One family celebrated Christmas early this year. The family's mother was slated for removal, also commonly called deportation, two days after Christmas, which may have made for a solemn holiday celebration.
More families composed of citizens, undocumented immigrants
It is increasingly important for immigration judges in New Jersey to think about who will be affected by someone's deportation as more and more families are composed of mixed-status individuals. This means that there are parents or older siblings who are undocumented immigrants while children and younger siblings are U.S.-born citizens. If the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents decided to deport one of the undocumented immigrants, how would that affect a young American citizen?
Skilled-worker immigration bill blocked in Senate
Late last month, Republicans in the House of Representatives pushed through a bill that many Democrats opposed. When a similar bill went to the Senate, however, Republicans were unable to get it past the Democrats. What has caused such partisan division? An immigration bill that would make it easier for immigrants with advanced degrees to obtain permanent residency in the United States.
Superstorm Sandy has terrible impact on immigrants
It has been over a month since Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey, but the effects of the hurricane's damage is still felt, especially in immigrant neighborhoods. Many immigrants, whether they are in the country legally or not, are reluctant to seek out help and Federal Emergency Management Agency funds. Afraid that they will be detained or deported, the hurricane has been particularly devastating to New Jersey's immigrants.
