After nearly a month of uncertainty, the children were reunited with their mother in New Jersey, marking an emotional reunion that highlights the challenges and dangers faced by migrant families.
DHS Secretary urged to eliminate solitary confinement for migrants
Univision News - March 7, 2024
A report by Physicians for Human Rights reveals serious effects of solitary confinement on migrants in ICE jails, including PTSD, self-harm and suicide risk. The United States has the largest immigration detention system in the world, with facilities run in part by private corporations. Despite a 2023 directive to limit solitary confinement, audits and whistleblowers point to failures in oversight and enforcement of these measures. ICE defends its commitment to secure environments, but the report calls on DHS and ICE to completely eliminate this practice.
Mexican migrant who kidnapped Hispanic teenager in Ohio captured in Virginia
La Opinión - March 7, 2024
Isauro Garcia Cruz, a 43-year-old Mexican migrant, was arrested in Virginia after kidnapping a 15-year-old Honduran teenager in Ohio. The girl, an unaccompanied minor, had been placed with a sponsor in Middletown by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Butler County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the case to determine if the teen was a victim of trafficking. Garcia Cruz faces multiple charges, including kidnapping and unlawful sexual conduct.
Deadline nears for evicting migrants from Chicago shelters
La Raza - March 6, 2024
Chicago faces a dilemma with the upcoming eviction of migrants from temporary shelters. Despite exceeding the three-month overstay, Mayor Brandon Johnson had announced a 60-day limit on the stays, the initial deadline for which has been postponed several times. Now, asylum seekers may have to leave shelters as early as March 16, with at least 12,000 migrants housed in 23 shelters. The decision to meet the deadline is still pending, creating uncertainty about the future of these migrants in Chicago.
Immigrants in Chicago resort to blood plasma sales
Voice of America - March 7, 2024
In Chicago, lack of employment has led some immigrant asylum seekers to sell their blood plasma as a means of subsistence. This practice, although legal, highlights the difficult economic conditions they face.
Georgia bill would punish cities that violate law against migrant sanctuaries
Los Angeles Times en Espanol - March 6, 2024
In Georgia, a bill proposes sanctioning cities and counties that protect migrants without permits by cutting state support and removing elected officials. The measure seeks to strengthen a 2009 law against migrant sanctuaries and responds to recent incidents, such as the murder of a student by a Venezuelan migrant. If approved, any Georgia resident could sue localities for failing to comply with the law, which would lead to significant cuts in state and federal funding, except for emergency and health services. This proposal has generated controversy, with criticism from migrant rights advocates and concerns about its impact on state-local government relations.
State of the Union 2024: Americans' views on the economy, immigration and other key issues.
Pew Research Center- March 7, 2024
Ahead of Joe Biden's State of the Union 2024 address, Americans are focused on the economy, immigration and international conflicts. A Pew Research Center survey finds that 73% consider strengthening the economy a priority, while immigration is of increasing concern, especially among Republicans, with 76% considering it a priority, a significant increase from 2021. In addition, there is widespread disapproval of the government's handling of migration along the border with Mexico. Other issues of concern include terrorism, crime and foreign policy, with wide partisan gaps on issues such as climate change and environmental protection.
From war to the economy, the issues that will dominate the State of the Nation address in the U.S.
Voice of America - March 7, 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden is preparing for his upcoming State of the Union address, focusing on domestic and international challenges, especially global security and the economy. This speech is anticipated as a platform to address the administration's main concerns.
Migration has been a complicated issue for Biden (and his position has changed).
Telemundo News - March 7, 2024
Joe Biden's administration has undergone significant changes in its approach to immigration policy, initially undoing several policies of his predecessor, Donald Trump. However, in the face of an increase in border crossings to record levels, President Biden has opted for a tougher stance at the border.
We spoke with the Secretary of Health about migration and Biden's administration.
Telemundo News - March 7, 2024
Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Health, argues that the country has improved significantly in the last three years under the current administration. As for immigration reform, he notes his personal efforts to achieve it, but criticizes Republicans for standing in the way of progress on this issue.
New self-inspection pilot plan launched at Las Vegas airport
Telemundo News - March 7, 2024
The Las Vegas airport has implemented a new self-inspection pilot plan to streamline screening processes. Although this measure seeks to optimize waiting time, authorities clarify that agents will continue to check passengers' documentation and bags.
Border Patrol Tactical Unit Shoots and Kills Gunman Assaulting Migrants in the Otay Mountains
U.S. Customs and Border Protection - March 07, 2024
On March 3, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) agents were operating in the Puebla Tree area in the Otay Mountains near the Otay Mesa port of entry due to reports of armed robberies and assaults on migrants. A BORTAC sniper shot a gunman who was demanding money from migrants, fatally wounding him. Officers provided first aid to the wounded man, who was later pronounced dead. A firearm was recovered near the individual, later identified as a 32-year-old Mexican national. Seventeen migrants were detained in the area, and three armed individuals fled into Mexico. The incident is under investigation.
Colombian national pleads guilty to producing and trafficking more than 1,400 kilograms of cocaine
ICE - March 07, 2024
Juan Carlos Perlaza Caicedo, from Colombia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine on a vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Arrested in Colombia in 2019 and extradited to the US in 2023, he faces 10 years to life in prison. Since at least 2002, he managed cocaine production laboratories in Colombia and coordinated the maritime transport of the drug to Central America, destined for the U.S. He participated in the conspiracy to transport at least 1,422 kilograms of cocaine intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard on three occasions. This case highlights the multinational effort to dismantle transnational criminal organizations.
Florida man charged with smuggling 25 migrants from Bahamas
ICE - March 07, 2024
Michael Andrew Milano, of Merritt Island, Florida, has been charged with smuggling 25 migrants from the Bahamas to the U.S. in a 42-foot boat. Milano faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each of the 25 counts of human smuggling. The migrants were forced to lie on the deck during the voyage and were discovered by officers during a routine inspection. The Coast Guard took custody of the migrants for processing and repatriation. The case is being investigated by HSI Space Coast with the assistance of several federal and local agencies.
ERO Philadelphia deports Albanian national wanted for murder
ICE - March 07, 2024
Leonard Mnela, an Albanian national with a final deportation order, was deported to Albania by ERO Philadelphia. Wanted in Italy for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, extortion, weapons violations, drug trafficking, drug importation and sale, and in Albania for murder. Entered the U.S. without authorization and was sentenced in absentia in Italy to 25 years in prison. In 2008, he obtained legal status in the U.S., but was later convicted of exporting methamphetamine from the U.S. and sentenced to 120 months in prison. The deportation underscores ERO's commitment to public safety and the law.
ERO Baltimore apprehends 8 non-citizen sex offenders
ICE - March 07, 2024
During a nationwide operation, ERO Baltimore arrested eight non-citizens with sex offense convictions as part of an effort that resulted in 275 arrests nationwide. Those arrested include nationals from Cameroon, El Salvador, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Brazil and Honduras, with convictions ranging from sexual abuse to possession of child sexual abuse material. These efforts highlight ERO's commitment to public safety and immigration enforcement, prioritizing the detention and deportation of individuals who pose a threat to the community.
Honduran national arrested for alleged retaliation against federal witness
ICE - March 07, 2024
Bayron Santos-Recarte, a Honduran national, was arrested in Antioch, Tennessee, for allegedly conspiring and retaliating against a federal witness who testified in a racketeering conspiracy trial against the MS-13 gang in the spring of 2023. He is charged with kidnapping and physically assaulting the witness. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for conspiring to retaliate against a federal witness and life in prison for retaliating against a federal witness. This case underscores law enforcement's commitment to protecting the integrity of the judicial system and ensuring the safety of those who participate in it.
OTHER NEWS
8M in Mexico: the story of feminist women who make urban art to make their struggle visible
CNN en Español - March 7, 2024
On International Women's Day, urban artists in Mexico City use art as a form of protest and visibility for the feminist struggle. Through their works in the streets, these women seek to raise awareness and promote social change regarding gender rights and equality.
UN states that 2023 was the deadliest year ever recorded for migrants, with nearly 8,600 deaths
La Opinión - March 7, 2024
In 2023, at least 8,565 migrant deaths were recorded on global routes, marking the deadliest year ever according to the UN IOM Missing Migrants Project. This total exceeds previous years' figures, with the Mediterranean crossing standing out as the most dangerous. Most of the deaths occurred due to drowning, traffic accidents and violence. IOM emphasizes the need for action to ensure safe migration and reduce deaths.
56% of migrants crossing Mexico in 2023 were victims of robbery, threats or extortion
La Opinión - March 6, 2024
A UNHCR study revealed that 56% of migrants crossing Mexico in 2023 suffered abuses such as robbery, extortion and threats. The situation reflects risks comparable to those in the Darien jungle and Central American countries. Of the total number of people on the move in Mexico as of September 2023, 788,000 were returned to their countries, despite the 66% indicating that they would face dangers upon return. The report highlights that the main objective of migrants was the United States, followed by a significant interest in remaining in Mexico. UNHCR warns of the violation of the principle of non-refoulement and urges protection for these migrants.
Benefactor of migrants cooks on the streets of Tijuana
Voice of America - March 7, 2024
Esther Morales, known for her generosity in Tijuana, offers food to migrants through her mobile tamalería. Her initiative provides not only food but also hope to those seeking a better future, highlighting the importance of solidarity in times of need.
This was revealed by Mexicans who claim to be exploited in warehouses on the California border.
Univision News - March 7, 2024
Customs agency workers in California report labor exploitation, receiving low wages, in pesos, and no overtime pay. Federal authorities are investigating similar complaints along the Mexican border, seeking solutions to these labor abuses.
U.S. issues travel warning to its citizens about travel to Mexico during Spring Break
Univision News - March 7, 2024
U.S. authorities are warning their citizens about increased caution when visiting Mexico during Spring Break, especially in destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum, due to violence related to organized crime. This measure seeks to ensure the safety of tourists in high-risk areas.
No more attention to migrants in Darien: Doctors Without Borders suspends aid by "order" of Panama
El Diario NY - March 7, 2024
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has suspended its medical and humanitarian activities in the Darien, the natural border between Colombia and Panama, by an "order" of the Panamanian government due to the lack of a collaboration agreement in force. This decision follows MSF reports of an increase in sexual violence and brutal attacks against migrants in the region. In 2023, more than 520,000 people crossed this dangerous jungle, including some 120,000 minors. MSF, which provided care to nearly 5,000 people per month, expressed concern about the consequences of this suspension on the health of migrants.
University professors in Venezuela try to survive in the midst of the crisis
Voice of America - March 7, 2024
The crisis in Venezuela has led a third of university professors to eat less than three meals a day, facing poverty and uninsured health problems. This report highlights the economic and social hardships affecting educators in the country, emphasizing the need for urgent solutions.
More than 60,000 teenage pregnancies in Guatemala
Voice of America - March 7, 2024
Guatemala faces an alarming figure of more than 60,000 teenage pregnancies in the last year, leading authorities to implement prevention plans and highlight the significant economic losses that this situation generates for the country.
Argentina begins to imitate 'Bukele model' to counter security problems
Univision News - March 7, 2024
Argentina is adopting strategies similar to El Salvador's 'Bukele model' to address its security challenges, especially in the port city of Rosario. Security Minister Patricia Bullrich has released images of recent operations, marking a shift in the approach to crime and violence.
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.
English 
Español