Immigration
Recent stories about U.S. immigration policies, enforcement, and the people who come to the U.S. as workers, students and refugees.
Afghan Resettlement in US Mirrors Earlier Efforts for Refugees
More than 120,000 Afghans are being resettled in the United States. A similar number of Vietnamese were resettled here after the U.S. war in Vietnam. Although many experts are criticizing the chaotic start of the resettlement effort, they see it as an opportunity to make the U.S. more diverse. VOA’s…
Pondering Life Decisions and the Surge at the US Mexico Border
Tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors are now being held at the U.S. border awaiting processing. VOA reporter Celia Mendoza met with some of them.
US Trying to Stop Traffickers Taking Advantage of Would-be Migrants
Crossing into the United States illegally is big business in Central and South America. For many people fleeing violence and poverty in their home countries, getting across the U.S. border forces them to put their money and their lives in dangerous hands. VOA’s Celia Mendoza reports.
Human Stories From Both Sides of the Border
With tens of thousands of immigrants who want to enter the U.S. waiting for their asylum cases to be heard, thousands more still wait to have that chance. Here are two stories from different parts of the U.S. southern border. VOA’s Celia Mendoza reports from El Paso, Texas.
Migrants Detained at US Border Say Desperation Drives Them
Huge numbers of unaccompanied minors and family units continue trying to cross the U.S. southern border with Mexico where they are detained by the U.S. Border Patrol. VOA reporter Celia Mendoza spoke with some of those detained to learn why they decided to risk their lives on such a dangerous journey.
Small US Border Town Attracting Attention in Immigration Debate
The small town of Donna, near the Texas-Mexico border, is receiving media attention in the recent immigration debate because it’s also where many migrant children and families are being processed. VOA’s Elizabeth Lee shows how the attention has affected the town’s residents. Camera: Christian von Preysing Produced by: Elizabeth Lee
Changes to US Immigration Policy Triggers Migrant Inflow
Since the deactivation of the Trump administration’s Migrant Protection Protocol Program, also known as the 'Remain in Mexico' policy, thousands of asylum seekers have been able to enter the U.S. to present their cases. Meantime, thousands of others have arrived at the border also hoping to gain entry, as Celia…
US House Passes Dreamers, Farmworker Legalization
U.S. House lawmakers on Thursday passed two key elements of President Joe Biden's ambitious immigration agenda. But as VOA's congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson reports, the nation’s larger immigration debate remains unresolved.Produced by: Katherine Gypson
Haitians Face Violence, Political Unrest at Home, Deportations in US
It is not just people from Latin America who are making the dangerous journey to the US border. Haitians and asylum-seekers from Africa are also trying to enter the US, oftentimes undergoing an even more treacherous trip. VOA’s Elizabeth Lee has the details. Camera: Roy Kim Producer: Elizabeth Lee
Biden’s Higher Refugee Cap Will Boost Resettlement in US — Eventually
President Joe Biden’s first month in office has seen a flurry of executive orders reshaping U.S. immigration policy, including a rebooting and expansion of America’s refugee program.But experts and resettlement groups tell VOA it will take time and resources to reverse the Trump administration’s cutbacks in refugee resettlement that pared…
'Alien': How a Word Can Hurt
Immigrants are referred to as “aliens” in U.S. laws, but the term, seen by many as derogatory, could be replaced soon. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias spoke to those in favor and against the proposed change.
Biden Expect to Change Key Immigration Policies
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to swiftly reverse some of President Donald Trump’s most contentious immigration policies when he takes office. VOA immigration reporter Aline Barros looks at Biden’s plan to act on policies affecting refugees, asylum seekers, and DACA recipients. Producers: Mary Cieslak and Henry Hernandez
New York Group Helps Immigrants Chart Path to Success Despite COVID-19 Setbacks
New York City is seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases as the number of deaths in the city nears 24,000. City leaders are shutting down some parts of New York to contain the virus while businesses continue to struggle to stay afloat. Meanwhile one group is helping recent U.S. immigrants as they adapt to a new country…
American Teen Depicts Immigration Crisis Through Art
Artist Dominick Cocozza is only 18 years old. But his painting of two migrant children holding a sign that reads "Bring Our Mom Back" is already being displayed at the U.S. Capitol. Another work of his is hanging in the Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum. Adopted from Guatemala, Dominick focuses his work…
Laid Off Diversity Visa Holders Struggle During Pandemic
Under The Diversity Visa program tens of thousands of potential immigrants literally rely on the luck of the draw to get the opportunity to legally live and work in the US, without sponsorship from an employer or family member. That program has been temporarily discontinued by the Trump Administration because…
Waiting for Asylum, Cuban Doctor Saves Lives at US Border
Brownsville-Matamoros camp is a temporary residence for Central Americans, Haitians, Cubans and Venezuelans who are waiting for their asylum appointments that could grant them entry into the U.S. Dairon Elizondo Rojas, a Cuban doctor, became a camp doctor while seeking his asylum for the last 11 months. While waiting, Rojas…
California Immigrants Fear History Repeating Itself During Protests
The nationwide demonstrations in the U.S. protesting the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis have also been accompanied in some instances by looting and vandalism. In one immigrant community near Los Angeles, residents are angry and fearful after seeing their livelihoods destroyed in just one night. This latest experience brings…
Foreign Students Anxious About New US Immigration Order
The Trump administration's recent executive order suspending most immigration to the U.S. does not directly impact foreign students. But it has created anxiety and doubts about their ability to stay and work in the United States after graduation. Aline Barros explains.
Trump’s Green Card Suspension Contains Many Exceptions
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday suspending for 60 days the issuance of permanent residency status, also known as green cards. He described it as an effort to protect American workers’ jobs during the coronavirus pandemic. While Trump said the order is “powerful,” as White House Correspondent Patsy Widakuswara reports, the action contains a wide series of exceptions and may only affect a…
Immigrant Doctors Say Visa Restrictions Limit Them in COVID-19 Fight
At a time when America's health care system is being strained to the breaking point because of the coronavirus pandemic and states are summoning medical professionals into emergency service, many immigrant physicians say U.S. visa restrictions limit how much they can help. Immigration reporter Aline Barros has more.