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11 people were charged with organizing sham marriages in the US

Eleven people who resided in California were charged for their connection to the management of a large-scale marriage fraud "agency" that allegedly arranged hundreds of sham marriages to adjust immigration status, the Justice Department reported. 

The indictment states that these individuals operated an “agency” that arranged hundreds of sham marriages between foreign “clients” and U.S. citizens. As part of the scheme, U.S. citizens were recruited to marry the agency’s clients in exchange for an upfront fee and monthly payments until after the marriage, to keep the U.S. citizens receptive and cooperative until the agency’s client obtained legal status.                

The agency allegedly prepared and submitted false petitions, applications, and other documents to corroborate fraudulent marriages and secure adjustment of clients' immigration statuses for a fee of between $20,000 and $30,000 in cash.

One of those captured was Marcialito Biol Benítez, alias “Mars”, who along with his accomplices helped some clients, generally those whose spouses did not respond or cooperate, to obtain residency cards under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by claiming that the undocumented clients had been abused by alleged American spouses. 

“Marriage fraud is a serious crime that threatens the integrity of our nation’s legal immigration system,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “These defendants” alleged exploitation of this system for profit is an affront to our nation’s tradition of welcoming immigrants and prospective citizens. Their alleged fraudulent behavior makes things difficult for the vast majority of immigrants who follow the law and respect our immigration system. Beyond that, by allegedly filing false applications claiming domestic abuse, these defendants caused further harm, this time to real victims and survivors of domestic violence.”.

The charges allege that the defendants arranged fraudulent marriages and submitted false immigration documents for at least 400 clients between October 2016 and March 2022. The charge of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.     

Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Boston, said: “We believe that their alleged scheme violated current immigration laws that serve to protect public safety and created a disadvantage for those seeking to obtain their citizenship legally.”.

Among the eleven defendants, six were of Filipino nationality, resided in the state of California, and one was Brazilian.

Information taken from: El Tiempo Latino, Department of Justice and United States Attorney's Office.

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Conditional permanent residents will be exempt from the interview

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced yesterday, April 7, that it will waive mandatory interviews for some conditional permanent residents who have filed a petition to remove their conditional status.


In the interview, these types of residents who are married to US citizens must prove to the USCIS officer that their marriage is real and not for obtaining an immigration benefit.


According to the updated policy, USCIS may waive the interview requirement if an agency officer determines that there is sufficient evidence of the good faith of the marriage, no indication of fraud, misrepresentation in supporting documents, and no criminal record, among other considerations.


The new criteria will guide officials in determining when to exempt permanent residents who filed an I-751 petition to have conditions on their residency removed from interviews.


Meanwhile, USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou, the first woman to hold the position, said in a statement that this update "is consistent with the agency's priorities to break down barriers in the immigration system and eliminate undue burdens for those seeking benefits.".


Currently, the wait time for I-751 applications is 22 to 36 months, and according to agency data, more than 166,000 applications were filed in 2017.


Several changes are taking place in Joe Biden's government, thereby relaxing the rule imposed by the government of then-President Donald Trump in 2018, which proclaimed that all those who obtained conditional permanent residence for being spouses of US citizens and who have filed an application to have their conditional status withdrawn must attend a personal interview with USCIS.


Information taken from: EFE News 

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The United States is preparing for a possible increase in migrants.

In May, Customs and Border Protection expects an increase in migrants.

The Biden administration is preparing for a new wave of migrants arriving across the United States' land borders, primarily the southern border, after the controversial Title 42 expires in May.

Blas Nuñez-Neto, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Border Policy and Immigration at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, spoke about the issue on RCN Mundo and explained how the Biden administration is preparing to face the change: 

«Our department will send officers, agents, and volunteer personnel to the border in the coming weeks; we have already redeployed more than 600 Border Patrol agents and are prepared to send more if needed,» Nuñez-Neto said. There is also talk of adding technological tools such as drones and building infrastructure to process more people safely and respectfully.

With respect to deportations agreed upon with other governments, the United States' efforts will now focus on investing in the development of migrants' countries of origin to improve their conditions there and, consequently, prevent their attempts to migrate. 

In the United States, there is division over the end of Title 42. Weeks ago, the Democratic leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, called the application of that regulation "terrible and inhumane" and said he was "deeply disappointed" that Biden continued to use it.

In contrast, the Republican Party considered the lifting of Title 42 to be "a disastrous decision that will open the floodgates" of migration in the United States. 

Finally, there are still weeks to go before the completion of Title 42 and the possible changes that may occur in the political and social environment are unknown.

Information taken from: RCN Mundo and Debate.

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The United States says goodbye to Title 42 and returns to Title 8

The United States will repeal Title 42, a mechanism it has used since 2020 to massively expel more than 1.7 million migrants at its border with Mexico.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement on Friday, April 1, announcing that Title 42, the tool used to carry out mass expulsions at the U.S.-Mexico southern border, will be repealed on May 23. Implemented in March 2020 by the Trump administration, the measure allows U.S. authorities to expel asylum seekers without giving them the opportunity to present their case. Minors and some families are exempt.

The CDC authorities have officially announced the end of this measure in a statement indicating that the arrival of migrants to US territory no longer compromises the health emergency situation derived from Covid-19, due to the greater availability of means to combat the virus such as vaccines and treatments.

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Alejandro Mayorkas, emphasized in a statement that Title 42 is a resource to protect public health, not to discourage immigration. He added that this mechanism was implemented by the CDC "to protect against the spread of a contagious disease," such as COVID-19.

Starting May 23, undocumented migrants arriving at the U.S. southern border will be investigated under Title 8, the previous and common law under which the U.S. carries out deportations. According to the White House, migrants without a “legal basis” to remain in the country will be deported.

Following the decision by U.S. health authorities, a significant surge of migrants is expected at the border during the spring and summer months. Last week, DHS officials confirmed that approximately 7,100 migrants were arriving daily, a figure higher than that recorded in February. Border officials anticipate that arrivals could peak at 18,000 per day in the coming months and weeks. DHS Director Alejandro Maryokas stated on Friday that his agency had a strategy in place to "manage any potential increase in migrants.".

Information taken from: France 24 and BBC News.

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Government expands H2-B visa quota for fiscal year 2022

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the availability of 35,000 H2-B visas for the fiscal year 2022 quota, in response to pressure from employers and business groups affected by the shortage of workers due to the pandemic and low wages. 

According to the Department of Homeland Security, this joint temporary final rule aims to reserve these visas for U.S. employers seeking to hire additional workers from April 1, 2022, through September 30 of this year. This will help support U.S. businesses and expand legal pathways for workers seeking to come to the United States, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated. 

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USCIS announces measures to reduce backlog of over 9 million forms

On Tuesday, the Joe Biden administration announced a plan to reduce the backlog in immigration services, which exceeds 9 million forms related to various processes. 

This plan consists of three measures that aim to accelerate the processes, in addition to expanding the premium programs that - after the payment of an additional fee - speed up the awarding process from months to a few weeks. 

Those who will benefit from this measure are immigrants awaiting the delivery and/or renewal of their work permits, including holders of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), DACA recipients of Dreamers, and asylum seekers. 

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Work permits will be extended in the USA

The U.S. immigration service will extend the validity of certain work permits for some specific immigrant categories for one to two years, in order to alleviate the backlog of applications in immigration courts and offices.

The Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services indicates that the categories for those applying for this extension are:

Asylum seekers and refugees with deportation withholdings or in the process of deportation;
Self-petitioners who are victims of domestic violence
Immigrants protected by a temporary deferred action (other than DACA).

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1,600 children have not been reunited with their parents in the United States

A year later, nearly 1,500 children have still not been returned to their families after being forcibly separated at the border with Mexico during the Donald Trump administration.

On Univision News, Michelle Brane, executive director of the 'trask force' program, which seeks to reunite separated families, mentioned that about 130 children have been reunited with their parents in the United States, and almost 400 are in the process of being reunited. The program also seeks to offer these families a three-year authorization to remain in the United States legally with a work permit.

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Lawsuit against the United States over program that reunites migrants with their children

Eight states sued the United States government in court over a program that reunites Central American migrants with their children.

The Republican-led states of Texas, Arkansas, Alaska, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, and Oklahoma sued the Joe Biden administration over the refugee and parole program for Central American minors implemented since March of last year, which also allows immigrants living legally in the United States to petition for their children as refugees from countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

The plaintiffs consider it an abuse of power to revive this program, since they say it allows certain foreigners who are in American territory to obtain a protected status after illegally entering the country.

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Access to legal representation increases for undocumented immigrants in the United States

Thanks to the Legal Access at the Border program, the United States government will help increase access to legal representation for undocumented immigrants detained at the border with Mexico.

The program seeks to improve the efficiency of immigration court procedures by providing legal services to undocumented individuals.

According to the publication, the expansion of services would benefit:

Undocumented immigrants detained and in the custody of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Undocumented immigrants who are in or may be placed in deportation proceedings
Undocumented immigrants seeking to enter the United States from locations along the southwest border (with Mexico)
Undocumented immigrants who may be enrolled in the Migrant Protection Program (MPP)
The legal services provided to undocumented immigrants will include general information and legal guidance on options and procedures related to remaining in the United States during deportation proceedings, such as the non-refoulement interview (NRI) before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as well as immigration court practices and procedures, relief and protection from deportation, and other relevant resources.

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