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Your weekly summary from the Council
LATEST ANALYSIS
FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
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Roughly 34% of all DACA recipients lack health insurance coverage—but that may soon change, thanks to a proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services.
The proposed rule, which the Biden administration expects to publish in the Federal Register by the end of April, would allow DACA recipients to access coverage under the Affordable Care Act. This would allow hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients, many of whom have been in the U.S. since they were young children, to finally have access to adequate healthcare.
DACA recipients who are employed already contribute to the federal healthcare system, including programs like Medicaid.
This interactive fact sheet from the American Immigration Council breaks down the billions DACA recipients contribute to the U.S. every year.
Read more: Map the Impact: U.S. Immigration Statistics
ACROSS THE NATION
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A-Files contain important records of every interaction an immigrant has with the Department of Homeland Security, including information about prior entries in the United States, removal orders, statements made to immigration officials, and past applications for immigration benefits.
Immigrants can use this information to defend against removal, apply for immigration benefits, and naturalize. To receive a copy of their A-Files, individuals must submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
This updated practice advisory from the Council and our partners explains how to submit a FOIA request for a client’s immigration records and provides suggestions for avoiding denials by USCIS.
Read more: Nightingale v. USCIS and FOIA Requests for Immigration Case Files (A-Files)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
On Tuesday, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) released recommendations for managing migration in the Americas. His plan offers a series of executive and legislative changes that focus on creating new and expanded legal pathways, increasing resources at the border, expanding humanitarian efforts, and fighting smuggling and human trafficking.
“This set of recommendations includes many smart suggestions to begin addressing the long-term issues we are facing in the region and at the border, including ensuring access to legal counsel for migrants, expanding Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and expanding legal pathways. However, the emphasis on expedited removal and accelerated processing is not the solution we need at this time. Any proposal that emphasizes or expands expedited removal proceedings prior to substantive reforms will undoubtedly restrict meaningful access to both legal representation and asylum, especially for people of color and those with language barriers. Still, Senator Menendez’ plan is a powerful starting point for reasoned discussion and debate grounded in humane and effective solutions. Let’s work together to build immigration policy that matches the American values we stand for as a nation.”
– Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Director of Policy at the American Immigration Council on the new Menendez Plan
FURTHER READING
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Don’t Miss the Largest Annual Gathering of Immigration Practitioners
The year’s biggest event in immigration law, the 2023 AILA Annual Conference and Webcast on Immigration Law (AC23), is taking place this June in Orlando, Florida.
Grab your sunglasses and join the immigration law community for four days of boosting your skills while also earning most—if not all—of the CLE credits you need for the whole year, connecting with the AILA community, and learning from the nation’s foremost immigration law experts. Early-bird discounted rates expire on May 17, so make your plans today to ensure you access the lowest registration rates available.*
Learn more: 2023 AILA Annual Conference
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