Jessi

So what does the new vetting that @USCISJoe said that @USCIS would be doing? The only difference between the vetting today and the vetting last week is that the USCIS can run existing fingerprints through another database at the FBI (which contains data generally duplicated in other extant databases). The USCIS routinely submits 60,000 fingerprint requests a day. The agency could literally re-fingerprint the entire pending case population in a matter of weeks. So why the months long delay delays? It’s not really about background checks; it’s about the unlawfully slowing legal immigration.

@USCISJoe @USCIS Work authorization requests are pending for months with no update no clear timeline and instruction Im talking about legal immigrants

@GovofCO Support. I came to the U.S. legally, earned my PhD, contributed to science, and paid taxes. yet I’ve lost my job due to the #USCISPause. Legal immigrants who did everything right are being left in limbo. #LiftTheHold @ChuckGrassley @JohnCornyn @SenMikeLee @SenTedCruz @HawleyMO

Hardworking and law-abiding immigrants make important contributions to our workforce, economy, and communities. Across every sector, immigrants fill in-demand jobs, start businesses, and drive economic growth and culture. Today, I met with business leaders who shared with me the importance of the immigrant workforce. They shared that when people have the opportunity to work and contribute, our entire economy is stronger. I call on Congress to take meaningful action to solve our broken immigration system, so our economy and workforce can fully benefit from the skills, culture, and hard work immigrants bring to our state.

@SenRandPaul As Iranian nationals, we fully support strong vetting. But the #USCISPause is affecting vetted, law-abiding legal immigrants, students, physicians, engineers, and researchers already contributing here. Those who followed every rule should not be left in limbo. #LiftTheHold

I am introducing a Constitutional Amendment to end Birthright Citizenship. Under current interpretations of American law, anyone born on American soil automatically becomes a U.S. citizen, regardless of whether the parent was here legally or not.  This is wrong and not at all the intent of those who wrote the 14th Amendment.  We are a country filled with immigrants, and legal immigration is valuable and should be protected. But we are also a country whose borders have been too open and our generosity exploited too often. President Trump has moved to seal our border from illegal immigrants more than any other president.   But we will have more to do. We need to make sure that only children born to legal residents of the U.S. are automatically citizens. I have supported protecting birthright citizenship from abuse since the beginning of my tenure in the Senate, when I cosponsored the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2011, and now I am proposing an amendment to protect United States citizenship in case the Supreme Court fails to address this issue correctly.

Sen @SenRandPaul We Iranian national immigrants, fully support strong national security and removing illegals, criminals and anyone tied to the IRGC regime. Targeting real threats is essential. Americans deserve security and safety in their country But the indefinite USCIS pause on vetted, law-abiding Iranian legal immigrants is not smart policy. Many are students, physicians, engineers, and researchers already contributing here. Those already screened and compliant should be cleared. America is strongest when legal talent can stay and contribute. 🇺🇸

@daniel_s_larson Thank you for speaking up. This is affecting so many of us. Legal immigrants who followed every rule are stuck under the #USCISPause for months—with work permits on hold and no clear timeline. This deserves urgent attention. #LiftTheHold

Having a workable legal immigration system with predictable norms and expectations is really important in my opinion. Right now it's full of dysfunction.

Dear Senators, Would you consider providing oversight of USCIS and DHS, particularly regarding the recent USCIS “pause,” which has been challenged in court and in some rulings found unlawful? Many LEGAL immigrants are impacted, and greater clarity and accountability would be greatly appreciated. Are there plans to review how this policy is being implemented to ensure it aligns with the law and due process? @ChuckGrassley @JohnCornyn @SenMikeLee @SenTedCruz @HawleyMO @SenThomTillis @LindseyGrahamSC @SenKatieBritt @USCISJoe @SecMullinDHS #LiftTheHold

As an Iranian PhD graduate, I fully support background checks. But the #USCISPause has left my work authorization pending for months, stopping me from working and contributing to research and innovation. This is not security, it’s lost potential. #LiftTheHold

Under @POTUS & @SecMullinDHS, @USCIS is making sure only those who meet all requirements & pose no threat to national security are granted Green Cards & citizenship. These benefits are an honor & privilege, & we’re making sure they go only to those who truly qualify.

@USCISJoe @POTUS @SecMullinDHS @USCIS We don’t oppose background checks. But the #USCISPause is blocking legal Iranian students, researchers, and professionals from working and contributing for months. This hurts innovation and the economy. #LiftTheHold

Dear @USCISJoe,
Thank you for your service and for ensuring that America remains safe. However, under the current @USCIS blanket pause, the “right” people are also being forced out of the U.S. We respectfully ask you to reconsider this policy and resume proper adjudication of applications for individuals who have followed every rule. #LiftTheHold

@karinfischer @QuinnipiacPoll Iranians have no issue with background checks. we’ve already gone through extensive screening. But the #USCISPause is keeping legal immigrants from working, researching, and contributing to the U.S. economy. This is harming people who followed every rule. #LiftTheHold

Three-quarters of Americans think international students are a “good thing” for the U.S., but views diverge widely based on political affiliation. Most Democrats and independents think its a positive, but only about half of Republicans surveyed agree in a @QuinnipiacPoll

@SenatorDurbin @RepEricSorensen @SenGaryPeters @SenMullin @ChuckGrassley @RandPaul @SenMarkey @SenBooker As a legal immigrant, I came to the U.S., earned my PhD, and followed every rule yet my case is stuck under the #USCISPause and I’ve lost my job and income. #LiftTheHold

Our students, particularly students of color, achieve greater academic success when taught by educators who reflect the communities they serve. I joined @RepEricSorensen to introduce the Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act to help recruit and retain educators who share their students’ backgrounds.

@SenJackyRosen This reflects what many of us are going through. I completed my PhD and followed every rule, yet my work authorization is still pending due to the #USCISPause and I’ve lost my job and income. #LiftTheHold

In most cases, workers with legal work permits can only apply for renewals six months before they expire – but the government can take far longer than that. The Trump Admin issued a rule getting rid of automatic extensions of work permit renewals, meaning that folks who have done everything right and played by the rules could lose their ability to work legally while they wait for the government to issue their renewals. Businesses and our economy as a whole will suffer without these workers, making prices go UP. I’m headed to the Senate floor to force a vote and reverse this unfair rule now.

@SenJackyRosen This rule change + the #USCISPause is a trap. Freezing processing for 39 countries while ending extensions forces vetted pros out of work. It’s a manufactured crisis for those playing by the rules. #LiftTheHold

Knock knock. Hi free world, If you want to know what #USCISpause means and how @USCIS tortures LEGAL immigrants by leaving them in limbo, please take the time to watch this 10-minute speech by @SenatorDurbin. No time? Watch from 5:47. youtu.be/GL6Pg0UdaS0?si…

@NedaSa_ @SenatorDurbin @JudiciaryDems @USCIS @SenGaryPeters @SecRubio @CatoInstitute @SenateGOP @SecMullinDHS @SenMullin @ChuckGrassley Many of us are legal immigrants already approved under the NIW (National Interest Waiver). We’ve been recognized for contributing to the U.S. national interest, yet we are now stuck in indefinite limbo with no transparency or timeline. This is deeply unfair. #LiftTheHold

America became a global leader by attracting the best and brightest minds from around the world. Right now, this administration has indefinitely paused most immigration processing for high-skilled applicants from 39 countries. Only because of the country where they were born! Even worse, there is no clear timeline, no transparent criteria, and no accountability for when these holds will be lifted. The human cost is real. She is a medical researcher from Iran. Does she look like “the worst of the worst”? There are thousands like her residing inside America for years and being harmed right now. Listen to what @SenatorDurbin is saying at the Senate hearing.

@ABICaction @SenMarkey Our care system is already at a breaking point, yet the #USCISPause is forcing essential care workers out of their jobs. We can’t protect the healthcare system while freezing the work permits of the very people who run it. Time to #LiftTheHold for those who followed the rules.