2024 Copyright: Boundless Immigration - https://www.boundless.com/ New Biden Plan Will Speed Up Court Cases for New Migrants The Biden administration announced a new program to expedite immigration court cases for certain single adults caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, aiming to reduce illegal immigration before the November 5 presidential election. The program, targeting migrants in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City, will place their cases on a “recent arrivals docket,” with judges aiming to resolve asylum claims within 180 days.  The initiative is aimed at t ..read more

A recent incident at Thomas Jefferson University, where nursing students’ names were mispronounced during their graduation ceremony, sparked widespread attention and highlighted a pervasive issue faced by individuals with culturally diverse names, particularly immigrants. The incident, while embarrassing for the institution, served as a catalyst for discussions about the broader implications of name mispronunciation, especially in the workplace. Key Stats: Why Name Pronunciation Matters in the Workplace 74% of workers struggle with name pronunciation at work 44% of job applicants are less lik ..read more

The issue of non-citizen voting in U.S. federal elections has become a heated topic in American politics. While some claim it is a critical problem requiring immediate action, a closer examination reveals a more complex reality. Key Facts about non-citizen voting in the U.S. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections, with severe penalties for violations. A small number of localities allow non-citizen voting in local elections, but not at the federal level. Evidence of non-citizen voting in federal elections ..read more

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a policy update that clarifies the types of fields that qualify for a streamlined green card process under Schedule A, Group II. This process is designed for individuals with “exceptional ability” in STEM fields, and the recent update broadens the definition of what constitutes a “science or art.” What’s Changed: The new definition of “science or art” includes any field where colleges and universities commonly offer degrees. This means a wider range of STEM professionals may now be eligible for the Schedule A process. Who Qualifies ..read more

The U.S. Department of State issued a record number of nonimmigrant visas during the first half of fiscal year 2024, the federal agency announced on Tuesday. Key Takeaways: Visitor Visas Soar: Nearly 4.1 million B-1/B-2 visas and border crossing cards were issued, supporting tourism and business travel. H-2A & H-2B Visas Hit Record High: 205,000 visas were granted to temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers, fulfilling critical labor needs. Employment-Based Green Cards Surge: Close to 25,000 employment-based immigrant visas were issued, a 75% increase from FY 2019. Family Reuni ..read more

Biden Plans Sweeping Executive Order to Stop Border Crossings President Biden hinted at issuing an executive order that would dramatically reduce the number of asylum-seekers who are able to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Biden would act under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which gives the president sweeping authority to block immigration if it would be “detrimental” to national interests. Although the executive order is not yet finalized, Biden is expected to announce border policy changes by the end of April. Trump and House Speaker Push Non-citizen Voting Bill ..read more

This is the Visa Bulletin from May 2024. You can view the latest version of the Visa Bulletin here. If you don’t know what a “visa bulletin” or a “priority date” is, we’ve got you covered. Start by checking out the Boundless Guide on How to Read the Visa Bulletin. If you’re already familiar with those terms, scroll down to our summary of key developments or to the filing category that’s most relevant to you: Family-based categories F-1: Unmarried Children (Age 21 and Older) of U.S. Citizens F-2A: Spouses and Unmarried Children (Under Age 21) of U.S. Green Card Holders F-2B: Unmarried Children ..read more

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made an important change to make immigration processes simpler and less costly. Starting April 1, 2024, they removed the extra fee for biometrics (like fingerprints and photographs) for most applications. With Boundless, you can pay USCIS and Boundless fees over time Make your immigration journey more affordable. See if you qualify Learn about our services What are biometrics and why are they collected? Biometrics are physical characteristics like fingerprints and photographs that are unique to each person. USCIS collects biometrics to ver ..read more

More than 100,000 young immigrants protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program will soon gain access to federal healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act.  The DACA program, first implemented in 2012, provides deportation relief and work permits to undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. But DACA recipients have, up until now, been excluded from federally funded health insurance programs. This policy change, set to take effect November 1, 2024, is expected to extend healthcare access to an estimated 100,000 previously uninsured DACA pa ..read more

Recent statements by Senator Marsha Blackburn about revoking visas and deporting international students involved in campus protests have brought up important questions about the rights of immigrants, green card holders, and students on visas when it comes to protesting in the United States. We’re here to help you understand your rights and navigate this complex topic. Your Constitutional Right to Protest as an Immigrant While Blackburn’s remarks underscore a heightened sensitivity to national security and campus safety, they also raise critical questions about the legal and constitutional righ ..read more