U.S. Department of State

"Advance freedom for the benefit of the American people and the international community by helping to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world composed of well-governed states that respond to the needs of their people, reduce widespread poverty, and act responsibly within the international system."

- United States Department of State Mission Statement

"The two units within the State Department that deal with migration management are the Bureau of Consular Affairs and its considerably smaller cousin, the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. Both are headed by Assistant Secretaries."

- David North, CIS Fellow

Visa Waiver Program

Bureau of Consular Affairs

Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

Refugees and Asylum

Content type

Publication Type

Author

BIA Decision Highlights Difficulty in Identifying Asylum Fraud

The 'wanted' flier from the 'Nageia Police Authority'; Nobody wants to be a sucker.

Topics: Immigration Courts, Asylum

SCOTUS Vacates Ninth Circuit Injunction Mandating Bond Hearings in Credible Fear Cases

An inevitable result, but plenty of bond questions are outstanding — how will Biden handle those?

Topics: Supreme Court Decisions on Immigration Policy, Asylum

Quick Overview of the New Asylum Final Rule

How long the regulatory changes last remains to be seen

Topics: Asylum

DHS, DOJ Issue Final Regulations to Ensure Uniformity in Asylum

A sober response to more than 87,000 comments — but uniformity likely won't last

Topics: Asylum

A Look at the FY 2021 Report to Congress on Refugees

Good information, but likely to change under a Biden administration

Topics: Refugees

BIA Decision Demonstrates Weaknesses in Removal Process

Of frivolous asylum applications and recalcitrant countries: Does China own the State Department?

Topics: Asylum

AG: No Coercion or Duress Exception for the Asylum and Withholding Bars for Persecutors

A long, tightly packed decision given the succinct holdings, that is 40 years overdue

Topics: Asylum

BIA Weighs in on Expert Testimony in Immigration Court

The interesting case of the Mexican national who fears harm from Iran — in Mexico

Topics: Immigration Courts, Asylum

One Last Point on In Absentia and Alien Fugitives

It isn't whether you will come to court, it's whether you will leave at the end — and nearly 600,000 haven't

Topics: Immigration Courts, Asylum

Why Aren't Refugees Being Tested for Covid-19?

President Trump has the authority to add it to the list of 'quarantinable diseases' to mandate testing prior to resettlement

Topics: Covid-19 and Immigration, Refugees