Three Unique Opportunities of Stepparenting

BY MARY CAMPBELL

Stepparenting, as well as parenting, can be rewarding and life-long pursuits. Reproducing and/or raising offspring are in fact choices we make, especially in our contemporary era. Stepparenting comes in many forms, both formal and informal. People become involved in the lives of non-biological children at all stages of life, and taking care of a family is a large commitment. Throughout the process, the experiences and personal development opportunities available to parents are numerous. Raising children is not a universal activity and there are many other ways to find fulfillment in life. For those who do take up parenting, specifically with regards to a mixed family, here are some of the benefits and rewards.

A deeper appreciation for the fragility of existence

This viewpoint may be biased in favour of those who are fortunate enough to live in peaceful and prosperous places. Taking on responsibility for a child's life can be a reminder of how much time and energy it takes to carve out a healthy adulthood. An educated, established, childless adult can at times become liable to take their life for granted. When given the duties of looking after and teaching a young one, we are reminded about how much work and effort it takes be successful.

A larger social network

Mixed families by their nature can involve a large number of people. The more families are mixed together, the greater potential to meet and associate. A stepparent can learn and grow from the knowledge and insights of their extended family members. Moreover, with regards to stepchildren themselves, they are potentially afforded a larger network of adults to socialize with and learn from.

A greater acceptance of the unconventional

Familial customs and traditions are there for a reason, they help guide our lives in tried and true ways. Nonetheless, life is full of options and choices. Choosing to join the lives of another family can expose a person to new and different ideas, beliefs and methods. The value of opening yourself up to other ways of living life cannot be understated.

In conclusion, our contemporary lives offer us an abundance of choices. With choice comes decision and opportunity. No matter how you live life or who you live it with, those who reflect accurately on their circumstances stand to benefit. Be aware of where you stand in life and how it benefits you. Beyond that, take note of how you can benefit others. Step parenting comes in many shapes and forms and offers plenty of opportunities.l

AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card

Most individuals can change their address in two ways: •Through your existing USCIS online account if you filed your form online; or Filing Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card, online. •Filing Form AR-11 online will update your address on all pending applications, petitions, or requests that you include on the form. You do not need to mail a paper Form AR-11 if you use the change of address webpage unless you are a victim of domestic violence, trafficking, and other crimes, or if you have previously filed a Form I-751 abuse waiver. We strongly encourage you to update your address with USCIS to ensure you receive all correspondence and benefits from us in a timely manner and avoid possible delays related to your case. Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will not change your address with USCIS, or the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) if you have an active or pending court case. Starting Dec. 7, 2021, USCIS will only accept the 08/31/21 edition.l

National Immigrant Integration Conference Closes With Advocates Pushing for Meaningful Immigration Reform

LAS VEGAS: On October 6, the National Immigrant Integration Conference (NIIC) 2021, the largest conference focused on immigrant and refugee issues in the country, concluded with advocates redoubled in their commitment to achieve meaningful immigration reform that leaves no community behind. Sessions yesterday focused on the demilitarization of the U.S. border, climate-induced migration and displacement, issues facing Black and Asian Pacific Islander communities across the country, and more. Across the convening, advocates particularly raised concerns about the current crises facing Haiti and Afghanistan and the U.S. response. “As we close out this year's National Immigrant Integration Conference, we are steadfast and re-energized in pursuing a just and equitable path forward for immigrants and refugees. The powerful conversations this week were laserfocused on the urgency of making changes to our broken immigration system and support of the full range of integration issues facing newcomers. We look forward to continuing to work with the amazing and broad array of organizations that gathered in Las Vegas this week to continue pushing Congress and the Biden administration to build pathways to citizenship that are equitable and streamlined,” said Nicole Melaku, executive director of National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA). On the opening day of the conference on Monday, President Joe Biden addressed participants in a pre-recorded address and doubled down on the idea that a pathway to citizenship needs to be part of the Build Back Better agenda: “Building back better means recognizing the dignity and contributions of immigrant families, especially the frontline workers who carried our country on their backs throughout this pandemic. I strongly support giving Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, and farmworkers the long-awaited pathway to permanent residency and eventual citizenship I think they all deserve. I'm working closely with Congress, through the reconciliation process right now, to finally make that a reality. I've also directed my cabinet to make the naturalization process faster, more accessible, and more efficient and remove roadblocks to accessing immigration benefits.” President Biden’s remarks came on the first day of NIIC 2021 New American Dreams at a time when many immigrant advocates feel exasperated by the lack of speedy progress the administration is making on immigration reform and addressing racial justice issues, including the discriminatory treatment of Haitian immigrants. Across the sector, there is widespread disappointment that the White House’s attempt to include a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth, TPS recipients, farmworkers, and essential workers, was blocked by the Senate parliamentarian, a non-elected official centering decisions around antiquated protocol. “Black people and immigrants of color risked our lives, facing COVID and white supremacist attacks, to elect an administration that would deliver on its promises to protect migrant communities including Black migrants. What we need now is action. The time for talk and promises has long passed. Our communities need action immediately,” said Nana Gyamfi, executive director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI). “The fight for pathways to citizenship have reached a critical inflection point. After an historic coalition of voters delivered Democrats unified control of Washington to deliver meaningful progressive accomplishments, we expect our elected representatives to do everything in their power to deliver results. We have made our priorities clear. President Biden’s ongoing leadership and engagement with Congress is important, and we expect every Democrat in Congress to continue the fight. Simply giving up is not an option,” said Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center. Each year, NIIC brings together over 1,000 policymakers and advocates from across the United States and many international partners and provides a key avenue for leaders across the sector serving immigrants and refugees. l

With New Florida Lawsuit, States’ Efforts to Dictate Federal Immigration Policy Continue

BY EMMA WINGER

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new lawsuit on Tuesday seeking an order requiring the Biden administration to detain almost all people arriving at the Southwest border. It is the latest in a string of lawsuits brought by states with Republican governors seeking to shape federal immigration policy. In its lawsuit, Florida argues that the Biden administration is illegally releasing asylum seekers and others that come to the border seeking admission. Most striking, Florida claims the administration has an “open-borders playbook.” According to Florida, it has a right to weigh in on these issues because new arrivals will move to Florida and place a burden on the state. The complaint is wrong. It is true that the law sets limits on the release of noncitizens arriving at the U.S. border without necessary immigration paperwork. But as the Supreme Court has held, it is also clear that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the authority to release people on parole. By statute, DHS can release people “for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.” The Biden administration recently proposed a rule that would make clear that parole is appropriate where “detention is unavailable or impracticable.” Second, the Biden administration has no open-borders playbook. To the contrary, the administration unfortunately continues to pursue aggressive enforcement tactics at the border. Shocking images of Border Patrol agents on horseback chasing down Haitian people seeking food and water and the administration’s decision to fight for the right to expel families and children under Title 42 show just the opposite. Florida’s lawsuit is part of a growing trend that began soon after Biden was sworn into office. Texas and other states successfully sued to stop the administration’s 100-day deportation moratorium. And the state lawsuits keep coming, with mixed success. Texas lawsuits have forced the government to resume the Migrant Protection Protocols, but mostly failed to stop the administration’s plans for prosecutorial discretion. These lawsuits are not unique to the Biden administration. Texas successfully sued to end an Obama-era plan to allow deferred action for the parents of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. That litigation is ongoing. A different constellation of states often sued the Trump administration to halt new immigration policies. These included the rescission of DACA, the Muslim and Refugee Ban, and the Trump administration’s public charge rule. This trend is also a meaningful threat to the Biden administration’s plans to implement a more fair and just immigration system. If courts allow them, Texas, Florida, and other states may force the federal government to implement harsh immigration enforcement policies that are cruel and unwise.l

In NYC, a lot has changed. Your hurricane evacuation zone has, too.

Visit NYC.gov/knowyourzone or call 311 to find out your zone and learn what to do to prepare for hurricanes in NYC. #knowyourzone

New Enforcement Priorities Show Some Improvement, Maintain Old Framework

BY REBEKAH WOLF

On September 30, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued the long-awaited new set of enforcement priorities, entitled “Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Laws.” The guidelines, which will go into effect on November 29, 2021, will replace the February 18 interim enforcement priorities memo issued to U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as initial interim guidelines issued on January 20, 2021. The new memo applies to ICE, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and begins with affirming the basis for DHS’ authority to exercise prosecutorial discretion.

What the September 30 Enforcement Guidance Covers

While the new memo makes some meaningful changes from the previous iterations of the enforcement priorities memos, it still embraces the framework of prioritizing groups of people for enforcement, rather than identifying groups of people to prioritize for protection, as many advocates have called for. There are some significant changes from the previous memos. One overarching change is that this memo only applies to decisions regarding who to apprehend and remove, and not who should be detained or released from detention. This memo also made clear that there are no categorical bars to the exercise of prosecutorial discretion, and that every decision on whether someone should be considered a priority for enforcement or given prosecutorial discretion should be weighed on an individual basis.

Who Are Enforcement Priorities Under the New Guidance?

The memo provides ICE agents with guidelines on three categories of enforcement priorities. The new guidelines direct ICE to focus resources on people who would be considered priorities for enforcement under these three categories: National Security: The first category— left largely unchanged from the previous memos— includes anyone who is accused of or suspected of engaging in terrorism or espionage.

Public Safety: The second category, which includes anyone whom ICE finds to be a “threat to public safety,” had some key changes. Previously, this category applied to anyone who had been convicted of an aggravated felony and was deemed to currently be a risk to public safety. This categorical approach to anyone with certain convictions was widely criticized by advocates for failing to consider the equities in individual cases. In the updated memo, that approach has been replaced with a nonexhaustive list of mitigating and aggravating factors that should be considered

by ICE agents in determining whether discretion should be exercised.

Border Security. The third category prioritizes anyone who entered or attempted to enter the United States after November 1, 2020. However, there is additional language in the new memo that allows for exceptions to making everyone in this group an enforcement priority. The new enforcement priorities guidance also includes important language directing DHS to not target anyone for enforcement based on their exercising of their civil rights, worker rights, or first amendment rights. These are welcome reminders of the department’s obligations to enforce immigration laws fairly and equitably. While avoiding the approach of categorically excluding groups of people from benefitting from discretion is a positive step, the guidance also leaves an enormous amount of discretion with individual deportation officers and field offices, and it will require meaningful accountability to be successful. History suggests that this discretion may not be exercised fairly or justly.l