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 and gun control) to President Biden’s announcement of a border policy plan ahead of his quick visit to the border 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 people per year, extending humanitarian parole for up to 30,000 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.

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 and reflect the need for the administration and Congress to work together on finding solutions (like these 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 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, national security, and faith). 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

NBC NEWS: Biden admin will block more Nicaraguans, Cubans, Venezuelans and Haitians at border but also open more legal pathways

REUTERS: U.S. would accept up to 30,000 migrants a month in expanded program

WASHINGTON POST: Time Is Running Out for Afghan Refugees

THE HILL: DHS proposes higher fees on immigrants applying for work-based visas