WASHINGTON (RTWNews) — In a bid to support faith-based communities amidst stringent immigration regulations, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has instituted a new policy that streamlines the visa process for foreign religious workers. This change enables many of the clergy who provide crucial services to American congregations to maintain their roles without significant interruptions.
DHS unveiled the regulatory adjustment on Wednesday, targeting the lengthy visa backlogs that have plagued many religious leaders seeking permanent residency in the U.S. Traditionally, foreign nationals serving as pastors, priests, nuns, imams, and rabbis could face years-long waits for green cards. Recent changes by the government lengthened these waits, forcing many religious workers to leave the country once their five-year R-1 visa expired.
With the latest updates, while these religious workers will still be required to exit the U.S., they can now apply to return immediately, rather than having to sit out a year. We are taking the necessary steps to ensure religious organizations can continue delivering the services that Americans depend on, the DHS statement noted.
The modification has been welcomed as critical by immigration lawyers and religious leaders alike. Maryland immigration attorney Lance Conklin stated, It’s a huge deal, as it alleviates the significant burden of having to replace a religious leader during their absence.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops underscored the importance of this change, labeling it a monumental step in preserving essential religious services across the nation. A joint statement from Archbishop Paul Coakley and Bishop Brendan Cahill expressed gratitude towards the administration for addressing these urgent concerns.
Concerns about the impact of prolonged visa processing times were exacerbated earlier this year when the State Department shifted certain immigrant minors into the same green card queue as clergy members, creating backlogs. In response, organizations such as the Catholic Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, have taken legal action challenging policies that threaten the livelihoods of religious workers.
This new DHS rule arrives as advocacy continues for legislative reform, with a bipartisan bill introduced earlier in Congress aimed at extending visa durations as long as green card applications are pending. The ongoing efforts highlight the intricate balance between immigration policy and religious freedom in the United States.
DHS unveiled the regulatory adjustment on Wednesday, targeting the lengthy visa backlogs that have plagued many religious leaders seeking permanent residency in the U.S. Traditionally, foreign nationals serving as pastors, priests, nuns, imams, and rabbis could face years-long waits for green cards. Recent changes by the government lengthened these waits, forcing many religious workers to leave the country once their five-year R-1 visa expired.
With the latest updates, while these religious workers will still be required to exit the U.S., they can now apply to return immediately, rather than having to sit out a year. We are taking the necessary steps to ensure religious organizations can continue delivering the services that Americans depend on, the DHS statement noted.
The modification has been welcomed as critical by immigration lawyers and religious leaders alike. Maryland immigration attorney Lance Conklin stated, It’s a huge deal, as it alleviates the significant burden of having to replace a religious leader during their absence.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops underscored the importance of this change, labeling it a monumental step in preserving essential religious services across the nation. A joint statement from Archbishop Paul Coakley and Bishop Brendan Cahill expressed gratitude towards the administration for addressing these urgent concerns.
Concerns about the impact of prolonged visa processing times were exacerbated earlier this year when the State Department shifted certain immigrant minors into the same green card queue as clergy members, creating backlogs. In response, organizations such as the Catholic Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, have taken legal action challenging policies that threaten the livelihoods of religious workers.
This new DHS rule arrives as advocacy continues for legislative reform, with a bipartisan bill introduced earlier in Congress aimed at extending visa durations as long as green card applications are pending. The ongoing efforts highlight the intricate balance between immigration policy and religious freedom in the United States.
