Department of Homeland Security
What Is Habeas Corpus and Why Is It Important? Here’s What DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Got Wrong
In a tense exchange during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan asked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem if she could define “habeas corpus.” “Habeas corpus” is the constitutional right that ensures that people have a chance to challenge their imprisonment in front of a judge. Habeas corpus… Read More
Invisible Gatekeepers: DHS’ Growing Use of AI in Immigration Decisions
On April 30, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the updated 2024 inventory of unclassified and non-sensitive AI use cases within the department. The public data revealed something powerful: artificial intelligence isn’t just a future possibility in immigration enforcement—it’s already here. In fact, the inventory listed 105 active… Read More
Federal Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Asylum Seekers’ Rights to Present at POEs
Ports of entry along our borders are supposed to be where people in need of protection can come to seek humanitarian relief. But since 2016, every presidential administration has used different tactics to turn people away from ports of entry (POEs) along the U.S.-Mexico border before they even get there. Read More
Temporary Protected Status: What’s Up With That?
On October 17, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Secretary Mayorkas was designating the country of Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Through this designation, DHS expects that as many as 11,000 Lebanese individuals currently in the country will be eligible to apply for a potentially renewable… Read More
DHS Strengthens Protections for Immigrant Workers
The Biden-Harris administration has taken hundreds of immigration actions since entering office. But one of the administration’s most overlooked reforms is a process to protect immigrant workers while bolstering labor agencies’ ability to hold unscrupulous employers accountable for violations. In January 2023, the administration announced a streamlined process—known colloquially… Read More
Why Are Border Crossings at Their Lowest Level in Four Years?
Border crossings are at their lowest in four years. Is the Biden administration’s executive action working as intended—or is there another factor at play? Apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border spiked to a record 250,000 in December 2023, but they’ve been falling since then. Beginning in January 2024, a crackdown by… Read More
Border Patrol’s 100th Anniversary Offers Chance to Look Back at Its Disturbing Origins
The U.S. Border Patrol turned 100 years old on May 28. Its troubled origins and history form the backdrop for contemporary concerns about the agency, including impunity for abuses against migrants and citizens alike. The Border Patrol’s centennial provides an opportunity to shed light on the agency’s lack of accountability… Read More
FY 2024 Government Funding Package Is a Mixed-Bag on Immigration
President Biden signed the final 6-bill “minibus” funding package for fiscal year (FY) 2024 on March 23, which includes funding for the agencies that implement our immigration laws. This was the culmination of months of negotiations mired by attempts to insert restrictive border and immigration policy changes into the budget. Read More
Offices of New Americans Meet with Biden Officials to Advance Immigrant Inclusion
States hoping to provide support to their immigrant and refugee residents are taking part in the Office of New Americans (ONA) network. This network has established a forum for state policy leaders to drive positive immigrant and refugee integration into their local workforces and economies. In October, 35 state government… Read More
DHS’ New Work Permit Measures Are Welcome Change with Potential to Address USCIS Challenges
On September 20, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced measures to accelerate the processing of some work permits and to extend their validity period for particular categories of individuals. These changes are substantial and are likely to have a meaningful impact… Read More
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