January 7th, 2024 at 08:28 am
US Immigration 2024: New Policy & Changes | US Immigration
Reflection on the changing immigration landscape was prompted by the year 2023, which saw significant shifts and policy changes in the US that affected several areas, including humanitarian concerns, employment- and family-based immigration, and notable changes meant to improve efficiency and clear backlogs.
We expect more adjustments in 2024 as we work through the complexities of the immigration system.
Recap of 2023
H-1B Processing
A record-breaking 781,000 applications were received in March 2023 for the 85,000 H-1B visas that were available. In response to possible misuse, USCIS issued a warning that submissions made fraudulently may face criminal prosecution. Notwithstanding apprehensions, the FY 2024 H-1B results mostly hold steady, with a significant proportion of approval rates ranging from 79 to 89%, surpassing the 71% of the previous year.
Concurrent Adjudication for Dependents and Biometric Elimination
After a settlement, USCIS expedited the process by resuming concurrent adjudication for dependents who were H4 and L2. Further reducing delays is the elimination of the $85 biometric service charge for Form MI-539 applications.
PERM
In 2023, there were delays and frustrations in the permanent procedure due to Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) processing timelines. The Department of Labor (DOL) introduced a new form and system in June in an attempt to solve these issues, but it is unclear if this will affect process simplification.
Green Card Processing
Because consulates were closed because of the pandemic, processing of Green Cards was delayed, particularly in the employment-based category. In the employment-based category, the backlog approached 18 million cases, which was frustrating and unclear, especially for those from high-immigration nations.
EAD Extensions
USCIS increased the validity of EADs to five years for those with pending i-485 applications in recognition of the prolonged processing timeframes for green cards. Applications for advanced parole were also approved for five years of relief.
Individuals facing age-out-found respite from policy revisions, modifications to the Child Status Protection Act, and F1 regulations, which let F&M students obtain permanent residency without risking their non-immigrant status.
What’s Ahead in 2024?
In 2024, the United States is expected to make progress in improving efficiency, thwarting fraud, and updating the immigration system. An important new initiative is a trial scheme for renewing visas within the United States. A pilot program will be introduced by the US Department of State that will enable selected applicants for H-1B visas to renew their visas at home without having to travel overseas.
H-1B Modernization Plus Registration Changes
Several revisions to eligibility requirements, an extension of permissible employment under the cap gap, and improvements to the lottery selection procedure are among the proposed reforms to the H-1B program.
The dynamic environment of US immigration is still changing as 2024 approaches. Immigration matters take on additional importance during an election year. The goal is a less opaque, more efficient system that lowers uncertainty. In 2024, lBS is still dedicated to helping people navigate the evolving immigration scene and answering inquiries about immigration to the US.
Massive Migrant Caravan in Mexico Heads to US Border
Over the Christmas break, thousands of migrants, most of them from Central and South America, marched toward the US-Mexico border. Their difficult journey started in Tacos Hola, a city in the Mexican state of Chiaus, close to the Guatemalan border.
The families that made up the Caravan, including women and children, had to deal with physical difficulties including blisters and thirst. Their request for authorization from the government to enter the country served as a testament to their pursuit of the American ideal. Days before a planned summit between a high-level US delegation and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to discuss the increasing number of migrants in the area, the caravan set out on its journey.
An estimated 10,000 migrants, including children, were a part of the Caravan because they lacked the funds for visas or the help of coyotes, who are human traffickers. Their will to get into the US remained steadfast in the face of extreme economic hardship.
Luis Vilagron, the director of the organization Center for Human Dignification, was one of the caravan participants. He stressed the need for migrants to adhere to legal procedures to obtain the documents they need to remain in the nation lawfully. It is expected that US representatives would press Mexico to strengthen efforts to stop more migrants from entering the country through its southern border with Guatemala during the next meeting.
In parallel, President Lopez Obrador is anticipated to request more US development assistance to address the underlying reasons for migration among the migrant communities.
The Backdrop of this Caravan Journey
This caravan travel is taking place against a backdrop of a sharp rise in daily migrant arrests at the Southwest US border, with as many as 10,000 arrests recorded in December alone. The predicament of people like Javier, who are committed to persevering until they reach the border, highlights the intricate difficulties and individual tales entwined with the region’s broader migratory dynamics.
The origins of the caravan can be found in the assembly of people in Tacos Hola, a city in the state of Chipa in Mexico. The city provided a springboard for a shared dream, the quest for the American dream, and a better life for several months. As the colony spread, it became clear that migrants, including women and children, were overcoming physical obstacles like thirst and starvation in search of a better future. However, one major obstacle was money.
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