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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and seven other states are suing the Biden administration over an Obama-era immigration program that legally reunites some Central American children with their families in the U.S. According to the attorneys general, the Central American Minors Program “defies common sense” and rewards migrants who break the law. The program, created by former President Obama in 2014, terminated by former President Trump in 2017, and restarted by Biden in 2021, allows children from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to reunite with their parents. Texas Tribune
In other local immigration news…
Fee Increases for Nonimmigrant Visas to Go Into Effect By September
The Biden administration is proposing raising fees for almost every nonimmigrant visa. U.S. officials say the increase is important because of the cost associated with providing the visas. But critics fear the currently long visa wait times, combined with the proposed cost increases, will lead fewer students and travelers to come to the United States at a time of already low tourism and travel. Tourism, business, and study see the highest numbers of visa applications each year. The new prices are expected to go into effect in September, but the proposal is still accepting comments until Feb. 28. VOA News
