Immigration News Weekly

May 15 - 21

America’s Immigration Paradox
New York Times | David Nasaw | May 19
“For historians of immigration, the paradox is inescapable and irreconcilable: The United States is and has always been both a nation of immigrants and a nation that periodically wages war against them...Immigration historians are like the blind men in the ancient Indian parable who come upon an elephant. The first man, falling against the animal’s side, proclaims that he has found a wall; the second, feeling the tusk, a spear; the third, grabbling the trunk, a snake.”

Immigration Study Finds H1-B Visas Help U.S. College Grads
Forbes | Stuart Anderson | May 19
““H-1B visa holders do not adversely affect U.S. workers,” according to a new study by economist Madeline Zavodny for the National Foundation for American Policy. “On the contrary, the evidence points to the presence of H-1B visa holders being associated with lower unemployment rates and faster earnings growth among college graduates, including recent college graduates. Further, the results suggest that, if anything, being in a field with more H-1B visa holders makes it more likely that U.S.-born young college graduates work in a job closely related to their college major.””

Immigrants Without Legal Status Can Begin Applying for State Coronavirus Relief
Los Angeles Times | Matthew Ormseth | May 18

“Californians living in the U.S. illegally may begin applying for disaster assistance payments of $500 per person and up to $1,000 per household. The state government has made available $75 million to help a projected 150,000 immigrants without legal status weather the coronavirus crisis. To qualify, applicants must show that they are ineligible for federal assistance programs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the CARES Act or federal unemployment benefits, and that they have endured a hardship from the pandemic. Only adults may apply. A state guide to common questions and answers about the program is posted online.”