Welcome Back! 👋🏼

Dear Readers,

We’re thrilled to have you back with us at the NawLaw Report, where we bring you updates and announcements from the firm and keep you up to date on the latest immigration news. There’s been no shortage of activity in the immigration world, so let’s bring you up to speed!

U.S. State Department Releases Visa Bulletin for October 2024

The U.S. State Department recently released its October 2024 Visa Bulletin, which provides an update on the availability of immigrant visa numbers for October, detailing the “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications” for preference immigrant visas. It explains that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) typically uses the "Final Action Dates" to determine when applicants can file for adjustment of status unless otherwise indicated. The document outlines family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visa preferences, including specific allocations and limitations set by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It highlights the final action dates and filing dates for family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories, with oversubscribed areas like China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines facing stricter cutoffs. Diversity visa numbers for the 2025 program are also discussed, with a reduction in the available visas due to the NACARA program. Lastly, the document mentions the scheduled expiration of certain employment-based visa categories and the status of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees.

Judge Halts Biden Program that Protects Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens from Deportation

A federal judge in Texas, J. Campbell Barker, has temporarily blocked the Biden administration's "Keeping Families Together" program. This initiative allows undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to remain in the U.S. while applying for green cards, a move designed to keep families united during the immigration process. The program had been heralded as a more compassionate approach to immigration, impacting an estimated 500,000 people. However, 16 Republican-led states, spearheaded by Texas, challenged the program, arguing that the executive branch did not have the authority to grant such widespread parole and claimed it would incentivize illegal immigration, potentially harming state residents. Judge Barker's ruling only affects federal agencies' ability to grant "parole in place" for now. Although U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue to accept applications for the program, no approvals will be made while the stay is in effect. The decision is part of an ongoing legal battle concerning the Biden administration's immigration policies.

Biden Administration Weighs Making it Harder to End Asylum Crackdown at Border

The Biden administration is considering changes to its current asylum policy, making it more difficult to lift the restrictions that were enacted in June. Under the proposed plan, the asylum ban would only be deactivated if illegal border crossings remain below 1,500 per day for 28 days, as opposed to the original 7-day threshold. The changes would also expand the number of migrants counted in the threshold, including unaccompanied children. Critics, like the ACLU, have condemned the rule as illegal, while the administration credits it for a significant drop in border crossings. Meanwhile, Biden has paired the restrictions with legal pathways for migrants, and his administration's approach is likely to continue if Vice President Kamala Harris is elected in 2024.

Mayorkas: Texas Immigration Policies Have Wreaked Havoc and Disorder

At The Texas Tribune Festival, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott's immigration policies, calling them unprecedented and disruptive to national interests. Abbott's Operation Lone Star has involved deploying state troopers, building border walls, and laying concertina wire along the Texas-Mexico border. Mayorkas expressed concern over Texas busing migrants to other cities without coordination and conducting secondary inspections at the border, which he said caused economic damage and disorder. The Biden administration has sued Texas over these measures, while immigrant rights advocates have called for a civil rights investigation. Abbott’s office has not yet responded to these criticisms.

How Immigration Remade the U.S. Labor Force

The U.S. is experiencing its largest immigration wave in decades, with more than nine million people arriving since the end of 2020. This surge, driven by those seeking safety and opportunity, has significantly boosted U.S. population growth, reversing trends of decline due to low birthrates. While many newcomers are unauthorized, only 30% have entered through legal channels. Recent immigrants are younger and more likely to be in the labor force than native-born Americans, contributing to the workforce but facing challenges such as lower wages, higher unemployment, and less education. Over time, immigrants' contributions, especially those with higher education, are expected to positively impact the economy by boosting innovation and reducing the federal deficit.

Trump Pushes Baseless Claim About Immigrants Eating Pets

During the recent presidential debate, former President Donald Trump made an unfounded claim that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating local pets, a rumor debunked by both Springfield officials and police. Trump’s comments highlighted the rapid spread of misinformation in the media, with debate moderators quickly fact-checking the baseless allegations. The rumor, largely circulated on social media, lacked credible evidence, according to local authorities. Ohio Sen. JD Vance mentioned the claims, though he admitted they might be false. Springfield Mayor Rob Rue refuted the accusations, emphasizing that rumors were distracting from more pressing community issues. The topic of immigration continues to be a central issue in the presidential race, with misinformation potentially inciting harmful anti-immigrant sentiment.

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U.S. District Court Orders in Texas Orders USCIS to Stop Approving Keeping Families Together Applications Also, File for U.S. Citizenship Now!

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About NawLaw: NawLaw, a very established law firm in New York City, boasts over 40 years of experience providing expert legal solutions for U.S. immigration matters, both nationwide and globally, as well as assisting companies abroad in transferring key personnel to the U.S. and foreign investors seeking investment visas and green cards. With a client-focused approach and a reputation for success, NawLaw is fully dedicated to helping its clients achieve the American Dream!

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