- This shows that the Biden administration is actively
trying to improve our country's broken immigration system.
Even while Congressional leaders remain fixed
in their standpoints to not do anything to address.
We have some major immigration news to cover today.
A transcript of a meeting between the Department of State
and the American Immigration Lawyers Association
was recently released.
And it revealed even more information
about the growing visa backlog
and the steps that will be taken to address them.
The Supreme Court also released a major ruling
on TPS holders and their ability to adjust status
and file for a Green Card in the U.S.
In some exciting news,
a 46 page document was obtained from the White House
that detailed President Biden's steps
to increase legal immigration.
And finally, in an effort to get Biden's immigration policy
passed in Congress, Vice-president Kamala Harris met
with leaders in Mexico
and Guatemala to discuss the U.S.-Mexico border crisis.
We're going to cover all the details right now.
Make sure you stay tuned to see how this news
might impact your case.
Also, I spent a lot of time putting this video together
so I would appreciate if you would like this video,
subscribe to my page and help me grow my channel.
Okay, so what did the Department of State
say about the visa backlog?
On May 27th, the Department of State hosted
an outreach event
with the American Immigration Lawyers Association,
Liaison Committee during which they address a broad range
of questions about the visa backlog.
Notes from this meeting were recently released
on the Department of State website.
Recently, we have been learning a lot about
how the Department of State hasn't handling
the visa backlog.
In my previous video, I summarize this information
from their monthly visa bulletin discussion
as well as the recent livestream
with their Visa Expert, Neil Familial.
The notes we're discussing today are
from a different meeting with even more information
about the backlog and how they are addressing it.
So let's take a look.
One of the biggest topics of discussion was the reopening
of embassies and consulates around the world.
As we start to come out of this COVID-19 crisis.
The States Department has reported that as of May 12th,
133 out of 139 immigrant visa processing posts
are processing at least some routine immigrant
visa services.
The remainder of those are only able
to do emergency services.
I know that this may still not be enough information for you
because you may already be waiting for your interview.
And you're wondering how long will it take, keep listening.
In addition 160 of 223, non-immigrant visa processing posts
are offering some routine non-immigrant visa appointments.
The remaining 63 posts remain closed for all but emergency
and mission critical services.
When asked about the plan to reopen the remaining posts,
the States Department has continued to say,
that the local conditions will dictate the ability
for the post to reopen as the safety
and welfare of the staff and applicants is paramount.
Hopefully we do begin to see more vaccine rollouts
across the globe
and we will see these posts begins to reopen
and offer routine visa services.
The States Department was also asked about the possibility
of doing zoom interviews instead of in-person interviews
which is a possible solution that many of you have suggested
when asked about this.
The states department has said that they do not
have any plans to amend the current regulations
that require interviews to take place in-person.
They cited current regulations
for immigrant visa applicants to appear personally
before Consular officer
and swear to their application before that officer.
They also cited statutory and regulatory requirements
for biometrics collection
as part of the immigrant visa application process
which requires the application to be signed
in the presence and verified by a Consular officer.
So as much as I would love to see all of these posts
reopen and operate at full capacity
and also include virtual interviews
it does not look like this will be likely
as they are actual regulations
and federal laws that would require in-person appointments.
In addition, the Department of State has set
the National Visa Center launched a pilot program
to communicate with applicants who are documentary qualified
and pending an interview.
Currently, there are over 500,000 applicants stuck
in immigrant visa backlog
and all of them are eager to get an update on their case.
If your interview has not yet been scheduled
for an interview.
The NBC will send an electronic notification 60 days
after your case has reached documentarily qualified status.
The notification assures applicants
that they don't need to take any further action
and that their case will be scheduled
for an interview on a first in, first out manner.
As soon as local conditions permit.
The message will then be repeated every 120 days
until the case is scheduled.
So, this should certainly help those of you
who have been waiting a long time for an interview
and are wondering whether you should upload more documents
or refresh certain certifications.
ALA and the States Department covered a lot more information
than I can cover it in this video.
So I am including a link in the description below.
Next, what was that Supreme Court ruling
that made headlines all over the news this week.
On Monday, the court made a ruling
that immigrants who have been granted TPS are not
considered to be admitted for the purposes
of adjusting their status in the U.S.
This means that merely having an application
for TPS approved does not register into a admission
into the U.S. for the purpose of permanent residency.
This case involves a man named Mr. Nic Sanchez,
who came to the U.S. from El Salvador in the late 90s.
He had entered the country illegally
and had later received temporary protected status.
After living in the U.S. for years and building a life here,
he wanted to apply for a green card.
However, his application was denied
because underneath current immigration law
in order to pursue permanent residency
you must have an admission into this country
which is interpreted as a legal entry into the U.S.
Mr. Sanchez's argument was that the granted
the TPS constituted a legal admission into the U.S.
and thus that he could make his application
for permanent residency on the spaces.
The Supreme court however,
ruled that meeting the requirements
for TPS is not sufficient to override the language
of the current statute which outlines the process
for becoming a permanent resident.
Their decision, stated that, whether or not they agree
that TPS should override the need for illegal entry
they're bound by the law as it is written.
So what does this mean?
If we want to grant TPS holders who are here without
a lawful entry a path to permanent residency.
We are going to need to pass comprehensive immigration
reform in order to help them out.
Until we reformed the language of the laws,
we cannot change the current state of our immigration.
I will include a link in the description below
to the Supreme court's decision.
And some good news, The New York Times obtained a draft
of the Biden team's plans to significantly expand
the immigration system.
The 46 page document called DHS plans to restore trust
in our legal immigration system,
details numerous initiatives
and tended to dismantle former President Trump's
restrictive policies as well as reduce the visa backlogs
affecting hundreds thousands of immigrants.
The document is essentially a blueprint for how
to accomplish the immigration policy President Biden
campaign upon.
Proposed changes outlined in this document include,
making it easier for more people to immigrate
to the United States including highly skilled workers,
asylum seekers and farm workers.
Reducing fees or providing fee waivers for immigrants
who filed their applications online,
increasing virtual interviews
and electronic filing, revamping the U Visa Program
which provides non-immigrant visas
to certain crime victims who assist law enforcement.
Implementing new regulations to encourage full participation
by immigrants in our civic life.
Expand immigration opportunities for LGBTQ refugees
from countries where they are persecuted
or where same-sex marriages are not permitted.
While White House officials declined to comment directly
on the documents.
They have said that documents go through many drafts
and that decisions about specific steps
to address legal immigration remain in flux.
So, unfortunately, none of these changes are happening
at this time.
So this is merely a draft, but one should certainly hope.
This shows that the Biden administration is actively
trying to improve our country's broken immigration system.
Even while Congressional leaders remain fixed
in their standpoints to not do anything to address.
This is something that we will be watching closely
and I will bring you more news as soon as it's available.
So make sure you stay tuned.
Finally, why did Vice President Harris visit Mexico
and Guatemala?
And what does it mean to immigrants in the U.S.
Kamala Harris recently returned from a trip to Guatemala
and Mexico.
Where she went to talk with local leaders
about the current state of immigration at the U.S. border.
This is her first trip since being tasked
by President Biden to address the immigration situation
at the border.
This news is important because Republicans
and Congress have done whatever they can to avoid passing
or voting on President Biden's immigration reform plans.
If you recall, from a previous video that I did
even those bills with bipartisan support, like the dream
and promise act are unable to move
through Congress because of the border crisis.
So on this trip, Vice President Harris focused
for efforts on the issue of illegal border crossings.
She highlighted that the root causes
of these crossings include government corruption,
drugs, human smuggling
and political instability in these countries.
As a part of these efforts,
the Biden administration has committed nearly
$300 billion to help alleviate poverty
and crime in the region particularly in El Salvador,
Honduras and Guatemala.
This includes an investment of $48 million
in entrepreneurship programs including,
affordable housing and agricultural businesses in Guatemala.
And while she spoke about the efforts being made
to address the cause of migration at the border.
What got the most attention was the clear message she had
for those thinking of making the trip North.
I want to be clear
to folks in this region who are thinking about making
that dangerous trek
to the United States-Mexico border:
Do not come.
The United States will continue to enforce our laws
and secure our border.
There are legal methods
by which migration can and should occur,
but we as one of our priorities will discourage
illegal migration.
In case you missed it.
In my last video, I summarize comments in the Bureau
of Consular Affairs about visa movement in the coming years
as well as what they are doing to address the visa backlog.
This is probably the most important thing
to understand about visas.
If you or someone, you know are waiting on their employment
or family based application.
I will continue releasing more information
as it becomes available.
So make sure you stay tuned.
Subscribe to my channel and turn on notifications
so you don't miss a thing.
Check out this video and I'll see you there.