By: Aaron Reichlin-Melnick and Shev Dalal-Dheini | americanimmigrationcouncil.org | Editorial credit: Walter Cicchetti / Shutterstock.com On September 5, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency established by Congress to adjudicate immigration applications, made a startling announcement. For the first time since the agency was created in 2003, the agency will create a new class […]
By: Mary Campbell In an exclusive interview, Joseph Edlow, newly confirmed Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has defended a controversial immigration policy shift allowing immigration officers to weigh applicants’ personal views—specifically whether they espouse “anti‑American” ideologies—as part of green card and visa evaluations. What This Change Entails Edlow emphasized that the policy […]
In July 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) elevated denaturalization to a top enforcement priority, marking a dramatic shift in how the federal government approaches U.S. citizenship. While the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) has long authorized revocation of naturalization, historically such cases were rare and confined to extraordinary circumstances—such as involvement in genocide or […]
Editorial credit: Evgenia Parajanian / Shutterstock.com WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the factors that officers consider in certain benefit requests where an exercise of discretion is required, including factors relating to aliens’ past requests for parole and any involvement in anti-American or terrorist organizations, […]
By:David L. Di Maria | Theconversation.com In early April 2025, the Trump administration terminated the immigration statuses of thousands of international students listed in a government database, meaning they no longer had legal permission to be in the country. Some students self-deported instead of facing deportation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently announced that it would reverse […]
By Mary Campbell | Editorial credit: RAMAN SHAUNIA / shutterstock.com The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, was a significant step in enhancing national security following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Based on recommendations from the 9/11 Commission, the Act established a uniform set of security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses […]
By Mary Campbell | Editorial credit: sdx15 / shutterstock.com In a move that has sparked concerns over privacy and free speech, the Trump administration has proposed a policy that would require immigrants applying for green cards, citizenship, and other immigration benefits to disclose their social media handles. The policy, part of a broader immigration reform […]
By Esther Claudette Gittens This article delves into the origins of the strategy, its adaptation in modern settings, and the justification for its continued use, examining how it remains a powerful tool for gaining advantage, achieving dominance, or optimizing solutions in various scenarios. Origins of “Divide and Conquer” The phrase “Divide and Conquer” (Latin: Divide […]
By Esther Claudette Gittens Immigration law in the United States has a long and complex history, particularly concerning when lawful permanent residents (LPRs), also known as green card holders, may be placed in deportation (removal) proceedings or subjected to expedited removal. One of the more controversial areas of immigration enforcement involves cases where an LPR […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com President Donald Trump has unveiled a proposal to replace the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program with a new “Gold Card” visa, priced at $5 million. This initiative aims to attract affluent individuals by offering permanent U.S. residency and a pathway to citizenship in exchange […]
