As we previously reported, President Donald Trump signed a third Executive Order (EO) related to immigration on Jan. 27, 2017.  The stated purpose of this EO is to protect the United States from terrorism stemming from foreign nationals of other countries by limiting entry and visas to certain individuals, titled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” In practice, it will block admission to the United States for at least 90 days for nationals of seven countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen) who hold nonimmigrant visas, such as H-1Bs and L-1s, and green card holders.

Suspension of Visa Issuance

The text of this EO calls for the suspension of issuance of visas to nationals of certain countries where concerns of terrorism arise. The Secretary of Homeland Security, consulting with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, is tasked with the duty to submit a report to President Trump, in 30 days, regarding the review of information necessary for visa adjudications to verify individual identity and a list of countries that are of concern.

To alleviate the burden of investigation by the agencies, and to ensure that review is thoroughly completed with the resources needed, President Trump proclaims in the Executive Order that any immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States shall be suspended for 90 days by persons who are nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. This 90 day entry ban excludes those traveling to the United States on diplomatic visas, NATO visas, C-2 visas for travel to the United Nations, and G-1, G-2, and G-4 visas, but includes those entering the United States on L-1, H-1B, and most work visas.

The definition of “national” typically refers to a person born in that country, who may or may not be a citizen of the country. In some cases, it can also refer to the children of such individuals born in other countries to parents who in turn were born in one of the listed countries.  Because of the broad way in which the Order appears to reference “nationals,” in the process of enforcement of the Order, it has been interpreted to include all those fitting the definitions outlined above.

Once the report is received by the Secretary of State regarding the information needed to continue adjudication of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, information shall be requested of all foreign governments that have not supplied such information within 60 days of notification. After the 60 day period has ended, the Secretary of Homeland Security, consulting the Secretary of State, is required to submit to President Trump a list of countries recommended to be put on a list that would prohibit the entry of foreign nationals from the countries that do not supply the required information. The list of countries would exclude its nationals who travel for the same categories as mentioned above. The Executive Order includes language that gives the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State the discretion to add additional countries to this list for President Trump’s review. In addition, visas may also be issued on a case-by-case basis to nationals even if their countries are on the list. Four reports, each submitted within 30 days of the Order to President Trump, are required to document the progress.

Implementing New Standards for Screening Those Seeking Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas

The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Director of the FBI are tasked with implanting a program that will develop and change the uniform screening standard and procedure at the U.S. consulate, including the following:

  • Establishing a database of identity documents to ensure they are not used by multiple applicants;
  • Application forms with amended questions aimed at identifying fraudulent answers and malicious intent;
  • Questions to evaluate whether the applicant will be a positively contributing member of society;
  • Process to assess whether the applicant has the intent to commit criminal or terrorist acts in the United States.

Suspensions for the Fiscal Year 2017

President Trump, through this Executive Order, is temporarily suspending the following until further review and notice:

  • Suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admission Program (USRAP) for 120 days. During this period, a review will be conducted to determine and change the adjudications procedure. Refugee applicants already in the process may be admitted upon the initiation and completion of the revised procedures. Refugee claims made by individuals on the basis of religious-based persecution (if the religion is a minority religion in the country of nationality) will be made a priority once USRAP is continued;
  • Suspension of Syrian refugees until further determination;
  • Suspension of refugee entry until admissions are permissible, and at that time, such numbers shall not exceed 50,000 per fiscal year; and
  • Suspension of the visa interview waiver program for anyone seeking a nonimmigrant visa.

The Executive Order includes a provision that would allow the admission of refugees on a case-by-case basis, if it is in the national interest, or when the person is already in transit and denying admission would cause undue hardship. A report must be submitted by the Secretary of State on claims made by individuals on the basis of religious-based persecution within 100 days of the Order, and a second report within 200 days of the Order. The Order also includes a provision to assist state and local jurisdictions with their involvement in the resettlement process.

Other Provisions

The Executive Order includes other provisions related to the entry of foreign nationals into the United States. These include the following:

  • Expedited completion of the biometric entry-exit tracking system. Three reports shall be submitted within the first year of the Order, and a report shall be submitted every 180 days until the system is completed and operational;
  • Review and Change of Visa Validity Reciprocity.  The Secretary of State is required to review all nonimmigrant visa reciprocity agreements, including all categories, duration of time, and fees. If the foreign country does not treat the U.S. national in a reciprocal manner, the Secretary of State will adjust the conditions to match;
  • Reports for Transparency. The Secretary of Homeland Security will publish a report for public viewing, every 180 days, a list of foreign nationals who have been charged, convicted, or removed from the United States based on terrorism-related activity; the number of foreign nationals radicalized after entry into the United States; information regarding the number and types of acts of gender-based violence against women; and any other relevant information.

As this Order is expansive, Greenberg Traurig will continue to monitor the conditions and changes. In addition, we expect additional Executive Orders related to immigration in the coming days and weeks. To receive updates, please subscribe to our blog.

On Jan. 27, 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) on Immigration entitled “Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nationals.” The EO impacts, among many other processes, the entry to the United States for immigrants and non-immigrants from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The EO also impacts the Visa Interview Waiver program, widely utilized by a number of U.S. Consular Posts to renew visas for applicants. This is expected to have a wide effect, including on employers with foreign national employees who are nationals or dual nationals of the above listed countries and are here on work visas and as green card holders. To read the full GT Alert click here.

Whitehouse

On Jan. 25, 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed two Executive Orders impacting U.S. immigration which are summarized below.

  1. Executive Order: Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements

This Order addresses the recent surge of immigration by foreign nationals without proper documentation at the United States’ southern border with Mexico. The Order directs the government’s “executive departments and agencies to deploy all lawful means to secure the Nation’s southern border, to prevent further illegal immigration into the United States, and to repatriate illegal aliens swiftly, consistently, and humanely.”

Specifically, the Order implements a policy to secure the southern border through the “immediate construction of a physical wall on the southern border…” The Order goes on to define “wall” as “a contiguous, physical wall or other similarly secure, contiguous, and impassable physical barrier.” The Order itself instructs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary to identify and allocate all sources of federal funds and to project and develop long-term funding requirements for the wall.

This Order also mandates the DHS Secretary to ensure the detention of undocumented foreign nationals apprehended for violating immigration law pending the outcome of their removal proceedings. It calls for action and fund allocation for new detention facilities at or near the Mexico border. Additionally, the Order commands the prompt removal of individuals whose legal claims to remain in the United States have been lawfully rejected after any appropriate civil or criminal sanctions have been imposed. In particular, the policy known as “catch and release,” whereby undocumented foreign nationals are released in the United States shortly after their apprehension for violating immigration law, is terminated. Subject to funding, an additional 5,000 Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents will be hired to execute new detention protocols.

In addition, the Order also establishes a policy “to end the abuse of parole and asylum provisions currently used to prevent the lawful removal of removable aliens.” The text of the Order indicates that immigration law has thus far been “exploited to prevent the removal of otherwise removable aliens.” It calls for more training of DHS personnel. In fact, new policy guidance in line with the Order is expected to be issued soon to all DHS personnel regarding the detention of undocumented immigrants.

The Department of Homeland Security Secretary and the U.S. Attorney General are expected to submit to the president a progress report on this Order’s directives within 90 days and 180 days, respectively.

2. Executive Order: Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States

This Order addresses unlawful immigration’s potential effects on U.S. national security and public safety. In particular, it states “Many aliens who illegally enter the United States and those who overstay or otherwise violate the terms of their visas present a significant threat… This is particularly so for aliens who engage in criminal conduct in the United States.” The Order also states “Many of these aliens are criminals who have served time in our Federal, State, and local jails.”

To improve the country’s security and safety, the Order seeks to impose the “faithful execution” of U.S. immigration laws by executive agencies. In doing so, the executive branch will ensure that “sanctuary jurisdictions” do not receive federal funds (except as mandated by law) if they fail to comply with applicable federal law. Generally in these jurisdictions (also known as “sanctuary cities”), undocumented immigrants are not prosecuted for lacking the proper immigration status. The Order states that the practice of “shield[ing] aliens from removal… [has] caused immeasurable harm to the American people…” and requires a comprehensive list of criminal actions committed by aliens and any jurisdiction that ignored or otherwise failed to honor any detainers with respect to such aliens, publicly published on a weekly basis. Following the Executive Order, representatives of several sanctuary cities stated they will remain as such, including New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Seattle.

The Order further calls for the enforcement of immigration laws, prioritizing removable aliens who have been convicted of or charged with criminal offenses. Subject to funding and law, an additional 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will be hired to carry out the enforcement. At the press conference, Press Secretary Spicer indicated that other enforcement tools would include withholding visas from countries to ensure they accept their nationals back following removal from the United States.

This Executive Order also encourages sanctions against countries that deny or unreasonably delay accepting a deportable national of that country. This could result in the discontinuation of granting immigrant and/or nonimmigrant visas to residents of that country. A blanket discontinuance of visa issuance could result in reciprocal treatment against U.S. visa applicants. To date, the U.S. government has identified 23 such countries, including China and India.

In addition, this Order calls for the reinstitution of the Secure Communities “SCOMM” program, whereby arrestees’ fingerprints are submitted to both criminal and immigration databases to facilitate their removal where appropriate. SCOMM’s reinstitution terminates the Priority Enforcement Program, which had replaced the original Secure Communities program in July 2015. To further address Americans’ public interest, the Order directs the establishment within ICE of an office to provide “proactive, timely, adequate, and professional services to victims [and their family members] of crimes committed by removable aliens.” The office is required to provide quarterly reports on the “effects of victimization by criminal aliens present in the United States.”

Both the Department of Homeland Security Secretary and the U.S. Attorney General are expected to submit to the President a progress report on this Order’s directives within 90 days and then again within 180 days.

It is expected that there will be additional immigration-related Executive Orders addressing DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), restricting immigration from certain Muslim-majority countries deemed to be a national security risk, and a review of legal immigration procedures and visa categories. Greenberg Traurig will continue to monitor activity on executive action related to immigration. To receive updates, please subscribe to our Inside Business Immigration blog and our EB-5 Insights blog.

On Dec. 4, 2017, the Supreme Court issued an order allowing President Trump’s Proclamation on Travel Ban to go fully into effect. With certain exceptions, this ban places entry restriction on nationals of eight countries – Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. As previously reported, in September a U.S. District Judge in Hawaii blocked the Proclamation from taking effect, except for nationals of North Korea and Venezuela. On Nov. 13, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily put part of the lower court’s ruling on hold, allowing the Proclamation to take effect, but only for those individuals from the impacted countries who do not have bona fide ties to the United States.

Continue Reading Supreme Court Issues Order Allowing Full Implementation of Proclamation

The heavily anticipated new Executive Order (EO), “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,” banning nationals from six countries from entering the United States, was signed by President Donald Trump on March 6, 2017 with an effective date 10 days following on March 16, 2017. This new EO revokes and replaces the previous EO 13769 signed on Jan. 27, 2017. The replacement EO provides additional clarification that stemmed from judicial review. For a summary of EO 13769, and a history of events that transpired, please visit.

Highlights of changes in the new EO include:

  • The six countries under the travel ban are Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.  Iraq has been lifted from the travel ban.
  • Clarification has been given that lawful permanent residents are not subject to the travel ban, and dual nationals may use another passport (that is not from one of the six countries) to enter the United States.
  • Waivers may be granted to individuals applying for a visa who are subject to the travel ban if: 1) denying entry during this period would cause undue hardship, 2) the entry would not pose a threat to national security, and 3) it would be in the national interest of the United States. Examples were provided of situations where a waiver would be appropriate.
  • Entry under the U.S. Refugee Admission Program will be halted for 120 days from March 16, 2017. Notably, the blanket halt on Syrian refugees has been removed.
  • The Visa Interview Waiver Program is suspended until further guidance from the Department of State.
  • Those who are in the United States will not have their visas revoked.

The new EO provides an explanation for some components of EO 13769 that are now rescinded, amended, or clarified in this Order. A section-by-section analysis is below:

Section 2:  Suspension of Visa Issuance- Iraq Removed

The text of this EO calls for the suspension of issuance of visas to nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen, except in case-by-case waivers, for 90 days from the effective date of the EO (March 16, 2017), while an ongoing assessment of the countries for terrorist threats is conducted. Notably, Iraq has been removed as one of the original countries subject to the travel ban. The reason cited is that the United States has been closely working with the Iraqi government and because of the military presence in Iraq, and Iraq’s commitment to fight ISIS, removing this country from the travel ban is justified.

In addition, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, will conduct a worldwide review to identify additional information, if necessary, from any country to ensure that the individual applying for a visa benefit is not a security threat. Within 20 days of March 16, 2017, a required report will be submitted to the President on the results of the worldwide review. Copies of this report will also be given to the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Director of National Intelligence.

Once the report has been submitted to all parties, the Secretary of State shall request the foreign governments to provide the information needed within 50 days of notification. After the 50 day period has expired, the Secretary of Homeland Security, with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, will submit to the President a list of countries where certain categories of foreign nationals should be prohibited from visa issuance because they have not provided the information. Additional countries may also be submitted for consideration to be added to the list of countries where restrictions or limitations are deemed necessary to protect the United States. In the same way, countries may be recommended for removal from the list as well.

Four reports, each submitted within 30 days of the effective date of the Order (March 16, 2017) to President Trump, are required to document the progress. Continue Reading New Travel Ban Order to Temporarily Halt Entry for Those Seeking New Visas from 6 Muslim-Majority Countries

The Department of State’s (DOS) January Visa Bulletin brings some New Years cheer for China and “All Other Countries” designations indicating that that the EB-3 subcategory for professionals and skilled workers will advance by nine months for China, from June 1, 2010 to March 1, 2011, and seven months for “All Other Countries,” from November 1, 2012 to June 1, 2013.  Unfortunately, the EB-3 category for India continues to wallow in a mire of retrogression advancing only two weeks, from December 1, 2003 to December 15, 2003.

The EB-2 category offers little in the way of good reading with China advancing only a month, from January 1, 2010 to February 1, 2010, and India seeing no change from last month’s Bulletin, staying put at February 15, 2005.  Continue Reading January 2015 Visa Bulletin: Some Good News, But Executive Action Benefits Cannot Come Soon Enough

On November 20, 2014, President Obama released the long-anticipated “Executive Action” on immigration reform. See here, here and here. We will also post additional materials made available. Late last summer, the President had postponed the release of such action until after the mid-term elections. Despite the cries of overreaching and lack of authority by the Republican leadership in the House and the Senate, the President has now released a plan to begin immediately the process of implementing some new policies through published guidance and to begin implementation of other policies through proposed regulatory changes. Some opposed to these actions have vowed to block the implementation through judicial intervention, attempts to defund the programs and potentially through other political means.

We will monitor the status of each change and post updates as they become available.

The following is a brief summary of the Executive proposed actions that will impact business. We have divided them broadly into three categories: 1) Changes done through guidance; 2) Changes that will need regulatory action; and 3) Changes that are still being discussed through a “Presidential Memorandum” process.

Administration Guidance without New Regulation       

  • Expansion of Deferred Action. Provide deferred action with employment authorization and advance parole, to include:
    • Parents of U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents. (Must have lived in the U.S. for 5 years and must have entered by January 1, 2010.)
    • Expansion of current Deferred Action Program to include Individuals who have resided in the U.S. for 5 years or more. There will no longer be an age limit.
  • Parole in Place. Expand PIP eligibility and confirm that Matter of Arrabally & Yerrabelly applies to all who depart and return on advance parole.
  • National interest waivers available for those in positions to create jobs, and those fulfilling shortage occupations.
  • Exemption from the H-1B cap. Interpret the term “affiliated or related nonprofit entity” to an institution of higher education for H-1B cap-exemption purposes under INA §214(g)(5)(A) more flexibly.

Regulatory Changes through the Administration Procedure Act/Federal Register

  • Enable entrepreneurs to be paroled into the U.S. and work if they are researchers, inventors or founders of businesses.
  • Expand availability of optional practical training for graduating F-1s:
    • Make the additional time available for STEM OPT graduates and expand the definition of STEM.
  • Early Adjustment. Enable individuals who are eligible to apply for adjustment of status, but for a non-current priority date, to file for adjustment and receive work authorization and advance parole.
  • Work authorization for spouses of H-1Bs. Finalize pending regulation.
  • Improve the L-1 adjudicative process:
    • Release of guidance on L-1Bs.

Presidential Memorandum on Visa Modernization – Further Discussion

  • Recapturing permanent resident numbers based on numbers allocated by Congress but left unused. When the government is unable to issue the allocated immigrant visa numbers for preference immigrants in a particular fiscal year, despite sufficient demand for such immigrant visa numbers, then the Department of State will ensure those unused immigrant visa numbers are used in subsequent years, in order to better effect Congressional objectives.
  • Derivative spouses and children not counted toward preference quotas.
  • Other important issues related to help revise the visa process for businesses.

Compliance Concerns with the extension of Deferred Action

Extensions of temporary relief for workers already in the U.S. could make their status more confusing to employers and put business owners in an untenable position with regard to employment eligibility verification compliance. Employers are particularly vulnerable when a current employee comes forward and reveals that s/he has been working for the company under a false identity and asks the employer to provide evidence of his/her employment history in order to take advantage of Executive Relief. An employer faces civil and potentially criminal liability for past hiring of unauthorized workers and also may face discrimination charges for hiring newly documented workers who previously presented fraudulent documents. Additionally, employers who do provide documentation to unauthorized workers may be identified as a target for future government enforcement activity.

Legislation to permanently address many of the items identified in the President’s executive action is still very much needed. We will continue to monitor and bring our readers updates as these initiatives, and reactions to them, unfold.

CEOs from top corporations have joined the chorus of companies pushing for Immigration Reform. In a letter to Congress, these executives outlined several areas that need to be addressed through meaningful Immigration Reform in order for companies to successfully conduct business, including:

Continue Reading Leading Executives Urge Congress to Act Now on Immigration Reform

In the United States, employment discrimination based on national origin and citizenship status is strictly prohibited by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The Department of Justice’s Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) section plays a crucial role in monitoring and enforcing these regulations. This blog post explores recent allegations of discrimination by a company under investigation by the IER.

There are very limited situations where a “U.S. citizen only” requirement is permissible. See, for example, CIA Requirements – CIA. In circumstances where we absolutely know the position requires U.S. citizenship, job postings could say something like:

“You must be a U.S. citizen to be hired for this position. If you are in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen, you can submit your resume as soon as you are awarded citizenship, but not before.” We do not help individuals apply for U.S. citizenship.

However, the general default is “U.S. person” as described below. If a job requires a security clearance and/or access to CUI data, you might just state that in the job posting. If U.S. persons apply and can’t show the appropriate level of clearance to meet the job requirements, they can be disqualified on that point as opposed to their citizenship/immigration status.

The IER monitors, among other things, employment discrimination based on U.S. citizen only practices. IER recently filed a complaint against a U.S. Company claiming that it improperly and broadly screened U.S. applicants out of the pool of potentially qualified applicants. Civil Rights Division | IER Cases And Matters (justice.gov)

IER claims that Company is engaging in discriminatory hiring practices that disadvantage asylees and refugees seeking employment within the company. IER further accuses the Company of violating the INA by exhibiting bias against individuals based on their citizenship status during the hiring process.

The allegations in the complaint date back from September 2018 to May 2022 and claim that the Company systematically discriminated against asylees and refugees at various stages of the hiring process, including recruitment, screening, and selection. This alleged discrimination resulted in a significantly reduced chance for asylees and refugees to be fairly considered or hired for positions at Company.

The DOJ’s complaint points out several instances where Company’s actions may have discouraged asylees and refugees from applying for jobs. In various public statements, including social media posts and online video presentations, Company officials allegedly made misleading statements that only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents could be hired due to export control regulations. Furthermore, the complaint asserts that Company’s online recruiting communications repeatedly conveyed the same notion, thereby creating an environment where qualified asylees and refugees might have been dissuaded from pursuing employment opportunities.

The complaint also outlines Company’s hiring records, which reportedly showed a pattern of rejecting applicants who identified as asylees or refugees due to their citizenship or immigration status. IER is very sensitive to U.S. citizen only requirements and, as stated above, it might be best to just post clear job requirements and not restrict positions beyond the U.S. person requirement. 

For export control purposes, and for IER compliance, the company should consider broadening the recruitment to “U.S. person.” This is because the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) (22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130) restricts access to certain controlled technical data and hardware to “U.S. persons,” not just U.S. citizens. 

Specifically, ITAR § 120.62 defines a “U.S. person” as “a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).” For practical purposes, this means any person who is:

  1. A U.S. citizen;
  2. A U.S. permanent resident alien (“green card” holder);
  3. Lawfully admitted to the United States as a refugee under certain provisions of U.S. law; or
  4. Granted asylum in the United States under certain provisions of U.S. law.

Individuals that are not lawfully admitted to the United States or admitted under most visas are not “U.S. persons” for purposes of the ITAR.

All “U.S. persons” may be granted access to technical data that is controlled under the ITAR without preapproval from the U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), which administers the ITAR. 

Brief Overview of Anti-Discrimination Protections for Asylees, Refugees, and Lawful Permanent Residents in Employment

Asylees and refugees, individuals who have sought refuge in the United States due to a legitimate fear of persecution in their home countries, are granted asylum or refugee status upon approval by the U.S. government. This status grants them the right to reside and work indefinitely within the United States, as established in 8 U.S.C. § 1158(c)(l). Similarly, lawful permanent residents, commonly known as “green card” holders, possess the permanent right to live and work in the country under 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(20).

Recognizing the importance of preventing discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin, Congress made amendments to the INA in 1986. This amendment, found in 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(l)(B), explicitly prohibits employment discrimination with regard to hiring practices, encompassing citizenship status and national origin.

The scope of this protection extends to a diverse range of individuals. United States citizens, nationals, asylees, refugees, and specific lawful permanent residents—both those who possess these statuses and those who are perceived to hold them—are shielded from hiring discrimination based on citizenship status, except when required to comply with specific laws, regulations, executive orders, government contracts, or determinations by the Attorney General, as outlined in § 1324b(a)(2)(C). This safeguard ensures that employers cannot discourage, unfairly evaluate, or reject job applicants solely due to their citizenship or immigration status. Employers must uphold the principle of providing equal, fair, and impartial evaluation to all applicants, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.

Anti-discrimination requirements within the United States emphasize the protection of the rights of asylees, refugees, lawful permanent residents, and citizens, ensuring that all individuals are treated equally in employment opportunities, free from bias based on their citizenship or immigration status. These measures extend across all stages of the hiring process, upholding the principles of fairness, impartiality, and equal consideration for all.

On Jan. 19, 2023, the U.S. State Department unveiled a new refugee program, “Welcome Corps,” which enables private sponsorship of refugees. The Welcome Corps program follows President Biden’s 2021 Executive Order on Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs to Resettle Refugees. Through the Welcome Corps program, private sponsors can help thousands of refugees transition to life in the United States. This new program is the most significant development in U.S. refugee immigration since its inception more than four decades ago, according to the press release.

Through Welcome Corps, Americans can apply to form Private Sponsor Organizations to welcome refugees. Each group must have a minimum of five members, and each member must be over the age of 18 and either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Sponsors are required to raise at least $2,275 for each refugee and commit to providing welcoming services and essential services in the community, including housing, financial support, and guidance to healthcare, education and employment services, for 90 days.

Welcome Corps will be led through a consortium of nonprofit organizations with documented expertise in resettling refugees into U.S. communities. The consortium will be tasked with overseeing the private sponsor application process, providing sponsors with the necessary training, and monitoring the progress of the program to ensure privately sponsored refugees are getting the support they need.

The program seeks to enable 10,000 Americans to provide assistance as private sponsors in welcoming at least 5,000 refugees during the first year. During the first phase of the program, Welcome Corps will match sponsors to selected refugees who are already approved for resettlement under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) after undergoing extensive security vetting and a health screening conducted by the federal government. The earliest privately sponsored refugees through Welcome Corps will begin arriving in April 2023. Once the program expands to the second phase in mid-2023, private sponsors will be able to identify refuges in need of protection for consideration to the USRAP. Refugees admitted under the Welcome Corps initiative will initially be eligible for employment authorization and will have a path to obtain permanent legal status and ultimately, U.S. citizenship.