Week of March 22–31, 2023

U.S. Representative Grace Meng and Senator Edward Markey have reintroduced the New Deal for New Americans Act, a bill aimed at promoting the inclusion of new immigrants and refugees in the United States. The proposed legislation includes various programs and initiatives to assist immigrants and refugees in overcoming challenges such as language barriers, employment, and naturalization. It emphasizes the coordination between federal, state, and local governments to support the social, economic, and civic integration of immigrants and refugees. Specific provisions of the bill include the establishment of a National Office of New Americans, grant programs for legal services and immigration assistance, workforce development, and English language education. The act also seeks to reduce barriers to naturalization, increase refugee admissions, and promote civic engagement. The bill has garnered endorsements from numerous organizations advocating for immigrant rights and social inclusion.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has gained support for his hardline stance on immigration policies due to a spike in illegal immigration and a recent legal victory. Florida ranks among the top states in terms of encounters with undocumented immigrants, with 57,816 contacts recorded between October and February, surpassing the total number of contacts in the previous two fiscal years combined. The influx of immigrants is primarily driven by individuals from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Ukraine. However, Cuban nationals constitute the majority of apprehended immigrants, while only a small number of Haitians, Ukrainians, and Venezuelans have been apprehended. In a lawsuit against the United States, Florida successfully argued that federal parole and alternative detention policies have incentivized illegal immigration, burdening the state's public services. Governor DeSantis celebrated the legal victory and criticized President Biden's catch and release policy. The Biden administration has since outlined efforts to enhance border security and expand legal pathways for orderly migration.

The Biden administration will defend a federal law that criminalizes certain speech before the Supreme Court, even though it has been used to surveil journalists. The law targets those who encourage individuals crossing the border to evade law enforcement. In 2019, it was revealed that the government had a secret database of activists and reporters connected to the migrant caravans. Journalists' passports were even flagged by the government. The law in question traces its roots back to the beginnings of modern immigration law and makes it a felony to willfully or knowingly encourage unlawful entry into the US. Nonprofit press freedom groups argue that the law is overbroad and violates the First Amendment. They highlight how journalists and ordinary citizens could be targeted for expressing commonplace phrases related to immigration. The groups also warn that public officials could use the law to harass or prosecute journalists reporting on matters such as public corruption.

The U.S. federal budget deficit and debt levels are concerning, with the 2022 deficit reaching $1.4 trillion and the publicly held federal debt at around $24.6 trillion. To address this imbalance, Congress must consider increasing revenue or reducing spending. The author suggests that instead of raising taxes, the government should focus on expanding legal immigration, as immigrants contribute more in tax revenue than they consume in government benefits. According to research from the Cato Institute, immigrants are projected to pay approximately $267,000 more in taxes than they will receive in benefits over the next 30 years. Increasing legal immigration, especially among highly educated younger individuals, can generate additional tax revenue without the need for higher tax rates. While it won't completely solve the fiscal problems, it can contribute to balancing the budget alongside spending moderation and reforming entitlement programs.

France is experiencing protests and strikes as the government pushes forward with pension reforms. The reforms include raising the retirement age and ending early retirement packages, which has led to widespread opposition. The government argues that these changes are necessary due to an aging population and a dwindling worker-to-retiree ratio. However, critics argue that the pension problem has been overstated, as France has one of the lowest rates of pensioners at risk of poverty in Europe. The article suggests that instead of focusing on raising the retirement age, France should consider immigration as a solution. Canada, with its low birth rate and multicultural tradition, has successfully implemented immigration as a means to address demographic challenges. The author suggests that immigrants could contribute to a sustainable pension system and offer a chance for a home and employment to the forcibly displaced population worldwide.

Florida is considering an "anti-illegal immigration bill" that targets not only undocumented migrants but also those who hire or help them. The proposed legislation, SB 1718, could have significant economic and social consequences for South Florida, affecting industries such as agriculture and tourism, as well as hospitals and universities. The bill seeks to cut funds for community ID programs, require disclosure of immigration status in hospital forms, and criminalize the transportation of undocumented migrants within the state. Florida District 11 Senator Blaise Ingoglia introduced the bill with the support of Governor Ron DeSantis, aiming to inspire other states to adopt similar measures and push the federal government to address illegal immigration. Critics, including Tessa Petit from the Florida Immigration Coalition, argue that the bill would exacerbate fear in the community, strain the judicial system, and discourage undocumented individuals from seeking medical care due to heightened anxiety. SB 1718 is currently undergoing the committee review process before a vote on the Senate floor.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its policy guidance regarding site inspection requirements for special immigrant and nonimmigrant religious worker petitions. Previously, site inspections were mandatory before a petition could be approved, even for organizations seeking premium processing. However, under the new policy, USCIS no longer requires mandatory pre-adjudication site inspections for petitioners, including those seeking premium processing. USCIS will still conduct random site inspections to ensure immigration compliance, verifying work hours, compensation, and duties to ensure compliance with approved petitions. Additionally, USCIS may conduct site visits if there is suspicion of immigration violations. If violations are found, USCIS may issue a request for evidence or notice of intent to deny or revoke the petition. It is advised that organizations and work locations be prepared for site inspections and consult with their assigned RIS Attorney for further guidance.

The U.S. Justice Department is seeking $1.46 billion in its budget proposal for fiscal year 2024 to address the significant backlog of immigration cases. The funding increase of nearly 70% would enable the hiring of 965 new judicial staff, including 150 immigration judges. The plan is to assign the new judges to areas with the highest number of pending cases, such as Florida, Texas, California, and New York. Currently, there are about 600 immigration judges in the country, double the number from a few years ago, handling over 2 million cases. In addition to hiring more judges, the Justice Department aims to expand virtual hearings at the U.S.-Mexico border to help reduce the backlog. However, some lawmakers believe comprehensive immigration reform is the ultimate solution to address the backlog, as the number of pending claims continues to grow despite the increased pace of adjudication.

The Canadian government is expanding the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) by introducing a new federal immigration pathway set to launch in the summer of 2023. The pathway will enable Canadian employers to hire refugees and other displaced individuals who qualify under any National Occupation Classification category. This includes various professions such as nurse aides, software engineers, teachers, and truck drivers, among others. The new pathway will feature a streamlined application process and shorter processing times, aiming to facilitate the hiring of skilled refugees to address labor shortages in Canada. The EMPP is part of a permanent residence pathway that connects skilled refugees overseas with Canadian employers through organizations like Talent Beyond Boundaries. More details about the program will be announced in due course.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering increasing certain immigration fees in response to rising operating costs, increased demand, and longer processing times. The proposed fee increases could generate an additional $1.9 billion per year, totaling an average of $5.2 billion annually. The changes would significantly impact various immigration processes. Marriage-based green card applications could more than double in cost, reaching over $3,640, and bringing a spouse and two children to the US could cost a family of four over $10,000. Fees for bringing fiancés and relatives to the US would also increase. Additionally, H-2 category visas for noncitizens working in the US could potentially see substantial fee hikes, with an H-2A visa for the agricultural sector potentially increasing from $460 to $1,080. The fee increases are being met with opposition from many individuals and organizations, citing the added burden on lower-income migrants and potential negative effects on businesses and non-profit organizations.