White House Releases Fact Sheet Announcing Additional Actions and Guidance on Affirmative Relief

The White House released additional details related to its June 18, 2024, announcements on a new process to help U.S. citizens with noncitizen spouses and children, as well as additional announcements for DACA recipients, and more.

Details include:

• The President announced that beginning August 19, 2024, eligible spouses and children will be able to apply for this process to obtain legal status while remaining with their families.
• The Department of State has updated its public guidance – making it clear that it is in the public interest that individuals who graduated from a U.S. institution of higher education and are seeking a work visa are able to put their degree to use in the United States, and that these factors should be considered favorably when recommending waivers in the visa application process.
• Administration is also announcing that the Department of Education is issuing a proposed rule to expand the federal TRIO program to ensure Dreamers and others can enroll.
• Department of Justice Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) is doubling the number of locations for their “Attorney of the Day” program, which makes volunteer lawyers available in immigration courtrooms to provide assistance to those who do not have representation at their initial immigration court hearings. The Department will expand this program to include immigration courts in Hyattsville, Maryland; New York City; and Atlanta in addition to the three current locations: San Francisco, New Orleans, and Chicago. The Department is also increasing free and low-cost legal representation by increasing participation of law students in clinical programs and expanding training opportunities such as its mock trial program.
• The Justice Department is creating a new leadership position focused on improving access to the immigration system and finding innovative ways to increase representation rates for noncitizens in immigration court.
• The Administration is announcing a call to action for members of the legal community, including law firms, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders to make commitments of pro bono support for those who are unrepresented in immigration proceedings. In response, the American Bar Association will leverage its existing resources to help and encourage more lawyers to provide pro bono support to unrepresented noncitizens in immigration proceedings. The Administration welcomes additional commitments from interested stakeholders to build upon these efforts.