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A class-action lawsuit involving the U.S. government’s University of Northern New Jersey has been settled. The plaintiffs’ attorneys say the university was a fictitious entity created by the Department of Homeland Security to try to catch people committing visa fraud. Interested students contended they were unlawfully duped by the fake school, and and after litigating for more than five years, their attorneys have reached a settlement. The settlement will not take effect until the court conducts a Fairness Hearing for the 1000+ students to agree, object, and/or criticize it. KKTPLaw
In other national immigration news…
D.C. Proposes Grant Program for Undocumented High School Graduates
Washington, D.C., city council members have introduced a legislation that could make college more affordable for undocumented high school students. “DC Advancing College Hopes for Immigrants’ Education and Vocational Enrichment Scholarship” or DC ACHIEVES, is expected to assist undocumented high school graduates without access to federal financial aid and who are not eligible for state financial assistance. Students could received up to $17,000 each under the proposal. The amount is equivalent to what the student could have received from D.C.’s Tuition Assistance Grant, which undocumented students are currently ineligible for. Washington Post
Hundreds Rally to Seek Justice for Thai Grandfather’s Killing
On the anniversary of the killing of 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee, a Thai man who was assaulted in San Francisco, hundreds gathered to rally for justice for him and other Asian Americans who have faced harassment, assault, and death during the pandemic. Local rallies were organized in other U.S. cities as well, including New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The rallies honored the victims and pushed for more action to address anti-Asian discrimination in the United States. Associated Press
Mexicans in the U.S Send More Money Than Ever Back To Their Families
Mexicans in the U.S. are sending more money than ever to their families in Mexico, in spite of analysts’ previous predictions that the pandemic will lead to reduced remittances. The country’s central bank estimates remittances were as high as $51 billion in 2021, an $11 billion increase from 2020. In 2019, remittances to Mexico stood at $36 billion. The number of monetary transfers also increased to 123 million, from 108 million, with the majority coming from Mexicans in the U.S. Most Mexicans sending money home reside in California, Texas, Illinois, and New York City. The City
U.S. Border Officials Expect Up to 9,000 Arrests Per Day By Spring
U.S. border officials are preparing for a record-breaking number of arrests at the Mexico border this spring. On a daily basis, they are expecting migrant arrests to reach as many as 9,000 — a higher number than was seen last year as temperatures warmed. In the last fiscal year, the Biden administration was challenged with a never-before-seen 1.7 million arrests at the border. Officials saw an average of 6,500 arrests each day last year. Republicans are expected to wield the numbers as a political tool against their opponents as the midterm elections approach. Reuters
