Immigration Policy Tracking Project

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January 2021
1. January 7, 2021
  ORR proposes new information collection on mental health services for unaccompanied minors
  
  Subject Matter: Minors
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection
2. January 5, 2021
  ORR proposes changes to application and agreement for sponsors of unaccompanied minors
  - Biden administration revocation
  Subject Matter: Minors
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection

December 2020
1. December 31, 2020
  COVID-19: CDC order requires negative COVID-19 test from all passengers entering U.S.
  - Biden administration action
  - covid-19
  Subject Matter: Border
  
  Agencies: CDC CBP
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive
2. December 29, 2020
  ACF reorganizes ORR, creates new division
  
  Subject Matter: Refugees Minors
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice
3. December 18, 2020
  ORR requests to continue information collection about placement and transfer of UACs into ORR facilities
  
  Subject Matter: Minors Detention
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection
4. December 18, 2020
  ORR requests to continue an information collection about services provided to unaccompanied minors
  - Biden administration action
  Subject Matter: Minors Detention
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection
5. December 11, 2020
  ORR proposes 3-year extension, revisions to Report Forms ORR-3 and ORR-4
  
  Subject Matter: Minors Refugees
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection
6. December 7, 2020
  DHS issues supplemental guidance for "additional improvement" of MPP
  
  Subject Matter: Hearings and Adjudications Border Asylum, Withholding and CAT
  
  Agencies: CBP ICE USCIS ORR EOIR DOS
  
  Status: Final/Actual In Litigation
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive

November 2020
1. November 25, 2020
  ORR proposes new data collection form for serious medical procedure requests
  
  Subject Matter: Minors
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection
2. November 19, 2020
  ORR proposes new instruments for information collections
  
  Subject Matter: Minors
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection
3. November 9, 2020
  ORR proposes 3-year extension and changes to State Plan for Grants to States for Refugee Resettlement form
  
  Subject Matter: Minors Refugees
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection
4. November 4, 2020
  ORR proposes extending approval for data collection through ORR-5 form
  
  Subject Matter: Refugees
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection

October 2020
1. October 27, 2020
  POTUS reduces refugee admissions to 15,000 refugees for fiscal year 2021
  
  Subject Matter: Refugees
  
  Agencies: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration ORR USCIS
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Presidential Orders
2. October 3, 2020
  COVID-19, Reported: VP Pence directed CDC to issue expulsion order
  - covid-19
  Subject Matter: Border Asylum, Withholding and CAT
  
  Agencies: DHS CDC HHS CBP
  
  Status: Reported
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice
3. October 2, 2020
  HHS division announces restructuring of Office on Trafficking in Persons
  
  Subject Matter: Humanitarian Non-Immigrant Visas
  
  Agency: HHS
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection

September 2020
1. September 11, 2020
  COVID-19: CDC issues final rule expanding quarantine authority to prohibit "introduction" of noncitizens (except LPR's) into the U.S.
  - covid-19
  Subject Matter: Border Asylum, Withholding and CAT Minors
  
  Agencies: CBP CDC
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Rule
2. September 10, 2020
  USCIS launches sponsor deeming and agency reimbursement information collection initiative
  
  Subject Matter: Immigrant Visas
  
  Agencies: USCIS HHS State & Local Entities
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive Forms and Information Collection

July 2020
1. July 24, 2020
  ORR proposes new information collection about release of unaccompanied minors from ORR custody
  - Biden administration action
  Subject Matter: Minors Detention
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection
2. July 18, 2020
  Administration plans parent-child reunification after district court order
  
  Subject Matter: Border Asylum, Withholding and CAT
  
  Agencies: ICE ORR AG CBP
  
  Status: Final/Actual In Litigation Enjoined
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive

April 2020
1. April 16, 2020
  ORR proposes information collection to allow UAC Program to monitor care provider facility compliance
  
  Subject Matter: Minors Detention
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection

March 2020
1. March 20, 2020
  COVID-19: CDC order authorizes Border Patrol expulsion of all persons arriving by land from Mexico or Canada without valid documents under title 42
  - Biden administration action
  - covid-19
  Subject Matter: Border Asylum, Withholding and CAT Minors
  
  Agencies: CBP DHS CDC
  
  Status: Final/Actual In Litigation Renewed
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive
2. March 20, 2020
  COVID-19: CBP issues memo on turning away migrants at borders, including unaccompanied minors and asylum seekers
  - covid-19
  Subject Matter: Border Asylum, Withholding and CAT
  
  Agencies: CBP CDC
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive
3. March 10, 2020
  COVID-19: Unaccompanied children not being held in CA, WA shelters
  
  Subject Matter: Minors
  
  Agencies: CBP ORR
  
  Status: Reported
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice

February 2020
1. February 5, 2020
  Reported: ICE begins fingerprinting unaccompanied children age 14 and over in ORR facilities
  
  Subject Matter: Interior Minors
  
  Agencies: ICE USCIS ORR
  
  Status: Reported
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive

November 2019
1. November 15, 2019
  EOIR issues guidance regarding child advocates in UAC hearings
  
  Subject Matter: Minors Hearings and Adjudications
  
  Agencies: EOIR ORR ICE
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive
2. November 14, 2019
  Internal DHS report makes recommendations regarding MPP implementation
  
  Subject Matter: Border Asylum, Withholding and CAT
  
  Agencies: USCIS CBP EOIR ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive
3. November 1, 2019
  POTUS reduces refugee admissions to 18,000 for Fiscal Year 2020
  
  Subject Matter: Refugees
  
  Agencies: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration USCIS ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Presidential Orders

September 2019
1. September 26, 2019
  POTUS issues EO 13888, limiting refugee resettlement to state and localities consenting to receive refugees
  - Biden administration revocation
  Subject Matter: Refugees
  
  Agencies: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration USCIS ORR State & Local Entities
  
  Status: Final/Actual In Litigation Enjoined
  
  Type of Action: Presidential Orders

August 2019
1. August 23, 2019
  Final Rule terminating Flores Agreement regarding detention of migrant children
  - hsa/fvra
  Subject Matter: Detention Minors
  
  Agencies: ICE USCIS CBP ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual In Litigation Enjoined
  
  Type of Action: Rule

July 2019
1. July 11, 2019
  POTUS issues EO 13880 on Collecting Information about Citizenship Status in Connection with 2020 Census
  - Biden administration revocation
  Subject Matter: Citizenship
  
  Agencies: DHS DOS HHS SSA
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Presidential Orders
2. July 1, 2019
  HHS to fund 1,300 more beds in Carrizo Springs, Texas
  
  Subject Matter: Border Detention Minors
  
  Agencies: CBP ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice

June 2019
1. June 28, 2019
  CBP opens temporary facility in Yuma, AZ
  
  Subject Matter: Detention
  
  Agencies: CBP ICE ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice
2. June 20, 2019
  CBP expands facility in Donna, TX to hold more unaccompanied children
  
  Subject Matter: Detention
  
  Agencies: CBP ICE ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice

May 2019
1. May 30, 2019
  HHS cancels funding for recreational activities in unaccompanied minor shelters
  
  Subject Matter: Detention Minors
  
  Agencies: ICE ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice
2. May 23, 2019
  POTUS issues memo ordering strict enforcement of sponsor-reimbursement laws
  - Biden administration revocation
  Subject Matter: Humanitarian
  
  Agencies: DOJ DHS HHS DOS
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Presidential Orders

March 2019
1. March 14, 2019
  ICE considers phasing out family detention at Karnes
  
  Subject Matter: Detention
  
  Agencies: ICE ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice
2. March 5, 2019
  Report that HHS plans to ask DOD to identify military bases to house minor migrants
  
  Subject Matter: Detention
  
  Agencies: ORR DOD
  
  Status: Reported
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice

February 2019
1. February 26, 2019
  Thousands of migrant youth reported sexual abuse in U.S. immigration detention
  
  Subject Matter: Detention
  
  Agencies: CBP ORR ICE
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Data and Reports
2. February 8, 2019
  ACF requests comment on a new information collection, Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking Program Data
  
  Subject Matter: U/T/VAWA Humanitarian
  
  Agency: HHS
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection

January 2019
1. January 24, 2019
  Reports of Trump Administration unlawfully detaining and deporting unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers
  
  Subject Matter: Border Minors
  
  Agencies: ORR ICE CBP
  
  Status: Proposed In Litigation
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice

December 2018
1. December 19, 2018
  HHS rolls back fingerprint requirements for adults living with migrant children
  
  Subject Matter: Minors Interior Border
  
  Agencies: ICE ORR
  
  Status: Rescinded
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice
2. December 17, 2018
  ACF seeks approval for extension of the information collection for the Annual Survey of Refugees
  
  Subject Matter: Refugees
  
  Agency: HHS
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection

October 2018
1. October 4, 2018
  POTUS caps refugee admissions at 30,000 for Fiscal Year 2019
  
  Subject Matter: Refugees
  
  Agencies: USCIS Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Presidential Orders
2. October 4, 2018
  DHS Secretary creates panel to examine best practices for families and children in CBP custody
  
  Subject Matter: Detention Minors
  
  Agencies: CBP ORR ICE
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Data and Reports

September 2018
1. September 21, 2018
  Report that ICE arrests sponsors of unaccompanied minors
  
  Subject Matter: Interior Minors
  
  Agencies: ICE ORR
  
  Status: Reported
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice

July 2018
1. July 10, 2018
  DHS issues a four-step process for family reunification to comply with court order
  
  Subject Matter: Enforcement Hearings and Adjudications
  
  Agencies: AG ICE ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive

June 2018
1. June 26, 2018
  Notice of information collection for HHS Certification for Foreign Adult Victims of Human Trafficking
  
  Subject Matter: Humanitarian Non-Immigrant Visas
  
  Agency: HHS
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection
2. June 23, 2018
  ICE designates special facility and policies for reunification and removal of separated families
  
  Subject Matter: Detention Minors
  
  Agencies: EOIR ICE ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive
3. June 21, 2018
  CBP announces end to family separations based on border prosecutions
  - Biden administration action
  Subject Matter: Border
  
  Agencies: CBP ICE EOIR ORR DOD
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive
4. June 21, 2018
  DOD prepares to house 20,000 unaccompanied minors at military bases
  - Biden administration action
  Subject Matter: Detention Minors
  
  Agencies: ORR DOD
  
  Status: Reported
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice
5. June 20, 2018
  POTUS issues EO 13841, directing families to be detained together and seeking modification of Flores settlement.
  - Biden administration revocation
  Subject Matter: Detention Border Minors
  
  Agencies: CBP ICE ORR DOD EOIR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Presidential Orders
6. June 19, 2018
  DHS reportedly increasing its use of medical records in asylum determinations in children's cases
  
  Subject Matter: Minors Asylum, Withholding and CAT Enforcement
  
  Agencies: USCIS ICE ORR
  
  Status: Reported
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice
7. June 19, 2018
  ORR gives notice of proposed information collection to evaluate services provided to repatriates
  
  Subject Matter: Citizenship
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Proposed
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection
8. June 15, 2018
  DHS establishes hotline for separated parents to locate children
  
  Subject Matter: Border Minors
  
  Agencies: CBP ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice
9. June 12, 2018
  Reports that military posts to be used to house detained unaccompanied minors
  
  Subject Matter: Detention Border
  
  Agencies: ORR DOD CBP
  
  Status: Reported
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice

May 2018
1. May 29, 2018
  CDC proposes revisions to tuberculosis information collection from U.S. panel physicians
  
  Subject Matter: Refugees Immigrant Visas
  
  Agency: CDC
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection
2. May 15, 2018
  HHS proposes expanded background checks and information sharing for sponsors of unaccompanied children
  
  Subject Matter: Minors Interior
  
  Agencies: ORR ICE CBP DOJ
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice
3. May 11, 2018
  CDC gives notice of information collection worksheet for newly-arrived persons with tuberculosis
  
  Subject Matter: Enforcement
  
  Agency: CDC
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection

April 2018
1. April 13, 2018
  ICE checking criminal backgrounds of each adult in the household of unaccompanied minors' sponsors
  
  Subject Matter: Interior Minors Border
  
  Agencies: CBP ICE ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive
2. April 13, 2018
  DHS agrees that HHS will share information about unaccompanied children, sponsors, and household members
  
  Subject Matter: Border
  
  Agencies: ORR ICE CBP
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive Change in Practice
3. April 10, 2018
  POTUS issues EO 13828, ordering several agencies to restrict immigrant access to public assistance programs
  
  Subject Matter: Humanitarian
  
  Agencies: DOL HHS Other
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Presidential Orders
4. April 6, 2018
  POTUS issues memorandum ending "catch and release" at the border
  - Biden administration revocation
  Subject Matter: Border
  
  Agencies: CBP ICE USCIS ORR AG
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Presidential Orders

February 2018
1. February 15, 2018
  DHS issues statement condemning Flores Agreement and TVPRA as providing legal loopholes
  
  Subject Matter: Minors
  
  Agencies: DHS ORR
  
  Status: Proposed In Litigation
  
  Type of Action: Change in Practice
2. February 8, 2018
  ORR/ACF seek comments on Form ORR-6 regarding effectiveness of state benefits and social services
  
  Subject Matter: Humanitarian
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection

January 2018
1. January 26, 2018
  ORR seeks comment on a proposed new Medical Complaint Form
  
  Subject Matter: Minors
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Forms and Information Collection

September 2017
1. September 29, 2017
  POTUS caps refugee admissions at 45,000 for Fiscal Year 2018
  
  Subject Matter: Refugees
  
  Agencies: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration USCIS ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Presidential Orders

August 2017
1. August 16, 2017
  ORR announces Community Safety Initiative to review unaccompanied minor policies
  - Biden administration action
  Subject Matter: Minors Interior
  
  Agencies: ORR ICE DOJ State & Local Entities
  
  Status: Final/Actual In Litigation
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive

March 2017
1. March 6, 2017
  President issues memo implementing heightened vetting of visa applications and reporting requirements
  - Biden administration revocation
  Subject Matter: Refugees Non-Immigrant Visas
  
  Agencies: Bureau of Consular Affairs Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration ORR USCIS DHS DOJ
  
  Status: Final/Actual
  
  Type of Action: Presidential Orders
2. March 4, 2017
  Office of Refugee Resettlement requires director's approval of abortions for unaccompanied children in detention shelters
  
  Subject Matter: Detention Minors
  
  Agency: ORR
  
  Status: Final/Actual In Litigation Replaced
  
  Type of Action: Agency Directive