The Afghan Adjustment Act was not included in the Senate’s defense bill

Despite bipartisan support in the Senate, the Afghan Adjustment Act was not included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that was passed last Thursday. “The Senate’s omission is a missed opportunity that lets down our Afghan allies,” said Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. “The Afghan Adjustment Act has significant bipartisan support, and Congress must move it forward as quickly as possible. We hope the House and Senate will revisit the Afghan Adjustment Act in September as they work to finalize the NDAA.”

It is imperative that Congress take heed of the widespread support of a permanent pathway to residency for our Afghan allies and pass the Afghan Adjustment Act in a timely manner. Learn more and contact your legislators today by clicking this link.

Federal court blocks Biden administration rule that limits asylum

Last Tuesday, a federal judge blocked a new administration rule that limits the ability of millions of asylum seekers to seek safety in the U.S. The rule includes the requirement that asylum seekers first seek asylum elsewhere if they pass through another country that offers it on their way to the U.S. In addition, the rule limits the ability of migrants to seek asylum in between ports of entry. U.S. District Court Judge Jon Tigar stated that the rule goes directly against Congress’s intent of providing a safe haven for individuals fleeing from persecution and danger. Judge Tigar stayed the ruling for 14 days and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says they will appeal.

The U.S. will accept some non-Mexican migrants waiting in Mexico as refugees

Biden administration officials have been working with Mexican officials while they have been developing a program to allow some migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela to enter the U.S. as refugees. Mexico had agreed to host the migrants while U.S. officials determined who was eligible to enter the country with refugee status. Not all migrants from these countries will qualify for admission to the U.S. as refugees, but the initiative opens up an additional legal pathway to residency as the administration seeks to lower the number of illegal entries into the U.S.