Immigration law is ever-changing and has been nothing short of tumultuous over the last two administrations. With one year of the Biden presidency under our belts and immigrant counts rising again, let’s look at the immigration trends that we expect to see in 2022. Keep in mind that these are predictions, not facts – anything can happen in the world of immigration law. That is why you should speak with an immigration attorney as soon as possible, in order to get the representation you need.
OTM Migrants Will Increase Before the Election: Other than Mexican migrants (OTM) are expected to increase significantly over the next several months. Many sources have estimated that these migrants have been waiting at the border for weeks or months due to delays, but the midterm elections are destined to change the entire landscape again. Experts predict that the House will flip in November, and this potentiality is likely to cause a migration surge as immigration is likely to get politically contentious again.
Foreign-Born Labor Force To Grow Again: As immigration across the border increases, it follows that the foreign-born population will also increase. During the Trump administration, the foreign-born population began seriously declining, and then COVID-19 brought it entirely to a halt. However, the borders are again open – and in November of 2021, 46.2 million migrants crossed the border. This particular demographic is trending upwards, growing each of the last three months. Experts consider this a tangible win for the labor market, as researchers tell us that foreign-born workers contribute significantly and provide a significant boost the economy.
Asylum Status Will Remain in Jeopardy: Many people, citizen and lawmakers alike, consider asylum a negative loophole in the system, providing a clear pathway to fraud. If the House flips red as expected, asylum could become a political football. Immigrants should expect to see asylum status become extremely limited or disappear entirely.
State Pushback May Threaten Immigration: While the Biden immigration has encouraged immigration, and several states have pushed back against his reform efforts. Pro-immigration advocates are concerned that the border states that would see an influx of immigrants may not be welcoming. Individual state governors have the right to prevent public benefits, enact restrictions, limit financial benefits and empower law enforcement, making Biden’s efforts more difficult state by state.
Enforcement and Detainment Center Closures: The veracity of immigration enforcement has shifted back and forth for a decade. Immigration enforcement and detention have been strict across the board since 2013, but experts see that changing. Insiders speculate that we may see detention center closures, limits on who can be detained, fewer deportations, and more stringent oversight of ICE officers.
Fee Increases for Some Visas: Backlogs and staff shortages have put a strain on resources and the State Department expects fee increases for nonimmigrant visas – visitor and student visas in particular – to increase up to 63% by September.
Executive Action May Move Things Along: Stalemates in Congress have stalled progress for a year. In November, the new makeup of Congress could force Biden to take executive action to move important policies forward.
In conclusion, 2022 is expected to bring more shifts as immigration policy changes along with the political tide. For those seeking to live in the United States, it can be challenging to keep up with all the current rules. But your immigration status is not something to take chances with, so you need to enlist the help you need. Don’t go it alone – an experienced Sarasota immigration attorney can help you to navigate the process and get you the representation you deserve. Call Probinsky & Cole today.
