TULSA, Oklahoma — Leading immigration law firm, Rivas & Associates, praises the Biden-Harris Administration’s newly announced plans to expand opportunities for Latino communities and make the nation’s immigration system more equitable. The executive order was announced on June 17, 2024 and will go into effect on August 19, 2024.
“The White House’s latest initiatives demonstrate a much-needed commitment to advancing opportunities for Hispanic-serving institutions and keeping immigrant families together,” said Lorena Rivas, Founder and Senior Attorney at Rivas & Associates. “As an immigration law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of all immigrants, we strongly support these positive steps forward.”
The White House Fact Sheet outlines several impactful new measures, including establishing a White House Initiative on Hispanic-Serving Institutions that will work to increase awareness of federal program opportunities, identify best practices to support student success, and strengthen recruitment into federal careers.
However, the most significant impact of this executive order is that it facilitates an easier path to legalization for noncitizen spouses and children of U.S. citizens who have been in the country for 10 years or more. Under this executive order, noncitizen spouses and children can apply for lawful permanent residence without leaving the country, allowing them to remain with their families. This new process is anticipated to apply to about half a million spouses of U.S. citizens and 50,000 noncitizen children whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen.
Furthermore, in June of 2024, President Biden unveiled new actions to assist young people who have obtained their education in the United States — including DACA recipients and other Dreamers — receive work visas faster. Consequently, more young people will have an opportunity to apply their talents in the enrichment of their communities and the strengthening of the economy. In alignment with this order, the Department of State updated its public guidance to clarify that it is in the public interest for graduates of U.S. institutions of higher education seeking a work visa to put their degrees to use in the U.S., and that these achievements ought to grant them favorable consideration when recommending waivers in the visa application process.
The Biden Administration also announced the Department of Education’s proposed rule to expand the federal TRIO program for the benefit of Dreamers and others. The TRIO program helps low-income students and students who would be the first in their family to attend college, successfully transition from high school to college by providing students with services and support such as:
- College campus visits
- Tutoring
- Assistance completing college and financial aid applications
The Administration is also doubling the locations of the Justice Department’s “Attorney of the Day” program, which provides volunteer lawyers to assist unrepresented individuals in immigration court and simultaneously creates a new leadership position focused on improving access to the immigration system.
The Department will expand this program to include immigration courts in:
- Hyattsville, Maryland;
- New York City; and
- Atlanta, Georgia.
These new locations join current locations in San Francisco, New Orleans, and Chicago in assisting immigrants with legal representation. Furthermore, thanks to the Biden Administration, the Department of Justice is increasing free and low-cost legal representation by expanding the participation of law students in clinical programs and increasing training opportunities, such as its mock trial program.
This new action builds upon the Respondent Access Portal the Department of Justice announced earlier this year. The secure online platform enables unrepresented noncitizens with proceedings before the EOIR to:
- View case information
- Download their electronic case record
- File documents directly with the immigration court
In addition, the Department of Justice is creating a new leadership position that will concentrate on improving access to the immigration system and identifying novel ways to increase representation rates for noncitizens in court.
Toward this goal, the Biden Administration urges members of the legal community, including law firms, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders to commit to pro bono support for unrepresented individuals in immigration proceedings.
Finally, for the purpose of ensuring access to immigration services, the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the launch of “USCIS to You,” to deliver immigration-related help to local communities, including rural and underserved areas. Potential services provided include:
- Naturalization interview and oath ceremonies
- Customer service appointments
- Education on immigration benefits and processes
These “USCIS to You” events will be conducted in partnership with communities, including libraries, community colleges, and other local entities.
USCIS is also providing up to $2.6 million to help small public and nonprofit organizations establish new citizenship programs and train staff to assist lawful permanent residents in understanding and navigating naturalization. USCIS has released this new Notice of Funding Opportunity and plans to announce grant recipients by September 2024.
“These actions will hopefully uplift Latino communities and ensure our immigration system is more fair, just and humane,” said Elissa Stiles, Supervising Attorney at Rivas & Associates. “We are encouraged to see the White House taking concrete steps to address long-standing inequities and empower immigrant families to thrive.”
For more information about Rivas & Associates, please visit www.rivasassociates.com.
About Rivas & Associates
Rivas & Associates is a leading immigration law firm based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, committed to helping immigrants across the United States make their American dream an American reality. Founded by Lorena Rivas, the firm is known for its innovative approach, strategic advice, and unwavering dedication to securing positive results for its clients and their families. Rivas & Associates offers representation in a wide range of immigration matters, from family-based petitions to deportation defense, naturalization, and more.
