The Biden Administration has sued Texas over its new directive that allows state troopers to stop and turn back vehicles carrying immigrants, fearing a surge in COVID-19 spread. This drew swift backlash from the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), noting that Texas is hindering federal immigration policies. » Read More

Scranton, Pennsylvania, Mayor Paige Cognetti, along with 83 other mayors from across the nation, sent a letter to President Joe Biden; Vice President Kamala Harris; U.S. Senate Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-NY; and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA. The letter urges Congress to make swift immigration reforms, considering the economic benefits of legalizing immigrants and the acute labor shortage. » Read More

On July 15, New York legalized the use of recreational marijuana for adults 21 years and older. The bill allows possession of up to three ounces of cannabis for recreational use, or 24 grams of concentrated cannabis from plants. New Jersey legalized recreational marijuana use in December 2020, authorizing the use of six ounces of cannabis. » Read More

New Jersey Sees Dramatic Increase in Driver’s Licenses after Permitting Undocumented Individuals to Apply

The state of New Jersey has seen a more than 60% increase in new driver’s licenses issued since May 1, as the new state law took effect law that permitted residents to obtain licenses regardless of immigration status. » Read More

The Legislative Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and Free Migration Project have released a new report on ongoing medical deportation in the United States. The practice of medical deportation of undocumented immigrants, although routine, is rarely reported. » Read More

Many immigrants often require legal professionals’ help to either request an immigration benefit or maintain lawful status. Desperate immigrants who are unable to afford attorney fees fall prey to the infamous notary fraud. However, unscrupulous notaries or immigration consultants have become a severe problem for immigrants throughout the United States. » Read More

New research conducted by Progressive Think Tank Keystone Research Center, announced in May, revealed that naturalizing undocumented immigrants in Pennsylvania would substantially benefit the state’s budget. Pennsylvania is home to 900,000 individuals who have an immigrant background, accounting for 7% of Pennsylvania’s population. » Read More

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on April 21 that it will no longer be fining undocumented immigrants who fail to depart the United States. This action reverses the previous policy that often left immigrants thousands of dollars in debt to the federal government. » Read More

New Bill Proposed to Make Health Care Coverage More Accessible to Immigrants

Several House Democrats have introduced a new bill aimed at making health care benefits more accessible to immigrants in the United States. One of the bill’s main sponsors, Washington Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, stated that “we must finally guarantee health care to everyone as a human right – regardless of immigration status, income, employment, or anything else.” » Read More

Make the Road Pennsylvania’s Allentown chapter organized the May Day rally advocating immigrant workers’ rights – emphasizing undocumented workers. Along with demanding minimum pay and labor rights for undocumented workers, advocates urged the Biden administration to grant citizenship to the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. » Read More