This week in immigration news – June 13, 2019
The FY 2020 Homeland Security bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee would bar the Trump administration from being able to implement some of its desired hardline immigration provisions.
For example, amendments to the bill would prevent the United States from removing asylum-seekers to Mexico while their claims are processed, the deportation of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, and an asylum ban. It should be noted that while the House Appropriations Committee took this action, the bill has little chance of passing due to opposition that it will face from both President Trump and a Republican-controlled Senate.
The Salt Lake County Council is calling on Utah’s congressional delegation to pursue immigration reform that would reflect the community’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for immigrants.
The council indicated that they support an end to family separation policies, an increase in the number of H-2B visas, and a sustainable solution for DACA recipients.
Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has been tapped by President Trump to lead the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency.
While Cuccinelli has been appointed acting director of the agency, he has never worked there before being entrusted to lead it. Further, his hardline positions are causing concerns that the administration is planning to more tightly scrutinize immigrants seeking citizenship and enforce longer wait periods for green cards and other visas.
