Biden's Border Visit; a Step in the Right Direction, but Concerns
Remain.
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**New Year, Same Border Challenges**
Good afternoon,

Happy New Year! The past couple of weeks have shown an eventful start to
2023 in the immigration space. From bills introduced in the new Congress
(on border safety and security
<[link removed]> and gun
control
<[link removed]>)
to President Biden's announcement
<[link removed]>
of a border policy plan ahead of his quick visit to the border
<[link removed]>
in El Paso, TX, immigration continues to be a contentious and complex
issue that needs to be addressed with commonsense and compassionate
solutions.

President Biden's long overdue proposal regarding border policy had
some positive aspects that include expanding much-needed pathways for
some migrants, alongside problematic elements which would place further
limitations and restrictions on others. Positive plans include
increasing refugee resettlement from the Western Hemisphere to 20,000
<[link removed]> people
per year, extending humanitarian parole for up to 30,000
<[link removed]> migrants
monthly from Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti, and moving resources and
personnel for better border management. Among the concerning plans is
the expanded use of Title 42 (a public health policy put in place as a
response to the COVID-19 pandemic) and a travel ban restricting migrants
arriving at the southern border seeking asylum, which is already a
complicated and challenging process as illustrated in this interactive
resource
<[link removed]>.

[link removed]

**Click on the image to join a Honduran mother on her journey to the
U.S. southern border (Source: National Immigration Forum)**

The aspects outlined above raise concerns
<[link removed]>
and reflect the need for the administration and Congress to work
together on finding solutions (like these
<[link removed]>
that the National Immigration Forum put forward last year) to address
challenges in the system, including those at the border.

Witnessing inaction from Congress at the end of 2022 along with
proposals that present serious concerns is discouraging. However, we
hope to begin this year with renewed energy and motivation by looking to
the people and communities we are advocating for. We need to continue to
let Congress and our other elected officials know
<[link removed]> that bipartisan immigration reforms are a
priority for Americans. We need to seek out resources to keep learning
and listening to stories that ground us in the reality and experiences
of our immigrant community members (check out these websites for
resources relevant to law enforcement
<[link removed]>, national security
<[link removed]>, and faith
<[link removed]>). And we should
look to our communities and find ways to reach out to and support
immigrants in our own neighborhoods, welcoming them and making sure they
are being heard.

There is a lot to do when it comes to achieving meaningful bipartisan
immigration reform, and we may be starting the year discouraged. But now
is the time to have conversations with our own communities, to learn
together, and to continue raising our voices for reform. We hope
you'll join us at the National Immigration Forum as we work to do the
same.

Stay healthy and hopeful,

Allison

**Allison Bassett**
Senior Field and Constituencies Associate
National Immigration Forum 

**NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:**

****

**PBS NEWS HOUR:**Biden meets with Mexican president as U.S. shifts
southern border policy
<[link removed]>

**NBC NEWS:**Biden admin will block more Nicaraguans, Cubans,
Venezuelans and Haitians at border but also open more legal pathways
<[link removed]>

**REUTERS:**U.S. would accept up to 30,000 migrants a month in expanded
program
<[link removed]>

**WASHINGTON POST:**Time Is Running Out for Afghan Refugees
<[link removed]>

**THE HILL:**DHS proposes higher fees on immigrants applying for
work-based visas
<[link removed]>

 

Donate Now
<[link removed]>

 

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National Immigration Forum

10 G Street NE, Suite 500

Washington, DC 20002

www.immigrationforum.org <[link removed]>

 

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