Progress in Immigration: July 2022

Homeland Security Bill Approved

The US House Committee on Appropriations approved an $85.67 billion Homeland Security bill for 2023 — $2.7 billion more than the previous year. The funding is aimed to invest in smart and effective border security to meet the humanitarian needs of immigration and support federal efforts to keep the country safe.

A provision in the bill would secure the nation’s critical infrastructure with dramatically increased funding to prevent cyberattacks and root out cyber intrusions. The bill also supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency; US Customs and Border Protection; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; US Citizenship and Immigration Services; the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; the Transportation Security Administration; the US Coast Guard; the US Secret Service and more.

DHS Announces Expansion of Immigration Grant Program

The DHS also just announced the open application period for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program which will provide funding for citizenship programs across the country. The program will provide up to $20 million in grants – $10 million more in funding than last year.

These grant opportunities are open to organizations that help immigrants with naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history, and civics. In addition to the traditional programs, grants have been expanded to include opportunities for new approaches to preparing immigrants for naturalization.

USCIS also aims to expand the availability of citizenship and integration services throughout the country under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program:

Innovations in Citizenship Education Program: This new grant’s aim is to amplify innovation. USCIS will award innovation grants to organizations that come up with creative approaches to preparing immigrants for naturalization and encouraging the civic, lingual, and cultural integration of immigrants into their local communities.

Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services: This opportunity will fund public or nonprofit organizations that offer both citizenship instruction and naturalization application services to immigrants.

Community and Regional Integration Network Grant: This grant’s aim is to provide extended integration services with a focus on individualized programming to certain immigrants, including those who entered the United States under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, were granted asylum, or were admitted or entered the United States as a Cuban or Haitian entrant, to attain the skills and knowledge required for successful citizenship.

It is more vital now than ever to have adequate representation for your and your family’s immigration case. Contact us today for a consultation.

USCIS Fees Set to Increase

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued its final rule, implementing substantial fee increases for numerous immigration applications.