Immigration News Weekly

June 26 - July 2

$1 Billion Shortfall, Furloughs Could Bring US Immigration System to a Halt
CNN | Geneva Sands and Priscilla Alvarez | July 2
“The federal agency responsible for granting citizenship, providing immigration benefits, and processing visa applications is bracing to furlough over 13,000 employees next month -- a move that could grind the US immigration system to a halt. US Citizenship and Immigration Services, a fee-funded agency, says it's in the hole after having to close offices and put services on pause during the pandemic. Over recent weeks, the agency has been preparing to furlough more than half of its workforce unless Congress provides additional funding. The agency has asked for $1.2 billion.”

Drive-Through Naturalizations Make New U.S. Citizens in the COVID-19 Era
NPR | Max Rivlin-Nadler | July 2
“In El Cajon, Calif., a procession of cars carrying 600 soon-to-be U.S. citizens from 68 countries passed through a series of stations behind a local community center earlier this week, where they were asked a series of final questions: "Any coronavirus symptoms? Have you been arrested since your interview? No tickets, nothing like that?" After that, they were asked to surrender their green card and given a small U.S. flag. Driving a little farther forward, an immigration officer wearing a face cover administered the oath of allegiance 6 feet from the car's window. And in a matter of minutes, years of uncertainty were over — hundreds of people became U.S. citizens over the course of the day.”

It Took Me 19 Years to Become a US Citizen. Here’s How My Journey Compares to the Average Immigrant
Business Insider | Shayanne Gal | July 1
“In August 1998, when I was five years old, my family immigrated to the United States...In March 2017, almost 19 years later, I became a naturalized citizen at 24. Like so many naturalized citizens, my family's journey through the immigration process was a lengthy struggle that cost us thousands of dollars, required access to legal resources, and caused us a ton of stress and uncertainty about the future. It was 19 years of registrations, visa renewals, applications, and interviews.”