Immigration News

02/03/2024

Canada announces the launch of the Canada–Finland Youth Mobility Agreement.

12/09/2023

US-Mexico border, ‘world’s deadliest’ overland migration route: IOM
Nearly half of the deaths on the border were linked to the hazardous crossing of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. “These alarming figures are a stark reminder of the need for decisive action by States,” said Michele Klein Solomon, IOM’s Regional Director for Central and North America and the Caribbean. “Enhancing data collection is crucial. […]

Nearly half of the deaths on the border were linked to the hazardous crossing of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. “These alarming figures are a stark reminder of the need for decisive action by States,” said Michele Klein Solomon, IOM’s Regional Director for Central and North America and th...

12/09/2023

USCIS Clarifies Guidance for EB-1 Eligibility Criteria
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in our Policy Manual to clarify the types of evidence that we may evaluate to determine eligibility for extraordinary ability (E11) and outstanding professor or researcher (E12) EB-1 immigrant visa classifications. The update adds clarifying guidance describing examples of evidence that may satisfy the relevant evidentiary […]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in our Policy Manual to clarify the types of evidence that we may evaluate to determine eligibility for extraordinary ability (E11) and outstanding professor or researcher (E12) EB-1 immigrant visa classifications. The update adds....

12/09/2023

New Illegal Migration Act measures and age dispute assessment tests
A series of measures to strengthen the immigration system and prevent abuse are being introduced to Parliament this week, marking the next step in the delivery of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 and our plan to stop the boats. Legislation signed on 11 September includes changes to strengthen the asylum decision making process to clamp […]

A series of measures to strengthen the immigration system and prevent abuse are being introduced to Parliament this week, marking the next step in the delivery of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 and our plan to stop the boats. Legislation signed on 11 September includes changes to strengthen the asyl...

12/09/2023

Affirmative Asylum Applicants Must Provide Interpreters Starting Sept. 13
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reminds affirmative asylum applicants that, starting Sept. 13, 2023, you must bring an interpreter to your asylum interview if you are not fluent in English or wish to proceed with your interview in a language other than English. If you need an interpreter and do not bring one, or if […]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reminds affirmative asylum applicants that, starting Sept. 13, 2023, you must bring an interpreter to your asylum interview if you are not fluent in English or wish to proceed with your interview in a language other than English. If you need an interpreter a...

09/09/2023

DHS Extends TPS Re-registration Periods for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan to 18 Months
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending from 60 days to 18 months the periods to re-register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the designations of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan. The 18-month re-registration period under the designation of: El Salvador now runs through March 9, 2025; Haiti now runs through […]

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending from 60 days to 18 months the periods to re-register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the designations of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan. The 18-month re-registration period under the designation of: El Salvad...

08/09/2023

UNHCR: more than 7 million refugee children out of school
“With the displaced population rising every year, there is a significant and increasing proportion of the world’s children who are missing out on their education,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday that by the end of 2022, the total number of school-aged refugees globally jumped […]

“With the displaced population rising every year, there is a significant and increasing proportion of the world’s children who are missing out on their education,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday that by the end of 2022, the ...

08/09/2023

Canada celebrates Welcoming Week 2023
Canada celebrates Welcoming Week 2023 From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Statement “By opening our doors to those seeking a better life, we open our communities to those wanting to build a stronger Canada. Other than Indigenous peoples, who have been here since time immemorial, all Canadians can trace their stories back to immigration. Whether […]

Canada celebrates Welcoming Week 2023 From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Statement “By opening our doors to those seeking a better life, we open our communities to those wanting to build a stronger Canada. Other than Indigenous peoples, who have been here since time immemorial, all...

07/09/2023

Unprecedented child migration crisis across Latin America and Caribbean
Children in the region driven from their homes by gang violence, instability, poverty and climate change represent around 25 per cent of migrants said UNICEF – almost double the global average of 13 per cent. “More and more children are on the move, of an increasingly young age, often alone and from diverse countries of […]

Children in the region driven from their homes by gang violence, instability, poverty and climate change represent around 25 per cent of migrants said UNICEF – almost double the global average of 13 per cent. “More and more children are on the move, of an increasingly young age, often alone and ...

07/09/2023

Inspection report published: An inspection of Border Force insider threat (January – March 2023)
Commenting on the publication of the report, the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Neal, said: While the overwhelming majority of the staff engaged in securing the UK border perform their duties with honesty and integrity, the privileged access that Border Force officers have to critical assets such as data, property, and contraband […]

Commenting on the publication of the report, the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Neal, said: While the overwhelming majority of the staff engaged in securing the UK border perform their duties with honesty and integrity, the privileged access that Border Force officers....

07/09/2023

‘Hope Away from Home’: UNHCR launches new global campaign
Hope Away from Home gets underway at a time of unprecedented, forced displacement. There are a staggering 110 million people displaced from their homes, and access to asylum and protection is under threat in various regions due to increasingly harsh policies. “People fleeing war, violence and persecution should be met with compassion and kindness, not […]

Hope Away from Home gets underway at a time of unprecedented, forced displacement. There are a staggering 110 million people displaced from their homes, and access to asylum and protection is under threat in various regions due to increasingly harsh policies. “People fleeing war, violence and pers...

06/09/2023

A re-inspection of the use of hotels for housing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
The inspection will have a particular focus on implementation of the recommendations from the previous inspection of this area in 2022. The inspection team anticipates reporting to the Home Secretary by October 2023. David Neal, Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, September 2023 Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a-re-inspection-of-the-use-of-hotels-for-housing-unaccompanied-asylum-seeking-children, dated September 6, 2023 1:51 pm

https://unlockimmigration.com/a-re-inspection-of-the-use-of-hotels-for-housing-unaccompanied-asylum-seeking-children/

The inspection will have a particular focus on implementation of the recommendations from the previous inspection of this area in 2022. The inspection team anticipates reporting to the Home Secretary by October 2023. David Neal, Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, September 2023....

06/09/2023

Secretary Mayorkas Extends and Redesignates Temporary Protected Status for South Sudan
Redesignation Allows Additional Eligible South Sudanese Nationals to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from November 4, 2023, through May 3, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and […]

Redesignation Allows Additional Eligible South Sudanese Nationals to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, f...

05/09/2023

Minister Jenrick's statement on illegal migration
With permission, Madame Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement about illegal migration. Tackling illegal migration is one of the government’s central priorities because it is the British public’s priority. They can see that illegal migration is one of the great injustices of our time. It harms communities in the UK, it denies […]

With permission, Madame Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement about illegal migration. Tackling illegal migration is one of the government’s central priorities because it is the British public’s priority. They can see that illegal migration is one of the great injustices of our time. ...

05/09/2023

An inspection of Border Force practices and procedures in relation to fi****ms.
The inspection will examine the availability and quality of the training, equipment and guidance provided to Border Force officers in relation to the identification, handling and storage of fi****ms. The inspection team anticipates reporting to the Home Secretary by October 2023. David Neal Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, September 2023 Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/an-inspection-of-border-force-practices-and-procedures-in-relation-to-fi****ms, dated […]

https://unlockimmigration.com/an-inspection-of-border-force-practices-and-procedures-in-relation-to-fi****ms/

The inspection will examine the availability and quality of the training, equipment and guidance provided to Border Force officers in relation to the identification, handling and storage of fi****ms. The inspection team anticipates reporting to the Home Secretary by October 2023. David Neal Independ...

05/09/2023

How girls are moving the goalpost in Iraq
How girls are moving the goalpost in Iraq Migrants and Refugees Over two billion people around the world watched the Women’s World Cup Final in August, and tucked away on the left coast of the Tigris River in Mosul, Iraq, a group of teenage girls and their families scoured the internet to find streaming sites […]

How girls are moving the goalpost in Iraq Migrants and Refugees Over two billion people around the world watched the Women’s World Cup Final in August, and tucked away on the left coast of the Tigris River in Mosul, Iraq, a group of teenage girls and their families scoured the internet to find str...

01/09/2023

African children bearing the brunt of climate change impacts
African children bearing the brunt of climate change impacts Climate and Environment Children in Africa are among the most at risk from climate change impacts but are being woefully deprived of the financing necessary to help them adapt, survive and respond to the crisis, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said in a new report on […]

African children bearing the brunt of climate change impacts Climate and Environment Children in Africa are among the most at risk from climate change impacts but are being woefully deprived of the financing necessary to help them adapt, survive and respond to the crisis, the UN Children’s Fund (U...

29/08/2023

Niger spiralling into ‘protection crisis’ following takeover: UNHCR
UNHCR’s representative in Niger, Emmanuel Gignac, said that sanctions imposed on the country by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following last month’s military takeover do not include any exemptions for humanitarian aid. Mr. Gignac observed that food and commodity prices, already climbing before this crisis, jumped after sanctions were introduced. If humanitarians […]

UNHCR’s representative in Niger, Emmanuel Gignac, said that sanctions imposed on the country by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following last month’s military takeover do not include any exemptions for humanitarian aid. Mr. Gignac observed that food and commodity prices, ...

29/08/2023

A ‘spot check inspection’ of the Border Force operations at Portsmouth International Port
Commenting on this pilot of a new way of working, the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Neal, said: In today’s dynamic environment, having the tools to work in an agile way, with the ability to adapt to emerging trends and the unexpected, is not only an advantage, but an imperative. Spot check […]

Commenting on this pilot of a new way of working, the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Neal, said: In today’s dynamic environment, having the tools to work in an agile way, with the ability to adapt to emerging trends and the unexpected, is not only an advantage, but a...

25/08/2023

USCIS Updates Voter Registration Guidance for Naturalization Ceremonies
Affirms that USCIS provides access to voter registration services at each administrative naturalization ceremony, including information regarding points-of-contact for voting and voter registration; Provides that USCIS offices request that election officials from state or local government election offices attend ceremonies to distribute, collect, and review voter registration applications, and to officially register new citizens to […]

Affirms that USCIS provides access to voter registration services at each administrative naturalization ceremony, including information regarding points-of-contact for voting and voter registration; Provides that USCIS offices request that election officials from state or local government election o...

25/08/2023

An inspection of the Home Office’s illegal working enforcement activity
The scope of this inspection will focus on Immigration Enforcement’s use of powers and policy and the planning processes for operationalising enforcement activity. The inspection team anticipates reporting to the Home Secretary by November 2023. David Neal Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, August 2023 Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/an-inspection-of-the-home-offices-illegal-working-enforcement-activity, dated August 25, 2023 8:05 am

https://unlockimmigration.com/an-inspection-of-the-home-offices-illegal-working-enforcement-activity/

The scope of this inspection will focus on Immigration Enforcement’s use of powers and policy and the planning processes for operationalising enforcement activity. The inspection team anticipates reporting to the Home Secretary by November 2023. David Neal Independent Chief Inspector of Borders an...

24/08/2023

USCIS Updates Policy Guidance for the “Sought to Acquire” Requirement Under the Child Status Protection Act
We are updating the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how we will apply the extraordinary circumstances exception to the “sought to acquire” requirement under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) in light of a Feb. 14, 2023, policy change. This update (PDF, 331.87 KB): Explains that we consider the Feb. 14 policy change to be […]

We are updating the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how we will apply the extraordinary circumstances exception to the “sought to acquire” requirement under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) in light of a Feb. 14, 2023, policy change. This update (PDF, 331.87 KB): Explains that we consider t...

23/08/2023

Greece: Rights experts condemn ‘racist violence’ against asylum-seekers
That’s the message from the group of eight experts, including Ashwini K.P., the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, who urged Greece on Wednesday to investigate alleged violations against asylum-seekers. They said that they were “particularly concerned” by the failure of the country’s security personnel and coast guard to provide “prompt and effective” assistance […]

That’s the message from the group of eight experts, including Ashwini K.P., the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, who urged Greece on Wednesday to investigate alleged violations against asylum-seekers. They said that they were “particularly concerned” by the failure of the co...

23/08/2023

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh need urgent support as crises multiply: UNHCR
This week marks six years since over 700,000 mostly-Muslim Rohingya men, women, and children joined the hundreds of thousands of others already sheltering in Bangladesh, following a brutal crackdown by security forces in Myanmar. As humanitarian conditions in the world’s largest refugee settlement worsen, however, the challenges surrounding this protracted crisis continue to increase. Funds […]

This week marks six years since over 700,000 mostly-Muslim Rohingya men, women, and children joined the hundreds of thousands of others already sheltering in Bangladesh, following a brutal crackdown by security forces in Myanmar. As humanitarian conditions in the world’s largest refugee settlement...

22/08/2023

Inspection work in progress
Completed inspections awaiting publication Inspection report on Country of Origin Information – Thematic review of statelessness (26 April 2023) An inspection of Border Force insider threat (26 May 2023) An inspection of the Home Office’s Afghan resettlement schemes (9 June 2023) A re-inspection of ePassport gates (16 June 2023) An inspection of the use of […]

Completed inspections awaiting publication Inspection report on Country of Origin Information – Thematic review of statelessness (26 April 2023) An inspection of Border Force insider threat (26 May 2023) An inspection of the Home Office’s Afghan resettlement schemes (9 June 2023) A re-inspection...

22/08/2023

Call for evidence: An inspection of the immigration system as it relates to the social care sector
The Independent Chief Inspector is interested in assessing the extent to which the Home Office’s immigration functions support the social care sector. To that end, it is expected that this inspection will adopt a broad perspective on the interaction between the UK’s immigration system and the social care sector, examining such areas as: the effectiveness […]

The Independent Chief Inspector is interested in assessing the extent to which the Home Office’s immigration functions support the social care sector. To that end, it is expected that this inspection will adopt a broad perspective on the interaction between the UK’s immigration system and the so...

22/08/2023

USCIS Launches Online Appointment Request Form
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has launched a new online form for individuals, attorneys, and accredited representatives to request an in-person appointment at their local field office without having to call the USCIS Contact Center. This online appointment request form allows individuals or legal representatives to request an in-person appointment at a field office only, […]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has launched a new online form for individuals, attorneys, and accredited representatives to request an in-person appointment at their local field office without having to call the USCIS Contact Center. This online appointment request form allows individuals...

19/08/2023

Secretary Mayorkas Extends and Redesignates Temporary Protected Status for Sudan
Redesignation Enables Additional Eligible Sudanese Nationals to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan for 18 months, from October 20, 2023, through April 19, 2025, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Sudan that prevent individuals from […]

Redesignation Enables Additional Eligible Sudanese Nationals to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Sudan for 18 months, from October 20, 2023, through April...

18/08/2023

Secretary Mayorkas Extends and Redesignates Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine
Redesignation Enables Additional Eligible Ukrainian Nationals to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine for 18 months, from October 20, 2023, through April 19, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in […]

Redesignation Enables Additional Eligible Ukrainian Nationals to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine for 18 months, from October 20, 2023, through Ap...

18/08/2023

DHS Reopens USCIS Field Office in Havana, Cuba
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced the reopening of an international field office in Havana, Cuba. The Havana office will assist with U.S. immigration benefits and services, including conducting interviews and processing cases for pending Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) cases and Form […]

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced the reopening of an international field office in Havana, Cuba. The Havana office will assist with U.S. immigration benefits and services, including cond...