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US presidential candidate <keyword id="19918985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump" source="keywords">Donald Trump</keyword> has gone from suggesting that immigrants were poisoning the blood of the country to saying that he would welcome immigrants from “nice” countries like Denmark, Switzerland and Norway to his most recent plans of automatically granting green cards to <keyword id="22128571" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-graduates" source="keywords">foreign graduates</keyword> of US colleges in a rather short duration of time. Feeling a little whiplashed, anyone? Securing a green card in the US is a Herculean task whose difficulty is probably comparable to capturing and bringing back Cerberus. And this legal permanent residence, which can sometimes take decades, is only the first step to becoming a US citizen. Many Indians have tried, whether it’s through residing and working for decades, navigating rather lengthy paperwork or marrying someone who is already a US citizen. Sadly, many have failed too. However, should Donald Trump become the President of the United States again (and decide to keep his word), Indian students might actually have an easier time getting a green card. In a surprising shift from his previous stance on immigration, former President Donald Trump has unveiled a bold plan to automatically grant green cards to foreign graduates of US colleges if re-elected. This announcement, made during a podcast interview with Silicon Valley investors, marks a departure from Trump's traditionally tough rhetoric on immigration. During the podcast hosted by Chamath Palihapitiya and others, Trump expressed his commitment to retaining talent educated in American universities. He argued passionately for granting green cards as a standard benefit for graduates, regardless of the institution they attended. Trump emphasised that this policy should encompass graduates from renowned institutions like Harvard and MIT as well as from junior colleges across the country. “It’s so sad when we lose people from Harvard, MIT, the greatest schools, and lesser schools that are phenomenal schools also,” Trump lamented on the All-In Podcast. “I think you should get, automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country and that includes junior colleges, too.” A green card affords its holder permanent residency rights in the United States and represents a crucial step towards citizenship. Trump's proposal, if enacted, could potentially introduce hundreds of thousands of new applicants for citizenship annually. Adding to the exodus of Indians who have already migrated to the US, over 200,000 Indian nationals are enrolled in institutes across the US in 2024, setting a new record. In fact, the significant surge in Indian students seeking education in the country between 2022-23 represented an unprecedented 35% increase from the year before that. The former US president specifically mentioned India and China, highlighting how talented individuals were unable to stay in the US because of current <keyword id="22151110" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="visa-policies" source="keywords">visa policies</keyword>. We can see how this may show him in a favourable light for green card aspirants. And while we’re not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, it is important to remember that Trump has made his discriminatory nature very public in several instances. Immigration has been a hot topic in the US political arena for decades. However, in recent years, the political right and others have been more divided than ever on this issue. Republicans have been calling for stringent immigration policies and strict border protections. Therefore, even if Trump does deliver what he promises, the packaging will most likely have fine print that might continue to make it difficult for students to attain green cards. In fact, the presidential candidate’s campaign press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has already clarified that Trump's proposal would only apply to thoroughly vetted college graduates who can “make significant contributions” to America and would not undercut American wages or workers. She emphasised that Trump has outlined the most aggressive vetting process in US history to exclude "all communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters and public charges." Anyhow, Trump’s proposal starkly contrasts with Trump's previous hardline stance on immigration, which had been a cornerstone of his political platform. During his presidency, Trump advocated for stringent immigration policies, including the largest deportation campaign in US history, aimed at undocumented migrants, and building a wall on the southern borders of the country. Trump intensified restrictions on legal immigration amid the pandemic and his final year in office. He proposed halting all immigration to the US and deporting foreign students who didn't attend some in-person classes. A month before the 2020 election, Trump once more moved to tighten regulations on the <keyword id="20773661" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="H-1B-visa" source="keywords">H-1B visa</keyword> program. He has also criticised the H-1B visa program, which tech companies favour for hiring foreign skilled workers, as detrimental to American prosperity. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa allowing US firms to employ foreigners in specialised occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise. At a recent campaign event in Wisconsin, Trump criticised Biden's immigration policies, particularly lambasting a new program allowing undocumented spouses of US citizens to apply for permanent residence without leaving the country. Trump characterised immigration under Biden as an "invasion" and argued against discussing amnesty, urging instead for measures to halt what he perceives as an influx of unauthorised migrants. Estimates from the Department of Homeland Security suggest that approximately 11 million migrants currently reside in the US without authorization, a statistic that has been central to Trump's arguments against leniency in immigration policy.

Donald Trump strikes again: Ex-President proposes automatic green cards for foreign graduates of US colleges

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/became-american-citizen-to-could-vote-2024-11">born in the US</a> but have ancestral ties to both Poland and Portugal.</li><li>Gathering all the necessary documents to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-more-americans-applying-for-second-passports-2024-7">apply for dual citizenship</a> took time and effort.</li></ul>I was born in the United States but travel widely and often think about moving abroad. I also want my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-lists-the-benefits-of-giving-her-kids-dual-citizenship-2022-6">children to have the option</a> if they ever want to leave the US.In more recent years, as I became increasingly concerned about the political landscape in America and the impact it could have on my family's lives, I got serious about looking for ways to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/second-passport-application-steps-to-consider-2024-7">gain citizenship in another country</a>.This process isn't possible for everyone. Among other obstacles, some people are unable to trace their roots because their ancestors were brought to the US as slaves.However, after doing a lot of research and submitting so much paperwork, I was granted <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/emily-in-paris-wrong-krakow-better-than-rome-european-travel-2024-9">citizenship in Poland</a> and Portugal before ever setting foot in either country.Here are the steps I took.<h2 id="abd813cd-f03d-4be1-97d8-ef04b07e230f">I started by creating a detailed family tree</h2>To build my tree, I did research on where each of my ancestors was born and the date they immigrated to the US.Then, I filled in the gaps by asking relatives and conducting research online. US government databases and Ancestry.com were my main sources for verifying things I'd already been told and looking into further <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-economy-prediction-immigration-population-growth-housing-market-gdp-cbo-2024-2">immigration information</a>.In my experience, details as small as the exact year someone immigrated or where they were buried were critical.<h2 id="df385453-4ee0-489a-a991-05381a1ef5de">After looking into immigration laws, I found the documents I needed</h2>Once I had my tree, I researched immigration laws.Through my research, I found a few potential paths to citizenship but focused on Poland. My grandfather was Polish, and I had his Polish passport, so the process was straightforward.Most countries require original documents issued in that country, such as a birth certificate or baptismal certificate, to successfully apply for citizenship. In some cases, immigration attorneys can help track down these types of documents.<h2 id="8631757a-1b47-4b14-9dfb-f4aaef97b3f2">It was worth it for me to look into alternative paths to citizenship, too</h2><div type="image" title="view of Belem Tower in portugal" height="3456" width="4608" msid="115063144" hostid="261" sizebytes="1349042"></div>Although a common path to citizenship is through descent, several countries offer alternate avenues. It's worth looking into different immigration laws, especially if tracing exact roots and finding original documents isn't possible.I was able to get Portuguese citizenship by proving I am a descendant of Sephardic Jews who were expelled from the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th Century. Although the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.lvpadvogados.com/nationality-for-descendants-of-sephardic-jews-to-end-in-december">deadline to apply for nationality</a> under that specific Portuguese law was January 1, 2024, similar laws may exist in other countries.For example, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spain-is-betting-on-immigrants-to-boost-its-economy-2024-10">Spain grants citizenship</a> to those who fled the Franco dictatorship during the Spanish Civil War and their descendants. Austria and Germany also offer it to the descendants of Jews who fled the Nazis.In some cases, countries will even give you citizenship in exchange for a sizable investment, like real estate.<h2 id="72ec9f94-49aa-4a80-8e9b-41337a1f10ee">Connecting with others going through the same process helped a lot</h2>One of the best decisions I made was joining social-media groups for Americans looking to gain dual citizenship.I regularly received tips and swift answers to questions from people who were experiencing the same thing as me. It was also a great way to connect with people with similar heritage.<h2 id="de72d8fc-7b74-450f-b0db-7b591e59483c">Hiring a local immigration attorney gave me a lot of peace</h2>Before investing a lot of time and money in the citizenship process, I wanted to get an honest assessment of my chances.To ease my mind, I had free consultations with an attorney in Poland and one in Portugal. From there, I hired them to help me troubleshoot problems.Although hiring an attorney isn't always required, I thought it was time and money well spent. I was also very glad I used local attorneys who are experts in their country's process.<h2 id="db066f00-4f42-4142-b7dd-7fac176e1218">I had to gather a lot of documents before submitting my applications</h2>Poland and Portugal required a ton of documents to apply for citizenship.In both cases, my local attorney filled out the necessary forms, but I was responsible for obtaining everything else. I needed to submit my birth certificate and marriage certificate, among others.Because my Polish citizenship is based on descent, I also needed to submit documents proving that I was descended from my grandfather, including my grandparent's marriage certificate and my parents' birth certificates.For my Portuguese citizenship, I was able to submit a letter from a rabbi about cultural practices and proof that my grandfather was buried in a Sephardic section of a cemetery. I also needed to submit an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/job-application-background-checks-employment-history-drug-screening-2023-6">FBI background check</a>.Once I gathered all the documents, my attornies submitted my applications for me.<h2 id="263e23e6-7a65-4b1b-9613-d1ba421004f9">It took a long time to get citizenship</h2><div type="image" title="jamie's kids posing in a town square in krakow poland" height="3024" width="4032" msid="115063148" hostid="261" sizebytes="529724"></div>After submitting, there was nothing to do but wait.My application for Polish citizenship was granted in about a year. I didn't get Portuguese citizenship until nearly three years after I applied.Waiting was the most frustrating part of the process. However, once I held my <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-powerful-passports-world-ranked-2023-1">new passports</a> in my hand, I forgot about it.I love having the freedom to move abroad. Now that my children also have dual citizenship, I rest easy knowing that they have the same opportunity.

I'm an American who got citizenship in 2 European countries without setting foot in either one. Here's how I did it.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has kept its use of deadly force secret. Until now. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US Army and Navy are facing a severe recruitment shortfall.</li><li>US military recruiters are targeting immigrants to fill their ranks, offering a path to citizenship.</li></ul>When Esmita Spudes Bidari was a young girl in Nepal, she dreamed of being in the military, but that wasn't a real option in her country.Last week, she raised her right hand and took the oath to join the U.S. Army Reserves, thanks in part to a recruiter in Dallas who also is Nepalese and reached out to her through an online group.Bidari, who heads to basic training in August, is just the latest in a growing number of legal migrants enlisting in the U.S. military as it more aggressively seeks out immigrants, offering a fast track to citizenship to those who sign up.Struggling to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://apnews.com/article/health-business-covid-army-government-and-politics-6cae87a2c64b846a79b0b6e9175f1c93">overcome recruiting shortfalls</a>, the Army and the Air Force have bolstered their marketing to entice legal residents to enlist, putting out pamphlets, working social media and broadening their outreach, particularly in inner cities. One key element is the use of recruiters with similar backgrounds to these potential recruits."It is one thing to hear about the military from locals here, but it is something else when it's from your fellow brother, from the country you're from," said Bidari, who was contacted by Army Staff Sgt. Kalden Lama, the Dallas recruiter, on a Facebook group that helps Nepalese people in America connect with one another. "That brother was in the group and he was recruiting and he told me about the military."The military has had success in recruiting legal immigrants, particularly among those seeking a job, education benefits and training as well as a quick route to becoming an American citizen. But they also require additional security screening and more help filling out forms, particularly those who are less proficient in English.Both the Army and the Air Force say they will not meet their recruiting goals this year, and the Navy also expects to fall short. Pulling more from the legal immigrant population may not provide large numbers, but any small boosts will help. The Marine Corp is the only service on pace to meet its goal.The shortfalls have led to a wide range of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://apnews.com/article/army-government-and-politics-098a687018ba50c237ed0cba24d6912f">new recruiting programs</a>, ad campaigns and other incentives to help the services compete with often higher-paying, less risky jobs in the private sector. Defense leaders say young people are less familiar with the military, are drawn more to corporate jobs that provide similar education and other benefits, and want to avoid <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-politics-military-and-defense-race-ethnicity-6548adcb0fee590f3427771d1e1eeea7">the risk of injury and death</a> that service in defense of the United States could bring. In addition, they say that little more than 20% meet the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://apnews.com/article/army-government-and-politics-b83a930a681bebbe367779ecdd48c662">physical, mental and character requirements</a> to join."We have large populations of legal U.S. residents who are exceptionally patriotic, they're exceptionally grateful for the opportunities that this country has provided," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, head of the service's recruiting command.The biggest challenges have been identifying geographic pockets of immigrant populations, finding ways to reach them and helping any of those interested navigate the complex military recruiting applications and procedures.Last October, the Army reestablished a program for legal permanent residents to apply for accelerated naturalization once they get to basic training. Recruiters began to reach out on social media, using short videos in various languages to target the top 10 countries that recruits had come from during the previous year.The Air Force effort began this year, and the first group of 14 graduated from basic training and were sworn in as new citizens in April. They included recruits from Cameroon, Jamaica, Kenya, the Philippines, Russia and South Africa. As of mid-May there were about 100 in basic training who had begun the citizenship process and about 40 who had completed it.Thomas said the program required changes to Air Force policy, coordination with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and a careful screening process to ensure there are no security risks."We have to take exceptional measures to be able to thoroughly vet and go through the security clearance investigation," he said, adding that in many cases the immigrants are not immediately put in jobs that require top secret clearance.Under the new program, recruits are quickly enrolled in the citizenship system and when they start basic training, an expedited process kicks off, including all required paperwork and testing. By the time Air Force recruits finish their seven weeks of training, the process is complete and they are sworn in as American citizens.The first group of 14 included several who are seeking various medical jobs, while another wants to be an air transportation specialist. Thomas said Airman 1st Class Natalia Laziuk, 31, emigrated from Russia nine years ago, has dreamed of being a U.S. citizen since she was 11, and learned about the military by watching American movies and television."Talking to this young airman, she essentially said, 'I just wanted to be useful to my country,'" he said. "And that's a story that we see played over and over and over again. I've talked to a number of these folks around the country. They're hungry to serve."For Bidari, who arrived in the U.S. in 2016 to attend college, the fast track to citizenship was important because it will make it easier for her to travel and bring her parents to the United States to visit. Speaking in a call from Chicago just a day after she was sworn in, she said she enlisted for six years and hopes that her future citizenship will help her become an officer.In Chicago earlier this year, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://apnews.com/article/army-recruiting-challenges-christine-wormuth-schools-ad7992e3d744533e76d28eccffa7eb4d">Army Secretary Christine Wormuth heard from a number of recruiters</a> about the increased outreach to immigrant communities and how it helped them meet their numbers. In the 2022 budget year, they said, the Chicago recruiting battalion enlisted 70 legal permanent residents and already this year they have enlisted 62.More broadly across the Army, close to 2,900 enlisted during the first half of this budget year, compared with about 2,200 during the same period the previous year. The largest numbers are from Jamaica, with 384, followed by Mexico, the Philippines and Haiti, but many are from Nepal, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Colombia and the Dominican Republic."As a little girl, looking at the soldiers, I always had admiration for them," said Bidari, recalling British troops in Nepal. "Yesterday, when I was able to take that oath ... I don't think I have words to really explain how I was feeling. When they said, 'Welcome future soldier,' I was like, 'Oh my goodness, this is happening.'"

Uncle Sam wants migrants. Facing shortages, military recruiters trade citizenship for service.

<ul><li>Over 200,000 H1-B visa holders in the US are left stranded because they would lose their legal status by the end of June. </li><li>This will largely impact those working in tech companies since almost a third of the visas are obtained by the IT employees. </li><li>The move comes as the US President <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword> halted the green card issuance process for 60 days as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. </li><li>The US issued 8.7 million non-immigrant visas in 2019, according to the State department. </li></ul>After US President Donald Trump suspended <keyword id="361298" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Immigration-Services">immigration services</keyword> to ‘protect American jobs’, over 2<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/over-200-000-h-1b-workers-could-lose-legal-status-by-june/story-Xmfoatk8Y2n1LKlVqF8i1N.html">00,000 H1-B visa holders in the US</a> are left stranded because they would lose their legal status by the end of June. According to Jeremy Neufeld, an immigration policy analyst at a think tank, Niskanen Center, nearly 250,000 temporary workers in the US are trying to obtain green cards, including those on <keyword id="931341" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="H1-B-visas">H1-B visas</keyword>. But all of them might be asked to go home. Days after the<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/covid-19-delays-extensionchange-status-filings"> Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)</a> relaxed H1-B visa deadlines and delayed other immigration activities, Trump halted the green card issuance process for 60 days as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. While the move does not imply that the workers seeking non-immigrant visas won’t be granted one, it will impact those seeking permanent residency. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services said that it may extend special support to some people — those affected by the Coronavirus chaos largely. Earlier, the USCIS said that non-immigrants can now apply for an extension of stay or change of status permit. “US Citizenship and Immigration Services continues to accept and process applications and petitions, and many of our forms are available for online filing,” it said. In the meanwhile, the unemployment rate in the US is surging. The <keyword id="122427" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-Labor-Department">US Labor Department</keyword> reported that a lot of Americans are filing claims for unemployment benefits. The claims have now reached 22 million and the Federal Reserve anticipates that nearly <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/trump-hints-temporary-suspension-of-immigration-to-the-us-to-protect-american-jobs/articleshow/75263785.cms">47 million jobs are on the line</a>. But, those on H1-B visas are more vulnerable. This is because they can not avail unemployment benefits in the US. They have no social security benefits either. So, if they lose jobs, they will have to return to India along with their families. The US issued 8.7 million non-immigrant visas in 2019, according to the State department. If their employers refuse to pay a certain minimum salary, send them on unpaid leaves or ask them to work in a remote setup, that is equivalent to violating the visa norms. “Even if they don’t lose their jobs, workers can find themselves in a dilemma if they can’t get their visas renewed during this period of disruption, the Bloomberg <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/over-200-000-h-1b-workers-could-lose-legal-status-by-june/story-Xmfoatk8Y2n1LKlVqF8i1N.html">report said</a>. This will largely impact those working in tech companies since almost a third of the visas are obtained by the IT employees. Given that, TechNet, a group whose members include Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Google and Microsoft, appealed for some relief for the foreign workers. They are seeking extension of the expiration dates until September. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/china-is-making-the-most-of-the-coronavirus-to-dislodge-the-us-as-the-worlds-main-superpower/articleshow/75443360.cms">China is making the most of the coronavirus to dislodge the US as the world’s main superpower</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/trump-hints-temporary-suspension-of-immigration-to-the-us-to-protect-american-jobs/articleshow/75263785.cms">Trump hints temporary suspension of immigration to the US to protect American jobs</a>

200,000 H1-B visa holders hope US will extend status to September as June deadline comes to a close

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US <keyword id="52568" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Citizenship">Citizenship</keyword> and <keyword id="50403" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Immigration">Immigration</keyword> Services just unveiled its new citizenship test for immigrants seeking to become US citizens. </li><li>The new 12-question civics exam is lengthier and has some updated terminology that could be construed as more difficult for test-takers to understand. </li><li>The term "citizens" also replaces "people" when it comes to some questions about representation in Congress. </li><li>It also comes with a new 128-question study guide, compared to the previous 100-question study guide.</li></ul>Although nearing the end of its term after an election defeat, the Trump administration just crossed off another to-do list item in advance of President-elect Joe Biden's new administration, crafting a new and more complex test that immigrants must take to receive their citizenship. Officials under <keyword id="3828720" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="President-Donald-Trump">President Donald Trump</keyword> <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-announces-a-revised-naturalization-civics-test">unveiled the new civics test on Friday</a> that replaces a President George W. Bush-era test that's been used for the last 12 years. It's the final hurdle to naturalization before America's immigrants receive their decision from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and take the Oath of Allegiance in a naturalization ceremony. Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-burrowing-administration-biden-government-employees-agencies-deep-state-2020-11?r=tp-sub" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EXCLUSIVE: Documents reveal Trump is building his own 'deep state' by leaving political appointees behind in government for the Biden administration</a> The <keyword id="137642" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="USCIS">USCIS</keyword> began revising the test in 2019 in an effort to refresh it every 10 years. The last time it was updated was in 2008 during Bush's presidency, leaving the Obama administration with no pressing need to touch the test during its tenure. With the 10-year mark coming in 2018, it fell squarely in the Trump administration's purview. <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/the-2020-version-of-the-civics-test/128-civics-questions-and-answers-2020-version">Basic civics questions</a> remain the same including "how many U.S. senators are there?" and "how many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?" but the wording for some is more complex. Applicants are asked to "name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution" instead of "what are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?" <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/100q.pdf">In the former test</a>, the applicant need only say a combination of terms in the famous phrase: "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Correct answers to the new test, however, include more specifics terms such as "equality," "social contract," "natural rights," "limited government," and "self-government."The term "citizen" also replaces "people" when it comes to representation in some questions, as the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/new-us-citizenship-test-trump/2020/11/13/2029723e-25e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html">Washington Post</a> noted. When asked, "who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?" or "who does a U.S. senator represent?" the correct answer must include citizens and not people.For US representatives, the right answers would be "citizens in their (congressional) district" and "citizens in their district," while for senators, the right answer would be "citizens of their state."In the previous test, the term citizen is typically used when discussing explicit rights not given to non-citizens, such as the right to vote. And when asked "who does a U.S. Senator represent?" in the previous test, the correct answer would be: "all people of the state."The idea of using the term "citizens" instead of "people" was a staple of the Trump presidency, especially as it came to the census and representation. The president fought to have the US Census Bureau ask respondents their citizenship status but <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-citizenship-census/">dropped the question following legal battles</a>. The soon-to-be Americans can also put their maps away as geography will be removed entirely from the test. Former geography questions were typically lay-ups that included "what ocean is on the West Coast of the <keyword id="6356955" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="united-states">United States</keyword>?" and "what is the capital of the United States?" The answers to those are the Pacific Ocean and Washington, DC, respectively. Changes are also coming to the testing procedure and scoring. Instead of correctly answering only six questions, candidates must correctly answer 12 and must answer the full 20 instead of stopping once they've reached the passing mark, according to the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/new-us-citizenship-test-trump/2020/11/13/2029723e-25e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html">Washington Post</a>.And that's after studying from a list of 128 potential questions, an increase of 28 from the 2008 study guide. The threshold to pass remains the same at 60%.Applicants of advanced age, 65 years or older, or those with 20 years of permanent residency in the US need only answer six correctly out of 10 instead of 20. Those applicants will also have the number of questions they're required to study reduced to 20.Luckily, applicants can view the test and its answers before they take it. Both the new 2020 and former 2008 versions are available on the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/the-2020-version-of-the-civics-test/128-civics-questions-and-answers-2020-version">USCIS website</a>. But advocates fear that the test changes will make it harder to become a US citizen and increase wait times to become a citizen, according to the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/new-us-citizenship-test-trump/2020/11/13/2029723e-25e9-11eb-8672-c281c7a2c96e_story.html">Washington Post</a>. The process to become a US citizen can already take upwards of <a href="https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/">two years once you've met the requirements</a>, and that doesn't include the potentially years-long process of getting permanent residency just to begin living and working in the country.Those already scheduled to take the test won't need to brush up on the new lingo and study guides just yet, however. Citizenship applicants with a filing date later than December 1, 2020, will receive the 2020 test while existing applicants will be administered the 2008 test.

The outgoing Trump administration just revealed its new citizenship test that's twice as long and uses exclusive terms like 'citizens' instead of 'all people'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An influx of over 175,000 migrants in New York City has further exposed the city's housing crisis.</li><li>Mayor Eric Adams warned the migrant influx could 'destroy' the city.</li></ul>No country in the world attracts more immigrants <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2016/05/18/5-facts-about-the-u-s-rank-in-worldwide-migration/">than the US</a> — and no place symbolizes this better than New York City.The convergence of the Big Apple's historic <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/half-of-nyc-residents-cant-afford-housing-food-healthcare-report-2023-4">housing affordability crisis</a> and an influx of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/nyc-migrant-crisis-explained.html">asylum seekers</a> has created a perfect storm that threatens to further marginalize the city's most vulnerable newcomers.Over the last two years, New York City has struggled to handle <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/02/15/1231712535/how-nyc-is-coping-with-175-000-migrants-from-the-southern-border">more than 175,000 new migrants</a> — part of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/asylum-claims-driving-migrant-crisis-ebdffcb6?mod=hp_lead_pos8&amp;utm_source=substack&amp;utm_medium=email">an influx of asylum seekers</a> on the Southern border. Many new arrivals don't have family members or other connections in New York, and tens of thousands of them don't have a place to live when they arrive.But the city has a policy that's exceedingly rare in the US: it must provide a shelter bed for every unhoused person — a policy known as right-to-shelter, enforced by a 1981 state Supreme Court <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2021/10/how-nycs-right-shelter-mandate-works/185933/">ruling</a>. About 65,000 migrants are now living in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/nyregion/nyc-migrants-neighborhoods-shelters.html#:~:text=The%20new%20arrivals%20came%20to,close%20together%20that%20they%20touch.">about 200 emergency shelters,</a> thousands more are in <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-migrants-brooklyn-floyd-bennett-field-5a1c7c5b31b60731150d81e7b456e55c">tent complexes</a>, and others are staying in former hotels and jails.The fact that New York — and other communities across the country — are so unprepared to handle new arrivals is further evidence of their failure to address a long-running housing affordability crisis. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/half-of-nyc-residents-cant-afford-housing-food-healthcare-report-2023-4">In New York City</a>, underbuilding homes for years — particularly affordable units — has meant <a target="_blank" href="https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/spotlight-new-york-citys-homeowner-housing-market/#:~:text=From%202010%20to%202022%2C%20the,homeownership%20price%20has%20increased%2074%25.">skyrocketing housing costs</a> and the <a target="_blank" href="https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/housing/2024/02/09/city-housing-vacancy-rate-drops-to-1-4-">lowest home vacancy rate</a> in decades. It's also helped the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/basic-facts-about-homelessness-new-york-city/">city's homeless population</a> grow larger than it's been since the Great Depression. An influx of new residents, regardless of their immigration status, could be a wake-up call for the country that solving the housing crisis is a prerequisite for growth.However, some New Yorkers aren't interested in welcoming asylum seekers. Mayor Eric Adams last year <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGf2a1xJjLo">warned</a> the influx of migrants "will destroy New York City," pointing to an estimated <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/09/nyregion/adams-nyc-migrants-cost.html">$12 billion</a> the city is expected to spend on housing and other services between 2023 and 2025. He's repeatedly demanded more funding from the state and federal governments.Some public figures who've opposed efforts to support migrants explicitly stoke fear that New Yorkers' homes are at risk. Elon Musk recently warned in a <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1744866197571555730?lang=en">post on X</a> that migrants will "come for your homes" after hotels and other emergency shelters fill up.But an uptick in immigration isn't the problem. Immigrants have long played a key role in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newamericaneconomy.org/housing/#:~:text=The%20research%20finds%20that%20immigrants,%2D%20and%20working%2Dclass%20Americans.">improving</a> communities across the country. And the US depends on immigrants to keep <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-economy-prediction-immigration-population-growth-housing-market-gdp-cbo-2024-2">the economy running</a>. Experts say the country desperately needs an influx of immigrants <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/22/economy/immigration-jobs/index.html">to fill jobs in key sectors</a>, like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/21/business/construction-industry-needs-immigrant-workers/index.html#:~:text=Nearly%20a%20quarter%20of%20construction,isn%27t%20filling%20the%20gap.">the construction industry</a>, in order to build the homes that are in such short supply.<div type="image" title="Elected leaders and immigrant advocates of New York City gather in Foley Square to call on New York City Mayor Eric Adams to stop 60-day shelter limit for asylum-seeking families who face eviction from shelters." height="885" width="1280" msid="109949893" hostid="261" sizebytes="125176"></div><h2 id="b0057c45-2254-4899-9298-6768f7817a02">Immigrants boost home values</h2>While politicians with anti-immigrant views and others have long sought to stoke xenophobia by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trump-under-fire-again-for-violent-language-and-dehumanizing-anti-immigrant-rhetoric">demonizing immigrants</a>, immigrant-heavy neighborhoods across the US <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newamericaneconomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/revival-of-american-cities.pdf">have thrived</a>.Foreign-born residents <a target="_blank" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00111287211007736">make neighborhoods safer</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/report-immigrants-revitalize-neighborhoods-homeowners-investing-trillions/story?id=19445130">wealthier</a>, in part by boosting home values. Immigrants have long helped keep <a target="_blank" href="https://www2.census.gov/prod2/3/98pubs/cenbr974.pdf">the US housing market</a> strong and played a major role in stabilizing it following the Great Recession.Not only do newly immigrant-heavy neighborhoods tend to see their home prices and rents increase, but surrounding areas see their housing costs and values rise even more, Susan Pozo, a professor of economics at Western Michigan University, and her colleagues found in one <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1051137717300025">study</a>. One reason behind this uptick is likely that many native-born residents leave for surrounding areas, pushing up demand there, Pozo said.What's more, immigration might have a disinflationary impact on the housing market because new arrivals disproportionately work in the construction industry, helping solve the housing shortage."Immigration tends to raise local rents but slow inflation modestly in other core categories, resulting in little net impact," researchers at Goldman Sachs wrote in a research note published on May 5. "Since housing construction has been constrained for the last decade by labor shortages, it is possible that new immigrants will eventually do more to boost housing supply than housing demand."<h2 id="acfd17e8-a3d1-4a6c-a716-8af016283bfc">Pushing migrants out of shelters</h2>New York City has managed to absorb much larger influxes of immigrants in the past. In 1907, 3,400 people were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/02/asylum-seekers-migrant-crisis/677464/">processed at Ellis Island every day</a>, on average. Right now, an average of about <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/780-23/as-number-asylum-seekers-city-s-care-tops-64-100-city-additional-policies-for">600 migrants</a> are arriving in the city each day.But last month, the city government amended its right-to-shelter law, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/15/nyregion/nyc-right-to-shelter-homeless-migrants.html">announcing</a> it will begin forcing single adult migrants out of shelters <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/04/26/migrants-shelter-extension-exception/">after 30 days</a>, while some families with children will be limited to 60 days in a shelter.The New York City comptroller's office says the Adams administration is intentionally making life more difficult for asylum-seekers as a way to force them out of the city. Without legal documents, migrants aren't eligible for other government housing assistance, like vouchers or public housing."The policies are intentionally designed basically to just make it frustrating for people," said Celeste Hornbach, director of housing policy in the New York City comptroller's office. "It is just a system that is meant to really discourage people from getting help from the city and from exercising their rights that they have as residents of New York City."The city has also failed to provide proper case management for thousands of migrants, and rarely follows up with families and individuals after they've left the shelter system, experts in the comptroller's office said."The case management the city has stood up is more focused on just getting people out of the shelter, rather than stabilizing them and helping them succeed once they're gone," said Sam Stanton, a senior policy researcher in the comptroller's office.It's unclear where many go once they leave the shelters, Hornbach said, but some likely end up in substandard "gray market housing," including in basements or other potentially unsafe, overcrowded places.Without local, state, and federal efforts to build more housing — including affordable homes — communities across the country won't be able to sustain dynamic economies and vibrant neighborhoods.

The US needs immigrants to fill jobs, but can't house them. Nowhere makes this more clear than New York City.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>New Mexico's basic income pilot provided $500 monthly to 330 immigrant households.</li><li>Pandemic relief excluded many immigrants, leading to economic hardship for undocumented families.</li></ul>New Mexico's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/basic-income-gbi-ubi-low-income-americans-afford-housing-food-2024-5">basic income pilot</a> set out to fill a gap in America's financial safety net: many immigrants aren't able to access help.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/affordable-housing-solutions-billions-unused-covid-aid-treasury-department-2024-3">Pandemic-era relief</a> was largely restricted to US citizens, leaving undocumented households and families with mixed citizenship status without stimulus, rental assistance, or unemployment checks.With growing economic need, community leaders in New Mexico decided to try a different strategy — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/which-states-cities-have-guaranteed-basic-income-programs-low-income-2024-4">no-strings-attached cash payments</a>."Mixed-status immigrant families don't always enjoy the same public benefits that other families and workers do because of their status," Marcela Díaz, executive director of economic justice organization Somos Un Pueblo Unido, told Business Insider. "What does it look like for them to have an extra $500 a month? How does it affect food security, their health, their well-being, and educational outcomes?"Beginning in February 2022, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guaranteed-basic-income-houston-residents-afford-rent-groceries-housing-2024-4">guaranteed income program</a> served 330 mixed-immigration status households. Participants received $500 a month, no strings attached, for a full year. Fifty randomly selected households had their payments extended for an additional six months.The New Mexico Economic Relief Working Group — a coalition of community organizations and nonprofits, including Somos Un Pueblo Unido, New Mexico Voices for Children, and UpTogether — administered the program, and funding came from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/basic-income-funding-comes-from-philanthropy-federal-budget-housing-taxes2024-4">private donors and philanthropy</a>.The pilot joins the ranks of over 100 basic income pilots that have launched across the US since 2019. In contrast to traditional social services, the programs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/san-antonio-ubi-guaranteed-basic-income-housing-finances-austin-rent-2024-3">allow families to choose</a> how they spend the money. Participants have told BI they have used cash payments to pay rent, afford groceries, pay off debt, and support their families.New Mexico's program is among the first basic income programs to operate at the state level and to specifically serve immigrant households.The pilot's success has also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/basic-income-gbi-ubi-low-income-americans-afford-housing-food-2024-5">provided momentum</a> for future basic income programs in the region. A new state-funded pilot cash program for people enrolled in workforce training programs <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" href="https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/2024-nm-legislative-session/82629-house-passes-bill-to-support-new-mexicans-in-workforce-training">passed in the New Mexico House</a> in February. The $1 million project, which seeks approval in the state Senate, would help participants cover housing, food, and transportation for three years."People use the money to feed themselves and to keep a roof over their head," Javier Rojo, senior research and policy analyst with New Mexico Voices for Children and author of the pilot report, told BI. "They use it very wisely to put themselves in a better position economically in the future."<h2 id="1e5ef1b4-4f42-4c56-ba14-051db0d0a23f">With basic income, participants saw improved employment and education outcomes</h2>The New Mexico pilot served mixed-status households in 13 counties across the state. The program's state-level scope allowed participants in both rural and urban areas to benefit.Almost all pilot participants were families with children. Ninety-five percent reported having to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guaranteed-basic-income-houston-residents-afford-rent-groceries-housing-2024-4">use household savings</a> to pay bills, 85% reported being <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chicago-basic-income-helped-mother-rent-an-apartment-ubi-gbi2024-5">housing insecure</a>, and 74% lacked health insurance.Before the pilot began, participants in rural areas experienced higher housing and food insecurity than urban participants but also saw better employment incomes after the program concluded. Basic income reduced the amount of urban participants who skipped basic necessities to pay for housing by 13% by the end of the pilot.The children of participants were also more likely to be learning at their grade level and on track to graduate than before the basic income.A woman in Doña Ana County also said her job security improved because she was able to buy a cell phone."I clean houses. At the beginning of the pandemic, I didn't have a phone, so it was very difficult for me to connect with potential clients," she told researchers, "With the help of my new phone, I've been able to set up more appointments and create a more stable work schedule."Republican legislatures <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guaranteed-basic-income-ban-ubi-arizona-texas-houston-homelessness-poverty-2024-2">continue to seek to ban basic income</a> across the US, saying it will make low-income Americans too reliant on government assistance.Rojo, however, said the New Mexico pilot results show that participants became more active in the labor market with the support of cash payments. Some families reported using their basic income to secure the transportation or childcare they needed to support a full-time work schedule.Going forward, he would like to continue seeing basic income used at the city, state, and federal level to support low-income families."People know best what their needs are and people know how to use their money to better themselves," he said. "Trust them."Have you benefitted from a guaranteed basic income program? Are you open to sharing how you spent the money? If so, reach out to this reporter at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:allisonkelly@businessinsider.com">allisonkelly@businessinsider.com</a>.

New Mexico experimented with a basic income program that gave $500 a month to immigrant families. They used the money to pay rent and secure jobs.

In yet another immigration-friendly move, the <keyword id="10092361" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Biden-administration" source="Orion">Biden administration</keyword> has agreed to provide automatic work authorisation permits to spouses of H-1B visas holders, a step that would benefit thousands of Indian-American women. The settlement in this regard was reached by the Department of Homeland Security in a class-action lawsuit, which was filed by the <keyword id="620952" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="American-Immigration-Lawyers-Association" source="Orion">American Immigration Lawyers Association</keyword> (AILA) on behalf of immigrant spouses this summer. "This (H-4 visa holders) is a group that always met the regulatory test for automatic extension of EADs (employment authorisation documents), but the agency previously prohibited them from that benefit and forced them to wait for reauthorisation. People were suffering. They were losing their high-paying jobs for absolutely no legitimate reason causing harm to them and US businesses," Jon Wasden from AILA said. The litigation successfully achieved the reversal of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy that prohibited H-4 spouses from benefiting from the automatic extension of their employment authorisation during the pendency of stand-alone EAD applications. "Although this is a giant achievement, the parties' agreement will further result in a massive change in position for the USCIS, which now recognises that L-2 spouses enjoy automatic work authorisation incident to status, meaning these spouses of executive and managers will no longer have to apply for employment authorisation prior to working in the <keyword id="6356955" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="united-states" source="Orion">United States</keyword>," AILA said. "We are delighted to have reached this agreement, which includes relief for H-4 spouses, through our litigation efforts with Wasden Banias and Steven Brown. It is gratifying that the administration saw that settling the litigation for non-immigrant spouses was something that should be done, and done quickly," said Jesse Bless, AILA director of federal litigation. The Obama administration had given work authorisation to certain categories of spouses of <keyword id="6358066" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="H-1B-visa" source="Orion">H-1B visa</keyword> holders. So far, more than 90,000 H-4 visa holders, a significant majority of whom are Indian-American women, have received work authorisation. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/two-new-ipos-coming-in-next-week-tarsons-products-and-go-fashion/articleshow/87655787.cms">IPO craze continues as two more set to open next week</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/purplle-is-planning-to-set-up-its-own-network-of-retail-stores-as-nykaa/articleshow/87649025.cms">Half a billion dollar worth Purplle is now taking the next step to take on Nykaa</a>

You Searched For "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services" and got 9 results

Donald Trump strikes again: Ex-President proposes automatic green cards for foreign graduates of US colleges

Ashmita Gupta

I'm an American who got citizenship in 2 European countries without setting foot in either one. Here's how I did it.

Jamie Davis Smith

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has kept its use of deadly force secret. Until now.

Lila Hassan

Uncle Sam wants migrants. Facing shortages, military recruiters trade citizenship for service.

Associated Press

200,000 H1-B visa holders hope US will extend status to September as June deadline comes to a close

Prerna Sindwani

The outgoing Trump administration just revealed its new citizenship test that's twice as long and uses exclusive terms like 'citizens' instead of 'all people'

Thomas Pallini

The US needs immigrants to fill jobs, but can't house them. Nowhere makes this more clear than New York City.

Eliza Relman

New Mexico experimented with a basic income program that gave $500 a month to immigrant families. They used the money to pay rent and secure jobs.

Allie Kelly

If you have an H-1B visa, your spouse can get automatic work authorisation

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