By The Diary
Hundreds of thousands of people face a migratory limbo in the United States after decisions that have paused the review of visa, permanent residence, work permit and citizenship applications. The situation has generated the paralysis of key processes to study, work or remain legally in the country.
According to the report, the measures affect people born in 39 countriesincluding Nigeria, Myanmar and Venezuela. It details that these restrictions were implemented after a shooting that occurred at the end of November in Washington DC, in which a Afghan citizen attacked two members of the National Guard.
Students and workers in STEM sectors, among the most affected
According to testimonies, the impact reaches people who study or work in sectors such as technology, medicine, oil and gas, areas considered within STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)who report loss of employment, interruption of studies and growing economic uncertainty.
The publication points out that the cases described were shared under anonymity due to fear of possible consequences on their immigration processes. One of the people interviewed, originally from Myanmar and dedicated to clinical oncology research in Ohio, said she was about to receive a promotion before her work authorization was suspended.
Impact on families, workers and the economy
As documented, the situation also affects American citizens who seek to regularize the immigration status of their spouses, as well as sectors that depend on the foreign talentespecially in STEM areas.
He adds that workers born abroad have a relevant participation in these areas, according to data cited in the research.
Cases of stopped opportunities
The case of a doctor originally from Nigeria who was accepted into a surgical residency in Oregon, but has not been able to start due to the lack of resolution of her immigration status.
It also highlights that some migrants have paid up to $$3,000 for priority processingwithout their procedures having progressed. An engineer in Texas claimed he had to turn down job offers due to a lack of work authorization.
Legal processes and accumulation of applications
The situation has led to at least 33 legal claims. Lawyers estimate that about half of the applications before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are affected by these pauses.
It also indicates that there are almost 12 million pending proceduresof which hundreds of thousands have not yet been reviewed.
Immigration policy
During the 2024 campaign, then-candidate Donald Trump expressed support for facilitating permanent residency for foreign graduate students. However, after his return to the presidency, his administration has promoted a more restrictive approach to immigration processes.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, these measures seek strengthen security controls and prevent abuseespecially in countries considered high risk.
Prolonged uncertainty
He highlighted that consequences also affect families who face obstacles in moving forward with basic procedures such as housing, bank accounts or life planning.
Cited specialists point out that this is an unprecedented level of tackle an eye on migratory internal investigation on people with ongoing legal proceedings, while legal disputes and lack of resolution for thousands of applicants continue.
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