How Will the 2024 U.S. General Elections Impact Immigration and Naturalization in New York
For decades, there have been significant efforts to develop a modernized, more adaptable U.S. immigration and naturalization system. The decision on asylum applications and enough legal immigration channels to satisfy labor market demand have been hampered by a protracted political impasse.
Forced relocation and economic migration have surged globally, and the smartphone revolution has made it easier for anybody to obtain information on migration routes. Over the past 15 years, there has been a notable increase in the number of migrant interactions along the U.S. border with Mexico.
Furthermore, the fact that there are tens of thousands of migrants in American cities, roughly 120,000, gives credence to the prevalent narrative that immigration and eventual naturalization is a problem that needs to be resolved rather than a complicated phenomenon that needs to be controlled, let alone a chance to preserve economic growth and national vitality.
Trump Vs. Biden’s Actions on Immigration and Naturalization in NY
Trump implemented hundreds of policies to limit and restrict immigration, refugee resettlement, and asylum access after taking office. His administration implemented 472 executive actions that impacted the U.S. immigration policies.
During Trump’s last year in office, the yearly cap on refugee admissions was gradually lowered to 15,000. The ability of migrants to enter and stay in the United States was eroded by hundreds of other big and small policies.
President Biden acted swiftly after taking office in January 2021, reversing many of Trump’s immigration initiatives in the first few months of his administration. The new president asked for an interagency assessment on the connection between migration and climate change, removed the prohibitions on refugees from Muslim-majority nations, and halted family separations at the border (and started attempts to reunite families that had been ripped apart).
Additionally, Biden suggested a route to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants, including those who were brought to the U.S. as minors and were granted temporary legal status under President Obama.
However, the Trump campaign’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants has been one of the most concerning elements of the immigration discussion in the 2024 election. Donald Trump and his allies have made extensive use of the rhetorical device of linking illegal immigration to criminal activity throughout the campaign.
What are the Possible Impacts of the Next Election on Immigration and Naturalization in NY?
The following are the speculated impacts that the 2024 election would have on immigration and naturalization in New York:
- Employers could anticipate regulations limiting H-1B visa holders and employment-based immigration if Donald Trump wins the 2024 presidential election. They should also foresee further measures, such as prohibiting admission for foreigners and those with temporary visas from numerous nations with a majority of Muslims.
- The yearly lists of qualifying countries for H-2A and H-2B temporary worker visas may still need to be updated. Therefore, “filling critical gaps in the agricultural, construction, hospitality, and forestry sectors” would not be possible for most inhabitants.
- U.S. citizens may not be eligible for federal housing assistance if they cohabitate with someone who is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- States may be compelled to provide federal authorities access to driver’s licenses and taxpayer identification numbers or risk losing vital funds.
Hire an Immigration Attorney
If you are an undocumented or a documented immigrant in the U.S. and you are affected by the outcome of the U.S. election, there are many legal options you can explore.
Eliud Zavala, our New York immigration attorney, will provide comprehensive legal options to overcome any immigration or naturalization problem you encounter. Schedule a consultation with us to learn more about immigration law in New York City.