The Double-Edged Sword...Trump's Immigration Proposal

Finally, the curtains are being drawn on the most contentious issue in the United States since Trump happened…Immigration. No one can claim to be alien to the tiff going on between Trump and the Democrats with regards to immigration. This might be the dawn of a new era for intending immigrants, dreamers, eligible family based immigrants, intending diversity visa lottery applicants, undocumented immigrants, as Trump unveils his policy.

There are many back wash effects of Trump's recent immigration proposal. Firstly, it might provide a path to citizenship for 1.8 million dreamers in the US illegally. Yay, this sounds good for all DACA activists and those eligible for DACA!

But, in exchange, he is asking for $25 billion dollars in funding for a border wall and security; an expansion of federal immigration authorities and promotion of indefinite detention of immigrants awaiting deportation.

The policy intends to put an end to extended family chain migration and restrict new family based immigration to spouses and minor children. In other words, it will do away with provisions allowing parents, adult siblings and others to gain immigration status through a petition filed by the extended family member.

Concisely, a US citizen / Green card holder can only file for their minor children (under 21) and spouses. They can no longer file for their parents, brothers, sisters, adult children, unmarried children 21 years and above, married children etc. Sources said it would only end new applications for family based visas, allowing those already in the pipeline to be processed.

This would have a serious ripple effect on the issue of birthright citizenship since U.S citizen children born to unauthorized immigrants facilitate more immigration by family members.

Lastly, the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the green card lottery, will be terminated. WOW! WOW! WOW! Very well thought out plan, Mr. Trump. And by the way, Trump wants the Senate to draft and introduce this legislation by Feb 5th, 2018.

Is this a campaign to "make America white again"? Is this sweeping cut likely to be accepted? Can this proposal see the light of day? What is the fate of families trying to reunite? So many questions on the lips of many. The story is just beginning.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nnenna Jones is the founder of Mijae Document Preparation Services and 8 to 8 Notary and More. She is a foreign licensed attorney, accredited to practice US immigration law and a paralegal. Asides working part-time in the areas of immigration and family law, she loves writing to educate the immigrant community on the latest news on US immigration and tips to assist them. She is an avid lover of Jesus Christ and loves making memories with her toddler son.

Connect with Nnenna on linkedin.