[[link removed]] Your weekly summary from the Council.
LATEST ANALYSIS
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Data Snapshot: Middle Eastern and North African Immigrants [[link removed]]
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently announced its revision of the race and ethnicity question on federal surveys, including the U.S. census, adding “Middle Eastern or North African (MENA)” as a new category. This welcoming news came ahead of the Arab American Heritage Month in April.
Congress Expands Warrantless Surveillance of Immigrants Traveling to the US [[link removed]]
Congress passed the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (RISAA) which includes a new provision that expands the federal government's warrantless surveillance authority for noncitizens seeking permission to enter the U.S..
FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
President Biden is reportedly looking at ways to provide relief for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens.
The Biden administration is reportedly considered granting "parole in place" to this population, which could provide them with a path to permanent status in the U.S.
This recently updated fact sheet from the American Immigration Council explains how parole works in the immigration context.
Read more: The Use of Parole Under Immigration Law [[link removed]]
ACROSS THE NATION
The United States accepts thousands of refugees each year. Before coming to the U.S. as a refugee, however, individuals must prove they either have been persecuted or have a well-founded fear of persecution based on their political opinion, race, nationality, religion, or membership to a particular social group.
Currently, the U.S. Department of State publishes data showing the number of refugees that settle in each state. However, local communities need more granular information to welcome refugees and help them establish lives there. The Department of State published city-level data on refugee resettlement up until 2018. The lack of data has presented a challenge for local communities seeking to welcome refugees.
Last week, the American Immigration Council requested this information from the Department of State under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Read more: Seeking Data from the Department of State on the Cities Where Refugees Have Resettled [[link removed]]
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
On why it’s important to study patterns in voting: “We care a lot about voters, including immigrant voters, and once they become citizens and are eligible to vote, what kind of election power they might have...”
– Nan Wu, Director of Research at the American Immigration Council [[link removed]]
FURTHER READING
T he Hill: Ballooning immigrant detention enrages advocates [[link removed]]
The Oklahoman: There are three questions Oklahomans should ask legislators about the new anti-immigration bill. [[link removed]]
NPR’s Marketplace: Salvadoran janitors fight for better wages, supporting families here and abroad [[link removed]]
Haitian Times: How the Haitian Diaspora can support new Haitian immigrants in America [[link removed]]
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