Q - How can I understand Pres. Biden's border policies post Title 42? [As of April 28, 2023]

An analysis of the new policies from the National Immigration Justice Center.

 

Explainer: Newly Announced Border and Regional Migration Policies | National Immigrant Justice Center

Q - Aren't immigrants a drain on entitlement systems like welfare, Medicare, and Social Security?

Over the next 30 years, immigrants will pay more in taxes than they will consume in benefits, a new study from the Cato Institute found. This net positive flow in tax contributions shows that immigrants will continue to play an outsized role in supporting public services like schools and safety net programs such as nutrition assistance programs and social security.  

Analysis of the 2021 American Community Survey shows that immigrant-led households paid $524.7 billion in total taxes in 2021, a slight increase since 2019. This includes $346.3 billion in federal income taxes and $178.4 billion in state and local taxes. These tax contributions made up 15.9% of total tax revenues governments received from U.S. residents in 2021, yet immigrants make up just 13.6% of U.S. households. Read more here.

Q - Can asylum seekers get jobs?

Asylees are promised access to work authorization and other federal benefits, a path to lawful permanent residence (LPR) status, and eventually citizenship.

However, in today’s backlogged asylum system it takes an average of five to six years for a case to be heard in immigration court. During this period, asylum seekers are protected from deportation but otherwise lack status or access to most federal benefits. Asylum seekers may seek authorization to work 150 days after they file their asylum application using Form I-765 with USCIS; if granted, authorization can take effect after an additional 30 days.

As workforce shortages grow across the country, asylum seekers’ lengthy ineligibility for work authorization creates a burden for local communities, nonprofits, homeless shelters, and volunteer networks – impacting the whole economy.

Pending: The Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act

The Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act is a bipartisan bill that would enable asylum seekers easier access to work authorization while their claims are pending.

The Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act would:
•         Reduce the statutory waiting period before asylum seekers can apply for work authorization from 180 days to 30 days.
•         Clarify that only asylum seekers who are not detained, who have not had their applications deemed frivolous, and who have had their identities checked against relevant government records may be eligible to receive work authorization.
•         Clarify that work authorization provided under the bill would be for a period of two years and would be renewable until the asylum claim is complete.

Senate bill 3665 was introduced on Feb. 16 by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and co-sponsored by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Angus King (I-ME). House Bill 6693 was proposed on Feb. 9 by Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN). Both versions of the bill were forwarded to their respective Judiciary Committees but have not been discussed nor moved forward.

Adapted from a document provided by The National Immigration Forum.

Q - How can I seek asylum (Under Biden’s Asylum Transit Ban)?

(As of May 11, 2023)

 

Back in February, when the Biden administration proposed a new regulation that would essentially restrict the vast majority of border crossers from qualifying for asylum, the non-profit Immigration Impact broke it down with a guide to qualifying for asylum in the United States in 12 not-so-easy steps. The final regulation, published Wednesday, will go into effect Friday with the end of the Title 42 “public health” emergency.

The final regulation has been tweaked from the vague draft text, so we’ve modified our not-so-easy steps—which still, let us remind you, are not legal advice—accordingly. Come Friday, this will become the process many people will be forced to go through to find safety on U.S. soil.

Read more here.

Q - Where can I find help with the CBP One App?

A: USAHello now offers a video to help: English version / Spanish version.

USAHello’s explainers on asylum and the Process for CHNV have had over 400k views this year and along with it have been questions about the CBP One App. In response, it created these video guides to help support our community with step-by-step instructions.

Note: There have been updates to the app since these were created. This information has been provided by USAHello, a non-profit organization that provides a free online center for information and education for refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, and welcoming communities.

Q - My elected official is staunchly anti-immigration. Is it even worth my time to call their office and urge them to vote against anti-immigrant bills? I’m not going to change their mind.

A: The purpose of calling is not to change their mind; the purpose of calling is to be counted. Literally.

 

Calls are usually answered by a staff member or intern whose job is to log your support or opposition in a database. It’s all about numbers, and numbers matter because your legislator’s overriding aim is re-election.  A flood of phone calls on the eve of a vote will get the attention of even the most staunch anti-immigrant politician. (And if your elected official dwells in an anti-immigration bubble with their base, it’s doubly important—and impactful—that they hear opposing voices.)

 

In a recent Texas legislative session, we’ve seen how a large number of phone calls at an opportune time can make elected officials pause—a pause that may slow a destructive bill to the extent that it never makes it out of committee.

 

So the answer is YES—it’s definitely worth your time to call. It only takes a couple of minutes. And grow those numbers; urge friends and family to call, too. 

 

Remember: It’s not about changing anyone’s mind; it’s literally about being counted. (And, of course, following up with your vote.)

 

Read tips and tricks for making your voice heard at https://act.represent.us/sign/does-calling-congress-really-work.

Q - How does Temporary Protective Status for Haitians work? Who qualifies? How can I apply?

  • Are you Haitian?
  • Have you been living in the US since before June 3, 2024?
  • Do you currently not have legal permanent residence status (green card holder)?
  • You may be eligible to apply for Temporary Protective Status (TPS)!

This Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) list, created by Church World Services. is intended to provide some information about TPS for Haitians and answer basic questions about what TPS is and who may be eligible for TPS. CWC strongly encourages all Haitian nationals who are interested in TPS status to meet with a qualified immigration attorney/representative to discuss the specifics of their case, whether they are eligible, and for in assistance applying. Beware of immigration scams.

Read the entire list of FAQs here.