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Tag: #indocumented

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Political games have left Dreamers uncertain.

More than 590,000 dreamers are once again facing uncertainty due to a request from 9 Republican-led states to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Many of those affected see this request as a legal threat against the program, which since 2012 has protected from deportation more than half a million dreamers, who arrived in the country irregularly as children and are seeking temporary status to live and work in the USA, as reported by CBS News.

Dreamers have pressured Joe Biden to fulfill his commitment to provide them with a path to citizenship (since there is currently no such path) through comprehensive immigration reform, which he had promised to implement within his first 100 days in office.

Many of the hopeful promises that could be seen at the beginning of the Biden administration under his government program are fading more and more each day for the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States and the immigration challenges that keep coming.

This new lawsuit, led by 9 Republican states*, is the third lawsuit against DACA expected to reach the Court.
The lawsuit argues that the program is illegal and seeks to overturn it. Furthermore, it hopes that this request will abolish the program's renewal process, which allows applications every two years.

The uncertainty for thousands of migrants covered by the DACA program continues, and is further compounded by the fear of other migrants who have not yet been able to join the program due to an amendment issued by Judge Andrew Hanen, declaring DACA illegal.

No dates have yet been set for the next hearings, nor for the issuance of their final sentence, which has left almost 700 dreamers in legal limbo.

Source: Telemundo, CNN

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Migrants in the United States will be able to report labor abuses without fear of legal retaliation.

Unfortunately, undocumented migrants are subject to far more abuse than people with legal immigration status. It's very common for them to be underpaid, forced to work in unsanitary conditions, or forced to work in environments that put their lives at risk.

Many work environments create unfair, low-paying, and unsafe conditions in the labor market, perpetuating illegal and inhumane acts by employers toward migrants, who are often afraid to report abuses for fear of deportation or immigration retaliation.

However, this will no longer be the case, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that undocumented workers who are victims or witnesses of labor rights violations can now report them without fear of legal retaliation and can request deferred action, which protects workers from threats by employers.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stated that through these new efforts, and with the support of labor agencies, it will be possible to protect the dignity of the workers who drive the American economy, the U.S. labor market, and workplace conditions. *U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

This new measure is also expected to encourage many workers to assert their rights by reporting violations they have suffered or observed and to cooperate in investigations of labor standards.

How can you apply?

In order to submit the application, the worker must:

  • Complete a written request signed by the worker.
  • Letter from employment agency supporting the application
  • Evidence about the case
  • Identification tests
  • Attach the 3 required forms.

Thanks to this new measure, people who are granted deferred action may be eligible for employment authorization, provided they demonstrate financial need.

Source: USCIS

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US labor shortage

Many wonder why the country's labor shortage persists almost three years after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the answer is simple: they don't have enough immigrants. Furthermore, immigration has long been a political tool in the United States, rather than a genuine priority, says journalist Vanessa Yurkevich. 

“Part of the reason there are so many vacancies and unfilled jobs in the U.S. is that many immigrants who came regularly before COVID are no longer here,” said Giovanni Peri*. The reality is that migrants are filling thousands of positions that many Americans don't want to do. *Author of the research at the University of California and director of the UC Davis Center for Global Migration.

According to research from the University of California, by the end of 2021 there were about 2 million fewer working-age immigrants in the United States than there would have been if pre-pandemic immigration had continued unchanged.

Illegal migration is one of the factors that has affected the labor shortage over the past two years for American companies focused on construction, agriculture, and hospitality. 

Similarly, the lack of available workers has driven up wages, leading to higher inflation. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that in addition to an aging workforce, a shortage of foreign labor is contributing to the labor shortage.

The greatest impact is felt in industries such as construction, agriculture, and hospitality, which rely on immigrant workers. There are currently 10.3 million job openings in the US: 377,000 in construction and 1.6 million in hospitality. This number has been increasing in recent months. *According to research from the University of California, Davis. 

The only solution that many of the industries directly affected by Covid-19 see is that through immigration reform, industries affected by unskilled labor will be improved, in addition to allowing more legal immigrants who need the job and contribute to the progress of the American nation. 

Written from: CNN en español

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Job crisis in the United States due to lack of professional qualifications

Imagine this scenario: you find a job offer that's perfect for you, requiring exactly the kind of skills you have. But you can't apply, or if you do, you're rejected because the position requires a university degree you don't possess.

WORK LIMITATIONS

More than 70 million people in the USA are affected by not having a degree, including many undocumented professionals or self-taught individuals who cross the border in search of a better quality of life and with the desire to find jobs that match their skills, according to estimates from the NGO Opportunity at Work.

WHO HITS THE CEILING?

Workers known as STARs* who acquired their skills and knowledge on the job, through non-university training courses and/or programs, among other means. * (acronym for "trained through alternative pathways") 

LABOR CRISIS 

In general, the number of workers without a bachelor's degree is even higher among minorities; 62.1% of those over 25 do not have a bachelor's degree, but that percentage increases to 72.1% for African Americans and 79.1% for Latinos. *According to the U.S. Census Bureau. 

WHAT EFFECTS DOES IT HAVE?

Unskilled jobs such as construction, agriculture, waiters, baristas and/or hotels among others, that is, cheap and poorly paid labor, in addition to having a wage gap between those with a university degree and those without, which has doubled during the last 40 years, according to Opportunity at Work.  

REQUIREMENTS

Job offers that were generally for people with average skills who could apply with high school diplomas, now establish a university degree as a minimum requirement, a credential that only a third of the adult population possesses according to the NGO report Opportunity at Work.

REALITY

According to Opportunity at Work, STARs* represent more than 501,000 people in the U.S. workforce, including 611,000 African Americans and 551,000 Hispanics. 

THE SOLUTION

The more large companies that join organizations like Chevron, Accenture (where only 261% of their positions require a degree), Google, IBM (where 291% of positions require a degree), LinkedIn, Comcast, and Walmart to raise awareness in the United States about the "paper ceiling" and encourage employers to abandon this practice.

News report compiled from: Washington Examiner and BBC News

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A journey of no return: hardships and deaths

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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Creation of a new card to identify immigrants

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the development of an electronic card that will allow the identification of immigrants.

So far, there's talk of a pilot program that the Joe Biden administration will launch to develop a new identification card for migrants. This card would serve as a unique and secure document that compiles case-related information, allowing access to immigration records. It would be modern, consistent, and verifiable for immigrants. It's also projected that it will eventually be accepted by the Transportation Security Administration for travel.

The card known as the "Secure File Card" or ICE Secure Docket Card (SDC) will allow for the identification of migrants and serve as a one-stop shop for accessing immigration files, as well as facilitating accountability in the immigration process. This is an opportune time to consider this option given the large number of migrants arriving at the U.S. southern border.

This card would contain the person's information and a QR code that would link to a portal where relevant information about the holder could be accessed. On this website, individuals could also update their information and communicate with federal authorities while going through the immigration process. Currently, it is comparable to a personal identification card, containing a photo, name, and nationality, according to authorities.

The identification cards would be given to migrants who are not in detention centers, who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border, those enrolled in Alternatives to Detention (ATD), or others without legal status who are going through lengthy immigration or deportation court proceedings.

ICE is monitoring more than 300,000 migrants in ATD, which may include GPS ankle monitors, phones, or an app known as SmartLINK.

Finally, this initiative is part of the Biden administration's effort to streamline immigration processes, which have often led to confusion among immigrants going through the process, and it is slated to be piloted by the end of the year. The card would serve as an identification system, allowing immigrants easier access to housing, healthcare, and other benefits, according to Axios. However, it is not valid as a voter registration card, as only U.S. citizens can vote.

News report based on information from: AXIOS and CNN.

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“Say no to the coyote” CBP advertising campaign that seeks to warn migrants of the dangers

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched a digital advertising campaign Wednesday to discourage migrants from the Northern Triangle (Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador) from undertaking the dangerous journey to the U.S. border.

The ads aim to convey a clear message: smugglers are lying; illegally entering the United States is a crime. They also emphasize that smugglers, known as "coyotes," exploit and profit from vulnerable migrants.

“Smugglers use lies to lure vulnerable people into embarking on a dangerous journey that often ends with their deportation or death,” said CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus. “This public awareness campaign is an important component of the U.S. government’s efforts to prevent tragedies and reduce irregular migration.”.

The message warns that those who attempt to cross the U.S. border without authorization will be immediately expelled from the country or subjected to immigration deportation proceedings. Furthermore, they will receive information about the thousands of migrants who end up imprisoned, kidnapped, extorted, or even left to die by unscrupulous transnational criminal organizations. 

In fiscal year 2021, the northern Central American countries accounted for 44% of migrant encounters along the southwest border.

Finally, this campaign has emerged from the joint work of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) working closely with the State Department to track trends, share research, and coordinate messaging to counter the tactics used by smugglers to victimize vulnerable migrants.

These messages are an effort to counter the many lies spread by human traffickers and warn migrants about the dangers of being scammed and dying at the hands of these criminal organizations.

News report based on information from: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

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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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Proponents of the Democrats propose giving green cards to undocumented immigrants

The new bill includes an “immigration parole” provision which would give undocumented immigrants permission to work and temporary 10-year protection from deportation.

Immigrant advocates prefer to reinstate a repealed provision that allowed undocumented immigrants who were in the United States before 2010 to obtain green cards. However, restoring the provision faces an uphill battle.

Recently, undocumented immigrants, instead of receiving the benefit of legalization, have obtained a quasi-legal status, which limits their ability to access various resources such as financial support or scholarships.

«The threat of deportation is always there. A path to citizenship is a path to stability,» said Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, representing immigrants from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, at a virtual conference.