By: Aaron Reichlin-Melnick and Shev Dalal-Dheini | americanimmigrationcouncil.org| Editorial credit: Walter Cicchetti / Shutterstock.com On September 5, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency established by Congress to adjudicate immigration applications, made a startling announcement. For the first time since the agency was created in 2003, the agency will create a new class of […]
By: Mary Campbell In an exclusive interview, Joseph Edlow, newly confirmed Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has defended a controversial immigration policy shift allowing immigration officers to weigh applicants’ personal views—specifically whether they espouse “anti‑American” ideologies—as part of green card and visa evaluations. What This Change Entails Edlow emphasized that the policy […]
Editorial credit: Evgenia Parajanian / Shutterstock.com WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the factors that officers consider in certain benefit requests where an exercise of discretion is required, including factors relating to aliens’ past requests for parole and any involvement in anti-American or terrorist organizations, […]
Editorial credit: Lyonstock / Shutterstock.com U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual that will enhance our capability to screen and vet family-based immigrant visa petitions. This update explains requirements and adjudication of these petitions, including eligibility criteria, filing, interviews, and decisions. Fraudulent, frivolous, or otherwise non-meritorious family-based immigrant visa petitions erode confidence in family-based pathways to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status […]
By:David L. Di Maria | Theconversation.com In early April 2025, the Trump administration terminated the immigration statuses of thousands of international students listed in a government database, meaning they no longer had legal permission to be in the country. Some students self-deported instead of facing deportation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently announced that it would reverse […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: Jonah Elkowitz / shutterstock.com Trinidad and Tobago’s placement on various “red lists,” particularly those related to financial transparency and security concerns, reflects a serious challenge to its international standing. While the specifics of President Trump’s “red list” are subject to interpretation and shifting policy, the underlying issues that […]
By Mary Campbell | Editorial credit: RAMAN SHAUNIA / shutterstock.com The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, was a significant step in enhancing national security following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Based on recommendations from the 9/11 Commission, the Act established a uniform set of security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses […]
By Mary Campbell | Editorial credit: sdx15 / shutterstock.com In a move that has sparked concerns over privacy and free speech, the Trump administration has proposed a policy that would require immigrants applying for green cards, citizenship, and other immigration benefits to disclose their social media handles. The policy, part of a broader immigration reform […]
By Esther Claudette Gittens This article delves into the origins of the strategy, its adaptation in modern settings, and the justification for its continued use, examining how it remains a powerful tool for gaining advantage, achieving dominance, or optimizing solutions in various scenarios. Origins of “Divide and Conquer” The phrase “Divide and Conquer” (Latin: Divide […]
By Esther Claudette Gittens Immigration law in the United States has a long and complex history, particularly concerning when lawful permanent residents (LPRs), also known as green card holders, may be placed in deportation (removal) proceedings or subjected to expedited removal. One of the more controversial areas of immigration enforcement involves cases where an LPR […]
