Decline in tourism to U.S. since Trump took office /  by Timothy Bakken

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According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, nearly 700,000 fewer tourists came to the U.S. in the first three months of 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016.  This decline resulted in an approximate economic loss to the U.S. of $2.7 billion. While this loss of interest in visiting the U.S. may be based on multiple factors, it’s hard to ignore that it coincides with Trump’s anti-immigrant polices, rhetoric, and polls that show fewer people around the world have a favorable view of the U.S. since Trump took office.

Timothy R. Bakken
Founder

Countering DACA Myths /  by Timothy Bakken

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Save DACA!  DACA does not threaten U.S. citizens’ jobs, does not grant citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, and ending DACA will expose Dreamers and their families to deportation. The New York Times explains why common critiques of DACA are misleading here.

Timothy R. Bakken
Founder

Trump Kills DACA /  by Timothy Bakken

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Trump, through his Attorney General, announced today that DACA will be rescinded in 6 months.  Now is the time to contact your congressional representatives to urge them to do the right thing and pass comprehensive immigration reform or, at the very least, protect Dreamers! Read more about what happened here. 

Timothy R. Bakken
Founder

DACA Is an Economic Boon /  by Timothy Bakken

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According to a new economic study, the end of DACA would mean $460 billion in lost GDP, not to mention the bureaucratic and legal mess required to try and deport more than 700,000 young people. DACA recipients, or “Dreamers”, have used this program to better themselves (91% of DACA recipients are employed), our communities, and our country. 

Timothy R. Bakken
Founder

 

CIS requiring more green card interviews starting October 1! /  by Timothy Bakken

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Rather than encouraging talented, ambitious, highly-educated immigrants to continue to contribute to our culture and economy, Trump continues to make the immigration process more difficult and less efficient.  Effective October 1, 2017, the USCIS will require in-person interviews for all employment-based green card applicants. Read more about the new interviews here. CIS has always had discretion to require a personal interview for any green card applicant, but for many years has almost always waived that requirement in the employment-based green card context. To quote a fellow immigration attorney interviewed for this story, CIS has understood that interviews of all employment-based green card applicants is a “colossal waste of everyone’s time”.  As usual, when it comes to immigration Trump just doesn’t get it.