Isabel Schmieta

Suing USCIS: Getting Work Cards and Bona Fide Determinations for U Status Applicants

The Process In June, Hope Immigration partnered with Brad Banias, an expert in federal litigation, to sue USCIS. The goal of this litigation was to show USCIS that it is unacceptable that U Status applicants are waiting outrageously long to receive Bona Fide Determinations (BFDs) and Employment Authorizations (EADs). The BFD allows the applicant to

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Women’s Equality Day: Celebrating Immigrant Women

August 26th, 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of Women’s Equality Day. The date was designated to recognize the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote and furthered the efforts for full equality for women in the US. The celebration is proclaimed by the president each year, sparking speeches, parades, volunteer

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Afghan Re-Parole Program: Continued Status for Afghans

In July of 2021, the Afghan Parole Program, also known as Operation Allies Refuge (OAR) or Operation Allies Welcome (OAW), was established. This program is how most Afghan asylum seekers have come to the US since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Parole status allows Afghans to come to the US first and apply for asylum

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Eleven Years of DACA: Time for More

June 15th marked the eleventh anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA. It was intended as an “exercise of prosecutorial discretion,” meaning that it provided temporary relief (deferred action) from deportation for “Dreamers” — undocumented migrants who came to the US as children. In addition to protection from deportation,

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I Am An Immigrant: A Celebration of Our Stories

Every June, we celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month. The celebration was first launched in 2014 by the I Stand With Immigrants Initiative. The goal is to share stories, empower immigrants, and demonstrate how valuable immigrants are in the communities, economy, and country they share. It also encourages everyone to celebrate and explore their heritage and celebrate

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