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• Refugee Admissions and Resettlement Policy [March 7, 2012]

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  "A refugee is a person fleeing his or her country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Typically, the annual number of refugees that can be admitted into the United States, known as the refugee ceiling, and the allocation of these numbers by region are set by the President after consultation with Congress at the start of each fiscal year. For FY2012, the worldwide refugee ceiling is 76,000, with 73,000 admissions numbers allocated among the regions of the world and 3,000 numbers comprising an unallocated reserve. An unallocated reserve is to be used if, and where, a need develops for refugee slots in excess of the allocated numbers. The FY2012 regional allocations are, as follows: Africa (12,000), East Asia (18,000), Europe and Central Asia (2,000), Latin America/Caribbean (5,500), and Near East/South Asia (35,500). Overseas processing of refugees is conducted through a system of three priorities for admission. Priority 1 comprises cases involving persons facing compelling security concerns. Priority 2 comprises cases involving persons from specific groups of special humanitarian concern to the United States (e.g., Iranian religious minorities). Priority 3 comprises family reunification cases involving close relatives of persons admitted as refugees or granted asylum. […] The Department of Health and Human Service's Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS/ORR) administers an initial transitional assistance program for temporarily dependent refugees and Cuban/Haitian entrants. This report will be updated as major developments occur."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2012-03-07
• Refugee Admissions and Resettlement Policy [Updated January 25, 2006]

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  "A refugee is a person fleeing his or her country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Typically, the annual number of refugees that can be admitted into the United States, known as the refugee ceiling, and the allocation of these numbers by region are set by the President after consultation with Congress at the start of each fiscal year. For FY2006, the worldwide refugee ceiling is 70,000, with 60,000 admissions numbers allocated among the regions of the world and 10,000 numbers comprising an unallocated reserve. An unallocated reserve is to be used if, and where, a need develops for refugee slots in excess of the allocated numbers. The FY2006 regional allocations are, as follows: Africa (20,000), East Asia (15,000), Europe and Central Asia (15,000), Latin America/Caribbean (5,000), and Near East/South Asia (5,000). Overseas processing of refugees is conducted through a system of three priorities for admission. Priority 1 comprises cases involving persons facing compelling security concerns. Priority 2 comprises cases involving persons from specific groups of special humanitarian concern to the United States (e.g., Iranian religious minorities). Priority 3 comprises family reunification cases involving close relatives of persons admitted as refugees or granted asylum. Special legislative provisions facilitate relief for certain refugee groups. The 'Lautenberg Amendment' allows certain former Soviet and Indochinese nationals to qualify for refugee status based on their membership in a protected category with a credible fear of persecution."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2006-01-25
• Refugee Admissions and Resettlement Policy [Updated January 22, 2002]

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  "A refugee is a person fleeing his or her country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Typically, the annual number of refugees admitted into the United States and the allocation of these numbers by region are set by the President after consultation with Congress by the start of each fiscal year. In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, however, the usual process was not followed for FY2002. President Bush did not issue the Presidential Determination setting the FY2002 refugee numbers and allocations until November 21, 2001. In the absence of that Presidential Determination, no refugees could be admitted into the country after October 1, 2001. In addition, following a post-September 11 assessment of refugee-related security procedures, enhanced security procedures are now in place. Refugee admissions into the United States resumed the week of December 10, 2001. The FY2002 refugee ceiling is 70,000, as compared to the FY2001 level of 80,000. The Administration maintains that the reduction is necessary in order improve the quality of the refugee admissions program. For FY2002, the refugee numbers are allocated, as follows: Europe (26,000), Africa (22,000), Near East/South Asia (15,000), East Asia (4,000), and Latin America/Caribbean (3,000). Overseas processing of refugees is conducted through a system of three priorities for admission. Priority one includes cases involving persons facing compelling security concerns in the countries of first asylum (i.e., foreign countries to which refugees have fled)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra; Bush, Katherine

  2002-01-22
• Refugee Admissions and Resettlement Policy [November 30, 2016]

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  "A refugee is a person fleeing his or her country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Typically, the annual number of refugees that can be admitted into the United States, known as the refugee ceiling, and the allocation of these numbers by region are set by the President after consultation with Congress at the start of each fiscal year. [...] Special legislative provisions make it easier for members of certain groups to obtain refugee status. The 'Lautenberg Amendment,' which was first enacted in 1989, allows certain former Soviet and Indochinese nationals to qualify for refugee status based on their membership in a protected category with a credible fear of persecution. In 2004, Congress amended the Lautenberg Amendment to add the 'Specter Amendment,' which requires the designation of categories of Iranian religious minorities whose cases are to be adjudicated under the Lautenberg Amendment's reduced evidentiary standard. The Lautenberg Amendment, as amended by the Specter Amendment, has been regularly extended."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2016-11-30
• Refugee Admissions and Resettlement Policy [November 7, 2017]

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  "Typically, the annual number of refugees that can be admitted into the United States, known as the refugee ceiling, and the allocation of these numbers by region are set by the President after consultation with Congress at the start of each fiscal year. For FY2018, the worldwide refugee ceiling is 45,000. The FY2018 regional allocations are, as follows: Africa (19,000), East Asia (5,000), Europe and Central Asia (2,000), Latin America/Caribbean (1,500), and Near East/South Asia (17,500). Refugee admissions in FY2017 totaled 53,716. On October 24, 2017, a 120-day suspension of the refugee admissions program put in place by President Donald Trump expired. The same day, President Trump issued an executive order that provided for the resumption of the refugee program subject to certain conditions. The executive order referenced 'special measures' that would be applied to refugees whose entry poses potential threats to the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2017-11-07
• Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 109th Congress [Updated May 12, 2006]

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  "Security concerns are figuring prominently in the development of and debate on immigration legislation in the 109th Congress. In May 2005, the REAL ID Act became law as Division B of P.L. 109-13. It contains a number of immigration and identification document-related provisions intended to improve homeland security. Among these are provisions to make changes to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) with respect to asylum and other forms of relief from removal; to expand the terrorism-related grounds for alien inadmissibility and deportation; and to set standards for state-issued drivers' licenses and personal identification cards, if such documents are to be accepted for federal purposes."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Wasem, Ruth Ellen; Siskin, Alison; Bruno, Andorra

  2006-05-12
• Unauthorized Aliens in the United States: Policy Discussion [May 8, 2014]

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  "The unauthorized immigrant (illegal alien) population in the United States is a key and controversial immigration issue. Competing views on how to address this population have been, and continue to be, a major obstacle to enacting immigration reform legislation. It is unknown, at any point in time, how many unauthorized aliens are in the United States; what countries they are from; when they came to the United States; where they are living; and what their demographic, family, and other characteristics are. Demographers develop estimates about unauthorized aliens using available survey data on the U.S. foreign-born population and other methods. These estimates can help inform possible policy options to address the unauthorized alien population. Both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Pew Research Center estimate that approximately 11.5 million unauthorized aliens were living in the United States in January 2011. DHS further estimates that there were some 11.4 unauthorized residents in January 2012. Pew has released a preliminary estimate of 11.7 million for the March 2012 unauthorized resident population. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and other federal laws place various restrictions on unauthorized aliens. In general, they have no legal right to live or work in the United States and are subject to removal from the country. At the same time, the INA provides limited avenues for certain unauthorized aliens to obtain legal permanent residence."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2014-05-08
• Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 107th Congress [Updated August 28, 2002]

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  "The basic U.S. law regulating immigration, the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), was enacted in 1952 and has been amended since then. The last major overhaul of the INA occurred in 1996 with the passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA; Division C of P.L. 104-208). The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) administers and enforces the INA. (For a basic introduction to immigration, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RS20916, Immigration and Naturalization Fundamentals.) In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, congressional interest in immigration was focused primarily on security-related issues, such as border security, admissions policy, and the tracking of foreign nationals in the United States. Major legislation was enacted in these areas. While security-related issues remain on the agenda and have gained renewed prominence with the Administration's proposal to establish a homeland security department, the 107th Congress is also considering other immigration issues. Top immigration-related issues currently before Congress are the reorganization of INS, admissions policy, and noncitizen eligibility for federal benefits. These issues are discussed, in turn, in the initial sections of this report. These discussions are followed by coverage of various proposed mechanisms for unauthorized aliens to obtain legal permanent resident (LPR) status and other immigration issues of significant congressional interest. (The 'Legislation' section at the end of the report lists enacted legislation and selected bills receiving action.)"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Wasem, Ruth Ellen; Siskin, Alison; Ester, Karma . . .

  2002-08-28
• President's Immigration Accountability Executive Action of November 20, 2014: Overview and Issues [February 24, 2015]

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  "On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced his Immigration Accountability Executive Action which would revise some U.S. immigration policies and initiate several programs, including a revised border security policy for the Southwest border; deferred action programs for some unauthorized aliens; revised interior enforcement priorities; changes to aid the entry of skilled workers; promoting immigrant integration and naturalization; and several other initiatives the President indicated would improve the U.S. immigration system. The most controversial among these provisions would grant deferred action to as many as 5 million unauthorized aliens. The President announced the executive action through 10 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memoranda, 2 White House memoranda, and 3 Department of Labor (DOL) fact sheets. […] According to the President, the action was taken in response to the absence of legislation addressing major problems within the immigration system. The President has stated that his executive action is temporary, and that his successor can rescind some or all of its provisions. Those opposed to the executive action argue that it was taken largely for political purposes. They contend that once granted, the temporary measures it encompasses would be difficult to revoke. Separately, a debate has arisen as to whether the President has the legal authority to take such action, with the Administration and others arguing the President's action falls within his authority, and many in Congress arguing the President has overstepped it. That debate and its attendant legal questions are beyond the scope of this report."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kandel, William; Bjelopera, Jerome P.; Bruno, Andorra . . .

  2015-02-24
• Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 114th Congress [September 9, 2016]

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  "The House and the Senate have considered immigration measures on a variety of issues in the 114th Congress. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113) extends four immigration programs through September 30, 2016: the EB-5 immigrant investor Regional Center Pilot Program, the E-Verify employment eligibility verification system, the Conrad State program for foreign medical graduates, and the special immigrant religious worker program. P.L. 114-113 also contains provisions on the Visa Waiver Program and certain nonimmigrant visa categories. [...] In addition, various bills on border security, interior enforcement, visa security, and asylum, among other issues, have been considered by a House or Senate committee. Border security-related measures have been reported by the House Homeland Security Committee (H.R. 399) or the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (S. 461, S. 750, S. 1808, S. 1864, S. 1873, S. 2976). Interior enforcement provisions are included in bills ordered to be reported by the House Judiciary Committee (H.R. 1147, H.R. 1148, H.R. 1153) or reported by the House Appropriations Committee (H.R. 3128). Several of these interior enforcement bills contain key provisions on other immigration issues, such as employment eligibility verification (H.R. 1147); visa security and naturalization (H.R. 1148); and expedited removal, asylum, parole, and unaccompanied alien children (H.R. 1153). [...] H.R. 1149, as ordered to be reported by the House Judiciary Committee, also addresses unaccompanied alien children. This report discusses these and other immigration-related issues that have received legislative action or are of significant congressional interest in the 114th Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra; Argueta, Carla N.; Bjelopera, Jerome P. . . .

  2016-09-09
• U.S. Policy on Cuban Migrants: In Brief [December 16, 2016]

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  "'Normal' immigration from Cuba to the United States has not existed since the Cuban Revolution of 1959 brought Fidel Castro to power. For more than 50 years, the majority of Cubans who have entered the United States have done so through special humanitarian provisions of federal law. U.S. policy on Cuban migration has been shaped by a 1966 law known as the Cuban Adjustment Act, as amended, and U.S.-Cuban migration agreements signed in the mid-1990s, operating in conjunction with the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). [...] In addition to entering the United States under special policies and becoming LPRs [lawful permanent residents] through the Cuban Adjustment Act, Cubans can gain permanent admission to the United States through certain standard immigration pathways set forth in the INA. [...] Special provisions of law also make Cuban migrants in the United States eligible for federal assistance. [...] The steps taken by the Obama Administration to normalize relations with Cuba have raised questions about the possibility of future changes to U.S. policy toward Cuban migrants through either executive or congressional action. Regarding the latter, legislation was introduced in the 114th Congress to repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act and eliminate the special treatment that Cuban entrants receive with respect to federal refugee resettlement assistance and other federal assistance. It remains to be seen whether Congress will act on any such measures."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2016-12-16
• Immigration of Temporary Lower-Skilled Workers: Current Policy and Related Issues [March 20, 2012]

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  "U.S. employers in various industries argue that they need to hire foreign workers to perform lower-skilled jobs, while others maintain that many of these positions could be filled by U.S. workers. Under current law, certain lower-skilled foreign workers, sometimes referred to as guest workers, may be admitted to the United States to perform temporary service or labor under two temporary worker visas: the H-2A visa for agricultural workers and the H-2B visa for nonagricultural workers. Both programs are administered by the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHS/USCIS) and the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (DOL/ETA). The H-2A and H-2B programs--and guest worker programs broadly--strive to be both responsive to legitimate employer needs for labor and to provide adequate protections for U.S. and foreign temporary workers. There is much debate, however, about how to strike the appropriate balance between these twin goals. […] Bringing workers into the United States under either the H-2A program or H-2B program is a multi-agency process involving DOL, DHS, and the Department of State. As an initial step in the process, employers must apply for DOL labor certification to ensure that U.S. workers are not available for the jobs in question and that the hiring of foreign workers will not adversely affect U.S. workers. […] While the discussion of current guest worker programs in this report focuses on the H-2A and H- 2B visas, it also covers the Summer Work Travel (SWT) program, the largest of several programs under the J-1 visa for participants in work- and study-based exchange visitor programs. The SWT program is particularly relevant because participants work largely in unskilled jobs, including H- 2B-like seasonal jobs at resorts and amusement parks."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2012-03-20
• Immigration of Temporary Lower-Skilled Workers: Current Policy and Related Issues [December 13, 2012]

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  "This report discusses existing visa programs for temporary lower-skilled workers, including regulatory changes since 2008. It covers legislative efforts to reform current programs and to create new guest worker visas. It further identifies and explores key policy considerations to help inform congressional action on guest worker programs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2012-12-13
• Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs [Updated June 8, 2004]

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  "The current discussion of guest worker programs takes place against a backdrop of historically high levels of unauthorized immigration to the United States. Supporters of a large-scale temporary worker program argue that such a program would help reduce unauthorized immigration by providing a legal alternative for prospective foreign workers. Critics reject this reasoning and instead maintain that a new guest worker program would likely exacerbate the problem of illegal immigration. The consideration of any proposed guest worker program would appear to raise a variety of issues. Among them are the following: how would the requirements of any new program compare to the requirements of the H-2A and H-2B programs; who would be eligible for the program; would the program include a mechanism for participants to obtain LPR [legal permanent residents] status; how would family members of eligible individuals be treated; what labor market test, if any, would the program employ; would the program be numerically limited; how would the rules and requirements of the program be enforced; and what security-related provisions, if any, would be included. This report aims to provide an analytical framework for evaluating low-skilled guest worker proposals. It is not intended to serve as a legislative tracking report. If warranted by legislative developments, the tracking of relevant bills in the 108th Congress will be handled in a separate product."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2004-06-08
• Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Programs [February 26, 2016]

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  "Congress has enacted a series of legislative provisions since 2006 to enable certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals to become U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPRs). These provisions make certain Iraqis and Afghans who have worked as translators or interpreters, or who were employed by, or on behalf of, the U.S. government in Iraq or Afghanistan, eligible for special immigrant visas (SIVs). Special immigrants comprise a category of permanent employment-based admissions under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). While the special immigrant category is unique, it does bear some similarities to other admission categories that are authorized by other sections of the INA, including refugees and Amerasian children. To apply under the SIV programs for Iraqis or Afghans, a prospective special immigrant must: submit a petition to the Department of Homeland Security; be otherwise eligible for an immigrant visa; and be otherwise admissible to the United States. An Iraqi or Afghan SIV applicant whose petition is approved and who is abroad is required to have an in-person visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad to determine visa eligibility. Upon admission to the United States, SIV recipients are granted LPR status. Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants are eligible for the same resettlement assistance and federal public benefits as refugees."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2016-02-26
• Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Programs [January 20, 2015]

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  "In January 2006, the 109th Congress enacted the first of a series of legislative provisions to enable certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals to become U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPRs) based on their service to the U.S. government. Section 1059 of the FY2006 National Defense Authorization Act made certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals who had worked directly with U.S. Armed Forces as translators eligible for 'special immigrant' visas (SIVs). Special immigrants comprise a category of permanent employment-based admissions under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Upon admission to the United States, holders of SIVs are granted LPR status. […] Congress subsequently amended the special immigrant classification for translators to broaden it and authorized a second special immigrant classification for certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals who had worked for, or on behalf of, the U.S. government in Iraq or Afghanistan, respectively. This report analyzes the SIV classifications for Iraqis and Afghans within the context of both the larger INA special immigrant category and selected other permanent admissions categories. It discusses the legislative changes to the individual Iraqi and Afghan special immigrant programs since their initial authorization, provides statistics on visa issuances, and considers challenges that have faced the programs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2015-01-20
• Syrian Refugee Admissions to the United States [September 22, 2015]

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  "With some European countries pledging to accept increased numbers of Syrian and other asylum seekers in the face of a refugee crisis, attention is focused on the United States and its plans to admit Syrian and other refugees in FY2016 and beyond. The Obama Administration initially proposed an overall refugee ceiling of 75,000 for FY2016 and held consultations with Congress on that proposal, as required by law. On September 20, 2015, however, Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the refugee ceiling for FY2016 would instead be 85,000. Previously the Administration had announced that the United States would admit at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in FY2016. Once final, the refugee ceiling and regional allocations (for Africa, East Asia, Europe/Central Asia, Latin America/Caribbean, and Near East/South Asia) for the next fiscal year are set forth in an annual Presidential Determination on refugee admissions. The FY2015 worldwide refugee ceiling is 70,000 and the allocation for the Near East/South Asia region, which includes Syria, is 31,000. The FY2015 refugee admissions proposal included a discussion of U.S. plans to resettle Syrian refugees. From October 1, 2010, through August 31, 2015, the United States has admitted a total of 1,494 Syrian refugees, almost 1,300 of that total since October 1, 2014."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2015-09-22
• Syrian Refugee Admissions to the United States [September 10, 2015]

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  "With some European countries pledging to accept increased numbers of Syrian and other asylum seekers in the face of a refugee crisis, attention is focused on the United States and its plans to admit Syrian and other refugees in FY2016 and beyond. The Obama Administration has held consultations with Congress on its proposed refugee ceiling of 75,000 and regional allocations for FY2016, as required by law, but has not yet publicly released its FY2016 refugee admissions proposal. The Administration has announced, however, that the United States would admit at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in FY2016. Once final, the refugee ceiling and regional allocations (for Africa, East Asia, Europe/Central Asia, Latin America/Caribbean, and Near East/South Asia) for the next fiscal year are set forth in an annual Presidential Determination on refugee admissions. The FY2015 worldwide refugee ceiling is 70,000 and the allocation for the Near East/South Asia region, which includes Syria, is 31,000. The FY2015 refugee admissions proposal included a discussion of U.S. plans to resettle Syrian refugees. From October 1, 2010, through August 31, 2015, the United States has admitted a total of 1,494 Syrian refugees, almost 1,300 of that total since October 1, 2014."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2015-09-10
• Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs [June 27, 2007]

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  "In 2001, the United States and Mexico began Cabinet-level talks on migration. Although the details of these discussions were not made public, two issues -- legalization and a temporary worker program -- dominated media coverage. The talks lost momentum after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as the Bush Administration focused its attention on security-related matters. A temporary worker program (not limited to Mexico), however, remains of interest to some Members of Congress and Administration officials. Various bills to reform existing programs for foreign temporary workers and to create new temporary worker programs have been introduced in recent Congresses. Among them, in the 110th Congress, is S. 1639, which would provide for comprehensive immigration reform. In January 2004, the Bush Administration outlined a proposal for a new temporary worker program. The President reiterated his support for a temporary worker program in a May 2006 national address. The temporary worker programs under discussion presumably would cover largely low-skilled workers."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2007-06-27
• Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Programs [Updated March 29, 2019]

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  From the Document: "Congress has enacted a series of legislative provisions since 2006 to enable certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals to become U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPRs). These provisions make certain Iraqis and Afghans who worked as translators or interpreters, or who were employed by, or on behalf of, the U.S. government in Iraq or Afghanistan, eligible for 'special immigrant' visas (SIVs). Special immigrants comprise a category of permanent employment-based admissions under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). While the special immigrant category is unique, it does bear some similarities to other admission categories that are authorized by other sections of the INA, including refugees and Amerasian children."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2019-03-29
• DACA and DAPA Deferred Action Initiatives: Frequently Asked Questions [February 15, 2017]

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  "The future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the proposed Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program, two Obama Administration initiatives, is uncertain under President Donald Trump. As of the date of this report, the Trump Administration has not taken action on these initiatives. The DACA program was established in June 2012, when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that certain individuals without a lawful immigration status who were brought to the United States as children and met other criteria would be considered for relief from removal for two years. To request consideration of DACA, an individual must file specified forms with DHS's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and pay associated fees. As of the date of this report, the DACA program is ongoing. USCIS's decision on a DACA request is discretionary. The agency makes determinations on a case-by-case basis. Individuals granted DACA may receive employment authorization. DACA recipients are not granted a lawful immigration status and are not put on a pathway to a lawful immigration status. They are, however, considered to be lawfully present in the United States during the period of deferred action. [...] The separate DAPA program was proposed by the Obama Administration in November 2014 to provide temporary relief from removal for certain parents of U.S. citizen or LPR [lawful permanent resident] children. Its implementation was blocked in the federal courts. It remains to be seen how this litigation may be affected by the change in administration."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2017-02-15
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Frequently Asked Questions [September 06, 2017]

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  "On September 5, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an Obama Administration initiative, was being rescinded. A related memorandum released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that same day rescinded the 2012 memorandum that established the DACA process. DACA was created to provide temporary relief from removal from the United States for individuals without a lawful immigration status who were brought to the United States as children and met other criteria. Under the DACA process, both initial grants of deferred action and renewals are issued for a period of two years. In addition to rescinding the 2012 DACA memorandum, the September 2017 memorandum states that DHS will 'execute a wind-down' of DACA, during which it will 'adjudicate certain requests for DACA and associated applications meeting certain parameters.' These requests include initial and renewal requests for DACA accepted by DHS by September 5, 2017, and renewal requests from current DACA beneficiaries whose benefits will expire between September 5, 2017, and March 5, 2018, and whose renewal requests are accepted by DHS by October 5, 2017. The memorandum also states that DHS will not terminate previously issued grants of deferred action or employment authorization 'solely based on the directives in this memorandum.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2017-09-06
• Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs [March 16, 2010]

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  "The United States has two main programs for temporarily importing low-skilled workers, or guest workers. Agricultural guest workers enter through the H-2A visa program, and other guest workers enter through the H-2B visa program. Before an employer can file a petition with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to import workers under either program, the employer must apply to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for a certification that U.S. workers capable of performing the work are not available and that the employment of alien workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers. Other requirements of the programs differ. In December 2008, DHS and DOL published final rules to significantly amend their H-2A and H- 2B regulations. The new rules became effective on January 17, 2009. Under the Obama Administration, DOL proposed a new H-2A rule to replace the 2008 rule. This rule was published in final form in February 2010 and went into effect on March 15, 2010. The Administration left intact the 2008 H-2A rule issued by DHS and the 2008 H-2B rules issued by DHS and DOL."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2010-03-16
• Syrian Refugee Admissions and Resettlement in the United States: In Brief [September 16, 2016]

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  "The admission of Syrian refugees to the United States has generated public controversy, with opponents citing concerns chiefly about terrorism and national security. As of August 31, 2016, the United States has admitted 10,740 Syrian refugees in FY2016, meeting the Obama Administration's fiscal year goal. These new arrivals have been placed in 40 states. From October 1, 2010, through August 31, 2016, the United States admitted a total of 12,623 Syrian refugees. The admission of refugees to the United States and their resettlement here are authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended by the Refugee Act of 1980. [...] The Department of State's (DOS's) Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) is responsible for coordinating and managing the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Prospective refugees can be referred to the U.S. program by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a U.S. embassy, or a designated nongovernmental organization (NGO), or in some cases, they can access the U.S. refugee program directly. [...] Refugees who are accepted for U.S. resettlement are placed in communities throughout the United States. Regardless of where refugees are initially resettled, they are free to relocate at any time. Once admitted to the United States, refugees are eligible for initial resettlement assistance through the DOS Reception and Placement Program and longer-term resettlement assistance through the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2016-09-16
• Syrian Refugee Admissions and Resettlement in the United States: In Brief [November 19, 2015]

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  From the Introduction: "The November 2015 attacks in Paris have crystallized concerns among some policymakers in the United States about admitting Syrian refugees. Questions have been raised about the refugee admission process, particularly the security vetting procedures. Some policymakers have urged the Obama Administration to stop admitting Syrian refugees for now and a number of governors have expressed an unwillingness to accept Syrian refugees in their states. The Administration previously announced that it would admit at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in FY2016. To assist Congress in addressing issues related to Syrian refugees and U.S. refugee policy generally, this report details the U.S. refugee admissions process and the placement and resettlement of arriving refugees in the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2015-11-19
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): By the Numbers [April 14, 2021]

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  From the Document: "On January 20, 2021, his first day in office, President Joe Biden issued a memorandum to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Attorney General on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative. The presidential memorandum directed the DHS Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, to 'take all actions he deems appropriate, consistent with applicable law, to preserve and fortify DACA.' [...] To help inform possible legislative activity related to DACA and Dreamers, this report considers available data on the DACA population from DHS and other sources. An initial background section provides a brief history of DACA and its current status. Three categories of data are then presented and discussed: (1) data on the DACA-eligible population, (2) data on DACA applications, and (3) data on DACA recipients. Finally, the report addresses the issue of unauthorized immigrants and LPR status, focusing in particular on DACA recipients and related data."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2021-04-14
• Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Programs [December 12, 2017]

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  "Congress has enacted a series of legislative provisions since 2006 to enable certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals to become U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPRs). These provisions make certain Iraqis and Afghans who have worked as translators or interpreters, or who were employed by, or on behalf of, the U.S. government in Iraq or Afghanistan, eligible for special immigrant visas (SIVs). Special immigrants comprise a category of permanent employment-based admissions under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). While the special immigrant category is unique, it does bear some similarities to other admission categories that are authorized by other sections of the INA, including refugees and Amerasian children."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2017-12-12
• Unauthorized Alien Students: Issues and 'DREAM Act' Legislation [December 3, 2013]

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  "Multiple DREAM Act [Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act] bills have been introduced in recent Congresses to address the unauthorized student population. Most have proposed a two-prong approach of repealing the 1996 provision and enabling some unauthorized alien students to become U.S. legal permanent residents (LPRs) through an immigration procedure known as 'cancellation of removal'. While there are other options for dealing with this population, this report deals exclusively with the DREAM Act approach in light of the considerable congressional interest in it. In the 111th Congress, the House approved DREAM Act language as part of an unrelated bill, the Removal Clarification Act of 2010 (H.R. 5281). The Senate, however, failed to invoke cloture on a motion to agree to the House-passed DREAM Act amendment, and the bill died at the end of the Congress. The House-approved language differed in key respects from earlier versions of the DREAM Act. Bills to legalize the status of unauthorized alien students were again introduced in the 112th Congress. In 2012, in the absence of congressional action on DREAM Act legislation, the Obama Administration announced that certain individuals who entered the United States as children and meet other criteria would be considered for relief from removal."

  Bruno, Andorra

  2013-12-03
• Unauthorized Alien Students: Issues and 'DREAM Act' Legislation [June 19, 2012]

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  "On June 15, 2012, the Obama Administration announced that certain individuals who were brought to the United States as children and meet other criteria would be considered for relief from removal. Under the memorandum, issued by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, these individuals would be eligible for deferred action1 for two years, subject to renewal, and could apply for employment authorization. The eligibility criteria for deferred action under the June 15, 2012, memorandum are (1) under age 16 at time of entry into the United States; (2) continuous residence in the United States for a least five years immediately preceding the date of the memorandum; (3) in school, graduated from high school or obtained general education development certificate, or honorably discharged from the Armed Forces; (4) not convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, or multiple misdemeanor offenses, and not otherwise a threat to national security or public safety; and (5) age 30 or below. These eligibility criteria are similar to those included in DREAM Act [Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act] bills discussed below. The deferred action process set forth in the June 15, 2012, memorandum, however, would not grant eligible individuals a legal immigration status."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2012-06-19
• Unauthorized Alien Students: Issues and 'DREAM Act' Legislation [March 21, 2012]

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  "The 109th and 110th Congresses considered, but did not enact, comprehensive immigration reform legislation that included large-scale legalization programs for unauthorized aliens. In the aftermath of these unsuccessful efforts, some interested parties have urged the President and Congress to pursue more limited legislation to address the status of unauthorized alien students. Such legislation is commonly referred to as the 'DREAM [Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors] Act.' Unauthorized aliens in the United States are able to receive free public education through high school. They may experience difficulty obtaining higher education, however, for several reasons. Among these reasons is a provision enacted in 1996 that prohibits states from granting unauthorized aliens certain postsecondary educational benefits on the basis of state residence, unless equal benefits are made available to all U.S. citizens. This prohibition is commonly understood to apply to the granting of 'in-state' residency status for tuition purposes. Unauthorized alien students also are not eligible for federal student financial aid. More broadly, as unauthorized aliens, they are not legally allowed to work and are subject to being removed from the country. Multiple DREAM Act bills have been introduced in recent Congresses to address the unauthorized student population. […] Bills to legalize the status of unauthorized alien students (S. 952, H.R. 1842, H.R. 3823) have again been introduced in the 112th Congress. It is unclear, however, whether any of these measures will be considered. This report will be updated as legislative developments occur."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2012-03-21