In the President's budget, submitted in February, are several immigration-related initiatives that build on those begun in recent years. Some were proposed last year, but were rejected. Non-profit community organizations have been eligible for grants under this program, as well as state educational agencies, institutions of higher learning, and local educational agencies. The INS will use this money to fund infrastructure improvements, system upgrades, and to reduce the various backlogs in immigration services. Up to now, new infrastructure and system upgrades have been paid for out of the EFA, which has been unable to pay for both the upgrades and the adjudications of ever-increasing applications for immigration benefits.
All proposals require separate legislation.
The Administration again proposes to restore public safety net benefits eliminated by the 1996 welfare reform law. Congress has had hearings on many aspects of the budget, but it is too early to guess the fate of any of these proposals. This year, Congress anticipates adjourning in early October.