Congress
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
Government Says Border Security Is Tougher Than Ever
The Trump administration has repeatedly called for increased security along the United States southern border with Mexico, but a new report released earlier this month from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) disputes the need for such measures. The agency’s report details how the U.S.-Mexico border is more secure… Read More
Where Do You Find the Most Resistance to Immigration?
Conventional thinking may lead some to believe that those communities that fight the hardest against immigration are the ones receiving the greatest influx of foreign newcomers. If people are wary of the changes immigrants are bringing to their communities, they would naturally seem to be the most vocal in… Read More
Government Watchdog Questions Need for More ICE and Border Patrol Personnel
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released a report calling into question the need for 10,000 additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and 5,000 Border Patrol Agents as outlined in President Trump’s January executive orders. The report noted that ICE and CBP… Read More
Massachusetts’ Highest Court Declares Immigration Detainers Are Unenforceable
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a unanimous decision on Monday holding that Massachusetts court officers may not arrest and detain immigrants based solely on a detainer. Although other courts have struck down detainers on the grounds that they violate the Constitution, the Supreme Judicial Court concluded that… Read More
How Many Dreamers May See a Promising New Reality?
With the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program now at risk of being terminated by the courts or the administration, pressure is building on Congress to pass legislation which permanently addresses the plight of undocumented young people who were brought to the United States as children. Bills already… Read More
Two Anti-Immigrant Bills Attacking Sanctuary Cities and Criminalizing Immigrants Passed by the House
The House of Representatives passed two harsh immigration enforcement bills this week, both of which had the adamant backing of President Trump. The anti-immigrant bills, which passed largely along party lines, are an attempt to crack down on so-called sanctuary cities and increase penalties for those who re-enter the… Read More
Congress Lowers Hiring Standards for Corruption and Abuse Plagued Border Patrol
The House of Representatives passed The Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act (H.R.2213) on Wednesday evening. The measure—which passed the House by a vote of 282-137, which includes 51 yes votes from Democrats and no opposition from Republicans—is designed to weaken Customs and Border Protection hiring standards by exempting some applicants from… Read More
“Baby Jails” Bills Die a Slow Death
As the legislative session in Texas drew to a close on Monday, immigration advocates around the country celebrated the death of the “baby jails” bill—a measure that would have licensed Texas family detention centers as “child-care facilities.” Senate Bill 1018 was the latest attempt to lower state standards so… Read More
Trump’s Mass Deportation Plan Is Passed by the House Judiciary Committee
For the third time in five years the House Judiciary Committee has passed a draconian interior enforcement immigration bill out of committee on a party line vote. Immigration advocates and Democratic members aptly called it the “Mass Deportation Act.” The bill mimics earlier, failed versions of the bill. However,… Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar
No one should face the immigration system alone