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.
TPS for Nicaragua Ends, Honduras Not Yet Decided and Extended for Six Months
The Department of Homeland Security ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaragua. This decision means 5,300 Nicaraguan nationals will lose their temporary status to live and work in this country, despite the fact that many have lived lawfully here for nearly 20 years. Read More
The Fate of Hundreds of Thousands of TPS Recipients to Be Decided
Thousands of immigrants living and working in the United States are poised to learn whether their temporary immigration status will be extended or terminated in the coming days. The 300,000 nationals of El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, and Nicaragua, who have been permitted to live in the United States… Read More
Government Threatens Families, Communities with Looming Temporary Protected Status Decisions
The United States is currently home to an estimated 325,000 individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a temporary immigration status granted to nationals of specifically designated countries that are facing an ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or extraordinary and temporary conditions. Combined, more than 90 percent of these beneficiaries,… Read More
Temporary Protected Status in the United States
This fact sheet provides information about TPS holders from El Salvador, Honduras, and Haiti. Read More
Challenging “Extreme Vetting” of Immigration Benefits Applicants
The Controlled Application Review and Resolution Program (CAARP) is a secret and unlawful government vetting program that targets thousands of applicants who are Muslim or from certain Muslim-majority countries for delay or denial of immigration benefits. Read More
American Immigration Council’s Statement on President Trump’s Immigration Principles
The White House released its long anticipated, "Immigration Principles and Policies," which lay out many of the already-stated aspirations of the Trump administration on immigration. The laundry list represents a wholesale attack on immigration and immigrants. It includes not only limits on immigration generally, but enables mass deportations and envisions bypassing necessary procedures that protect children and asylum seekers. Read More
USCIS Reveals Nearly 25 Percent of Eligible Dreamers Did Not Submit Their Renewal Application on Time
Now that the arbitrary deadline for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals has passed, approximately 36,000 young immigrants are in danger of being deported. New data from United States and Citizenship Services (USCIS) reveals that roughly one-quarter of all eligible, former DACA recipients did not submit their application… Read More
White House Immigration Principles Are Released as DACA Deal Looms
The White House released its Immigration Principles and Policies late Sunday night, providing an outline of the Trump administration’s proposals on immigration. The principles were sent to Congressional leadership with a cover letter demanding these reforms be included in any legislation that addresses protection for Deferred Action for Childhood… Read More
As the DACA Renewal Deadline Approaches, 50,000 Dreamers May Face Deportation
With the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) renewal deadline fast approaching, thousands of young immigrants are scrambling to have their paperwork in by October 5 for a final, two-year extension. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has estimated that nearly 50,000 Dreamers have so far not submitted… Read More
A Variety of Legislation Has Been Introduced in Congress to Protect Dreamers
The announcement of the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative has hit home for many. The public has demonstrated a strong distaste for taking away young, undocumented immigrants’ work permits and targeting them for deportation. Thus the clock is now ticking and pressure is on… Read More
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