Immigration Rules & Rulings

The U.S. will require immigrants to return to their home country before applying for a green card “except in extraordinary circumstances.” 

Friday’s announcement ends a half-century-old provision allowing visa holders (like students or temporary workers) to remain in the U.S. while applying for permanent residency. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it’s “returning to the original intent of the law,” while critics argue the longstanding policy allowed families to stay together during the lengthy application process.

Another Friday announcement: criminal charges have been dismissed against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported from Maryland to an El Salvador prison last year. The federal judge said the Trump admin’s human smuggling case against him was a “vindictive” effort to punish Abrego Garcia for challenging his deportation. 

Abrego Garcia celebrated “justice,” while the DOJ vowed to appeal.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
While you probably play a small role in affecting U.S. immigration policy, you play a much more significant role in Christ's mission to demonstrate his love to the world. As you seek justice, remember compassion for your neighbors—whether immigrants, longtime citizens, criminals, legislators, or people who passionately disagree with you on immigration policy.

“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” 
1 John 4:19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)