Insights
New Benefit: DED for Lebanon
On July 26, 2024, President Joseph Biden issued a Memorandum on the Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Lebanese Nationals to the secretaries of state and homeland security authorizing DED and employment authorization for 18 months for eligible Lebanese nationals.
Keeping Families Together Parole-In-Place Resources
On June 18, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a key step toward fulfilling President Biden’s commitment to promoting family unity in the immigration system. On Aug. 19, 2024, DHS implemented Keeping Families Together, a process for certain noncitizen spouses and noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens to request parole in place under existing statutory authority.
Biden Parole In Place Program Begins August 19, 2024
USCIS is not currently accepting applications under this process. Applications will be available and accepted for filing starting Aug. 19, 2024. More information about eligibility and the application process will be published in a forthcoming Federal Register notice.
Chevron is Dead
The end of Chevron deference is a significant development for immigration law. With Chevron deference gone, courts will now have more freedom to scrutinize agency decisions. Depending on the issue, this could lead to more favorable outcomes for immigrants. The full impact of this change will likely become clearer over time as advocates challenge existing agency regulations.
Biden Announces Two Executive Actions On Immigration To Begin Later This Summer
Today, the Biden Administration teased two new proposals to address the real challenges of our legal immigration system. First, in the coming weeks, the Department of Homeland Security will establish a parole-in-place (PIP) process for certain spouses and children of U.S. citizens, who would be eligible to adjust their status but for an unlawful entry. Second, the Biden Administration will make it easier for some DACA recipients to access the employment visa process.
Biden to Announce Executive Action Protecting Undocumented Immigrant Spouses of U.S. Citizens
The Biden Administration is making a concerted effort to court immigration advocates prior to elections in November, following a period where some of his immigration policies resembled those of former President Trump. Apparently, the current President is gearing up to announce a significant executive action aimed at shielding certain undocumented immigrants from removal. This announcement could come as early as next week, and comes on the heels of the Biden Administration’s continued assault on asylum seekers.
New USCIS Fee Schedule
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented a new fee schedule on April 1, 2024. This is the first major adjustment since 2016 and aims to recover agency operation costs and improve processing times. Here’s a breakdown.
House GOP Suffers Setback as Impeachment of Mayorkas Fails
In a dramatic turn of events, the House of Representatives on Tuesday failed to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, falling short by a single vote in a major blow to House Republicans. The articles of impeachment, centered on accusations of mismanagement of the US-Mexico border, were ultimately defeated 214-216, with four Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition.