This month, the White House is celebrating the contributions of diverse immigrant communities. Last week, President Obama reiterated his support for comprehensive immigration reform, including the DREAM Act, at the White House's annual Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Here's an excerpt of the President's Cinco de Mayo remarks:
We're going to keep fighting for this common-sense reform — not just because hundreds of thousands of talented young students depend on it, but because ultimately America depends on it. "No" is not an option. I want to sign the DREAM Act into law. I've got the pens all ready. I'm willing to work with anybody who is serious to get this done, and to achieve bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform that solves this challenge once and for all.
It's worth remembering; America is and always will be a nation of immigrants. We are richer because of the men and women and children who have come to our shores and joined our union.
To hear the President's full remarks, click here.
Throughout the entire month of May, the Administration will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) Heritage month. In this year's Presidential Proclamation on AAPI Heritage Month, the President reminded us that "generations of AAPIs have helped make America what it is today." In this Immigration Action Update, you will read a blog about the important work being done by Harry Leong, an AAPI leader who returned to the White House last month for an event with President Obama celebrating a year of the Champions of Change program, which recognizes ordinary Americans from across the country who are doing extraordinary work in their communities.
During the program's first year, the White House hosted a roundtable with leaders working to integrate immigrants into their new communities. One of those leaders, Patience Lehrman, also returned for the anniversary celebration. To read more, click here.
In this edition of your Immigration Action Update, you'll also find important agency updates, including the Department of State's new Interim Final Rule on the Summer Work Travel/J-1 visa program, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announcement re-designating Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS ), a new policy memo on transgender immigration benefits, H-1B visa cap issues, Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) new language access plan, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) new relief for certain F-1 Syrian students.
Additional Blog Highlights include information on the next steps USCIS is taking on its Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) Initiative.
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