DACA Updates:
On September 28, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security published a notice of proposed rulemaking that established regulations to preserve and fortify the DACA policy to delay the removal of certain noncitizens. Current valid grants of DACA, related work authorization, and advance parole will continue to be recognized as valid under the final rule. The new rule will only apply to applications taken into account as of October 31.
To read more information on this update, click here.
TPS Updates
Starting March 18, 2023, to September 17, 2024, DHS extends and redesignates Somalia for Temporary Protected Status. Current Somali TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their benefits will be required to re-register between March 13, 2023, and May 12, 2023. Those whose current EADs will expire before receiving a new one will receive an automatic extension through March 17, 2024. New TPS applicants will be able to apply from March 13, 2023, to September 17, 2024, and eligible individuals will also be able to apply for TPS-related employment authorization documents (EADs) and travel permission during this time.
To read more information on TPS and other immigration topics, click here.
Counties that have received an expansion for their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program:
- An estimated 143,800 immigrants from Afghanistan, Cameroon, and Ukraine have the opportunity to apply for time-limited permission to live and work in the United States and avoid potential deportation. DHS recently extended, designated, or redesignated TPS protections for eligible immigrants from Myanmar (also called Burma), South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Venezuela.
- Myanmar and Venezuela have been added to the list of countries whose immigrants may qualify while extending the terms of eligibility for immigrants from most countries that were already covered by TPS. These expansions stand in contrast to the Trump administration’s efforts to end TPS for nearly all beneficiaries, which were blocked by a series of lawsuits.
- In the Biden administration’s most recent additions and extensions, an estimated 500,000 individuals from 15 countries are either currently registered for TPS or are newly eligible for it.
To read the list of countries with active TPS and find more information, click here
DACA Decision October 2022
On October 5, 2022, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals published a decision on the Texas v. United States DACA case. The Court of Appeals agrees with the original judgment on the case that DACA is unlawful but renewals for existing DACA recipients will remain open. This means:
- DACA renewals are still open. This could change, which is why we urge you to renew as soon as possible while the courts are still allowing these applications to be processed.
- First-time DACA applications continue to stay in limbo. We hope to know more about how the Biden Administration interprets this ruling on this front and we will update this website as soon as we know. Today October 5, 2022, they are not being processed.
- Advance parole for current DACA recipients is still available
- The case is sent back down to the Texas District Court to determine the lawfulness of the Biden Administration’s new rule on DACA.
To read more information on DACA updates and the timeline, click here.
Public Charge Updates
During the Trump Administration in 2019, non-cash assistance programs were considered under public charge determinations. Federal officials could deny entry to the U.S. or adjustment to LPR status (i.e., a “green card”) to someone they determine to be a public charge. On December 2022 the Biden Administration issued new regulations which do not consider the use of non-cash benefits of being a public charge. However, many immigrant families avoid participating in assistance programs due to fears of potential negative consequences based on immigration status.
To read more information on this update, click here.
Immigration Policies Updates
In 2022, over 1 million, or almost half (45%), of all migrant encounters at the border were under Title 42 authority. This public health service act implemented by the Trump Administration in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic suspended entry of individuals into the U.S. to protect public health. Then, the Biden Administration continued to enforce Title 42, with new exceptions provided to unaccompanied minors. On February 16, 2023, the Biden Administration announced an end to the COVID-19 public health emergency to be on May 11, 2023, consequently ending the Title 42 border restrictions.
To read more information on this update, click here.