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In California, undocumented immigrants over 50 years of age will be able to have full Medi-Cal coverage.

California, the first state in the nation to expand MediCal to low-income adults over 50, regardless of immigration status.

Undocumented immigrants over the age of 50 who fall below certain income thresholds will be eligible for full Medi-Cal coverage, California's version of Medicaid, the federal-state partnership that provides health insurance to low-income individuals, according to California Health Line. 

This population, regardless of age, represents the 401(t)(s) of the approximately 3.2 million uninsured residents of the state. Official estimates place the number of newly eligible individuals at 235,000. Those who register will join the more than 220,000 undocumented immigrants aged 25 and younger already enrolled in Medi-Cal.

If Governor Gavin Newsom achieves his goal, which seems entirely possible given the state's optimistic financial outlook, California could allow all remaining low-income undocumented immigrants—approximately 700,000 people—to join Medi-Cal by 2024 or earlier.

Currently, according to the law, all undocumented immigrants who meet the financial criteria can obtain limited Medi-Cal coverage, which includes emergency and pregnancy services, and in some cases, long-term care.

But when they enroll in full Medi-Cal, they get comprehensive coverage that includes primary care, prescription drugs, mental health care, dental and vision care, eyeglasses, and more. 

Those wishing to register for the program should take into account the following documentation:

– Social Security number, if you have one

-A California state ID

-Federal tax information. If you don't file taxes, you may still qualify for free or low-cost insurance through Medical.

-One or two pay stubs or proof of unemployment service

-Immigration documents for non-citizens, such as an A-number, USCIS number, or arrival/departure document number. Undocumented family members are not eligible for Covered California coverage, but may qualify for other programs.

-Information about the employer and income of all members of your family.

“This is a crucial moment to integrate all these elderly undocumented immigrants into the healthcare system,” says Arturo Vargas Bustamante, a professor of health policy and management at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. If their chronic conditions are left unattended, he says, they will simply end up in the emergency room, making their treatment more expensive. Professor Vargas has described this measure as “a responsible way to invest.”.

Undocumented immigrants play a significant role in the workforce, paying approximately $3.2 billion in state and local taxes annually in California and $11.7 billion nationally. The meaning of immigration has changed; it's no longer just about temporary jobs followed by a return to their country of origin. This population is settling down and building families in the United States. 

The program aims to reach all potential beneficiaries; therefore, it is preparing to address and manage the various requirements that may arise. 

The Department of Health Care Services, which administers Medi-Cal, is working with county officials, consumer advocates, and the state health insurance marketplace, Covered California, to reach eligible immigrants. It has published frequently asked questions in several languages. And the agency has a “senior citizen expansion” page on its website, available in English and Spanish. All of this is to ensure that people feel confident enrolling and can access the benefit without any lack of understanding. 

However, even as advocates and health officials spread the word about the new eligibility rules, they remain vigilant for potential distrust from immigrants who remember the Trump administration's public charge rule, which reignited fears that applying for public benefits could jeopardize their immigration status or even lead to deportation. With the election just around the corner, many fear those days are not over.

However, the National Immigration Law Center points out that a public charge is defined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as an individual who is likely to become dependent on the government for their subsistence, receiving public cash assistance, and is unable to support themselves. Nevertheless, immigrant advocates have reiterated that Medi-Cal does not qualify as a public charge.

Finally, the Department of Health Care Services and several organizations are handling the issue and are available to explain the new Medi-Cal benefits for older immigrants, including how to complete the immigration process, which will be available year-round, and how to choose a health plan and provider. 

News report based on information from: EFE, Conexión Migrante and La Opinión. 

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The uncertain future of Title 42 in the United States

A federal judge in Louisiana temporarily blocked the Joe Biden administration's decision to end Title 42, a public health policy that restricts immigrants' access to the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The measure was scheduled to end on May 23, but with the injunction issued by the Eastern District Court of Louisiana, Lafayette Division, it will remain in effect, which is why migrants arriving at the southern border will continue to be turned back.

The information was released by Judge Robert Summerhays as follows: «The Court discussed the Application for a Temporary Restraining Order [ECF No. 24] filed by the plaintiff (the Arizona Attorney General’s Office). For the reasons stated in the record, the Court announced its intention to grant the application. The parties will consult on the specific terms to be included in the Temporary Restraining Order and attempt to reach an agreement,» is part of the 25-page document.

The response has been celebrated and applauded by the various states that filed lawsuits and oppose the policies Joe Biden wants to implement. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich applauded the court for granting a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the Biden administration to keep Title 42 in effect, even though the administration had already tried to reverse it before the May 23 deadline.

The announcement was also celebrated by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who stated, "This is a great victory for border security, but the fight continues," he posted on his social media.

The lawsuit was led by Arizona and supported by the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming, which had asked the court to prevent the government from ending Title 42. 

This request also comes during what has been described as the worst border crisis in U.S. history. In addition to this lawsuit filed by the coalition of more than 20 states, the Texas government filed its own appeal, which will now have to be decided by a judge in that state.

Under Title 42, the expedited removal of almost two million immigrants has been permitted in fiscal years 2021 and so far in 2022.

The Biden Administration made the decision to end Title 42, under the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), also after pressure from dozens of organizations and several Democratic congressmen, as well as members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). 

Representative Raúl Ruiz, president of the CHC, said that:

“The Congressional Hispanic Caucus made it very clear that the Title 42 policy is a public health emergency policy that was instituted under the Trump Administration during its agenda of hatred and fear against immigrants,” he added, noting that the pandemic situation has changed, as there are now enough COVID-19 tests and vaccines to prevent infections.

Dozens of civil organizations had pressured the Democratic president to end the policy, which prevents immigrants from applying for asylum and sends them back to Mexico or their countries of origin.

Finally, while a final decision is being made on this issue, some of Biden's plans to counteract what would be an increase in migrants at the border if the title were to be terminated continue to emerge, including the processing of between 6,000 and 18,000 asylum cases daily once the health policy is eliminated.

It was warned that deportations under Title 8 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) would continue to be expedited for immigrants who do not qualify for asylum, and that new immigrant detention centers would be expanded and constructed. The government was also preparing to implement new programs at the border, including granting extraordinary discretionary powers to asylum officers from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and prosecutors from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office, to expedite processes and alleviate the backlog in Immigration Court, which currently has more than 1.7 million pending cases.

News report based on information from: Univision and El Diario. 

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Union for Ukraine: America's lifeline for Ukrainian refugees

The United States announced the Union for Ukraine program in April, a key step in fulfilling President Biden's commitment to welcome Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. 

The program provides a pathway for displaced Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members outside the United States to come to the country and remain for a two-year period of temporary parole. Ukrainians participating in Union for Ukraine must have a sponsor in the United States who agrees to provide them with financial support during their stay. They will also be eligible to apply for discretionary employment authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Some eligibility requirements for program sponsors and beneficiaries include:

The first step in the process is for the sponsor, who resides in the United States, to file Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, with USCIS. The sponsor will be vetted by the U.S. government to ensure they can financially support the person they hope to sponsor.

Among the list of people who can be sponsors are the 

U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents (including legal temporary residents and conditional permanent residents), and nonimmigrants in legal status, among others. Additionally, these individuals must be willing and able to receive, support, and provide for the beneficiary listed on Form I-134 for the duration of their stay. 

Furthermore, beneficiaries include immediate family members, the spouse or civil partner of a Ukrainian citizen, and their unmarried children under 21 years of age. Important: If a child is under 18, they must travel with a parent or legal guardian to use this process.

Similarly, Ukrainians can access this benefit if they meet certain conditions of the process, among which the following stand out: 

-They resided in Ukraine immediately before the Russian invasion (until February 11, 2022) and were displaced as a result of it.

-They are Ukrainian citizens and hold a valid Ukrainian passport (or are a child included in a passport of one of their parents).

-He has a sponsor who filed a Form I-134 on his behalf that USCIS has investigated and confirmed as appropriate.

-Passes biographical and biometric security checks. 

All these filters are in place to ensure that the sponsor can financially support Ukrainians and protect this population from exploitation and abuse.

However, not all Ukrainians can access this program. For example, Ukrainian citizens who were already present in the United States will not be considered for temporary stay (“parole”) under Union for Ukraine and must go through the Temporary Protected Status process. Also, minors traveling without a parent or legal guardian are not eligible for temporary stay. 

Following this, and after processing all the documentation requested by USCIS, which can be found on their website, the application and supporting evidence will be reviewed to ensure that the sponsor has sufficient financial resources to sponsor the Ukrainian beneficiary. In addition, background checks on the sponsor will be conducted. 

Finally, it will be determined whether Form I-134 is appropriate, and additional evidence may be requested to make that determination. Approval or denial of the application, as well as any additional information that may be requested, will be communicated via email by USCIS.

News report based on information from: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

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Cuba and the United States establish dialogues on migration

US and Cuban representatives met Thursday in Washington to discuss migration.

This event has been considered the first high-level bilateral meeting since Joe Biden arrived at the White House and since negotiations on this issue were interrupted in 2018. The US delegation was headed by Emily Mendrala, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, and the Cuban delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossio. 

Although discussions were expected to cover various issues straining relations between the two countries, the talks focused on ways to address illegal immigration, changing migration trends, deportations, and the roles of embassies, State Department spokesman Ned Price added.

In reference to this, according to the United States Customs office, from October 2021 to March 2022, more than 78,000 Cubans entered the country through the border with Mexico, that is, double the number who left the island during the so-called "rafter crisis" in 1994.

Tensions between Washington and Havana over the Cuban government's repression of protests in July 2021 resulted in one death, dozens of injuries, and 1,395 arrests. US sanctions against the island and other issues have hampered cooperation between the two countries on challenges such as immigration. Despite this, the delegations emphasized their willingness to engage in direct and comprehensive dialogue. 

«Discussions about safe, orderly, and legal migration remain of paramount importance to the United States,» Price told reporters. He added that the desire to «encourage family reunification and promote greater respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba» is equally important.

However, the Cuban delegation "reiterated its concern about the measures taken by the U.S. government that encourage migration, impede legal and orderly migration, and create socioeconomic conditions that incite emigration. It stressed that these measures, including those associated with the extreme strengthening of the economic blockade, cause loss of life and the commission of crimes such as migrant smuggling, immigration fraud, and human trafficking, a situation that affects both countries and the region," according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He also insisted that Washington has "the obligation" to issue 20,000 annual visas to Cubans to emigrate to the United States under an agreement "that has been violated since 2017.".

Regarding the visa issue, the first announcements about the resumption of visa issuance in Cuba were made in March, but no specific date was set. However, at Thursday's meeting, the discussion focused on "consular services at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, including the limited resumption of immigrant visa services beginning in May and the ongoing issuance of emergency nonimmigrant visas," the U.S. State Department detailed in a statement released after the meeting.

As can be seen, after the meeting, both countries issued their respective statements outlining some of the agreements reached and proposals made. Additionally, the same document issued by the U.S. State Department stated that the migration talks "provide an opportunity to discuss the mutual implementation of the Migration Agreements (comprised of a series of bilateral agreements between the United States and Cuba made in 1984, 1994, 1995, and 2017)."« 

For its part, Cuba reiterated that "the United States must stop obstructing and violating the rights of Cubans to travel to third countries in the area" and demanded "compliance with bilateral migration agreements in their entirety and not selectively.".

Finally, although the meeting represents progress after nearly four years without dialogue between these countries, it also served as an opportunity to criticize the agreements that have been broken. Cuba reproaches the United States for not fulfilling its commitments regarding visas, and Washington denounces that Havana has not accepted any deportations of Cubans since last October via commercial or charter flights from U.S. territory. It is hoped that the talks will foster collaboration and achieve objectives that benefit both migrants and the countries involved. 

News report based on information from: El Economista, France 24 and On Cuba news.

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The United States seeks a stable agreement on migration issues with Latin America

The United States is seeking to reach a "firm" agreement on migration with Latin American countries ahead of the upcoming Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles in June, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.

«The work will continue at the Summit of the Americas, where we hope that leaders from across the region will establish shared principles for a joint response to the issue of regional migration and displacement,» Blinken said at a press conference before leaving Panama City. The summit, convened by U.S. President Joe Biden, is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles from June 6 to 10 and will focus on the idea of “building a sustainable, resilient, and equitable future” for the Americas. 

The meeting of foreign ministers from the region, held in Panama, focused on the theme of "shared responsibility" in addressing the thousands of migrants who irregularly attempt to reach the United States each year.

The number of people displaced around the world is increasing, some of the reasons being: armed conflicts, economic crises, climate change and poverty, thus causing humanitarian crises.

During the meeting in Panama, a call was made to combat the root causes of irregular migration and to support countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica, which are assisting migrants.

The United States and Latin American governments are also seeking to create legal routes for migrants and offer economic opportunities, with the help of international organizations, that generate employment and reduce migration.

Speaking about the U.S. strategy, Blinken said that part of the plan is to address the root causes of irregular immigration: “What drives people to make the decision to leave their homes, their families, their country, everything they know, to undertake an extremely dangerous journey?” However, he insisted that this problem must be addressed in a “sustainable” way.

For her part, Panamanian Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes believes that the migratory phenomenon will increase, driven by the effects of climate change and the invasion of Ukraine.

«"We cannot falter because reality prevails. Strategies must be permanent, and we must continue the work we have begun," he said.

In this regard, US authorities detained more than 221,000 people at the border with Mexico in March, the highest number in a single month since February 2000. These detainees are citizens of El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras, who are fleeing extreme poverty, violence, and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.

In his remarks, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said, «We need to think regionally about how to stem the flow of migrants,» and emphasized that the U.S. has several programs for immigrants who arrive legally. “Those who do not meet the requirements will continue to be repatriated,” he stated. Mayorkas described the U.S. strategy as a multi-component plan, creating “orderly and safe routes so that people don’t have to risk their lives.”. 

Although the main theme of the meeting, which was attended by ministries from 22 countries across the continent, was the search for mechanisms to reduce irregular migration, issues such as the fight against corruption and the rule of law in the region were also addressed.

News report based on information from France 24 and Voice of America. 

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Silent transfer of Venezuelan migrants in the United States

During the last few weeks, the United States has quietly transferred Venezuelan migrants to Colombia.

According to two national security officials, President Joe Biden's administration has expelled Venezuelans from the U.S. who were detained at the border with Mexico and is sending them to Colombia, as part of an administration strategy to try to stem the flow of migrants.

It should be noted that the flights on which they were transported were not previously reported, and in December the United States Customs and Border Protection office registered more than 13,000 single adults from Venezuela at the southern border of North America.

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ICE is being sued over its electronic surveillance program

A lawsuit has been filed against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the surveillance programs it uses to monitor immigrants. The lawsuit demands that ICE disclose how it uses the information it collects. 
A group of immigrant rights organizations sued the government for the lack of transparency in the Alternative Detention (ATD) program. This program releases immigrants on bail, wearing ankle monitors while awaiting their hearings, or providing them with a mobile phone from which they must report periodically and through which they receive instructions on what to do during their immigration proceedings. The complaint alleges that this system allows them to be constantly monitored via the GPS on their mobile devices.
The plaintiffs allege that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), does not publish data about the information it collects from immigrants under the ATD and there is no oversight of the agency for the handling of the collected information.
The Alternative to Detention Program consists of a set of laws, regulations, policies, or formal or informal practices that allow the government to release people—or not detain them—for reasons related to their immigration status in the United States.
The lawsuit was filed by the following pro-migrant organizations: Mijente Support Committee, Just Futures Law, and Community Justice Exchange. They are suing ICE to obtain information about the data the federal agency collects on immigrants who were previously processed and then released under the Alternative to Detention Program. 
They resorted to this legal action because, in September of last year, the group filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with a series of questions related to the ATD program, and to this day, they have not received a response. For this reason, they filed the lawsuit to obtain transparency regarding ATD information held by the federal government. The main objective of the lawsuit is to find out what ATD does, what information it has, and how ICE stores and uses all the collected information. 
ICE says that in the ATD program, run by the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Unit, it uses technology and case management protocols to “monitor compliance” of non-citizens (undocumented immigrants) with final removal orders or conditional release while their immigration cases are pending.
However, it's not just about data and information; the lawsuit aims to go further and clearly demonstrate what's happening with this project. Some of the concerns expressed by the plaintiffs include: "The lack of transparency from the government regarding the program," Jacinta Gonzalez, lead campaign director for Mijente, told Univision News. Speaking to the Daily News, the activist also said that "ICE has aggressively expanded its electronic incarceration program in recent years, largely without oversight or public debate.".
According to ICE data, enrollment in the ATD program has increased over the years. In January, there were more than 182,600 people enrolled in the program, 60,000 more than during the previous six months.
In February, ICE said it was preparing a pilot plan to extend ATD with the aim of favoring foreigners seeking asylum, a legal benefit available, who do not pose a risk to public or national security.
ATD's growth plan emerged shortly after a record backlog of cases in the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) was revealed in January, reaching 1.6 million, according to a report by the Transactional Records Access and Information Center (TRAC) at Syracuse University in New York. The backlog currently exceeds 1.7 million.
The government says the program's objective is to reduce the number of foreigners in detention centers run by both U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and in doing so, fulfill one of the president's campaign promises to end profiting from immigrants in detention centers run by private companies.
However, the plaintiffs question the government's stated intention to profit. "The data shows that ATDs have increased, as has the amount of money involved and the number of people placed under surveillance," says González.
In turn, ICE's surveillance program is run by BI Inc., a subsidiary of GEO Group, the company that operates most of ICE's detention centers in the country. GEO Group monitors more than 200,000 migrants using electronic ankle bracelets, at least 26,000 using a voice recognition system, and approximately 26,000 foreigners using facial recognition technology known as Smartlink, according to agency data.
The plaintiffs allege that there is insufficient data to know what BI does with the data of the thousands of non-citizens placed in the program, and that is why the lawsuit is being filed, so that there is transparency, because people should know what information the government has in its hands, and what it does with it; furthermore, it prevents profiting from the data and finally ensures that the information can only be used for the purposes for which it was collected. 

News report based on information from: Univision News 

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The United States registers a record in the crossing of immigrants

US border authorities detained more than 210,000 migrants attempting to cross the border with Mexico in March, the highest monthly total in two decades and underscoring the challenges ahead for US President Joe Biden.
Biden, a Democrat who took office in January 2021, pledged to reverse many of the immigration policies of his Republican predecessor, former President Donald Trump, but has struggled both operationally and politically with the high number of crossing attempts.
The total for March represents a 241,000 increase compared to the same month last year, when 169,000 migrants were apprehended at the border. This also marks the third time the number of migrants apprehended has exceeded 200,000 during his administration. These figures could be a prelude to what lies ahead with the expiration of Title 42 on May 23. It's important to remember that the termination of this Title, which allows for the mass expulsion of hundreds of migrants to prevent the spread of COVID-19, is based on the recommendation of health officials.
Similarly, according to the data presented, 221,303 immigrants were processed last month, surpassing the previous peak under the Biden administration in July 2021, when US officials recorded 213,593 encounters with migrants.
On the other hand, although more than half of the migrants encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent months come from traditional countries of origin—Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador—increasing numbers of migrants are arriving from distant places like Ukraine and Russia. U.S. authorities are preparing for up to 18,000 encounters with migrants per day in the coming weeks.
Finally, the more than 210,000 migrants detained in March, a figure made public in a court filing Friday night, is the highest monthly total recorded since February 2000, according to statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Note compiled with information from: LaRazon.es and UNIVISION

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The first buses carrying migrants from Texas arrive in Washington

A bus carrying a dozen undocumented asylum seekers arrived in Washington on Wednesday, sent by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican.

Abbott announced last week that he would send undocumented immigrants to Washington, D.C., in anticipation of the Biden administration's imminent repeal of Title 42. This title had prevented most immigrants from entering the United States to seek asylum for more than two years due to the pandemic. Its official end is scheduled for May 23. 

So far, there are records of two buses coming from Texas, which transported a dozen migrants from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Colombia, who arrived again at Union Station, just as the first group did on Wednesday morning.

Catholic Charities DC had people at Union Station Wednesday morning when migrants were dropped off to receive assistance, according to Kate Kennedy, the organization's communications director. The organization provides a range of services, including food assistance and medical care, among other social services in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

On the other hand, although Abbott called these people "illegal migrants," the White House reported that they are people who are processing their asylum application in the United States and are therefore "free" to move around the country.

It is important to note that once an immigrant is processed by federal authorities and released from custody, they are allowed to move freely throughout the country while awaiting immigration court proceedings. An immigration judge will ultimately decide whether they are allowed to remain in the United States or be deported.

Information taken from: EFE, Univision and CNN.

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DACA Renewal Forms can now be submitted online

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that people who previously received DACA can now file Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, online.

“Expanding online filing is a priority for USCIS as we make our operations more efficient and effective for the agency and our applicants,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou.

Currently, the online filing option is only available to individuals who have previously been granted DACA. These individuals must also file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, which is available online, and upload Form I-765WS, which is evidence of their DACA application. 

However, people applying for DACA for the first time cannot access this benefit; they must submit Form I-821D in paper format.

With the addition of Form I-821D, people can now file 13 USCIS forms online, which can be found on the Forms Available for Online Filing page. 

It is important to note that, in order to submit these forms online, applicants must first create a USCIS online account, which provides a convenient and secure method for submitting forms, paying fees, and tracking the status of any pending immigration application with USCIS throughout the adjudication process.

Creating this account is free of charge; on the contrary, the benefits outweigh the costs, as it provides the ability to communicate with the agency through a secure inbox and respond online to requests for evidence.

According to the immigration agency, since the launch of online filing in 2017, the total number of forms submitted online has increased significantly. In fiscal year 2021, approximately 1,210,700 petitions and applications were filed online, a 2.3% increase over the 1,184,000 filed in fiscal year 2020.

Information taken from: USCIS