Celebrate America

The 2024 ‘Celebrate America’ Creative Writing Contest Winner: Stories of Us
Stories of Us I sit By the windowsill Gazing outside. Down, on the street, so many heads, Each is unique. Amidst the traffic and frantic honking, I sense the presence of Millions of others, Just like me. Read More

USCIS Proposes Significant Changes to the H-1B Program
The H-1B program may undergo significant changes as early as October 1, 2024. The Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently published a 94-page proposed rule to “modernize” the H-1B program. The H-1B is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category for employers to petition… Read More

2023 ‘Celebrate America’ Creative Writing Contest Winner: 3
Written by 5th grade student Lillie Villezcas of Nevada 3 I am number 3, but how does number 3 apply to me? I am third generation of an immigrant family, third generation of fading traditions and lost nationalities, but I refuse to let that be me. My grandmother immigrated into… Read More

Supreme Court Refuses to Restore Biden’s Immigration Enforcement Priorities for Now
In a blow to the Department of Homeland Security’s attempts to set priorities for immigration enforcement, late last week the Supreme Court of the United States decided 5-4 to deny a request from the Department of Justice to restore the priorities while litigation continues. This decision comes after a… Read More

2022 ‘Celebrate America’ Creative Writing Contest Winner: Where I’m From
Where I’m From I am from ships sailed. From my mother’s quilt, finished with orange, green, and white. I see every one of the strong stitches holding it together. From my other house where the walls don’t keep the heat from getting inside them, like how I can’t get that… Read More

Class Action Settlement Gives Second Chance to Qualifying US Employers for H-1B Petition Approval
A recent class action settlement is expected to result in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approving more market research analyst H-1B petitions. The lawsuit was filed by four U.S. employers whose H-1B petitions had been denied when USCIS determined that market research analysts were not a “specialty occupation”… Read More

Read the 2021 ‘Celebrate America’ Creative Writing Contest Winning Entry
The first-place winner of the American Immigration Council’s 24th annual (2020-2021) Celebrate America Creative Writing Contest was Kyla O’Halloran, whose poem “Welcome: Two Syllables, One Word” was submitted by the Chicago Chapter. Kyla’s poem examines the impact a simple, welcoming message can have on someone’s life. Welcome: Two Syllables,… Read More

Trump’s ‘Death to Asylum’ Rule Will Go Into Effect Days Before He Leaves Office
The Trump administration has finalized a sweeping regulation that will effectively end asylum protection in the United States. The regulation, which was proposed in June, is set to go into effect on January 11—only nine days before President Trump leaves office. If implemented, it will mean that very few… Read More

Discriminatory Treatment of Haitians Throughout History Informs Current Policy at the US-Mexico Border
For years, the Trump administration has argued that limited capacity at ports of entry led to its policy of turning back asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border (the “turnback policy”). But a recent amicus—or “friend of the court”—brief filed in a lawsuit challenging this policy argues that the true… Read More

Read the 2020 ‘Celebrate America’ Creative Writing Contest Winning Entry
Mother’s Words, a poem by 5th grade student Maddie Posch of Washington D.C., is this year’s winner of the ‘Celebrate America’ Creative Writing Contest. Maddie’s winning entry explores the importance of passing on immigration stories between a mother and child. Mother’s Words By Maddie Posch I sit down slowly, And… Read More
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