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Trans youth ‘terrified’ of what Louisiana’s new health care ban will mean
By Roby Chavez On January 16, 2024 ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — For the last two years, Koen has routinely self-administered weekly testosterone injections without a second thought. During that time, the trans 17-year-old said his self-image and school and family life has drastically improved. His fear of needles, too, has faded. “[Transitioning] made me…
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“Flood” of anti-LGBTQ bills shows GOP wants to “eradicate trans people from public life”: advocate
By Tatyana Tandanpolie On January 6, 2024 Abill that would have restricted healthcare access for transgender and gender expansive youth in Ohio was vetoed by the governor last week. Now, after cutting their winter recess short, Republican lawmakers in the state are flocking back to the capital to override the decision — a move representative of…
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Biden administration warns it will take action if Texas does not stop blocking federal agents from U.S. border area
By Camilo Montoya-Galvez On January 15, 2024 The Biden administration on Sunday demanded that Texas officials stop preventing federal Border Patrol agents from entering a section of the U.S. southern border commandeered by state National Guard soldiers last week, calling the actions “clearly unconstitutional,” according to a letter obtained by CBS News. If the Texas…
Read MoreUSCIS Issues Policy Guidance on “Ability to Pay” Requirement When Adjustment of Status Applicants Change Employers
By January 5, 2023 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today issued policy guidance (PDF, 322.3 KB) on how we analyze an employer’s ability to pay the proffered wage for immigrant petitions in certain first, second, and third preference employment-based immigrant visa classifications, including instances when the sponsored worker is changing employers. Generally, employers seeking to classify prospective or…
Read MoreUSCIS Announces Inflation Adjustment to Premium Processing Fees
On December 27, 2023 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a final rule that will increase the filing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, to adjust for inflation. The USCIS Stabilization Act established the current premium processing fees and the authority for the Department of Homeland Security to adjust the premium fees on a…
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More states extend health coverage to immigrants even as issue inflames GOP
By Phil Galewitz On December 29, 2023 A growing number of states are opening taxpayer-funded health insurance programs to immigrants, including those living in the U.S. without authorization, even as Republicans assail President Joe Biden over a dramatic increase in illegal crossings of the southern border. Eleven states and Washington, D.C., together provide full health…
Read MoreBacklog of immigration cases highest in US history
By Sandra Sanchez On December 28, 2023 ‘Immigration judges are swamped,’ report finds HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) — The number of pending U.S. immigration cases is the highest in history. Backlogged U.S. immigration cases exceeded 3 million in November, according to new data from Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, TRAC, of Syracuse University. The number of…
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Justice Department says new Texas immigration law violates Constitution
By Priscilla Alvarez and Michael Williams On November 28, 2023 John Moore/Getty ImagesWashingtonCNN — A new law that gives local law enforcement in Texas the authority to arrest migrants “violates the US Constitution,” the Department of Justice said in a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday, threatening to sue unless Abbott backs down from enforcing…
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Texas Republican says immigrants are ‘lifeblood of our country’ in challenge to Trump rhetoric
By Ramsey Touchberry On December 17, 2023 Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican whose district runs along the southern border, called immigrants the “lifeblood” of the U.S. in response Sunday to comments made by former President Donald Trump that they’re “poisoning the blood of our country.” While drawing a contrast to the Republican presidential front-runner’s comment…
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