This brief provides all updates to USCIS services during COVID-19 pandemic.
The Trump administration is planning to extend border and travel restrictions initially put in place as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigrant advocates worry that these restrictions are rooted in efforts to limit immigration to the U.S. as opposed to an issue of public health concern.
Read MoreU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is requesting $1.2 billion from Congress to make up for lost funds since the onset of COVID-19 limits and immigration restrictions implemented by the Trump administration between the years of 2017 and 2019. On top of that, they plan to include a 10% surcharge for all USCIS applications. This comes as the Trump administration is planning to continue immigration restrictions.
Read MoreICE recently posed to 366 families in detention if they would rather separate from their children or remain with their children but forego Flores settlement protections, such as holding children less than 20 days in detention. All families agreed to remain with their children but felt intimidated by the question on new form from ICE.
Read MoreCenter for Disease Control and Prevention have announced a link between a serious condition found in children and COVID-19. Symptoms may include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea, swollen lymph-nodes, swollen hands and feet, and redder than usual tongue. While the condition is rare, parents are encouraged to tell medical providers if children are experiencing any symptoms.
Read MoreAttorneys from various legal agencies sought a preliminary injunction with a federal district court to the “public charge” ruling that prevents immigrant families in need from accessing public benefits. “Public charge” rules grossly affect immigrant families from seeking health care, food, and housing assistance during the pandemic. Lawyers argue the policy is discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Since the onset of COVID-19, immigrant children – typically unaccompanied minors – are being deported at quicker rates that normal. Children are being sent back to dangerous situations with limited opportunity to contact their attorneys before their deportation.
Read MoreImmigrant Customs Enforcement (ICE) is asking parents in detention to choose between keeping their children in detention with their parents along foregoing their rights under the Flores settlement or separate from their children by removing the them from detention but not the parents.
Read MoreGiven school closures across the country, Congress created Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) to meet the nutrition needs of students who received free or reduced lunch. P-EBT is a critical resource for immigrant families who will not receive government stimulus checks. Government agencies need to target immigrant communities to spread the word and benefit of P-EBT.
The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University Law Center and an immigrant rights organization, CASA ,filed a federal class-action lawsuit on Tuesday, May 18th on behalf of U.S. citizen children of undocumented parents.
Read MoreAs states open up, many families are wondering when and how they might be able to resume childcare. The answer depends on a number of factors: state regulations, rate of infection in one’s area, age of potential caregivers, and access to caregivers.
Read MoreUSCIS announced that immigrants with potential COVID-19 symptoms are able to seek necessary medical treatment or preventative services and it will not affect their admissibility under Public Charge. This includes access to testing, screening, treatment, or vaccines for communicable diseases, including COVID-19.
This is a three-part webinar series that reviews representing refugees and asylees during these trying times. The series will cover family reunification, adjustment of status, naturalization, termination and travel for refugees and asylees.
Link to WebinarThis four-part webinar series reviews public charge rules and forms and provides insight on regulation and agency guidance, covers best practices, and discusses strategic ways to advocate for clients.
Link to WebinarSeveral child advocacy organizations conducted a survey for 600 parents of children ages 0-5 throughout California. Results showed that families are forced to make concessions in terms of food and health appointments since the pandemic started. Furthermore, nearly 3 out of 4 parents are worried about their child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development and nearly all parents would like to access their child’s doctor via tele-health appointments but only 18% have the ability to do so.
Read MoreThe Protect American Nationals During Emergencies by Mitigating the Immigration Crisis Act (PANDEMIC) was introduced on Tuesday. If passed, this act would require the government to deport undocumented immigrants in the United States when there is a communicable disease pandemic.
Read MoreAnker details the history and development of the United States’ gender asylum law. Through a series of court decisions, the U.S. considered survivors of domestic violence a particular social group under the United Nations definition of a refugee. Jeff Sessions challenged this in 2018 and eliminate protections for women seeking asylum. This continues to be challenged in court.
According to Vox, Trump recently commented that he would be willing to give aid to Democratic states if they will align their sanctuary policies to his proposed immigration policies.
Read MoreThe Supreme Court denied requests from states that would block the public charge rule from being in effect during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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