Your weekly summary from the Council

 LATEST ANALYSIS 

• The Ghost of Public Charge Keeps Scaring Immigrant Families Away From Public Benefits

The rule was struck down in federal court and the Biden administration declined to continue defending it. But even though the rule is no longer in effect—and the president who proposed it is no longer in office—the “chilling effect” continues. Read More »

• Ukraine and Sudan Receive TPS Extensions, Designations as Global Displacement Continues to Rise

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Sudan and Ukraine last week. This is a welcome development, but more must be done to provide resources to USCIS as continuing worldwide conflicts and natural disasters increase calls for more designations. Read More »

 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW  

• This month, Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois signed two pieces of legislation that will help remove barriers to licensing for internationally trained physicians. This legislation is particularly critical for Illinois, as the state faces a major doctor’s shortage. Currently, there are 12,000 Illinois residents who have international medical degrees but are prohibited from using them to provide care.  
   
  One of the bills will create a permanent alternative pathway to full licensure for international medical graduates, while the other will create a position within the state government to help individuals navigate the licensing process.  
   
  This research series from the American Immigration Council highlights the crucial role immigrants are playing to help address workforce shortages in healthcare at the state-level.

Read More: The Growing Demand for Healthcare Workers

• New data released by the U.S. government reiterates that U.S. citizens—not immigrants—are primarily responsible for smuggling in the country’s supply of illicit fentanyl.  

89% of all convicted fentanyl traffickers in 2022 were U.S. citizens. And 93% of all seizures took place at legal ports of entry, where U.S. citizens can travel to and from Mexico freely.   

This blog from the American Immigration Council pulls data from 2021 to show a clear pattern—despite what Republican politicians say, it isn’t migrants bringing the bulk of fentanyl into the United States.

Read More: Fact Check: Migrants Aren’t the Ones Smuggling Fentanyl Into the United States

 ACROSS THE NATION  

• A recent Supreme Court decision in the Pugin v. Garland case may result in more immigrants being charged with “obstruction of justice” aggravated felonies, even for old convictions or misdemeanors. In a 6-3 opinion, the Court ruled that an immigrant can be charged with obstruction of justice even if there is no pending investigation or proceeding at the time of the crime. 
   
  Since the Court refused to narrow what counts as this type of aggravated felony, more people—even those with decades-long ties to the United States—will face mandatory detention, deportation, and a 20-year bar from returning to the U.S.  
   
  This new practice alert from the American Immigration Council and the National Immigration Project aims to help attorneys navigate the Pugin v. Garland ruling. 

Read More: Practice Alert: Overview of the Supreme Court's Decision in Pugin v. Garland

 QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

“Engineers, nurses, pharmacists and dentists, cannot work in Ohio unless they return to school... My client had received a U.S. humanitarian visa after fleeing Afghanistan in 2021, yet the Ohio board that licenses engineers doesn’t recognize his education and experience he gained abroad. To work in his profession in Ohio, he’d need to complete an American engineering degree and a four-year apprenticeship. His 10 years of work history would count for nothing... The demand for nurses is especially critical and is expected to worsen when thousands more leave the workforce in the next five years.”

– Edward Haag, career and education advisor at Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services in Columbus and a member of Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions.

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 FURTHER READING 

• Politico | Florida Playbook: Injunction Filed Over Immigration Law

• Arkansas Gazette: Officials detail efforts to curb migration

• Nashville Post: International medical graduates face barriers to work in U.S. hospitals

• Chicago Sun Times: A year in, Chicago’s migrant crisis shows no sign of letting up

         

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