This summary was featured in Documented’s Early Arrival newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox three times per week here.
Following the Russian military invasion of Ukraine last Thursday, two former top U.S. immigration officials from Miami — Emilio T. González and Leon Rodriguez — asked President Biden to extend Temporary Protection Status to eligible Ukrainians in the U.S. Migration Policy Institute estimates about 30,000 Ukrainians are on non-immigrant visas or lack legal status and would benefit from TPS, which shields recipients from deportation and offers work permits. González and Rodriguez headed Citizenship and Immigration Services under former President George W. Bush, and former President Barack Obama, respectively. “This is what TPS was created for,” González said. “This is a humanitarian act that is deserved and the law allows it. We have a moral duty to help this way.” Miami Herald
In other federal immigration news…
Poll: Majority of Likely Midterm Voters Disapprove of Biden’s Immigration Handling
More than half — 66% — of likely midterm voters surveyed in a new poll conducted by a Democratic firm that has acted as President Biden’s chief political pollster disapprove of Biden’s handling of immigration issues. The results come just days ahead of Biden’s State of the Union address, in which he is expected to highlight his priorities and mark what his administration has achieved in its first year. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has also posed another challenge as people continue to criticize the administration for being “overly cautious” and “tiptoeing” around immigration issues. The survey of 802 likely 2022 voters was conducted from Feb. 10 to 17 by Impact Research, and 71% of respondents said immigration reform should be a top priority for the White House and Congress. NBC News
