Category: News

Eight people were arrested and are accused of transporting migrants from Colombia, Mexico and Guatemala in "inhuman conditions".

According to information released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in conjunction with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), eight people were under the command of Erminia Serrano Piedra, known as “Boss Lady.” She led a human smuggling network that was dismantled this week by authorities in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. 

The agency revealed that the victims were citizens of Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico. Some of the migrants were being transported in boxes and suitcases crammed into the back of tractor-trailers, pickup trucks, and even water tankers as part of their journeys to and through North America.

It is presumed that the drivers of these vehicles, in some cases, received up to $1,442,500 as payment for each passenger. Also, according to the Attorney General's Office, three properties and more than $1,442.2 million in cash were seized during the operation. 

The individuals arrested are accused of smuggling Latin Americans across the border in inhumane conditions. According to Kenneth Polite, assistant attorney general for the criminal division, the human smuggling organization allegedly "used methods to transport migrants that endangered their lives, as they were frequently held in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces, without temperature control, and in conditions that put them at great risk." He added that they risked human lives in exchange for money.

The charges are the result of the Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) operation. Through JTFA, coordination and collaboration have increased between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice, and other agencies, as well as partners in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

The purpose of the special group is to identify the smuggling organizations with the greatest impact on the U.S. and to facilitate prosecution and extradition efforts. 

News report based on information from: El Diario and Caracol Radio.

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The extension allows beneficiaries to maintain their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) until March 2024.

Through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that existing TPS beneficiaries from Venezuela can re-register to maintain and renew their Employment Authorization Documents.

The Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, previously announced the 18-month extension of Venezuela's TPS designation.

Given the processing times for TPS re-registration applications, the Department of Homeland Security acknowledges that not all re-registered individuals may receive new EADs before their current ones expire tomorrow (September 9, 2022). The agency clarified that it will automatically extend the validity of EADs until September 9, 2023.

Furthermore, those re-enrolling must do so during the 60-day re-enrollment period that runs from September 8, 2022 to November 7, 2022. They must also continue to meet the "eligibility requirements," meaning they must not have a criminal record and meet other requirements that could prevent them from obtaining immigration protection. 

Approximately 323,000 people are eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Venezuela's initial designation, to join this program that seeks to protect citizens of countries experiencing violence and insecurity or that have suffered a natural disaster. However, only about 111,700 Venezuelans have applied for this immigration relief. 

USCIS will continue processing pending applications filed under Venezuela's initial TPS designation. Individuals with a pending Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, or a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Regarding TPS, they do not need to resubmit any of the applications. 

Likewise, he reported that if one of the aforementioned forms is approved, this immigration relief will be provided until March 10, 2024, and a new EAD valid until March 10, 2024 will be issued.

Venezuelans who are currently eligible under the existing designation but have not yet applied for TPS must submit their applications by September 9, 2022. Finally, Venezuelans who arrived in the United States after March 8, 2021, are not eligible for TPS.

With information from: USCIS 

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When you perform a search related to the word migration or immigration, specifically in the case of the United States, there are multiple headlines that highlight the hundreds of dangers faced by people who decide to pursue the American dream, using the services of so-called "coyotes".

Below are three (3) of the most listened-to news stories related to this situation so far in 2022:

Fifty-three (53) migrants died in San Antonio, Texas, found in sweltering conditions. This is one of the worst tragedies to have claimed the lives of migrants crossing the border from Mexico into the United States. The truck contained people from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, of varying ages, from children to the elderly. This tragedy is linked to human trafficking and the new methods used by gangs to evade border controls.

The Darien jungle, "jungle of death"«
Migrants undertake extensive treks through dense jungle and rivers, which can involve a journey of approximately seven days depending on their physical condition, health, age, travel companions, weather, among other factors.
Migrants frequently travel in unauthorized boats operated by smugglers or illegal groups in the region. These boats often capsize, resulting in the loss of human lives. Dozens of unidentified migrant graves, belonging to those who died while crossing the Darién Gap, can be found in the cemeteries of Necoclí and Acandí. Migrants also face the risk of sexual violence in the jungle. Doctors Without Borders has documented at least 120 cases of sexual assault against migrants in the Darién Gap so far in 2022.

Brothers die abandoned by the “coyotes”
Edgar Mendoza, 37, and his brother Carlos Enrique Mendoza, 23, are the names of the bodies found by the Border Patrol embracing.
According to his father, it was the same "coyote" who first called him to tell him what had happened. "He called me a week later, saying that one of my sons, Carlos Enrique, had become dehydrated and couldn't continue the trek (...) That's the way life is in the desert: if you stay, you stay. I asked him about my other son, Edgar, and he replied that he hadn't followed the group either, because when he saw his brother couldn't make it, he preferred to stay behind."«

Just like these, there are many stories about migrants who were abused, abandoned, did not receive medical attention, were kidnapped, fell off the wall, in short, are exposed to various dangers.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), so far in 2022, 192 migrants have lost their lives on their journey to the United States.
Likewise, it has reported that from 2014 to July 29, 2022, the deaths of 1,558 migrants or refugees have been recorded.

The IOM, together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has called on governments to preserve the lives and protect the rights of migrants.

Finally, rescues on the southern border of the United States, including rescues in dangerous water crossings, for the year 2021 according to the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are more than 12,833.

Information taken from: CNN, La Silla, El Tiempo and HispanTV.

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The new bill passed by the Senate and hailed as a major victory for Biden includes significant changes in various sectors.

This weekend, the Senate passed the bill initiated by Senators Joe Manchin and Chuck Schumer, called the "Inflation Reduction Act"; the next step will be in the House of Representatives before it goes to President Joe Biden's desk to become law.

Some features of the project are:

*A healthcare plan whose central idea is to allow Medicare (a national health insurance program of the United States government) to negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies, thereby setting cost limits. It also supports seniors by limiting their out-of-pocket expenses for medications and providing them with free vaccines, among other things.

*Regarding climate change, the largest public investment in the history of the United States is estimated to be made, seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 401% by 2030 and boost the green energy industry.

*To finance it, Democrats propose a minimum 15% tax on companies with profits exceeding one billion dollars, and strengthening the tax collection agency to make it more difficult to avoid payments, among other things.

On the other hand, there was a latent fear that Republicans might introduce anti-immigrant amendments into the law, according to a coalition of nearly 300 civil organizations that had warned about their intentions.

Republicans made proposals to maintain Title 42 to allow the immediate expulsion of immigrants arriving at the border without allowing them to request asylum. They also requested funding to finish the border wall, as well as more resources for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), among other issues.

However, after a long day and a 50-50 tie, Vice President Kamala Harris cast the winning vote, and the Senate Democrats managed to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which did not include immigration amendments.
Although some supported a motion on border restrictions, most Senate Democrats blocked Republican amendments to the Inflation Reduction Act passed this Sunday.

“Our community was very concerned about the possibility of anti-immigrant amendments being added to this legislation. Fortunately, we can rejoice in the fact that the Inflation Reduction Act was passed without harmful amendments,” celebrated Yareliz Méndez-Zamora, leader of the Florida Immigrant Coalition’s federal campaign, one of the groups that joined the lobbying efforts.

Some aspects, such as free preschool for children between 3 and 4 years old, were left out, as was home medical care, among others. For now, its passage through the House of Representatives is expected to proceed without major obstacles.

News report based on information from: El Diario, El Tiempo Latino and RT.

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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

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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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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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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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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