A new policy announced by the Trump administration will make work permits issued to asylum seekers, and others under certain humanitarian programs, valid for 18 months instead of five years, reports Michelle Hackman of The Wall Street Journal.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joe Edlow framed the change as a way to vet immigrants more often. The new policy, expected to take effect as of yesterday, applies only to new work permits at least for now.
The policy could hurt the U.S. economy, advocates and community leaders point out.
In more positive news, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2025, reports Mary Norkol of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The bill, originally introduced in 2001, would give undocumented people brought to the U.S. as children the opportunity to legally work, go to school and serve in the military. New in 2025, the bill would protect "Documented Dreamers," who grew up here but aged out of a parent’s visa status.
"The DREAM Act is a key step toward true, positive, bipartisan change," Durbin said. And in Jennie’s words, "DACA recipients and other Dreamers are vital to America’s economy. They pay taxes and fill essential roles in the American workforce thanks to their education, skills, entrepreneurship and leadership."
Welcome to Friday’s edition of The Forum Daily. I’m Dan Gordon, the Forum’s VP of Strategic Communications, and the great Forum Daily team also includes Masooma Amin, Jillian Clark, Nicci Mattey and Clara Villatoro. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected].
VISA VETTING — The Trump administration announced increased vetting for H-1B visa applicants this week, reports Humeyra Pamuk of Reuters. United States consular officers are to review resumes or LinkedIn profiles to see if applicants have worked in handling "misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance and online safety," which the memo equates with censorship.
LATEST FROM N.O. — In Kenner, home to Louisiana’s largest Hispanic population, shops appear deserted amid the ongoing immigration crackdown, report Jack Brook and Sara Cline of the Associated Press. In New Orleans proper, a decrease in economic activity is clear on North Broad Street, reports Robert Stewart of Verite News. The restaurant industry, a pillar of tourism in New Orleans, has been preparing for the worst, reports Jasmine Robinson, also from Verite News.
INCREDIBLE SACRIFICE — American veterans steering the effort to bring Afghan refugees to the U.S. fear that the president’s latest freeze on asylum cases will put Afghan allies at risk, reports Brian Mann of NPR. "The Afghans laid down their lives at pretty much four times the rate a Green Beret did. That's an incredible level of sacrifice," said Thomas Kasza, a former Green Beret who fought alongside Afghans in the Kabul area. Margaret Barthel of WAMU reports on the challenges for Afghans in Northern Virginia.
CONTRIBUTING — Immigrant communities in Indianapolis are feeling the pressure of increased federal restrictions, reports Casey Zanowic of WRTV. "Many of our clients have been in the community for one to two or even 30 years," said Gurinder Kaur, CEO of the Immigrant Welcome Center. Meanwhile, KaMaria Braye of KSTP reports on the economic contributions of the Somali community in Minnesota.
P.S. As immigration enforcement ramps up, Japanese American families’ pasts inform their responses today, reports Jill Cowan of The New York Times.
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