Week of March 8–14, 2022

The Black immigrant population in the United States has been surging in recent decades, making up a fast-growing share of the Black population in the country. The Pew Research Center found that the Black immigrant population in the US has grown from about 800,000 in 1980 to 4.6 million now, with an expected growth to 9.5 million by 2060. In fact, one in ten Black Americans were born outside the United States. Black immigrant households are more likely to be college-educated, have higher median incomes, and a lower rate of poverty. However, the Pew study also found that they are just as likely to deal with discrimination and racism. Black immigrants were often overlooked in the immigrant experience because, until recently, it was hard for them to immigrate to the US. African countries are making up a larger share of Black immigrants with Nigeria and Ethiopia leading the way for African immigration to the US.

The number of unauthorized immigrants in the United States has remained relatively stable at around 11.5 million to 12 million people since 2007, according to Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis researchers. They said job opportunities were the main driver of unauthorized immigration until the 2007-2009 recession, but since then political instability and violence in source nations has played a bigger role. In examining border encounters, they found the surge in 2021 was particularly large for people from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, with push factors potentially driving families and children from many Central American nations to the US. The authors said more research was needed to study how poverty, violence and political instability of source nations contribute to the rise of unauthorized immigration.

Migrants are being offered up to NZD30,000 ($21,000) to enter into bogus marriages as part of a fast-tracked visa process, warns an immigration adviser. He said two people had contacted him to find out how they could leave their real partner off their application, so that they could sponsor someone else from overseas. Over 45,000 people have applied for the one-off residence visa since the first phase began in December, with almost half already becoming residents. An estimated 165,000 will apply for residence by the end of 2022, with most of those eligible from last week. The adviser said the lack of an English language test in the visa's criteria may leave migrants open to exploitation.

Florida lawmakers have passed an immigration bill that could soon become law, despite opposition from immigrant communities and faith leaders. The bill bars state and local government entities from doing business with companies that transport “unauthorized aliens” into Florida, unless they are being transported for detention, removal or departure. However, transportation companies could still transport undocumented immigrants on behalf of the federal government and risk losing a state or local contract for doing so. It is unclear how companies would identify passengers who are “unauthorized aliens.” Furthermore, Florida Department of Transportation officials may soon be able to tap into a $12m pot of money to contract with private companies to relocate “unlawful” migrants out of the state. Florida shelters are also expected to face new state restrictions on the number of unaccompanied minors they can take in on behalf of the federal government.

Israel is preparing for an influx of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine and Russia in response to the conflict between the two countries. Israel’s Aliyah and Integration Minister, Pnina Tamano-Shata, has overseen the creation of a special cabinet of ministers to manage the operation, and has secured a deal with LOT Polish Airlines to create three weekly flights for refugees from Ukraine. Israel is sending emissaries and employees to the Jewish Agency and Nativ, which are operating in Poland, Moldova, Romania and Hungary, to manage the aliyah process. The refugees will be allowed to stay in Israel for up to a month in one of six government-owned hotels, free of charge, and will be provided with three meals a day, assistance from volunteers, soldiers from the Israeli Defense Force, and representatives from the Welfare and Education ministries. The country is also offering mortgage assistance to refugees wishing to purchase apartments.

A paralegal in Nassau County, New York, has been sentenced to 364 days in jail for posing as an immigration lawyer and stealing $74,000 from over 40 clients seeking legal advice. Edier Alberto Alvarez, of Queens, New York, had pled guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny last November. He had misrepresented himself as an attorney to prospective clients of the law firm he worked for, accepting money directly from them to assist with their cases, but providing no services. During the investigation, it was found that Alvarez had also duped seven additional individuals in 2020, passing himself off as an immigration attorney or specialist. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office urges anyone who believes they may have been victimized to contact their Office of Immigrant Affairs.

West Virginia senators have adopted a resolution urging US President Biden to expedite the entrance of Ukrainian refugees into the United States. The resolution was introduced on the final day of West Virginia's regular legislative session and calls for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to be welcomed into the state. The move comes after President Biden said that the US should welcome Ukrainian immigrants "with open arms". The resolution was inspired by Senate Majority Whip Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, who described befriending Ukrainian immigrants to Weirton. Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin, D-Greenbrier, also supported the resolution, describing West Virginia as a hospitable place that welcomes immigrants with open arms.

Dozens of protesters gathered in Philadelphia on Friday during President Joe Biden’s visit to speak at the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference. Activists from a range of organizations, including the Movement of Immigrant Leaders in PA and the Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition, demanded a path to citizenship, an end to deportations, and the closure of immigrant detention centers in Pennsylvania, among other measures. They accused Biden of failing to deliver on his campaign promise of creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. The President’s proposed immigration reform measures have stalled, including the inclusion of more limited immigration reform in the Build Back Better legislation. The protestors said that Biden used their communities to gain support during the election and then did not follow through on his promises.

Biden administration proposes increases visas to combat U.S. labor shortages

Claudio Vazquez came to the United States on a tourist visa in 1997 with plans to stay permanently. Vazquez noted how easily people could buy basic commodities in the US, such as a used car, something that would take a year's salary to buy in Mexico. When his tourist visa expired, Vazquez found himself living in the US under undocumented status and sought to legalise his position. He applied for residency under 245(i), which allowed those with unlawful immigration status to apply for permanent residency under certain conditions. It took Vazquez over a decade to gain citizenship, and he has several friends who still live in fear with limited options for work. The Biden administration is looking to increase the number of immigrant workers to combat labour shortages in low-paying industries, but there are few options for undocumented residents living in the US to work legally.

The Lauder Employment Center in the Negev, established by Ronald Lauder and supported by Jewish National Fund-USA, is preparing for an influx of hundreds of immigrants from Russia, Ukraine, and other countries to Israel. The center held an emergency meeting to prepare for the increase in employment and absorption of the new arrivals. Ronald Lauder, the President of the World Jewish Congress, believes that the future of Israel and its prosperity lies in the Galilee and Negev regions. The center aims to provide the new arrivals with the necessary tools, knowledge, and resources through training and job finding assistance for all ages and genders. Lauder's vision and belief are that the anticipated immigration to Israel will serve as a significant boost for Zionism, the Negev, and the Galilee, and his organization is there to support and assist.

Public attitudes towards immigration have warmed in the UK, with support for refugees at its highest level since tracking began in 2015, according to a survey by Ipsos/British Future. The survey found that 75% of respondents believe that refugees should be able to seek sanctuary in other countries, including the UK, to escape war and persecution, with just 16% disagreeing. Meanwhile, 42% of respondents want to reduce immigration numbers, the lowest level in seven years and a 25-point fall since 2015. Some 28% believe numbers should remain the same, with 22% wanting them increased, the highest level since tracking began. The survey was conducted before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent calls to offer refuge to Ukrainian citizens.