January 2025 – The first social service cycle of 2025 officially began with the integration of four students from the Law and International Relations departments of the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC).The students will provide key support alongside USCRI Tijuana staff to the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) within the Multi-Service Center of […]
Author: USCRI
Rollback of Policies Protecting Critical Community Spaces
On January 20, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a directive rescinding “sensitive” zone policies, which have long shielded schools, hospitals, houses of worship, and other critical spaces from immigration enforcement actions. These policies have ensured that individuals—regardless of their immigration status—can access education, healthcare, and religious services without fear. Their removal not […]
The Administration Suspends Humanitarian Protection Programs
On January 28, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) took the first steps in implementing the Administration’s executive order directing the termination of all categorical humanitarian parole programs. “Humanitarian parole” allows individuals outside of the United States to enter the United States on a temporary basis due to an urgent humanitarian need, such as a […]
Honoring the Resilience of Immigrants and Migrants of Asian Descent
Today, we celebrate Lunar New Year and highlight our solidarity with refugees and immigrants from Asia and of Asian descent. The United States has a troubled history with Asian exclusion. In 1875, Congress passed the Page Act, the nation’s first legislative restriction on free immigration. While the law was framed as a human trafficking and […]
U.S. Department of State Abandons U.S. Responsibility for Safely Resettling Refugees
On January 24, the U.S. Department of State ordered the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants to stop all work performed under its Reception and Placement grant for refugee resettlement. Other organizations received similar notices. This “stop work” order from the State Department is a devastating development for refugees who are already in the United […]
What is Sex Trafficking?
Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a heinous crime that involves the exploitation and coercion of individuals for various purposes, such as sexual exploitation. Victims and survivors can be subjected to physical and psychological abuse, with their basic human rights systematically violated. Despite ongoing efforts, human trafficking remains a pressing challenge. Sex […]
USCRI Summary of January 20 Executive Orders
On January 20, 2025, the White House released a series of Executive Orders that regress the immigration system with immediate impact on refugees and immigrants. The new orders display a renouncement of the United State’s role as a stronghold of safety and protection for the displaced. The following is a summary of six Executive Orders […]
USCRI Denounces the Expansion of Expedited Removal: A Threat to Due Process and American Communities
On January 20, the Administration announced that it would take all appropriate action to ensure the efficient removal of undocumented immigrants from the United States. In this Executive Order, the Administration announced that it would expand the use of expedited removal within the broadest framework of the law. Since its enactment in 1996, expedited removal has […]
What is Labor Trafficking?
Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a heinous crime that involves the buying or selling of people for labor or sex. Victims and survivors can be subjected to physical and psychological abuse, with their basic human rights systematically violated. Despite ongoing efforts, human trafficking remains a pressing challenge. Labor Trafficking Labor trafficking […]
USCRI Concerned About Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, Urges the Administration to Prevent Climate-Induced Displacement
The Administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement will exacerbate the climate emergency. As temperatures rise and large swathes of land become unhabitable, more and more people will be driven from their homes, forced to seek safety elsewhere. For the increasing numbers of people who will find themselves fleeing climate-related environmental disasters, there […]
