A new report presented to the Minneapolis City Council details the economic and labor force contributions of immigrants and refugees to the area. Findings include: immigrants fill key roles in the economy. Immigrants are more than 28% of the area's construction workers, 25% of the transportation workers, 20% of healthcare and social assistance workers and 13% of the STEM workers, even though immigrants only represent 14.9% of the total population.

Read from Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, New Report Details Economic Clout of Immigrants, Refugees in Minnesota

Read from Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, New Americans in Minneapolis

Many people are waiting for years to have their day in a U.S. immigration court to apply for relief from deportation from an immigration judge, including possible claims for asylum, permanent resident status or voluntary departure permission. The backlogs have grown significantly in recent years.

Read from NBC News, Immigration Judges Decide Who Gets Into the U.S. They Say They're Overworked and Under Political Pressure

Read from The Hill, Courts Drowning in Backlog Pose Lingering Immigration Challenge

USCIS Issues New Policy Detailing Criteria for Expedited Processing of Applications or Petitions

Effective June 9, 2021, USCIS issued new policy guidance describing the case-by-case factors used to evaluate requests for Expedited Processing. The factors include: severe financial loss, emergencies, humanitarian reasons, non-profit organizations whose request is in the cultural and social interest of the United States, U.S. Government interests and clear USCIS errors.

Read from USCIS, Chapter 5 - Requests to Expedite Applications or Petitions

Read from USCIS, USCIS Updates Policies to Improve Immigration Services

Tip of the Month

Effective June 9, 2021, USCIS updated its Policy Manual to increase the validity period of Employment Authorization Documents issued to certain applicants. The new rule applies to people who have applied for Adjustment of Status to Lawful Permanent Residence while in the U.S. (i.e. applied for a "green card") under Section 245 of the Immigration Act.

Read from USCIS,