Immigrants come to the United States for many reasons, and in some cases, a person or family may flee from a country where their safety has been put at risk. These immigrants may seek humanitarian relief and ask to be granted permission to remain in the United States rather than being returned to a country where they are likely to suffer harm or be killed. Asylum is one of the most effective forms of humanitarian relief, and it may apply to a person who has entered the U.S. and has a credible fear that they will suffer persecution or other forms of harm if they were returned to their country of origin. 

Title 42 and Asylum Cases

Unfortunately, the ability of many immigrants to claim asylum protections has been limited in recent years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the administration of President Donald Trump implemented a policy known as Title 42. This rule was intended to prevent Covid infections from being spread by immigrants entering the United States, and it allowed immigration officials to expedite the removal of people who did not have the proper documentation. Since it was implemented in March 2020, Title 42 has been used to expel around 1.7 million people from the U.S.

While Title 42 has continued to be used since President Joe Biden took office, his administration recently announced that it plans to lift this rule in the near future. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that as the pandemic has receded, the potential threat of infections being spread by undocumented immigrants is less of a concern, and the protections that Title 42 was intended to provide are no longer necessary. The time frame and procedures that will be followed when the rule is lifted have not yet been announced, although the changes are expected to be implemented by late May of 2022. Following the change, immigration officials expect that the number of migrants who enter the United States will increase.

Imigrants will often establish lives in the United States alongside their family members, and they may maintain steady employment, pay taxes, and build ties to their communities. After living in the U.S. for multiple years, potential deportation may completely upend a person’s life and cause a great deal of difficulty for them and their families. Fortunately, immigrants may have multiple options in these situations, and in some cases, a person may qualify for cancellation of removal, which will allow them to receive an adjustment of status and become lawful permanent residents.

Eligibility for Cancellation of Removal

Deportation is also known as removal. Those who qualify for cancellation of removal will be able to avoid being deported, and their legal status may be adjusted to lawful permanent resident, allowing them to receive a Green Card. Those who currently have a valid green card but are involved in deportation proceedings due to deportability or inadmissibility may receive a cancellation of removal if they have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years, have lived in the United States for at least seven years, and have not been convicted of an aggravated felony.

Immigrants who are facing deportation and who do not have a Green Card may also be able to qualify for cancellation of removal, although they may need to meet additional requirements. They must have been living in the United States for at least 10 years, and they must have good moral character. They will also need to show that their deportation would cause unusual and exceptional hardship for one or more immediate family members (including their spouse, children, or parents) who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Immigrants in the United States who are undocumented or who need to defend against deportation may have a variety of options. For those who have experienced abuse, been the victims of crime, or are at risk of harm in other countries, humanitarian relief may be available. Minors who have experienced abuse or neglect may qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status, which will allow them to remain in the United States and apply for green cards. When petitioning for this form of relief, a person will need to understand the eligibility requirements and the steps they will need to take to maintain a lawful status in the U.S.

Eligibility for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

If a person receives Special Immigrant Juvenile status, they will be able to apply to become a lawful permanent resident. SIJ status will provide exemptions to certain issues that may cause a person to be ineligible for adjustment of status, including unlawful entry and employment without authorization. If necessary, a person may also apply for a waiver of inadmissibility for any other issues that would be barriers to adjustment. After receiving SIJ status, a person will be able to apply for work authorization that will allow them to obtain employment while they are applying for a green card.

To qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, a person must be under the age of 21 at the time they file their petition, and they must currently be living in the U.S. They must also be unmarried, and if they were previously married, the marriage must have ended through divorce, annulment, or the death of the other spouse. However, the most important requirement involves showing that the person has been the victim of abuse or neglect by a parent that has required them to receive protection from a juvenile court in the state where they live.

The Biden Administration recently announced that it will restore a Trump-era policy regarding migrants waiting for immigration hearings. Any migrants who wish to enter the U.S. seeking asylum will once again need to stay in Mexico until the date of their hearing arrives.

According to NPR, Mexico will allow asylum seekers to return to the country to await their hearing dates. The revival of this policy will affect approximately 70,000 people seeking asylum in the U.S.

Migrants coming to the United States across the southern border can face a number of challenges.

The implementation of Title 42 brought about changes to asylum in the U.S. What is this rule and how does it affect migrant families?