Author: Angelica Pardo

Following the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian citizens in the US are requesting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for compatriots fleeing the Russian invasion. This request was made during a meeting with Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, who pledged to address the issue upon his return to Washington, DC.  

Furthermore, Emilio Gonzalez, head of Citizenship and Immigration Services during the administration of President George Bush, and Leon Rodriguez, who led the agency during the presidency of Barack Obama, also asked the Joe Biden administration to grant immigration protections for Ukrainians. 

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced an agreement whereby Cuban-born aliens who were paroled under an I-220A document between January 12, 2017, and November 17, 2021, who have not left the United States, and who applied for adjustment of status under the Cuban Adjustment Act and were denied, can file forms I-485 and I-290B to reapply for residency in the United States. 

This agreement ends a class-action lawsuit filed last year on behalf of Cuban immigrants who were denied permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act; this group of people will also have one year to reapply for a Green Card. 

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Activists denounced systematic abuses suffered by migrants at ports of entry on the southern border of the United States. 

During a press conference, Fernando García, executive director of the border network for human rights, presented the testimonies of more than 4,000 victims, which evidence abusive conduct by federal agents. Among the abuses reported by the migrants are insults and humiliations as part of an intimidating practice and psychological violence.  

For its part, Customs and Border Protection told Telemundo News that agents interact with travelers trying to maintain the highest level of professionalism. 

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Great news! During the month of February, the number of immigrants detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) jails decreased, while the release of detained foreigners increased, thanks to the Alternatives to Detention Program, which allows low-risk undocumented immigrants to await the resolution of their cases in Immigration Court while free. 

According to a report from the Transactional Records Access and Information Center, the number of people detained by ICE decreased during the last four weeks, resulting in 938 captures and adding to the 20,000 detained as of February 13. 

Regarding the number of people enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention Program, researchers noted an increase of more than 18,000 people, placing them in 182,000 jails as of February 12, with the largest number of detainees confined in detention centers located in the state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.  

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The Department of Homeland Security proposed changing the public charge rule, a regulation that applies to foreigners seeking legal permanent residence and other available legal immigration benefits.  

For his part, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, mentioned that the 2019 public charge rule was not consistent with the nation's values, and it is hoped that, with the proposed change to the rule, the historical understanding of the term 'public charge' will be restored, and people will not be penalized for choosing to access health benefits and other complementary government services available to them. 

Furthermore, the government asserted that the new rule “would provide fair and humane treatment to non-citizens, known as immigrants, who apply for admission to the United States or seek legal permanent residence within the United States.” 

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Undocumented immigrants who generate income must pay taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.

In the United States, failing to file taxes is considered a serious crime, which could lead to imprisonment and further worsen your immigration status.  

According to Univision, a study by the New American Economy reveals that the contribution of undocumented immigrants “is fundamental to the United States,” and that the majority of the 11 million undocumented immigrants “pay taxes and contribute economically and non-economically to their community.  

According to data from the bipartisan immigration research and advocacy organization, the significant contributions made by immigrants to the American economy are highlighted by the fact that they paid a total of 1.458 billion in taxes in 2018, including 1.308 billion in federal taxes. 

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The number of Covid-19 infections has skyrocketed since November in immigrant detention centers due to the Omicron variant, worrying activists and organizations that defend immigrants' rights. 
According to Univision, the American Immigration Lawyers Association stated that cases have been detected at 10,00% since the beginning of the year, and according to the detention center, about 14.5 % of detainees were detained as of January 27, which is why Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, sent a letter mentioning the risks of infection because detainees in ICE jails are not adequately protected against the spread of COVID-19.
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AsisVisa Immigration

This program aims to reduce detention costs and to carry out the migration process in a more humane way. The initiative seeks to be implemented in Baltimore and Houston., With up to 200 migrants in each city, however, it is expected to expand to the rest of the country by the end of this year. This program primarily benefits foreigners seeking asylum, a legal benefit available, and who do not pose a risk to public or national security; according to a report by the Axios website, which states that The Joe Biden administration will expand the federal program known as Detention Alternatives..Furthermore, a representative from the Department of Homeland Security mentioned that alternatives to detention are an effective method for track down unreleased citizens from the custody of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office who are awaiting their immigration proceedings.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have taken steps to maintain the Title 42 immigration policy.  

This controversial immigration policy, implemented during Donald Trump's administration at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, allows the expulsion from the United States of migrants found at the border with Mexico for public health reasons.

The extension of this policy was based on an assessment of the pandemic's impact on the United States and its borders, taking into account the increase in cases and hospitalizations due to the Omicron variant. Meanwhile, immigration activists have asked the White House to suspend the order, arguing that it lacks a health basis and endangers immigrants.

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