Fueled by unprecedented border crossings, a record 3M cases clog U.S. courts
Judges, attorneys and migrant advocates worry that the growing backlog is rendering an already strained system unworkable.
Immigration
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Lilly Endowment awards $11M to 19 local groups serving immigrants
The Indianapolis-based philanthropy giant says the grants are intended to help immigrants acclimate to life in central Indiana and make progress toward self-sufficiency.
Haitian immigrants sue Indiana over law that limits driver’s license access to certain Ukrainians
The five plaintiffs say the law passed this year is discriminatory and unconstitutional, and they asked the court to strike down the law’s provision that limits its scope to people from Ukraine.
Rep. Andre Carson: Welcoming immigrants is part of Hoosier hospitality
Without addressing labor shortages, our reliance on imported crops grows.
Changes coming for U.S. citizenship test
The U.S. citizenship test is being updated, and some immigrants and advocates worry the changes will hurt test-takers with lower levels of English proficiency.
U.S. Supreme Court keeps asylum limits in place for now
Tuesday’s ruling preserves a major Trump-era policy that was scheduled to expire under a judge’s order on Dec. 21. The case will be argued in February.
Indiana panel to consider driving cards for undocumented immigrants
For the roughly 100,000 undocumented immigrants living in Indiana, getting a driver’s license isn’t possible. Some Hoosier lawmakers are looking to change that.
Immigration court coming to Indianapolis in 2023, DOJ says
Currently, immigration cases from Indiana are sent to the Chicago Immigration Court in Illinois. The new court will serve the state of Indiana and have about 40 employees, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed.
Migrant crossings hit two-decade high as U.S. plans to lift curb on asylum
The number of migrant encounters has gone up nearly every month since President Joe Biden took office, becoming fodder for political opponents who point to the increase as evidence that this administration is weaker on border security than its predecessor.
Afghan resettlement work wrapping up at Indiana Guard base
The last of the remaining 200 refugees at Camp Atterbury were expected to depart for resettlement assignments by the end of this week.
Timeline extended for resettling thousands of Afghan refugees in Indiana
The new goal is for all remaining refugees to receive resettlement assignments by the end of the year, although the holiday season and winter weather events could delay the time to early 2022.
Q&A with Gloria Jimenez about the Indiana Latino Expo’s leadership program
Axis Leadership is an eight-month program to help train and mentor Latino professionals from 21 to 28 years old. The group just announced its fourth cohort, a class of 25 that includes participants from, among other places, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
More Afghans arriving in Indiana to await resettlement
More than 6,600 Afghan refugees who began arriving at the Indiana National Guard’s Camp Atterbury training post nearly six weeks ago are awaiting resettlement.
Local resettlement groups prepare for Afghan evacuees
At least 490 Afghan refugees are expected to permanently resettle in Indiana in the coming weeks or months, and not-for-profit resettlement agencies are preparing to assist them.
Indy council approves $100k for immigrant legal aid fund
Republicans, who voted against the measure, argued the money would be better spent elsewhere, such as on mental health services.
Local refugee organizations prepare to rebuild after Biden raises cap
Indianapolis refugee organizations have seen only a trickle of refugees since last October, but are now set for a greater influx after President Joe Biden quadrupled the annual cap on the number of refugees allowed in the United States.
Biden quadruples Trump refugee cap after delay backlash
Refugee resettlement agencies have waited for Biden to quadruple the number of refugees allowed into the United States this year since Feb. 12, when a presidential proposal was submitted to Congress saying he planned to do so.
International students, workers see hope in Biden administration
For international students seeking degrees at Indiana universities and hoping either to gain employment with domestic firms or start their own U.S.-based companies, the next four years promise to be far less angst-ridden and uncertain than the previous.
High Alpha launching new program for immigrant tech entrepreneurs
Resilient Venture Studio will start out this year as a program under the High Alpha Innovation umbrella, but the organization’s leaders hope it will be spun off into its own venture studio launching 10 to 12 immigrant-led companies annually.
Biden to propose 8-year citizenship path for immigrants
Joe Biden is expected to take swift executive actions to reverse other Trump immigration actions, including an end to the prohibition on arrivals from several predominantly Muslim countries.