Immigration Benefits and Relief
The immigration laws and regulations provide some avenues to apply for lawful status from within the U.S. or to seek relief from deportation. The eligibility requirements for these benefits and relief can be stringent, and the immigration agencies often adopt overly restrictive interpretations of the requirements. Learn about advocacy and litigation that has been and can be undertaken to ensure that noncitizens have a fair chance to apply for the benefits and relief for which they are eligible. Providing avenues for legal status, protection, and family reunification is vital to ensuring humanitarian protection for immigrants. We are leading policy changes that open more opportunities like asylum, visas for victims of crime or human trafficking, and relief for long-term residents. Explore the resources below to learn more.
Department of State Pauses Visa Interview for J, F, and M visitors
On Tuesday, May 27, the international exchange and education community was dealt yet another blow when the Trump administration temporarily paused scheduling new F, M, and J visa appointments.??Politico?reported?that a cable sent to all embassies and consular posts by Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for… Read More
Supreme Court “De-Documents” 350,000 Venezuelans – And Keeps Everyone In The Dark About What’s Next
Here are the messages that the 350,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. who were granted Temporary Protected Status in 2023 have heard from the federal government since January: January 17: You can keep your TPS protections until fall 2026. January 28: We’re reviewing whether you can keep your TPS… Read More
In-State Tuition Policies for Undocumented Students Change Lives. I Should Know—Mine Changed for the Better
“And I think it is healing behavior, to look at something so broken and see the possibility and wholeness in it.” — adrienne maree brown, Emergent Strategy The Texas Dream Act was signed into law in 2001, years before I… Read More
In Victory for Transparency, Court Finds DOGE Must Make Records Available to the Public
Last week, a federal court in the District of Columbia found that the Department of Government Efficiency, known as “DOGE,” is subject to public oversight through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The decision is a victory for government transparency and democracy as a whole, as it requires that records… Read More
The Council and NIP File FOIA on How USCIS’ Alien Smuggling Determinations Impact Approval of Immigration Benefits
This FOIA request seeks records and data from USCIS about how the agency determines whether a migrant smuggled another person into the United States. Read More
Trump’s Registration Requirement Means Fear, Uncertainty for Millions of Americans
The Trump administration announced a policy that will require many Americans to always carry identification documents with them to prove they are not deportable. Read More
New Data: Immigrants Keep Economy Strong, As Congress Considers Wasting Billions on Mass Deportation
New data shows how immigrants are contributing billions of dollars to the U.S. economy, even as the Trump administration and Congress are pushing for unprecedented funding for mass deportation. Read More
What We Know About Trump’s Efforts to Roll Back TPS For Venezuelans and CHNV Parole
From his first day in office, President Trump made clear that part of his immigration agenda was to strip legal protections from people who currently qualify for them, rendering them deportable as “illegal immigrants.” In his first weeks, the administration has made a few opening moves in that effort,… Read More
Biden Keeps Nearly 1 Million People From Losing Legal Status Under Trump – Until Fall 2026
As one of the Biden administration’s final acts on immigration, the Department of Homeland Security has announced that it is extending four grants of Temporary Protected Status – covering nearly 1 million immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, and Sudan – through fall 2026. The extensions will allow people… Read More
Testifying on the Catastrophic Economic and Humane Costs of Mass Deportations
The American Immigration Council appeared before Congress to address the catastrophic economic and humane costs of mass deportations. Read More
Make a contribution
Make a direct impact on the lives of immigrants.
