USCIS Announces Trial For New Citizenship Test
USCIS announced Wednesday it will conduct a trial of a new naturalization test for citizenship applicants.
The naturalization test consists of two parts: a reading, writing and speaking test, and a civics test that evaluates the applicant’s knowledge of U.S. history and government.
The trial will focus on the speaking and civics tests and will involve 1,500 adult participants. It’s expected to take place over 5 months in 2023.
USCIS Releases Annual Report
USCIS released its annual progress report for FY2022. While there’s still a lot of work to be done to reduce the backlog, the agency did have a few notable achievements this year, including welcoming nearly 1 million new U.S. citizens and reducing the naturalization backlog by 62%, extending the EAD validity period for over 400,000 noncitizens whose work permits had expired during COVID, making more H-2B work visas available, and issuing all available employment-based immigrant visas, double the number before the pandemic.
Biden Administration Faces Backlash Over Post-Title 42 Border Plans
Democratic lawmakers called on DHS to stop punitive measures at the U.S.-Mexico border. In a letter addressed to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, 21 Democrats spoke out against the Biden administration’s plans to quell border crossings with repressive policies.
Rumors are circulating that the Biden administration plans to roll out new border policies that would largely mimic those of the Trump administration and make it more difficult for migrants to seek asylum at the southern border.
In their letter, Democrats urged the Biden administration to avoid the rumored policies and instead bolster the country’s asylum system by protecting migrants impacted by Title 42.
Biden Administration Restarts Task Force to Help New Immigrants
The Biden administration is restarting a task force to help immigrants and refugees assimilate into the U.S.
The Task Force on New Americans will focus on workforce development, language training, and financial access, among other initiatives.
The task force was created in 2006 by President George W Bush but lapsed under the Trump administration.