Democrats Urge President to End Expulsion Policy Congressional Democrats are pressuring President Biden to end the use of a policy by which immigrants stopped at the U.S. southern border can be quickly sent back to Mexico or their home countries without being allowed to request asylum at the time they are apprehended by Border Patrol Officers. The Biden administration has said the policy, which was utilized frequently READ MORE READ MORE

A group of Pennsylvania lawmakers recently proposed legislation to establish the Office of New Pennsylvanians, which aims to attract, retain, and embrace immigrants in Pennsylvania. As Pennsylvania continues to suffer lagging population growth, the proposal highlights the critical need to welcome immigrants and support their transition to the Commonwealth. Population Growth Lagging in Pennsylvania Despite being the fifth-largest state in the country, Pennsylvania has experienced slower population READ MORE READ MORE

According to a recent report by Manatt Health, released in January 2022, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (“CHIP”) can be utilized by policymakers to extend prenatal health coverage to noncitizens and their children in the United States. Advocates argue that expanding access to health coverage for noncitizens will improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Disparities in Health Coverage Despite ongoing efforts to expand access to health coverage READ MORE READ MORE

United States Continues Controversial Border Policy The Biden Administration decided this week to continue a policy implemented by the Trump administration that authorized the rapid deportation of noncitizens stopped at the U.S./Mexico, citing safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 1.5 million people have been expelled under this program without the opportunity to apply for any form of relief. This measure permits U.S. border officials to READ MORE READ MORE

Even the government is feeling the effects of the recent spike in inflation. In December, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a final rule adjusting certain civil penalties to account for the increasing rate of inflation in 2021. The final rule affects civil penalties from numerous DOJ programs, including employer penalties for certain immigration-related programs. DOJ Adjusts for Inflation According to the Department of Justice, a final READ MORE READ MORE