WORKPLACE RAIDS – NO MORE
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Mr. Alejandro Mayorkas, announced that U.S. ICE would not conduct anymore “raids” on workplaces. ICE would not sweep into a workplace to arrest dozens or hundreds of non-citizen workers.
Instead, ICE would concentrate on taking action against employers who are abusing non-citizen workers by paying them less than the legal minimum wage or subjecting them to sub-standard working conditions.
This would enable workers to complain without fear against employers who are taking advantage of their illegal status.
POWERS OF IMMIGRATION JUDGES
Some people are placed in Removal Proceedings (Deportation) in Immigration Court, and while this is going on they obtain an approved petition (Form I-130) by a U.S. citizen spouse. In many cases, these people are required to apply for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) in Immigration Court, with the Immigration Judge making the final decision.
Recently, it was decided that the Immigration Judge is not bound to accept the approved petition as a final fact. The Judge may question again the U.S. citizen petitioner about the circumstances of the marriage and the couple’s joint life.
If the answers are not satisfactory, the Immigration Judge may deny the Green Card, regardless of the approved petition.