Legislation

Congressional Efforts to Repeal Immigration Executive Orders
Since President Donald Trump announced his immigration executive orders last month on border security, interior enforcement, halting all refugee admissions and banning nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. for at least 90 days, there has been strong reaction by the public, litigators and on… Read More

President Obama’s Change to Cuban Migration Policy, Explained
On January 12, the White House announced the end of the “wet-foot, dry-foot” policy towards Cuban migrants. Effective immediately, Cubans who attempt to enter the U.S. unauthorized will be treated the same as other migrants. They will not be automatically “paroled” (granted entry to the United States by an immigration… Read More

Bill to Protect DACA Recipients Reintroduced in Congress
Bipartisan legislation was introduced today in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate called The Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act, which would provide work authorization and relief from deportation for three years to individuals who are eligible for the Deferred Action… Read More

Who Will Pay for Donald Trump’s Border Wall?
President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to build a wall along the U.S-Mexico border took a step forward last week as Congressional Republicans discussed ways to get funding for the structure through the budget process. Republican leadership believes that current law already allows them to construct additional barriers along the… Read More

Five Things to Look for on Immigration in the 115th Congress
When President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in later this month, for the first time in a decade, the Republican Party will have control of the House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and the Presidency. In theory, this control allows the Congress to pass and help implement many of the incoming… Read More

Congress Keeps Government Open Until April, Reauthorizes Key Immigration Programs
Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) last week that continues the funding needed to keep the federal government open and running at current levels, but only through April 28, 2017. Previously, the federal government—including many immigration-related agencies and some immigration programs—had only been funded through December 9 by… Read More

States and Localities Respond to Donald Trump’s Immigration Plans
With all the focus on what to expect at the national level on immigration under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, it’s easy to overlook the states and localities, which are reacting to the presidential elections and previewing their intentions on immigration. Elections for governor were held in 12 states, with… Read More

Bipartisan Bill to Protect DACA Recipients Introduced
A bipartisan group of Senators introduced a bill on Friday to temporarily protect individuals eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Senators Durbin (D-IL), Feinstein (D-CA), Graham (R-SC), and Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act, which would… Read More

What to Expect Now That Congress Is Back
Congress returned to work this week after a six week recess. While September promises to be a busy month for lawmakers, it is unlikely that immigration reform will be high on their “to do” list. Nonetheless, immigration policy will be affected by any congressional action (or inaction) on spending bills… Read More

Senate Rejects Two Anti-Immigrant Bills Before It Goes out on Recess
This week, the Senate defeated cloture on motions to proceed—a motion to begin debate—on two “Sanctuary City” bills sponsored by Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). Both bills take an enforcement-only approach to immigration reform and fail to address the nation’s outdated immigration laws or the need… Read More
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