@David_J_Bier (Twitter)

In addition to all of the fees for DACA, the bill imposes what it calls a “security fee” (i.e. a penalty)-which would essentially double the cost of the application. According to @MigrationPolicy, cost is the number 1 barrier to Dreamers getting DACA

Start here. P. 1235 makes it much more difficult for Dreamers to prove eligibility. As USCIS says, the “clear & convincing” standard is now rarely used and for applicants who the government has reasons to be suspicious of (eg a prior fraudulent marriage). This is a BIG change

PSA: Trump reportedly offered to extend DACA for 3 years. But that is NOT what McConnell’s bill does. It replaces DACA with an entirely new program that is far more restrictive than DACA, excluding Dreamers who would be, or are already, eligible for or even in DACA now

Wrote up the key points of this thread here:

Oh, and of course the fact that DHS cannot accept applications for this new status other than during a 6-month period is a huge change

But we’re not done. The bill would permanently end TPS as it exists now by making only lawfully present aliens eligible for TPS going forward, gutting the main beneficiaries of the program. So guts it for current & future TPS recipients

This provision prevents TPS recipients who legally travel abroad and return legally from being able to adjust status (mainly through marriage to a U.S. citizen) to legal permanent residence. I love the nativist doublespeak here (“admission is not an admission”)

I just want to revisit this provision in that applicants would need to prove by “clear and convincing evidence” that work authorization would not be “contrary to the national interest”. OK, try that under this admin

This would impose a new $500 fee, on top of existing fees, to pay for the Trump wall. This would more than double the cost of renewing TPS & TPS work authorization. For people with TPS who don’t need work authorization. It’s an entirely new $500 cost

This provision is totally unprecedented in the history of immigration law, requiring TPS recipients to pay back legally obtained tax credits. This would punish many, especially those with children.