Last month, President Trump’s failed travel ban dominated news outlets around the U.S. and abroad. Here, we’ll take a look at a few of the stories born from the aftermath of the travel ban and the ongoing discussion of the future of immigration.
- NPR reports that food assistance groups are seeing a steep drop in immigrant families seeking their services. Many immigrant families are cancelling their food stamp benefits and other government programs for fear that receiving the benefits will cause their deportation.
- Attorney General Jeff Sessions has issued a warning to “sanctuary cities”—cities that have offered a haven for immigrants in anticipation of deportations. Sessions stated that “such policies cannot continue” and that sanctuary cities would be risking a loss in federal grant funding.
- Many students are now seeing Canada as an attractive option in the wake of the Trump administration’s stand on immigration. In fact, U.S. applicants to the University of Toronto have “increased almost 80 percent this year”.
- Churches have emerged as an important player in the protection of immigrants in the U.S. As the LA Times reports, “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a longstanding policy of generally avoiding enforcement activities at ‘sensitive locations’ such as churches.” In California, the number of churches offering sanctuary has doubled since President Trump’s election.
- In Florida, lawmakers are taking steps to forward bills that target undocumented immigrants and refugees. Many believe that President Trump’s election has provided the push that lawmakers have needed to pass such bills. “I think there’s more appetite for enforcement of the rule of law than there was a few years ago,” stated Rep. Larry Metz.
If you or a family member would like to legally live or go to school in the United States, or you know someone facing deportation, the immigration attorneys at Lorenzo & Lorenzo are ready to help. Contact us as soon as possible. We are fluent in English and Spanish.
