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
David Mantilla. A Venezuelan at the Pentagon
El Tiempo Latino - January 26, 2024
David Mantilla, from Los Magallanes de Catia, Caracas, overcame poverty and became a sergeant-at-arms in the U.S. Marine Corps, working at the Pentagon after graduating in cyber security. He emigrated to the U.S. at age 19, facing challenges and multiple jobs before joining the Marines in 2008. His distinguished career includes service in Afghanistan and a commendation in 2023 for protecting more than 2,500 Afghan refugees.
A wooden train runs through the streets of Miami spreading nostalgia and joy.
Voice of America - January 25, 2024
In Hialeah, a city in southern Florida, a peculiar vehicle in the shape of a wooden train offers a nostalgic and joyful experience, especially for children and seniors. This "wooden trolley" has become a novelty in the area, providing moments of fun and memories in the streets of Miami.
Undocumented students will not be allowed to work at the UC
Telemundo News - January 25, 2024
The University of California Board of Regents has decided to postpone until 2025 consideration of a plan to allow undocumented students to work. The decision is based on legal concerns that employing undocumented students could lead to criminal prosecution. This measure directly affects the undocumented student community, limiting their opportunities and resources.
Congressional Democrats push for DACA for undocumented workers to denounce abuses
La Opinión - January 25, 2024
A group of 28 Democratic members of Congress, led by Raul Grijalva, is urging Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to expand the DALE program, known as "DACA for workers. This program protects undocumented immigrants and workers with temporary visas who report labor abuses, preventing their deportation during investigations and legal proceedings. Lawmakers are proposing a streamlined renewal process for DALE, similar to DACA, to protect workers' rights and alleviate conflicts between labor and immigration laws. Currently, DALE offers two years of protection with no renewal option, leaving workers vulnerable after this period.
How much money do Venezuelans spend to apply for an American visa?
El Tiempo Latino - January 26, 2024
Venezuelans spend on average $1,500 to process B1/B2 visa in the US, including travel, stay and food, due to the lack of diplomatic relations. After the closure of the embassy in 2019, they must travel to third countries, facing additional costs and long waiting times for interviews, varying from 78 to 796 days depending on the country.
Migrant kidnapped by the Sinaloa Cartel recounts the nightmare he lived through while being held
La Opinión - January 26, 2024
Anibal, a Honduran migrant, was kidnapped by the Sinaloa Cartel during his journey to the US. Caught up in a human trafficking business more lucrative than fentanyl, he suffered torture and extortion before being released after payment from his family. His story reflects the brutality of organized crime on the migration route and the high human cost of the American dream.
25 Republican governors back Texas over tough border policy
La Opinión - January 26, 2024
Twenty-five Republican governors support Greg Abbott and Texas in their dispute with the federal government in Eagle Pass. Abbott defies the Supreme Court, promising more barbed wire on the border, while the Texas National Guard blocks the Border Patrol at Shelby Park. The Republican Governors Association criticizes the Biden administration for its handling of the border crisis, while the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives pledges support for Abbott.
Border deal and Ukraine is on tenterhooks. Donald Trump calls it "absurd."
Voice of America - January 25, 2024
A bipartisan agreement in the U.S. Senate linking border control and aid to Ukraine faces uncertainty due to skepticism from Republican senators and criticism from Donald Trump, who calls it "absurd." Sofia Pisani reports from Washington on this delicate political balance and the implications for foreign policy and border security.
History of border migration challenges can offer new solutions, says new report
La Opinión - January 26, 2024
A report by the Migration Policy Institute analyzes the evolution of U.S.-Mexico border security, highlighting changes in migration patterns and the need to adapt policies. Migration management, effective until early 2010, faces challenges with the increase in families and asylum seekers. The report suggests strengthening international collaboration and reforming immigration law, criticizing congressional inaction and the instability of the current system.
Certain immigrants may travel to the United States while waiting for a Green Card.
El Diario NY - January 26, 2024
The DHS family reunification program benefits immigrants from Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, allowing them to travel to the U.S. while waiting for their Green Card. As of January, 3,000 people have arrived through this program, which offers a pathway to permanent residency. The Secure Mobility Offices, administered by IOM and UNHCR, facilitate legal migration, although they are not yet operating at full capacity.
Migrants set up camp in front of NY shelter in response to shortage of beds and low temperatures
Los Angeles Times in English - January 26, 2024
In New York, migrants are coping with a shortage of beds and extreme cold by camping outside the Randall Island shelter. Approximately 3,000 migrants sleep in heated tents, but many, having exhausted their time allowed in official shelters, are forced to live in makeshift tents. The city, dealing with a surge of migrants, imposed a 30-day limit on shelters, leaving many without shelter. The situation has led to tensions and violence, with incidents of stabbings and arrests at the shelter. Authorities and activists debate solutions, as migrants seek to survive by selling food and coffee, and some take refuge in the subway.
Six migrants have died in New York shelters since 2022
Voice of America - January 25, 2024
The death of a minor in a municipal shelter in New York brings to six the number of migrants who have died in city shelters since 2022. Ángela González reports on this situation that intensifies the migrant crisis and the battle between activists and the city government, highlighting the difficult conditions faced by migrants in the Big Apple.
Lack of shelters, migrants spend the night at Boston airport
Telemundo News - January 25, 2024
A 21-year-old Ecuadorian man symbolizes the harsh reality of many immigrants in Massachusetts who, in the absence of shelter, are forced to spend the night at the Boston airport. This testimony highlights the housing crisis and the urgent need for solutions for newly arrived immigrants.
United States deported 47 irregular migrants to Cuba
El Diario NY - January 25, 2024
The United States deported 47 Cuban migrants, totaling 142 deportations to Cuba and the Cayman Islands in 2024. The deportations included 37 air returns to Havana and 10 deliveries by Coast Guard in Puerto de Orozco, Artemisa. Cuba and the U.S. maintain a bilateral agreement to return maritime migrants to Cuba. In the last fiscal year, the Coast Guard intercepted some 7,000 Cubans, and deportation flights resumed for people held at the Mexican border. In 2023, Cuba received 5,253 nationals back, mainly from the U.S., amid an unprecedented migration crisis.
Justice demanded after Guatemalan immigrant murdered in La Villita
La Raza - January 25, 2024
The community of La Villita, Chicago, is demanding justice after the murder of Pedro Che Choc, a 29-year-old Guatemalan immigrant. Neighbors and activists are calling on detectives to speed up the investigation and increase surveillance in the neighborhood. Che Choc, a father of two, was shot and killed while warming up his vehicle. The La Villita Community Council and Mothers and Families United for Justice held a vigil and peace march. Chicago Police are investigating the case, while the community is concerned for the safety of immigrants, especially those who do not speak Spanish or English. Donations are being accepted to help Che Choc's family cover the costs of transporting his body to Guatemala.
Newly arrived migrant family is in mourning. Their baby died in an accident
Chicago Tribune - January 25, 2024
A Venezuelan family recently arrived in Chicago is dealing with the tragic loss of their 11-month-old baby, Theo Aleman Gonzalez, in a car accident. The family, who fled political persecution in Venezuela, had been resettled with the help of Catholic Charities. The accident occurred while they were returning from a legal appointment, and although the mother, Yusmelis Gonzalez, survived, she is hospitalized and disoriented. The family, who had walked for months to reach the U.S., now faces the challenge of dealing with bereavement and recovery while adjusting to a new life in a foreign country without a close family support system.
Asylum-seeking migrants battle Chicago's harsh winter
La Raza - January 25, 2024
Asylum-seeking migrants in Chicago face the harsh winter as the city extends their stay in temporary shelters. Despite a 60-day limit, Mayor Brandon Johnson assures that new arrivals will not be evicted due to the extreme cold. The city, which has received 34,000 asylum seekers and operates 28 shelters, has not opened new spaces for lack of federal and state aid. Governor JB Pritzker called on Texas to stop sending more asylum seekers. Meanwhile, local organizations such as the Instituto del Progreso Latino are providing support, collecting winter clothing and advising on legal paperwork and finding housing.
Undocumented Ecuadorians in Chicago want President Joe Biden to give them work permits
La Raza - January 25, 2024
Ecuadorian immigrants in Chicago, representing the fourth largest Ecuadorian community in the U.S., seek protection from deportation and work permits. Unlike Venezuelans, they do not have temporary protected status. Councilman Raymond Lopez is sponsoring a resolution to protect this community, urging President Joe Biden to include Ecuadorians in a temporary protected status. The Ecuadorian community, affected by the violence in their country, seeks stability and the opportunity to contribute economically in the U.S.
El Paso authorities monitor migrant flow and its impact on border city
Voice of America - January 25, 2024
In 2024, the U.S.-Mexico border has experienced a significant decrease in irregular immigration crossings, contrasting with the trend in 2023. In "Conversando con la Voz de America," Salome Ramirez interviews Laura Cruz Acosta, spokesperson for El Paso, who highlights that the immigration situation is volatile and can change at any time.
Man accused of sexually abusing undocumented woman and demanding nude photos of his daughter
Univision News - January 25, 2024
Jose Espinoza, 54, is accused of sexually abusing an undocumented immigrant for six years, demanding nude photos of his daughter and confiscating her passport to prevent her from fleeing. Espinoza faces serious charges, including aggravated sexual abuse, labor trafficking and rape, highlighting the vulnerability of undocumented immigrants and the seriousness of these crimes.
If you are Mexican and live abroad, here's how you can vote in the presidential election
Univision News - January 25, 2024
Mexicans living abroad can participate in Mexico's presidential elections through three modalities, including in-person voting at 23 consular offices, mainly in the U.S. It is crucial to register in advance to exercise this right, reflecting the importance of the Mexican diaspora's vote in national politics.
Chicago and now Miami: the case of the second possible member of the feared South American gang in the U.S.
Telemundo News - January 26th, 2024
Miami-Dade Police arrested Yurwin Salazar on January 16, accusing him of participating in the kidnapping and murder of a Venezuelan immigrant along with two women and two men. Salazar is identified in the arrest report as a member of the Tren de Aragua, marking another significant case of the presence of this feared South American gang in the U.S., following similar incidents in Chicago.
Sold coke to an undercover cop: alleged Aragua Train member arrested in Chicago
Telemundo News - January 25, 2024
Edwin Camejo, a Venezuelan immigrant, was arrested in Chicago after selling cocaine on three occasions to an undercover police officer. This incident marks the first arrest in the US linked to the Aragua Train, a feared criminal gang. The case highlights the presence and criminal activities of international criminal organizations on US soil.
This gang emerged in a Venezuelan prison, expanded due to the country's crisis and is already in Chicago.
Telemundo News - January 25, 2024
The Aragua Cartel, which originated in Venezuela's 'Tocoron' prison in 2014, has expanded internationally due to the crisis in Venezuela. Investigators say many members have migrated to South America and now, with the capture of one in Chicago, their presence in the US is confirmed, highlighting the gang's global influence and the security challenges it poses.
Children who traded toys for rifles to become police officers
Telemundo News - January 25, 2024
In Guerrero, Mexico, 20 children, aged between 11 and 15, have been recruited to defend their community, replacing toys with rifles. This situation, which had already occurred in 2021, generates controversy and highlights the serious security situation in the region, as well as the impact on children and society.
Guatemalan youth shot to death in Maryland
Telemundo News - January 25, 2024
Natanael Rodriguez Cuxun, a 17-year-old Guatemalan boy, became a victim of gun violence in Maryland. According to reports, unknown subjects shot at the vehicle in which he was traveling as a passenger. The driver of the vehicle shared details of the tragic event with Telemundo 44, highlighting the growing concern about gun violence in the community.
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