In a new US policy, nearly 100,000 migrants will receive cash from the government. But why?
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In a turn of events that underscores the ever-shifting landscape of US immigration policy, nearly 100,000 migrants who once pinned their hopes on a program promising legal status are now due for a financial refund.
Who’s eligible to receive $580 from the government?
The Keeping Families Together (KFT) initiative, a cornerstone of President Joe Biden's immigration strategy, was abruptly halted by a federal court decision.
The program aimed to allow applicants to remain with their loved ones while their cases were reviewed, a move lauded for its humanity and potential to streamline the path to green cards or permanent residency.
Now, the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has confirmed to Newsweek that those who applied will receive their $580 application fee back.
The refund marks a bittersweet conclusion to one of the Biden administration's key immigration endeavors.
Undocumented immigrants living in the US who were ineligible to apply for legal status without facing the daunting prospect of leaving their families and waiting abroad indefinitely, saw KFT as a lifeline.
The KFT program's cancellation leaves a cloud of uncertainty over thousands of mixed-status families, who now face an ambiguous future as the next administration gears up for widespread deportations.
The program's window was brief, lasting only a few days in August 2024 before a coalition of Texas and 15 other states brought it to a standstill through legal action.
By that time, at least 94,000 hopeful applicants had submitted their forms, contributing to a collective sum of approximately $55 million, according to a USCIS official.
The policy's abrupt end was a shock to many, particularly as the presidential election loomed, with its rhetoric of mass deportations.
President-elect Donald Trump, while primarily focusing on deporting illegal immigrants with criminal records, has also pledged to remove upwards of 11 million people, including long-term residents and those who had applied for KFT.
Immigration attorney Nicolette Glazer weighed in on the situation via X (formerly Twitter): “USCIS representative said that no formal denials would be issued, which is a bit strange because it means that the applications would remain pending, but perhaps be admin closed (not sure). Based on the posts, some have already received the checks issued by the Treasury.”
With KFT no longer an option, undocumented migrants in mixed-status families find themselves back at square one, facing the heart-wrenching decision to leave their families to pursue legal status.
The incoming administration appears poised to tighten immigration controls further, potentially slowing down legal processes and eschewing initiatives like KFT.
Source: New Jersey DCF / Youtube.
If you or someone you know applied for the KFT program, it's important to stay informed about the refund process.
USCIS is tasked with returning the $580 application fees, and some applicants have already reported receiving their checks.
What do you think about this story? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below, but please keep them respectful.
Who’s eligible to receive $580 from the government?
The Keeping Families Together (KFT) initiative, a cornerstone of President Joe Biden's immigration strategy, was abruptly halted by a federal court decision.
The program aimed to allow applicants to remain with their loved ones while their cases were reviewed, a move lauded for its humanity and potential to streamline the path to green cards or permanent residency.
Now, the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has confirmed to Newsweek that those who applied will receive their $580 application fee back.
The refund marks a bittersweet conclusion to one of the Biden administration's key immigration endeavors.
Nearly 100,000 migrants will receive a refund of their $580 application fee from the US government after a federal court struck down the Keeping Families Together program. Image source: Gerd Altmann / Pixabay.
Undocumented immigrants living in the US who were ineligible to apply for legal status without facing the daunting prospect of leaving their families and waiting abroad indefinitely, saw KFT as a lifeline.
The KFT program's cancellation leaves a cloud of uncertainty over thousands of mixed-status families, who now face an ambiguous future as the next administration gears up for widespread deportations.
The program's window was brief, lasting only a few days in August 2024 before a coalition of Texas and 15 other states brought it to a standstill through legal action.
By that time, at least 94,000 hopeful applicants had submitted their forms, contributing to a collective sum of approximately $55 million, according to a USCIS official.
The policy's abrupt end was a shock to many, particularly as the presidential election loomed, with its rhetoric of mass deportations.
President-elect Donald Trump, while primarily focusing on deporting illegal immigrants with criminal records, has also pledged to remove upwards of 11 million people, including long-term residents and those who had applied for KFT.
Immigration attorney Nicolette Glazer weighed in on the situation via X (formerly Twitter): “USCIS representative said that no formal denials would be issued, which is a bit strange because it means that the applications would remain pending, but perhaps be admin closed (not sure). Based on the posts, some have already received the checks issued by the Treasury.”
With KFT no longer an option, undocumented migrants in mixed-status families find themselves back at square one, facing the heart-wrenching decision to leave their families to pursue legal status.
The incoming administration appears poised to tighten immigration controls further, potentially slowing down legal processes and eschewing initiatives like KFT.
Source: New Jersey DCF / Youtube.
If you or someone you know applied for the KFT program, it's important to stay informed about the refund process.
USCIS is tasked with returning the $580 application fees, and some applicants have already reported receiving their checks.
What do you think about this story? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below, but please keep them respectful.
