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For the next 18 months, Ukrainians already in the United States will be allowed to remain in the country and work without fear of deportation.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday designated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS),a program that protects foreign nationals from deportation to countries that have undergone natural or human-made disasters.

Russias premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro MayorkasAlejandro MayorkasDHS grants temporary immigration status to all Ukrainians in the US ICE pauses deportations to Russia, Ukraine amid invasion Live coverage - Ukraine, Russia agree to safe corridors for aid, evacuees MORE said.

In these extraordinary times, we will continue to offer our support and protection to Ukrainian nationals in the United States, he added.

The Biden administration had earlier vowed not to deport people to Ukraine, Russia and seven other European countries in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The TPS designation comes after significant political pressure from top Democrats and some Republicans, who had called on President BidenJoe BidenFire breaks out at major nuclear plant in Ukraine amid fighting Russia inflames political war over gas prices, oil drilling On The Money Push to block Russian imports hits wall MORE to include Ukraine in the humanitarian program.

After a week of Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinKennedy Center lights up in blue and yellow to show support for Ukraine Russian opera star ditches Met performances to avoid Putin rebuke DHS grants temporary immigration status to all Ukrainians in the US MOREs illegal and ruthless war against the people of Ukraine, I am heartened that Biden administration is heeding our calls to designate Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status," said Sen. Bob Menndez (D-N.J.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"As a result of todays decision, President Biden is once again making clear the United States will not relent in its support for the people of Ukraine in this dark moment in history," Menndez added.

Earlier this week, Menndez, along with Senate Majority Whip Dick DurbinDick DurbinDHS grants temporary immigration status to all Ukrainians in the US Collins to meet with Biden's Supreme Court nominee Tuesday Supreme Court pick launches a cross-aisle charm offensive MORE (D-Ill.) and Sen. Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanDHS grants temporary immigration status to all Ukrainians in the US DOJ officials criticize Senate-passed cyber bill Scott reiterates his plan could change after McConnell rebuke MORE (R-Ohio), led 39 senators in a letter calling on Biden to designate Ukraine for TPS.

Democrats are increasingly bullish about TPS designations, which have allowed hundreds of thousands of immigrants to work in the United States, albeit under a temporary status that does not allow an easy transition to permanent residence.

California Democrats Sen. Alex PadillaAlex PadillaDHS grants temporary immigration status to all Ukrainians in the US Overnight Health Care Presented by Alexion Battle lines drawn over COVID-19 funding Senate GOP passes resolution to nix COVID-19 emergency MORE and Rep. Zoe LofgrenZoe Ellen LofgrenDHS grants temporary immigration status to all Ukrainians in the US Numbers don't lie: America's most resilient jobs are venture-backed Congressional stock trading ban must include spouses, lawmakers say MORE, chairs of the immigration subcommittees in their respective chambers of Congress, jointly celebrated Mayorkas's announcement.

Were grateful to see the Biden Administration heed our calls and take swift, just action to grant Ukrainian nationals in the United States with protection from deportation to a country currently under a brutal, unprovoked assault by Vladimir Putin. Our prayers are with the people of Ukraine and we continue to stand firmly behind them as they defend their home and their democracy, they wrote.

More than 300,000 foreign nationals are currently in the country under TPS; the Ukrainian designation could add up to 30,000 people to that number.

This is great news even if it is long overdue. It is necessary but still not sufficient. We hope President Biden takes additional action, and more swiftly, to assist the millions of Ukrainian refugees fleeing for their lives," said Doris Landaverde, the national spokesperson for the National TPS Alliance.

"The days ahead will be the measure of President Bidens presidency," added Landaverde, a TPS beneficiary.

The Biden administration has also granted new TPS designations to Venezuela and Sudan, and it added a new designation over Haiti's preexisting TPS status that greatly expanded the number of Haitians eligible for protections.

Still, the Biden administration has resisted issuing new designations for a handful of countries for which former President TrumpDonald TrumpMcCarthy-backed Republican wins contested Texas House primary DHS grants temporary immigration status to all Ukrainians in the US Senate GOP shrugs off latest Trump revelation MORE tried to end TPS.

The original designation for Haiti, as well as those of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua, are currently only active because of a court injunction invalidating Trump's order to repeal them.

Nicole Melaku, the executive director of the National Partnership for New Americans commended the Ukrainian designation, but called for expansions of the program to protect nationals of certain African countries.

"We also call for DHS to create and expand TPS protections for Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, countries that were devastated by environmental disasters. The decisions to grant TPS should not perpetuate long standing racial inequities in immigration enforcement and benefits," Melaku said.

Prominent Democrats joined the call to include more African and Asian countries in the program, particularly war-torn nations that receive less media attention than Ukraine.

"The Biden Admin should also designate TPS for non-white war-stricken countries like Ethiopia, Cameroon, Mauritania, Afghanistan, Mali and others," tweeted Rep. Ral Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Menndez also called on Biden to expand TPS.

"I will continue to urge the Administration utilize this statute to protect more populations who are unable to return home, including nationals from Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan," he said.

"Today, as the Biden administration renews its commitment to protect refugees and asylum seekers in the post-Trump era and works to fulfill its promise to welcome migrants fleeing danger at our own borders, I join in commending this important TPS designation and look forward to seeing our economy and communities strengthened by it, he added.

Continued here:
DHS grants temporary immigration status to all Ukrainians in the US | TheHill - The Hill

Parents should check this out

Re: Pre-K enrollment rebounds Numbers for free program plunged during pandemic; but turnaround underway, Monday news story.

Thank you so much for the front-page story on pre-kindergarten enrollment in Dallas ISD, and for highlighting the exciting and positive work that Bachman Lake Together is doing for the community in that area. Its goal is to prepare all children in the area for kindergarten, since research has shown the value of early education. The earlier a child is exposed to education, the better his or her chances for success in school.

But not only is the organization focusing on the children. It is also empowering the parents to advocate for their children in all areas of education. Parental leadership and equity are an integral part of its programs. Its board includes two parent leaders and they have parents in other leadership positions.

If you are not familiar with the work of Bachman Lake Together, may I suggest that you look them up and pay them a visit? You will be impressed and may even want to volunteer there, as I do.

Elena C. Hines, Far North Dallas

So now is the time for the U.S. and all of Western Europe to immediately deploy our best weapons and troops to rally to the defense of Ukraine. Why isnt this a situation similar to the early stages of World War II?

Ukraine has shown the world the courage to stand up for freedom. We owe them our support. We should take the battle to Russia. They are very vulnerable. Havent we for years wanted a neutral Russia? Now is the time to do it. We can counter the nuclear threat if it arises. Can you imagine a world with Russia becoming an ally, economically and militarily? The opportunity is now. Lets do it.

Jack Carroll, Irving/Las Colinas

The Republican leaders of Texas constantly create new issues to distract us from their neglect of the critical issues in our state. The latest distractions are Gov. Greg Abbotts ordering of a state probe into treatment of transgender children and Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks proposed ending of tenure in Texas universities. Neither issue rises to the level that should gain our leaders time and attention, given our other problems.

Texas lags most states regarding health insurance coverage. In a first, I had to take my 92-year-old disabled mother to the polls and watch her stand in the cold Friday to vote because her absentee ballot didnt arrive.

I wait hours at the Department of Motor Vehicles whenever I have to do business with that agency. In Texas, foster children sleep in Child Protective Services offices, and the system is under court oversight because of state mismanagement.

Maybe instead of electing leaders who distract and divide, we should elect leaders who will fix these problems and improve the quality of life for all of us.

Brian R. Smith, Colleyville

Re: GOP quietly moves $480M to pay to keep National Guard at border Targeted agencies signed letters saying their departments, programs wont be negatively affected because of lost funds, Saturday news story.

Thank you, Gov. Greg Abbott, for pointing out that Texans are overtaxed. Three state law enforcement agencies say they can give up nearly a half-billion dollars without negatively affecting their departments and programs. How many other state agencies are that bloated with unnecessary tax dollars? So much for Republican fiscal responsibility.

Fergal and Ann Purcell, Dallas/Lake Highlands

Re: Target reasons for migration, by Karen M. Hopkins, Saturday Letters.

If only it were that simple. The writer correctly identifies the push factors involved in the arrivals of unauthorized migrants to our borders. However, decades of illegal immigration combined with the intelligence gathered from aspiring migrants, some of whom I personally interviewed, have shown that pouring American tax dollars into these often-corrupt governments does little to prevent the disregard for our immigration laws or deter the journey north.

It continues to be the pull factors that perpetuate illegal migration to our nation. I have opined on these pull factors with your paper on several occasions, but they deserve repeating: remove the job magnet with effective employer sanctions; eliminate free health care and free education benefits to those illegally in the country; eliminate U.S. citizenship to children born to unauthorized migrants; and stop waving the carrot of amnesty.

Granted, these are tough measures, which is likely why you have not seen the political will within this current administration. Until the pull factors of illegal migration are addressed, no wall in the world will deter migrants. Who can blame them?

Bob Wallis, Dallas/Turtle Creek

If the second-largest city in Ukraine can keep their buses running while a war is raging all around them, youd think DART buses could keep running here in winter weather.

Shirley Patterson, Lucas

Re: Why Dallas eateries are now adding service fees Diners seeing higher prices at bottom of receipts can thank prolonged pandemic, Feb. 24 news story.

Our legislators need to outlaw this practice of obscure added fees. These seem designed to misrepresent the actual price. There are resort fees added after a quoted room rate is prepaid; music license fees for Sirius radio, even if you only listen to Howard Stern; and mechanic shop towel fees.

Laser printers make updates of menus very easy. QR codes even more so. I will pay the fee but reduce my tip accordingly. So sad. I have been trying to support our restaurants more than ever.

Tim Bob, Plano

Click here to submit a letter to the editor. Be sure to include sources.

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Letters to the Editor Pre-kindergarten programs, Texas problems, immigration, DART - The Dallas Morning News

An illegal immigrant was looking after a large North East cannabis farm with days of arriving in the UK on a small boat.

Trung Phan arrived at Dover on May 28 last year and was taken to an immigration centre then moved to Home Office accommodation in London.

But with the help of underworld contacts, he managed to travel to Newcastle that same day and by June 12 he was living in a cannabis farm on Cowpen Road, in Blyth, Northumberland.

Go here for the latest crime news and breaking North East police updates

Despite being surrounded by 325 plants, worth up to 129,000, he "ludicrously" claimed he didn't realise he was living in the midst of a drugs factory.

A jury found the 39-year-old guilty of being concerned in the production of cannabis and he has now been jailed for 18 months.

Newcastle Crown Court heard it was a sophisticated set up, which had been established before Phan's involvement.

There were four different growing areas and the electricity supply had been bypassed.

When police raided it, Phan was there alone and tried to escape and hide mobile phones and a list of contact numbers.

Sentencing him, Judge Paul Sloan QC said: "You claimed you had been ignorant of the fact you had been living in the middle of a cannabis farm and that you had done nothing to assist the production.

"The jury rejected that account, which was plainly ludicrous, and convicted you."

The judge added: "You were not threatened or forced to become involved.

"You clearly had links to organised crime long before you arrived in this jurisdiction and you quickly made contact with gang members once you were in London.

"That said, you played a small part in this particular enterprise."

Peter Schofield, defending, said he had "traversed Europe from his home" and played a limited role in the cannabis farm.

For daily news from the North East's courts direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free court newsletter

See the article here:
Blyth cannabis farm worth more than 100,000 was being looked after by illegal immigrant - Chronicle Live

Despite decades of Congressional stalemate and avoidance of passing meaningful immigration reform, Americans overwhelmingly support immigration reform happening right now and especially before the November midterms.

The urgency is felt not only by Democrats but also by majorities of independents and Republicans, according to a new national survey by the National Immigration Forum.

In Congress, Republican leadership repeatedly has blocked attempts to address immigration reform, while using immigration as a campaign issue. Donald Trump was elected president on an America First platform that was heavily anti-immigrant.

The most recent significant immigration reform bill passed in Congress was the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which made it illegal to hire or recruit illegal immigrants. President Barack Obama called for major reform but was blocked by then House Speaker Paul Ryan.

The most recent significant immigration reform bill passed in Congress was the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which made it illegal to hire or recruit illegal immigrants.

Yet despite the stereotype of all Republicans opposing immigration reform, this is not the reality among a majority of Republican voters, the Forum reported.

New polling shows that an overwhelming majority of Republicans, independents and Democrats want lawmakers to work together on key immigration reforms and want action now, the group said.

The national poll included two questions on this topic. The first: Would you support or oppose Republicans and Democrats working together on immigration reforms that strengthen border security, create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children, and ensure a legal, reliable workforce for Americas farmers and ranchers?

Among the national sample, 79% said yes, as did 84% of Democrats, 78% of independents and 76% of Republicans.

The second question: Thinking about immigration reforms such as strengthening border security, creating a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children, and ensuring a legal, reliable workforce for Americas farmers and ranchers, do you support or oppose Democrats and Republicans acting on these measures before the November 2022 midterm elections?

Among the national sample, 72% said yes, as did 80% of Democrats, 71% of independents and 65% of Republicans.

An overwhelming majority of Americans want Democrats and Republicans to pass actual solutions that restore a sense of order at the border, protect immigrants brought here as children, and stabilize the farm workforce, saidAli Noorani, president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. These are solutions that will help Americans and strengthen our nation, and Americans are tired of waiting.

An overwhelming majority of Americans want Democrats and Republicans to pass actual solutions that restore a sense of order at the border, protect immigrants brought here as children, and stabilize the farm workforce.

Republicans and Democrats have an opportunity to bring the country together as they work together to address some of our thorniest challenges. In so doing, they can offer certainty to thousands of immigrant workers whose futures are in limbo, and to the Americans who depend on them.

Even when sorted by religious affiliation, there is a relatively small gap in opinions on the urgent need for meaningful immigration reform that achieves some of the goals of both parties. On most other social issues today, white evangelicals remain outliers compared the rest of the nation. Not so on immigration reform.

The new study found 77% of born-again Christians agree with the first question and 68% agree with the second question. That compares to 84% of all Protestants on the first question and 74% on the second question.

The poll was done in partnership with The Bullfinch Group Feb. 19-23, 2022.

Related articles:

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New polling finds three views on immigration: Democrats, party-loyal Republicans or Trump-loyal Republicans

Federal judges ruling against DACA ignites faith leaders demands for Congress to finally do something

Original post:
Majorities of all Americans want something Congress refuses to do: Meaningful immigration reform now - Baptist News Global

The government has boasted of its plans to deter illegal immigration, sparking a furious backlash as Ukrainians seek refuge amid a deadly war with Russia.

In a tweet, the Home Office announced that the controversial Borders Bill has passed eight of 12 stages before it becomes British law.

Tweeting under a banner proclaiming that the UK stands with Ukraine, the Home Office said: Fixing the UKs broken asylum system involves major reforms, but we are making good progress.

Tomorrow our firm but fair #BordersBill reaches the report stage in the UK House of Lords. This is how it will deter illegal migration.

The post directs people to the government website, where the Home Office promises the new law will introduce new and tougher criminal offences for those attempting to enter the UK illegally.

The website says the government would raise the penalty for illegal entry from six months to four years imprisonment and introduce life sentences for people smugglers.

It then goes on to say the UK may remove people including criminals to a safe third country where the asylum seekers could have claimed asylum.

But it insists we stand by our moral and legal obligations to help innocent people fleeing cruelty from around the world.

The announcement is bad immigration policy and even worse timing, according to migrant rights campaigner Alexandra Bulat.

Yes, todays exactly the day you want to tweet out a big graphic about how youre making it harder for people fleeing wars to claim asylum in the UK, you hollow-chested ghouls, comedy writer Nathaniel Tapley added.

Green Party London Assembly Member Zack Polanski said Russias invasion of Ukraine should end the Conservatives awful Borders Bill once and for all.

He said: It was totally unacceptable to demonise refugees this time last week. And do the British public really want to give Ukrainians another kick despite seeing hourly updated of their trauma?

Policy expert Pauline Castres sarcastically repeated the governments firm but fair claim: Were talking about a Bill that would criminalise asylum seekers who arrive in the UK without a visa if they have passed through another safe country along the way. Like many Ukrainians who are currently seeking sanctuary.

Human rights advocate Pinar Aksu slammed the governments move as a great violation of Human Rights and international protection.

One Twitter user talked against using UK taxpayers money to promote legislation breaking international law.

And another said the Bill is anything but fair. And by firm, they mean making things many of us think are fair illegal. If the Ukraine situation has had you questioning immigration policy, learn more about this and write to your MP.

Related: UKs unacceptable visa offer to fleeing Ukrainians slammed

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Home Office boasts of deterring illegal immigration as Ukrainians flee war - The London Economic