Politics

The national immigration debate often centers on the southern border, deportations and politics in Washington. But beyond the border, another story is unfolding in communities that have increasingly depended on newcomers to fill jobs, enroll children in schools and offset aging and declining populations.

Immigration attorneys and policy experts say a new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy memo could change that for many applicants, creating uncertainty for families, workers and employers while setting the stage for what they expect will be a significant legal battle.

Border czar Tom Homan announced on Feb. 12 that Immigration and Customs’ “Metro Surge” would soon wrap up operations, stating that DHS has arrested around 4,000 undocumented immigrants. The operation has faced nationwide criticism due to the violence it has brought to Minneapolis streets, including the deaths of two Minnesota residents at the hands of DHS agents.

“Today, we’re dismantling the Razjooyan slumlord empire,” Attorney General Brian Schwalb said in announcing the lawsuit against Ali “Sam” Razjooyan, his brother Eimon “Ray” Razjooyan, and their mother Houri Razjooyan. “D.C. has a serious housing affordability problem, and slumlords like the Razjooyans make things worse by decreasing the available housing supply and forcing tenants to live in horrific conditions.”