New York, NY—Today, sources revealed that the Biden administration and Congress are considering moving forward with new restrictions on the United States asylum system, including an expanded deportation process to be included in the supplemental funding bill to Ukraine, due to GOP pressure and threats to derail the process.

New York, NY—This week, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators continue their weeks-long budget negotiations on President Biden’s emergency supplemental funding request to support Ukraine’s war effort. However, Senate Republicans are trying to block aid unless the budget includes extreme changes in immigration policy, including barriers to seeking asylum in the United States, humanitarian parole and enforcing stricter border policies.

New York, NY— Late last night, on the verge of another potential government shutdown, President Joe Biden approved the House and the Senate’s temporary spending bill. The signed measure will keep the government funded at the current spending level for two more months, with different expiration dates: January 19th for federal agencies and February 2nd for others.

New York, NY—Today, the Adams administration announced another round of 5% budget cuts across all city agencies in its updated budget.

Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:

“Mayor Eric Adams just announced another round of severe budget cuts across every city agency, effectively shattering our social safety net and reducing access to crucial services for millions of New Yorkers.

New York, NY—Between Monday 9/25/23 and run through Friday 10/6/23, the New York Immigration Coalition and Immigrant ARC, with support from American Immigration Lawyers Association, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and The Legal Aid Society, hosted a work permit clinic for asylum seekers living in New York City shelters.

New York, NY—Today, the Biden administration announced it would extend and re-designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroonians who arrived in the United States before October 5, 2023. They will be eligible for TPS for a period of 18 months, from December 8, 2023, to June 7, 2025. Current TPS Cameroon holders must re-register during the 60-day period from October 10, 2023, through December 9, 2023, to maintain their status and work authorization.

New York, NY—Yesterday, the Biden administration announced its plan to conduct deportation flights to Venezuela. This announcement comes two weeks after the administration extended and redesignated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans.

Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:

“Nobody wants to leave their home if they don’t have to, let alone make a dangerous and grueling trek across the Darien Gap just to reach safety in the United States.

New York, NY—Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission conducted a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts. During this testing period, individuals received text alerts on their cellular devices in English or Spanish.

New York, NY—On the brink of a federal government shutdown, the House and Senate on Saturday swiftly approved and passed a 45-day stopgap funding bill to keep federal agencies open.

Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:

“Yesterday, both Houses stood strong in support of a national agenda that rejected the extremist policies of a small faction of MAGA Republicans who tried to hold our country hostage for their own political gain.

New York, NY—Yesterday, Mayor Adams’ administration announced that it plans to distribute new flyers at the United States southern border, in addition to shelters and intake shelters to discourage asylum seekers from coming to New York City. This marks the second time the Adams administration has produced flyers on the same matter and blatantly distributed misinformation.