TASK FORCE INFORMATION:
         THIS IS MUST READING.  Local attorney faces $240,000.00 penalty for defrauding Brazilian immigrants, putting them at deportation risk.  If you know anyone in the Brazilian Community, forward this story to them.  SEE:  https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2022/03/31/local-immigration-attorney-faces-first-of-its-kind-penalty-for-defrauding-brazilian-immigrants-putting-them-at-deportation-risk

>> Our next ZOOM meeting is Monday, April 11th at 7:30PM.  Volunteers for a Nomination Committee for next year’s officers will be solicited.  If you wish to add any matter to the agenda please submit it to me by Thursday, April 7th.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION NEWS
>>     On March 28 the DHS published a “Fact Sheet” entitled DHS Efforts to Assist Ukrainian Nationals  SEE:  https://www.dhs.gov/publication/fact-sheet-dhs-efforts-assist-ukrainian-nationals   that provides an excellent two page summary of different status that may be available.

>>  The Hill  reports that President Biden’s annual budget proposal would substantially increase funds for Dept of Homeland Security,  while further taking the agency away from the enforcement-heavy policies imbued into it by the Trump administration. President Biden requested $56.7 billion in discretionary funding for DHS in 2023, a 5.4 percent increase from what the department effectively spent in 2021. The two top immigration enforcement agencies will also receive upticks; CBP would receive $15.3 billion and ICE $8.1 billion in discretionary funding.

GOVERNMENT REPORTS:
>> The Congressional Research Service published a report entitled. “Afghanistan Designated for Temporary Protected Status” which is a good summary and well worth a couple of minutes reading. See:  https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11903

NATIONAL NEWS:
>> Roll Call reports that due to the backlogs and processing delays that plague USCIS, the wait for green card applications filed by people with asylum currently ranges from 25 to 52 months, or more than four years, according to the agency’s website. USCIS Director Jaddou pledged to tackle those long wait times. The agency has stripped away some of the previous administration’s layers of bureaucracy, such as eliminating duplicative fingerprinting requirements and easing work visa renewals.

>> Time reports that immigrants detained at ICE facilities around the country have been prohibited from seeing their friends and family in person for more than two years, after health protocols were put in place at the start of the spread of COVID-19 in the United States. As the CDC and states loosen pandemic-related protocols, immigrants and their advocates say the lack of in-person visitations is cruel and that ICE should restore its pre-pandemic policy.

>> The Louisiana Illuminator published an interesting article about the new process for asylum cases at the border unveiled by Biden administration that would allow asylum officers to approve applications for asylum.  But there are substantial issues.  There are always two sides to every issue.  SEE:  https://lailluminator.com/2022/03/24/new-process-for-asylum-cases-at-the-border-unveiled-by-biden-administration/?utm_source=Recent%20Postings%20Alert&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=RP%20Daily

LOCAL REQUESTS:
                  Food Scarcity – Volunteer Drivers NEEDED!
Newton Neighbors connects available food with those who need it. They pick up food from a food distribution center and other locations and deliver it to area food pantries that feed hundreds of people. Temple Aliyah’s Social Action Committee is looking for volunteers to join in picking up food in Jamaica Plain and delivering it to an area food pantry. The total time commitment is 2-3 hours. Participation one morning a month would be very helpful. To sign up, call or text Allen Katzoff at (617) 281-4829.
>>. On the weekend of April 30 and May 1, St. Joseph’s Parish will at the Knights of Columbus Hall to pack 100,000 meals for Haiti. Those who participated last year, found this to be a fun and rewarding opportunity in a hands-on humanitarian relief effort. Workers will again be in teams for two- hour shifts, on Saturday, April 30, from 9:30 to 11:30am, Noon to 2:00pm, and 2:30 to 4:30pm, as well as on Sunday from 9:00 to 11am. This is a fun and family activity. Children 10 and over are welcome. You will then become a member of a team that will make a difference in someone’s life. Contact Ann Cosgrove at 781-449-0671 or (eacosgrove@rcn.com ) for more information. Let’s see if we can get a couple of teams from the Task Force to help out.

Stay safe
Gerry Rovner