Hi all:

I hope you enjoy the 4th of July, and you and your family are staying safe.

TASK FORCE MATTERS:

The Minutes from our June 15th meeting are attached.

Our next meeting will be held on September 7th at 7:00PM.


TIME SENSITIVE MATTERS:

AILA has asked that interested parties comment on the proposed regulation that will basically decimate asylum.  Please see Trump Proposed Regulation below for additional information, some suggested language, and the address to which comments should be sent.  Comments MUST be received by JULY 15th.

The ACTION NETWORK has asked interested parties to help seek passage of the Work and Family Mobility Act currently pending in the MA Legislature.  SEE attached information The WORK AND FAMILY MOBILITY ACT.

IMPORTANT:   Whenever you are using a suggested response to an issue,  be sure to personalize the comment template in the action alert before you submit. The government gives more weight to each comment if it is unique from others.  For example, you can customize your comment by adding an experience working with an asylum seeker or any other reasons you have for protecting asylum in the United States. Or if an employer, why a proposed ban on employment visas is bad for your business and those of your colleagues.

IN THE COURTS and the WHITE HOUSE:

A MAJOR VICTORY::   D.C.District Court Vacates Third-Country Transit Ban, Effective Immediately.
On June 30th, U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly ruled the government unlawfully promulgated the 2019 interim final rule that categorically disqualified individuals from receiving ASYLUM unless they sought protection in another country before entering or attempting to enter the United States at the southern border, granting the plaintiffs’ motions for summary judgment and vacating the rule.  The judge found that the government unlawfully promulgated President Trump’s second asylum ban, the 2019 interim final rule that categorically disqualified individuals arriving at the southern border from receiving asylum unless they have already unsuccessfully sought similar protection in another country on their way to the United States. The judge stated that the government did not comply with the APA’s notice-and-comment requirements because neither the “good cause” nor the “foreign affairs function” exceptions are satisfied, thus granting the advocates’ motions for summary judgment and vacating the rule. (CAIR Coalition et al., v. Trump et al., 6/30/20)


On June 15,2020, Trump signed an executive order freezing visas for foreign workers through the end of the year.  For a full report see: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-sign-order-freezing-visas-foreign-workers-through-end-year-n1231782?utm_source=Recent%20Postings%20Alert&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=RP%20Daily.  This is a travesty.  Immigrants help move the economy forward.  It is another canard of Pres Trump that immigrants take jobs from Americans. 

On June 15, the President issued an order restricting employment based visas, both immigrant and non-immigrant from entering the US. (SEE Executive Order below)

On June 25th, Supreme Court rules asylum seeker cannot challenge removal.  Currently, undocumented immigrants who are caught within 100 miles of a land border and within 14 days of arrival are subject to an expedited removal process and can be ordered removed without further hearing or review. If the individual seeks asylum, however, he or she is provided additional screening before an asylum officer, a supervisory officer and an immigration judge to determine whether the person has a credible fear of persecution or torture if returned to his or her home country. (https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/25/politics/asylum-request-thuraissigiam-supreme-court/index.html)

On June 26th, Federal Judge rules migrant children in government family detention centers must be released due to coronavirus (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/judge-rules-migrant-children-in-government-family-detention-centers-must-be-released-due-to-coronavirus/ar-BB161tqS)

A Crisis in the making:  World Magazine (SEE: https://world.wng.org/2020/06/immigration_budget_crisis_reflects_change_in_policy?utm_ )reports on USCIS’s request that Congress provide $1.2 billion in emergency appropriations, which the agency says it will pay back by adding a 10 percent surcharge on applications, on top of other fee increases it previously announced. The Los Angeles Times SEE: (https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-06-28/trump-immigration-policy-coronavirus-2020-voters-limbo?utm_ ) reports that outside critics and some current and former officials say that USCIS’s current crisis was not just inevitable, but intentional. See USCIS’s statement on its fiscal outlook, and join AILA in urging Congress to condition any additional funding for USCIS on key changes centered on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and efficiency.   No one seems to care that USCIS is about to shut down for 3 months due to lack of funding.  USCIS is generally funded by receipts from filings, and not a line item in the budget.  However, since the COVID 19 shut down, there have been few recipes from filings.  Unless Congress appropriates funds there will be no decisions on immigrant, non-immigrant applications and petitions, naturalization, work authorization, extension of current status, etc.


EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY:

The Immigration Learning Center will be holding a free ZOOM in line workshop  on July 8 and 9.  Immigrant and refugee students of all ages are being disproportionately affected during the combined crises of COVID-19, economic recession and immigration restrictions. Register now for the 2020 Immigrant Student Success free online workshop for K-12 and adult educators on July 8 and 9 from 12:00 to 3:00 PM EDT to learn tools and strategies to support newcomer students.  Registration Required.  See Immigrant Learning Center below.

NEEDHAM’S UNITE AGAINST RACISM INITIATIVE : Tuesday, JULY 21, 6:15PM
See attachment for details.  You may wish to go to the Town website to read several relevant reports:

>>  Anti-Racism Statement from the Select Board
>>  8 Can’t Wait Statement
>>. Statement on George Floyd
>>. Police Staffing and Deployment Study 2017
>>. Body Dash Camera Committee Report

This may be the first step in setting up a formal WELCOMING COMMUNITY protocol for the Town.

Lots to think about as you enjoy the holiday.

Gerry Rovner
Gerry80059@Comcast.net