The Rights of North Korean Defectors to the United States under Sections 207 and 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)

Description of Issue North Korea is one of the United States’ toughest adversaries. The nation’s continuous nuclear development and human rights controversies have raised alarms for protecting global peace. Ruled by an authoritarian dictatorship, North Korea restricts both the physical and digital contact of its people with the outside world. Nevertheless, thousands of North Koreans […]

Understanding The Standoff at Eagle Pass

The Background: Mexico, Biden, and Operation Lone Star The United States has had tense relations with Mexico when it comes to border security since Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s election into the Mexican presidency. This has been due to the implementation of the “Security and Foreign Agents” law implemented in Mexico, which significantly strains U.S. operations […]

Legal Protections for Undocumented North Korean Immigrants in Los Angeles under the California Values Act [SB 54]

Description of Issue North Korea presents a severe humanitarian crisis, characterized by stringent controls over its citizens’ basic freedoms including movement, speech, health, and access to food. Domestic laws strictly forbid North Koreans from leaving their city or country without government authorization. Those found violating these laws or dissenting against the regime are often imprisoned […]

Understanding Texas Senate Bill 4

The Background: Preemption, Biden’s Border Policies and Operation Lone Star In 2012, the United States Supreme Court deliberated on four provisions from Arizona’s “Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” in the case of U.S. v. Arizona, 567 U.S. 387 (2012). In a 6-2 decision, the court found three provisions to be unconstitutional due […]

US Response to the Recent Rise in Climate Refugees

Introduction As global temperatures rise, climate change is causing millions of people to be displaced from their homes each year. This phenomenon, known as “climate refugees,” is driven by flooding, fires, natural disasters, and resource scarcity. The increasing number of climate refugees is leading to intensified migration patterns across international borders, posing economic, social, and […]

Successes and Failures of US Response to Ukrainian Refugees

Background In February of 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, a continuation of Russian expansion that began with their annexation of Crimea in 2014. The invasion was not localized—like the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula—and Ukrainians were forced to leave the country on a large scale (8.1 million fled as of March 2023) in order to escape […]

U and T Nonimmigrant Status

What is U and T Visa Status and who currently qualifies? U and T visa status are programs with the intention of aiding immigrants that are victims of certain criminal activity. U nonimmigrant status is designed to aid victims of crimes that involve mental or physical abuse who assist law enforcement and other government officials […]

The Usage of Detention Centers in the US

The United States is home to the largest immigration detention system in the world. These detention centers are used to lawfully detain 7% of the noncitizen US population. According to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, US detention facilities are intended to hold individuals who await an immigration decision or departure to their home country. […]