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Health emergencies continue worldwide

Cases are increasing and some countries have already declared monkeypox a public health emergency.

The virus that causes this disease is not new; it was first detected in 1958 in monkey colonies, and the first human case was reported in 1970. Prior to the current outbreak, infections had already been recorded in several African countries, as well as in the United Kingdom, the United States, Israel, and Singapore.

The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that it is a rare disease primarily transmitted to humans by wild animals, such as rodents and primates, but human-to-human transmission is limited. Symptoms include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and fatigue.

It also presents a period of skin eruptions that first affects the face and spreads to the rest of the body, mainly on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

The Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency on Thursday, as cases surge, with nearly 7,000 reported in the country and around 26,000 infected globally.

Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) previously declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern. The WHO explains that this classification refers to "an extraordinary event" that constitutes a "public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease" and "that potentially requires a coordinated international response.".

Activists and public health experts have called on both the WHO and various governments around the world to address the virus more quickly, to prevent it from becoming an endemic disease.

They have also warned about discrimination against the LGBTIQ+ population, a community that has seen a high number of cases and, consequently, has faced challenges in accessing medical care. It is important to emphasize that anyone can be at risk of contracting the virus, which is transmitted through physical contact.

Information taken from: AFP, CNN and BBC News

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The United States Embassy in Cuba will resume the visa process.

The United States Embassy in Cuba announced that it will begin processing all categories of immigrant visas for immediate family members.

Through its social media channels, it announced that it expects to resume processing visas for the Cuban Family Reunification Program (CFRP) soon.

In a tweet posted on Sunday, the embassy announced a change in visa policy to expedite processes that were negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The embassy also noted that the Department of Homeland Security will resume processing cases this summer and will work with the State Department to begin interviews in Cuba in early fall.

“We chose the immediate family categories recognizing the importance of family reunification for U.S. citizens and their immediate family members,” it explained.

“The U.S. is expanding pathways for legal migration. The Cuban Family Reunification Program provides a safe and orderly route to the United States for certain Cuban beneficiaries of approved family-based immigration petitions,” the diplomatic mission stated.

Dozens of Cubans joyfully received the announcement of the reactivation of the CFRP, understanding that it is a program that was halted under the administration of President Donald Trump, during which an average of 200 sanctions were applied in the territory.

During the first stage, US diplomats will process pending cases from the last five years, which could exceed 22,000 files, including interviews and final visa processing.

Finally, it is a new opportunity for relations between Cuba and the United States, which were strained during the Trump administration.

News report compiled using information from: Tampa Hoy, Univision and Periodico Cubano

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Agreement established to accelerate reunification of migrant children

The court settlement ends the secret program of the Donald Trump administration and will benefit families in the United States who seek custody of unaccompanied minors, who will be able to wait in freedom while their cases are resolved.

An agreement between the U.S. government, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and a group of lawyers will expedite the reunification process for unaccompanied minors detained at the border and prosecuted under the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement.

The court agreement states that “unaccompanied minors cannot be deported; rather, an immigration judge must decide their future in the United States.” It also adds that they cannot be detained for more than 72 hours in Border Patrol facilities and must be released into the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which then refers them to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).

The ACLU said the agreement reached "establishes a set of timelines for the government to schedule fingerprinting appointments and complete fingerprint processing for parents and sponsors seeking to reunite with children in government custody.".

The agreed timeframes are between “seven business days for an appointment and 10 business days for processing” of family reunifications.

The American Civil Liberties Union stated that the Trump administration “used fingerprinting and background checks to delay the release of immigrant children detained by immigration authorities.” This resulted in the children being separated from their parents for extended periods, adding weeks and months to their time in government custody, the rights group reported.

Finally, the civil rights organization reported that the procedure will be applied to all children nationwide in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and the Department of Homeland Security (HHS). This marks the end of the secret program developed in 2018 by then-President Trump as part of his "zero tolerance" immigration policy. Ultimately, the agreement will prevent the future resumption of such harmful policies that hinder the reunification of families separated at the border.

News report based on information from: Univision

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Illegal immigration, a challenge for Biden

Latin American countries are the ones that register the most arrests for illegal migration.

In August 2022, a total of 2,250,000 undocumented immigrants were arrested attempting to enter the United States. This figure, which represents the highest number of arrests for this reason recorded in the country during the fiscal year, is the highest number of such arrests in the United States. This compares to a total of 1,956,519 arrests for the previous fiscal year.

According to the firm Immigration Today, the countries with the most arrests for illegal migration include: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Colombia.

Approximately 221% of the undocumented immigrants detained had already been arrested and expelled by the Border Patrol within a 12-month period; that is, they tried again to enter the United States without authorization.
From 2014 to 2019, the average rate of recidivism at border crossings was 15%.
It is important to note that unauthorized re-entry is punishable, and one of those penalties is a lifetime ban, according to the Immigration Act.

Keep in mind that Title 42, the expedited removal policy dating back to 1944 and activated in March 2020 as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, remains in effect. President Joe Biden has unsuccessfully attempted to lift this measure. Similarly, deportations are occurring under Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, meaning they were deported because they could not establish a legal basis for remaining in the country or were inadmissible (having a criminal record or having been previously deported).

Data from the Border Patrol, published by The Wall Street Journal, shows that one in three migrants expelled try to enter US territory more than once.

Finally, authorities warn of the dangers of attempting to cross the border illegally. In recent years, more than 1,000 migrants have lost their lives trying to cross into the United States without documentation, according to a Reuters report. These deaths are primarily caused by human trafficking, treks under the scorching desert sun, journeys across the sea in makeshift boats, river crossings, and attempts to scale the border wall, among other factors.

Sources: El Portafolio, Univision and El Tiempo.

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Foreigners can apply for work permits online

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced yesterday that certain foreign nationals who received temporary permission to remain in the country (“parolees”) can now file Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) online.

In immigration terms, parolee is a temporary stay permit in the U.S. granted for reasons of significant public benefit or humanitarian reasons. It has an expiration date and does not replace a visa.
Most people who received temporary permission to remain in the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) are eligible to apply for employment authorization under a certain category.

To submit their application online, applicants must first visit my.uscis.gov to create a USCIS online account. Keep in mind that creating an online account is free and offers a variety of features, including the ability to communicate with the agency about their application through a secure inbox.

The option to file Form I-765 online is only available to certain applicant categories, which now includes individuals with temporary permission to remain in the United States for humanitarian or other reasons. Furthermore, if an applicant files the form online to request employment authorization but is not applying under an eligible employment authorization category, USCIS may deny their request and withhold the filing fee.

Applicants who wish to obtain a filing fee waiver or those eligible for one, such as individuals who obtained humanitarian parole through Operation Welcome Allies and who file an initial Form I-765, should submit their form by mail.

Finally, it is a process that will take effect immediately; applicants for employment authorization under category (c)(11) will be able to file their Form I-765 online, with limited exceptions.

Whether applications are submitted by mail or electronically, USCIS, in its upgrade plan, is committed to employing technological and effective solutions to reduce processing times.
Making the process of applying for immigration benefits more efficient, safe, and convenient for more applicants. This increases the agency's operational efficiency.

News report based on information from: USCIS and EFE

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The Biden Administration powerless before the Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the Biden administration's request to immediately impose a different policy on immigrant deportation criteria than that dictated by his predecessor, Donald Trump.

The ruling (5-4) was the first time Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson participated, who along with Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Amy Coney Barrett reportedly agreed to the Biden Administration's request to suspend a ruling issued by a federal district court in Texas that nullified the president's immigration policy regarding deportation priorities.

Last week, the Biden administration filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling by a federal court in the District of Texas that, in June, halted the deportation priorities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The new priorities, presented by the Government, focus on those undocumented immigrants with deportation orders and criminal records who constitute a threat to the public, national and border security of the United States, contrary to that of Donald Trump, who targeted all undocumented immigrants for deportation.

The plaintiffs, the states of Texas and Louisiana, both governed by Republicans, allege that the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) deportation policy announced in late September 2021 violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by not taking into account the states' opinions.

They also state that the government cannot change the Immigration Law, and that it is obligated to detain and expel foreigners with deportation orders and criminal records.

States that halted the deportation priorities of Joe Biden's administration celebrated the Supreme Court's decision issued on Thursday.
Other states also argued that implementing the priorities would lead to an increase in crime and place a burden on law enforcement resources.

Meanwhile, immigrant rights organizations have spoken out, stating: “This is an absolutely absurd ruling. Every presidential administration in history has had immigration enforcement priorities,” said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council (AIC). “When Congress created the DHS, it legally mandated that the Secretary of Homeland Security set those priorities. Now, a 5-4 divided court has allowed a single judge in Texas to overrule Mayorkas.”

The existence of two different rulings issued by the 5th and 6th Circuit Courts of Appeals, decisions that generated a contradiction on the issue, opened the door for the government to go to the Supreme Court to resolve the legal conflict.

Now, everyone is waiting to see what actions the Government will take through the relevant departments and the oral hearing that will be held in December on this issue.

This news report was compiled using information from: Univision, El Nuevo Herald, and Telemundo.

Finally, people with a deportation order or without a defined legal status should, before taking any action, first seek legal advice and see what resources are available for their case.

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8 million undocumented immigrants could obtain legal residency

Several Democrats have introduced a reform to the 1929 Immigration Law that, if approved, would be an opportunity for eight million undocumented immigrants.

On Wednesday, Democratic Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA), Norma Torres (CA), Grace Meng (NY), Lou Correa (CA), Adriano Espaillat (NY) and Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (IL) introduced the bill "Renewal of the Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929," better known as the Registration Act.

The Registration Act allows undocumented immigrants who were living in the United States before January 1, 1972, to apply for legal resident status. The current bill seeks to change that date to help millions of people obtain legal immigration status, provided they meet certain requirements, including demonstrating at least seven years of residence in the country and having no criminal record. 

If this project is approved, it would allow eight million undocumented immigrants, who have lived in the United States for at least seven years, to apply for residency as a first step towards citizenship.

Congressman Garcia of Illinois said, “Today there is renewed hope for millions of immigrants who have lived in our country, raised families, bought homes and been part of our communities, sometimes for decades,” and added that “This bill provides an opportunity to give peace of mind and a legal path to approximately 8 million immigrants.”.

The Registration Act was last amended in 1986, when it was implemented as the cutoff date for immigrants to register as having entered the U.S. by January 1, 1972. This date was the date of entry into the U.S. and apply for a green card. Since 1986, more than 73,000 immigrants have obtained permanent residency under this law, but it is now more difficult, or nearly impossible, due to the entry cutoff date.

The reform must pass an initial test in the House of Representatives, then go to the Senate, and finally be signed by President Joe Biden.

News report based on information from: Univision and Telemundo. 

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Climate change or a passing heat wave?

The United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain and France are facing temperatures exceeding 40 degrees, and in some nations reaching historic records. 

According to scientists, rising temperatures are a direct consequence of the climate crisis, as greenhouse gas emissions increase in intensity, duration, and frequency. And the outlook is even more dire for the economy: nearly half of the European Union's territory is currently at risk of drought due to prolonged lack of rainfall.

Also, several forest fires have been recorded that have consumed numerous hectares, and the number of people who have died from this event is increasing. 

In Spain, there is a record of 510 deaths, of which 486 were over 65 years old according to data from the Carlos III Health Institute, while in Portugal, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) reported that between July 7 and 18 the number of deaths reached 1,063 people.  

This heat wave has spread to different continents, and the United States is feeling its impact. The country's National Weather Prediction Center forecast that: "Dangerous heat will continue to affect a large part of the U.S. this week, with more than 100 million people now under excessive heat warnings or heat advisories."«

More than two dozen record high temperatures are expected between Tuesday and Wednesday across the southern United States, including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and the East Coast. The oppressive heat has strained Texas's power grid, and the state anticipates days of record energy demand.

Finally, despite ample evidence and scientific consensus, many still don't believe in climate change. However, the data doesn't lie: global heat records are being far surpassed. For its part, the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday called for a "raising of awareness" among world leaders regarding heat waves like the one currently affecting Western Europe, which will become increasingly frequent due to climate change.

News report based on information from: CNN and EFE. 

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Mexico and the United States, in the fight over shared problems

During the meeting between Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) and Joe Biden, topics such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), inflation, migration, and security were discussed.

At the meeting, the political leaders discussed topics such as inflation, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), border security, migration, climate change, the Summit of the Americas, and the upcoming High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED), which will take place in September.

Following the bilateral meeting between President AMLO and his counterpart, Biden, the leaders reported that Mexico and the United States affirm their broad and deep cooperation, as well as their commitment to building a more prosperous and secure future.

As mentioned previously, the meeting between the presidents covered various topics. According to a joint statement released Tuesday night, a series of measures to be implemented were detailed regarding:

The leaders discussed the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and agreed to its full implementation, with the goal of benefiting working families, including guaranteeing their labor rights.

*Regarding the issue of inflation, they propose to combat it jointly by accelerating the facilitation of bilateral trade and reducing trade costs.

The governments of the United States and Mexico will invest in modernizing border infrastructure for projects along the more than 3,000-kilometer border, with the aim of making the flow of trade and people safer and more efficient, as well as creating well-paid jobs in the region.

Other topics discussed and for which solutions were proposed included: Mexico's transition to clean energy, addressing challenges such as fentanyl (Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic similar to morphine, but 50 to 100 times more potent. In its prescription form, it is used to relieve pain, but fentanyl is also produced illegally and distributed as a street drug; it is one of the drugs that causes the most overdose deaths), arms trafficking, and human smuggling, establishing a joint task force between the two countries. 

The meeting between the Mexican president and his US counterpart proceeded smoothly, cordially, and resulted in numerous agreements beneficial to both nations. However, the encounter was not without its share of jokes and memes, particularly targeting the Mexican president, who was heavily ridiculed on social media. 

News report based on information from: El Financiero and El País. 

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Extension of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas has extended Venezuela’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for 18 months. “After careful consideration, and in consultation with the Secretary of State, I am extending that designation today. This action is one of the many ways the Biden Administration is providing humanitarian support to Venezuelans in the country… We will continue working with our international partners to address regional migration challenges while ensuring our borders remain secure,” Secretary Mayorkas announced.

The extension of TPS for Venezuela will be in effect from September 10, the date on which the Temporary Protected Status program was set to expire, until March 10, 2024. Please note that those who were already residing in the United States as of March 8, 2021, are eligible to re-enroll in TPS under this extension. 

However, Venezuelans who arrived in the United States after March 8, 2021, are not eligible for TPS. Those who are currently eligible for TPS under the existing designation but have not yet filed an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must submit it by September 9, 2022.

The program, known as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), is an immigration status granted to citizens of some countries for humanitarian reasons because they experience problems that make it difficult or unsafe to deport them to their country of origin. 

The program grants protection from deportation and a work permit valid for the duration of the protection. In addition to Venezuela, other countries that have received this protection include: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Cameroon, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen.

Finally, it is estimated that approximately 343,000 people are eligible for TPS under Venezuela's current designation.

News report based on information from: USCIS and Univision. 

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