Current Issues
Immigration - Legal & Illegal
Troops to the Border
The Department of Defense (DOD) announced (May 2) that it will add 1,500 active-duty troops to support southern border operations, on top of the existing ...
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Afghanistan
Administration Paper on the Afghanistan Withdrawal
The Biden Administration released a paper (April 6) summarizing its views on the “key decisions and challenges surrounding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan ...
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Human Rights/Trafficking
Treasury Sanctioning of Group of Persons/Entities
The Treasury Department sanctioned (December 9), for corruption or human rights abuses, over 40 persons and entities spanning nine countries ...
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Research & Analysis
Standing Up for Our Afghan Allies
Senator Jean Shaheen
This report issued by Senator Shaheen (September 2022) examines and past and present condition of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program and offers recommendations for improving the program.
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Evaluation of the Screening of Displaced Persons from Afghanistan
DOD Inspector General
This report (February 2022) provides the results of a review conducted by the DOD Inspector General of the security screening of evacuated Afghans after the United States left Afghanistan. The report found that some Afghans permitted to enter the United States were found, after the fact, to have derogatory background security information. And, only some of those persons have subsequently been located.
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Rebuilding the U.S. Refugee Program for the Future
International Refugee Assistance Project
This report provides a set of recommendations for improving the U.S. refugee resettlement program covering adjudication capacity, vetting and interviewing, due process, and transparency.
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Rethinking the U.S. Legal Immigration System - A Policy Roadmap
Migration Policy Institute
This policy brief describes the basis for why, and how, the U.S. immigration system should be reformed, and offers set of specific policy recommendations.
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Primer on U.S. Immigration Policy
Congressional Research Service
This CRS primer provides the basics regarding how the US legal immigration system works, including the primary authorities and policies, and how the Federal Government prevents illegal immigration.
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Trump’s Border Wall: Where Does It Stand?
FactCheck.org
This article detailes the facts regarding U.S. southwest border wall construction before, and during, the Trump Administration.
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Key Federal Programs
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$14,849,277,000
$14,899,905,000
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Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$430,000,000
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$8,258,226,000
$8,099,890,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$0
U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services [DHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$5,231,641,000
$5,991,606,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$537,000,000
Refugee and Entrant Assistance [HHS]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$6,425,214,000
$6,328,000,000
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---
Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$2,951,501,000
Migration and Refugee Assistance [State]
This Year (FY 22)
Budget Proposal (FY 23)
Enacted (FY 23)
% Change
$2,912,188,000
$3,912,000,000
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Supplementals (FY 21-22)
$2,776,100,000