Latest news with #SpecialImmigrantJuvenile
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
India's 7th rank in US scheme for children sparks fraud concerns
Ahmedabad: India is the seventh-largest source country in the US Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) programme, according to a US govt report on fraud and security risks published on July 23. Originally designed to protect abused or abandoned children, the programme has grown into a pathway increasingly used by older applicants. It is also the only non-western hemisphere country in the top 10, with most applicants concentrated in New York and California. The findings show that 82% of Indian SIJ petitioners were aged 18 or older and 90% were male, underscoring concerns about possible misuse of a scheme originally intended for abused or neglected children. The report titled "Criminality, gangs and program integrity concerns in special immigrant juvenile petition" was issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate of USCIS analysed SIJ petitions filed from 2014 to 2024 and flagged serious vulnerabilities. Nearly 1,98,500 petitions were approved between 2020 and 2024, with more than half filed by those aged between 18 and 21. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad | Gold Rates Today in Ahmedabad | Silver Rates Today in Ahmedabad The review highlighted security risks: more than 19,000 petitioners were arrested, including at least 120 for murder. Over 500 suspected MS-13 gang members and at least 200 sex offenders gained SIJ approvals. Identity and age fraud were found to be widespread, while a small but concerning number of applicants had links to extremist groups. In the country ranking, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras dominated, reflecting Central American migration flows. But India stood at the seventh place, ahead of Afghanistan and Venezuela. This makes India unique as the only non-western hemisphere country in the top tier of SIJ petitions. The demographic profile of Indian applicants adds to concerns — 82% were 18 or older when they applied, and nine out of 10 were male. Most listed US addresses in New York (57%) or California (20%), two states with large immigrant populations and courts that often process SIJ cases. Analysts say this pattern suggests the use of irregular migration routes by Indian nationals, particularly through Latin America, to position themselves for SIJ eligibility. While India's numbers are modest compared to Central America, its ranking shows the global reach of networks exploiting humanitarian visa channels. The report noted rising SIJ applications from Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, countries with terrorism concerns. For India, this overlap with its wider neighbourhood has security relevance, requiring close monitoring. Another issue is the EB4 visa backlog. SIJs are processed under EB4, the same category used by Indian religious workers and certain professionals. The surge in SIJ petitions increases wait times for other applicants, indirectly affecting legitimate Indian cases. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Newsweek
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Trump Admin Identifies Gang Immigration 'Loophole'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new report from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has raised concerns over the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program, citing instances of identity fraud and gang affiliations among applicants approved for lawful permanent residency. "The scale of criminality, gang involvement, and fraud described in this report is more extensive than in earlier public discussions of the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program," Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayer Brown and a former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek. One expert told Newsweek that Project 2025 had called for USCIS to bolster its fraud detection unit, with this latest report a sign of that effort. "It also reflects the Trump administration's terminations of the temporary, discretionary statuses granted under the Biden administration—humanitarian parole, deferred action, and temporary protected status (DACA being a notable exception)," Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, told Newsweek. Why It Matters SIJ status is a form of humanitarian immigration relief available to undocumented minors in the United States who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by one or both parents. It was created by Congress in 1990 to protect vulnerable youth from being returned to unsafe environments and to provide them a pathway to lawful permanent residency. Once SIJ status is granted, the individual becomes eligible to apply for lawful permanent residency. President Donald Trump has ordered his administration to carry out widespread removals as part of his pledge to conduct what Republicans describe as the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history. Police detain immigrants and asylum-seekers reporting for immigration court proceedings in New York City on July 24, 2025. Police detain immigrants and asylum-seekers reporting for immigration court proceedings in New York City on July 24, 2025. DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images What To Know USCIS said in a report that 853 known or suspected gang members filed SIJ petitions during the review period, including more than 600 affiliated with the MS-13 gang. Of those, over 500 applications belonging to suspected MS-13 gang members were approved, per the report. Many petitioners submitted their SIJ I-360 petitions after turning 18 and qualified based on determinations that one of their parents had abandoned or neglected them. The report also identifies approved petitions from individuals linked to other gangs, such as over 100 members of the 18th Street gang, at least three from Tren de Aragua (TdA), and several associated with the Sureños and Norteños. Bailey told Newsweek that there were various weaknesses in the program, particularly in how agencies communicate with one another, which can lead to opportunities for fraud or exploitation. The report, titled "Criminality, Gangs, and Program Integrity Concerns in Special Immigrant Juvenile Petitions," examines more than 300,000 SIJ petitions filed between fiscal year (FY) 2013 and February 2025. Over half the SIJ applicants in FY 2024 were between 18 and 20 years old, according to USCIS. Many applicants reportedly entered the United States without legal inspection, and some were found to have submitted petitions using false information about their age, identity, or nationality, the report claims. On June 6, USCIS rescinded a policy, in place since 2022, that automatically considered deferred action—temporary protection from deportation—for approved SIJ petitioners. "Criminal aliens are infiltrating the U.S. through a program meant to protect abused, neglected, or abandoned alien children," USCIS spokesman Matthew J. Tragesser said in a press release. To qualify for SIJ, a state juvenile court must issue an order establishing dependency or custody or placement with a state‐appointed guardian, find that reunification with a parent is not viable due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and determine that returning to the child's home country would not be in the child's best interests. After USCIS approves the SIJ petition and a visa number becomes available, beneficiaries can apply to adjust their status to lawful permanent resident, thereby gaining the stability to build a safer future in the U.S. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services field office in downtown San Diego, California. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services field office in downtown San Diego, California. Getty Images What People Are Saying Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayer Brown and a former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek: "While these exceptions are well-intentioned, the program's relatively low statutory barriers to eligibility have also introduced vulnerabilities. Individuals who would otherwise be barred from obtaining lawful status may see the SIJ program as one of the few viable paths to remain in the United States and normalize their status. "While previous reports and policy analyses have noted some concerns about fraud and the need for better oversight, this USCIS July 2025 report is distinguished by its comprehensive data analysis, explicit documentation of criminal and national security risks, and detailed critique." Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, told Newsweek: "Moving forward, I expect to see the Trump administration trying to deport some of the youth granted Special Immigrant Juvenile status, as happened before the Biden administration's deferred action program, since they remain vulnerable to deportation while they wait for visas to become available, if they do not have deferred action." USCIS spokesman Matthew J. Tragesser said in a statement: "This report exposes how the open border lobby and activist judges are exploiting loopholes in the name of aiding helpless children." What Happens Next USCIS said it was looking at other ways to mitigate vulnerabilities in the SIJ program.
Miami Herald
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
USCIS just raised immigration fees. See what work permits and asylum now cost
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began enforcing on Tuesday new mandatory fees for certain immigration benefits, as required by the HR-1 Reconciliation Act, passed by Congress earlier this month. These new fees are in addition to existing USCIS filing fees and cannot be waived — even if the applicant qualifies for a fee waiver under existing Department of Homeland Security regulations. The changes, published in the Federal Register, apply to individuals filing for asylum, work authorization (EAD), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and other humanitarian benefits, including Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status. Higher fees for key immigration applications The newly imposed USCIS fees represent a significant increase for some of the most common forms used by immigrants in the U.S., particularly those from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Haiti and other Latin American countries. These are the main additional mandatory fees required under HR-1: ▪ Asylum application (Form I-589) Before: $0 - Now: $100 ▪ Annual fee for pending asylum cases Before: Not applicable - Now: $100 per year (USCIS will issue annual notices to collect this fee from individuals with pending asylum cases.) ▪ Initial work permit (Form I-765) Before: $410 - Now: $960 (Standard fee + $550 HR-1 surcharge) ▪ Work permit renewal (Form I-765) Before: $410 - Now: $685 (Standard fee + $275 HR-1 surcharge) ▪ Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) Before: $135 (including biometrics) - Now: $665 (Breakdown: $50 base fee + $85 biometrics + $500 HR-1 surcharge) An additional $30 biometric fee may apply if required. ▪ Humanitarian parole renewal with work permit (Forms I-131 + I-765) Before: $390 - Now: $665 (Standard fees + $275 HR-1 surcharge) ▪ Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) petition (Form I-360) Before: $0 - Now: $250 Who must pay the new USCIS fees? The HR-1-mandated fees apply to a broad range of immigration applicants, including: ▪ Individuals applying for or with pending asylum ▪ Applicants requesting or renewing a work permit (EAD) ▪ Beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) ▪ Foreign nationals renewing humanitarian parole with employment authorization ▪ Youth applicants for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status Federal authorities emphasized that these fees cannot be waived or reduced, even if the base form is eligible for a fee waiver under DHS regulations. Because these charges are imposed by statute through the HR-1 reconciliation package, they are not subject to agency discretion, exemption or appeal. New limits on work permit validity In addition to the new fees, HR-1 also imposes changes to the validity period of Employment Authorization Documents for certain categories of immigrants. 'H.R. 1 also changed validity periods for some EAD categories,' USCIS said in an official release. 'For alien parolees, initial employment authorization is valid for a period of no more than one year or for the duration of the alien's parole, whichever is shorter. For aliens with TPS, initial and renewal employment authorizations are valid for no more than one year or for the duration of the alien's TPS status, whichever is shorter, ' USCIS stated. The shortened duration means that many parole and TPS beneficiaries will need to renew their work permits annually, adding financial and administrative burdens.
Economic Times
19-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
US raises immigration fees for select categories starting July 22
Agencies Starting July 22, 2025, the US immigration agency will start charging new, mandatory fees for certain immigration forms. Anyone who sends forms after August 21, 2025, without paying the correct amount, will have their application rejected, according to a new official notice from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).These changes come under a new law called H.R. 1, passed by the US government to help pay for the costs of handling immigration requests. The fees will apply in addition to the existing charges, and cannot be waived or reduced, even if applicants are low-income. Immigrants applying for asylum, work permits, and protection under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will now have to pay extra fees every year or at different stages of their application. These new charges are non-negotiable and are separate from regular USCIS fees. What's Changing: A Simple Breakdown Asylum Application Fee – ₹8,300 (approx $100): For the first time, those applying for asylum through Form I-589 must pay a fee of $100. Why it matters: This form was previously free. Now, applicants must also pay a $100 annual fee each year while their case is still pending. This form was previously free. Now, applicants must also pay a each year while their case is still pending. How it works: USCIS will personally notify each applicant when their yearly fee is due. Work Permit (EAD) Fees – Up to ₹45,800 (approx $550): People applying for a work permit related to asylum, parole, or TPS using Form I-765 must now pay: $550 for first-time applicants $275 for renewals If applying after getting extended parole (Form I-131): Only $275 applies Translation: A work permit, officially known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), allows immigrants to legally work in the US while their case is pending. TPS Registration – Now ₹41,700 (approx $500): The registration cost for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) using Form I-821 has gone up from $50 to $500. TPS is a program that allows people from certain countries affected by war or disaster to live and work in the US for a temporary period. Special Immigrant Juvenile Fee – ₹20,800 (approx $250): Children who are abused, abandoned, or neglected and applying for a special visa under Form I-360 must now pay $250. These minors fall under a category called Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) and are seeking protection under US law. What Happens If You Don't Pay on Time?If your asylum case has been pending for over a year (filed after October 1, 2024), USCIS will send you a personal letter asking for the Annual Asylum Fee (AAF). You will need to pay this every year on the anniversary of your original application, as long as your case remains pending. Validity of Work Permits is Also Changing: Parolees (temporary permission to stay in the US): Can only get work permits valid for one year or until their parole ends, whichever is shorter. Can only get work permits valid for one year or until their parole ends, whichever is shorter. TPS Applicants: Work permits are valid for up to one year or until TPS ends, whichever comes first. Important: These New Fees Do Not Replace the Old Ones You still have to pay the existing USCIS fees listed under 8 CFR Part 106. These new fees from H.R. 1 are additional and must be paid separately. If you qualify for a fee waiver on existing charges, you can still submit Form I-912, but you cannot waive the new H.R. 1 fees—everyone has to pay them. More Fees to Come Not all fee changes under H.R. 1 have been announced yet. USCIS will share more updates later about increased charges for: Form I-131: Used to request permission to travel while your immigration case is in process. Used to request permission to travel while your immigration case is in process. Form I-102: Used to replace lost or incorrect travel records (I-94 document). (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. What's keeping real retail investors out of the Nvidia rally Instagram and YouTube make billions off creators. Should they pay up for their mental health? Markets need to see more than profits from Oyo The hybrid vs. EV rivalry: Why Maruti and Mahindra pull in different directions. What's best? Stock Radar: Why is CDSL looking an attractive buy at current levels? Check target & stop loss for long positions Get ready for volatility with the big, better & experienced. 7 large-caps from different sectors with an upside potential of up to 39% Buy, Sell or Hold: Motilal Oswal sees over 20% upside in Tech Mahindra; YES Securities maintains add call on ICICI Lombard Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus
Newsweek
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
College Student in Green Card Process Detained by ICE
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Sara Lizeth Lopez Garcia, a 20-year-old Colombian honors student at Suffolk County Community College, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials at her Long Island home in May after they came looking for someone else, said her fiancé, Santiago Ruiz Castilla. Newsweek has confirmed via the ICE detainee database that Lopez Garcia is being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center. Newsweek has contacted Castilla for comment via GoFundMe and ICE, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Suffolk County Community College via email. Why It Matters Lopez Garcia's detention comes amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. President Donald Trump has pledged to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history. Immigrants residing in the country illegally and legally, with valid documentation such as green cards and visas, have been detained. Newsweek has reported dozens of cases involving green card holders and applicants who were swept up in the immigration raids and various arrests. Lopez Garcia's detention has raised concerns at Suffolk County Community College, where almost 40 percent of the student body identifies as Latino. A composite image of the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile on April 8 and an inset of Sara Lizeth Lopez Garcia from the GoFundMe page set up on her behalf. A composite image of the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile on April 8 and an inset of Sara Lizeth Lopez Garcia from the GoFundMe page set up on her behalf. GoFundMe/AP Photo/Gerald Herbert What To Know According to Patch, immigration officials appeared early on May 21 at Lopez Garcia's residence, where she lived with her mother and teenage brother. Lopez Garcia and her mother were taken into ICE custody, while her brother remained on Long Island. They have since been transferred to the GEO Group-operated South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile. Castilla said in an online fundraiser for Lopez Garcia's legal funds, "ICE wasn't even looking for them, but for someone completely unrelated who didn't live at their address." He told Patch that his fiancée was born in Colombia and moved to the U.S. in 2020 when she was 15 years old. She was majoring in interior design and involved in community service and mentorship programs at school, where she held a 3.9 GPA. Castilla said she had been granted Special Immigrant Juvenile status, which is designed to protect young immigrants who have experienced abuse or neglect. The status allows individuals who have come into the country to stay legally. Castilla said she and her mother had Social Security numbers and work permits. He wrote on GoFundMe, "She is currently in the process of obtaining her permanent residency." He told Patch that Lopez Garcia and her mother had no criminal history or deportation orders. A GoFundMe campaign for her legal fees had raised more than $21,000 as of Wednesday morning. What People Are Saying Santiago Ruiz Castilla wrote on GoFundMe: "My fiancé is known for her kindness and dedication, and she needs our support. She's the kind of person who brings light into every room, always striving to do her best and help those around her. … Both the mother and daughter are hardworking women who came to this country with dreams of building a better life. They have always given to their community with open hearts, and now they need our support more than ever." Dante Morelli, a professor of communications at Suffolk County Community College, told Newsday: "Our community is outraged by this. It's just an awful, terrible situation." Cynthia Eaton, an English professor who taught Lopez Garcia, told Newsday: "I've been teaching for 30 years … and sometimes you meet a student who just stands out. Sara was one of those." What Happens Next Lopez Garcia is being held in Louisiana and awaiting an immigration hearing. She and Castilla were scheduled to be married on August 7. Castilla told Newsday that amid her detention, Lopez Garcia agreed in June to self-deport.
