A New Pathway Forward for the United States

Why Building Working Legal Pathways is the Best Policy and Politics Approach to Forced Migration — And Upholds the Best of America’s Promise

In the ongoing debates over how the U.S. should seize the opportunities and meet challenges around migration, a massive component missing from this conversation is the critical need to build legal pathways — even though it's the key to creating a truly functional system.

The Biden administration, having stopped exercising its use of the pandemic-era Title 42 authority, has recently taken critical steps to build legal pathways that actually work and are already helped reduce pressure at the U.S.-Mexico border. It should continue building on those successes by providing individuals and families options for a legal and orderly channels for migration, which we know they will consistently use over crossing without authorization.

On the other hand, the Biden administration’s recent asylum transit ban is a terrible mistake, as is the false assumption that expanded legal migration pathways need to be paired with additional hardline deterrence-first policies. We should not preemptively disqualify countless people from their right to seek asylum on U.S. soil.

America is at its best when we welcome those in need of protection, as well as those who want to work, study, or be reunited with their families in the United States.

Policy Brief: Immigration Parole

Immigration parole is a long-standing legal authority that provides the U.S. government with discretion and flexibility to admit individuals into the U.S., temporarily and on a case-by-case basis, for “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.”

Parole has proven to be a critical tool in managing increases in the number of people arriving at the southern border. The Biden Administration should continue to expand its use of parole to provide humanitarian relief.

Issue Center

Your Deep Dive: Legal Avenues for Immigration

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on the Biden Administration’s Asylum Transit Ban

WASHINGTON, DC - FWD.us President Todd Schulte released the following statement today after the Biden administration announced their plans for the implementation of the asylum transit ban: “As we have…

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  • Policy & Reports
  • Immigration

Inflation and Immigration

  • Blog
  • Immigration

Green card recapture and reform would reduce immigration backlogs

The American Competitive Advantage

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  • Blog
  • Legal Avenues

Children of immigrants in green card backlogs face uncertain futures in the U.S.

  • Blog
  • Legal Avenues

What is the Diversity Visa Program? 5 Things to Know

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us on District Court’s Decision to Preserve the President’s Parole Policy for…

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  • Policy & Reports
  • Immigration

Modernizing Schedule A for Critical and Emerging Industries

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

NEW FWD.us Survey Shows CHNV Parole Policy is a Model for New…

  • Policy & Reports
  • Immigration

Parole policy for Americas effectively manages migration

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  • Immigration

Immigration Parole is Reducing Labor Shortages

  • Policy & Reports
  • Immigration

Immigration Parole is Reducing Labor Shortages

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

Latest on Immigration Negotiations: Two Demands Designed to Spur Chaos at the…

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  • Immigration

Per-Country Cap Reform - Priority Bill Spotlight

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

NEW FWD.us Data Analysis: Temporary Protected Status Can Help Reduce Irregular Migration…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Calls on Policymakers to Focus on Proven Solutions to Relieve Pressure…

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  • Legal Avenues

FWD.us Calls on Policymakers to Focus on Proven Solutions to Relieve Pressure…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Publishes New Policy Recommendations for the Biden Administration to Reduce Pressure…

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  • Immigration

Three- and Ten-Year Bars | Policy Brief

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  • Pathway

American Families United Act | Priority Bill Spotlight

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  • Immigration

Responding to the Increase of Asylum Seekers and Vulnerable Migrants in New York City & U.S. Cities

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  • Immigration

58 Leading Immigrant and Human Rights Organizations Launch New Call for Congress…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us on Federal Court Ruling Against Biden Admin’s Asylum Ban

An American flag flies on the back of a boat as the sun sets behind the Statue of Liberty on September 18, 2022, in New York City
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The Biden Administration’s Asylum and Transit Ban

  • Stories
  • Immigration

Amanda's Story

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  • Immigration

Marisa's Story

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  • Immigration

Marisa's Story

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

NEW FWD.us Analysis: To lower inflation, America needs more immigration to alleviate…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Biden Administration’s Announcement to Improve Legal Migration Pathways for…

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  • Immigration

The U.S. Needs More Immigrants with STEM Skills

Pedestrians cross a street in Queens, New York on March 23, 2021. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
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  • Immigration

New York needs pro-immigrant policies to bolster its economy

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  • Immigration

Retaining International Student Graduates: 5 Policy Proposals for Congress

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  • Legal Avenues

Family-based immigration backlogs: 5 Things to Know

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  • Legal Avenues

H-4 EAD is smart policy that should be preserved

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  • Immigration

Expanding Future Immigration – 7 Proposals for Congress

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  • Immigration

5 Things to Know About OPT (Optional Practical Training)

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  • Immigration

International Students & Graduates in the U.S.

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  • Immigration

5 Things to Know About Immigrants in the Military

Close up view of Permanent resident card (Green) card of USA on blurred background.
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  • Immigration

Legislation to Reduce Green Card Backlogs Gaining Support in Congress

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  • Immigration

Immigrant Farmworkers and America’s Food Production – 5 Things to Know

A husband and wife, temporary visa holders stuck in green card backlogs, smile together
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  • Immigration

Jumpstart Act: Priority Bill Spotlight

A photo of an H-4 visa holder with her husband and son.
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  • Immigration

H-4 Work Authorization Act: Priority Bill Spotlight

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

Proposed Asylum Rule is an Important Step and the Biden Administration Must…

  • Policy & Reports
  • Immigration

Retaining U.S. International Student Graduates Could Help the U.S. Win the Global Talent Race

  • News
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on the Biden Administration Restarting “Remain in Mexico”

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Latest CAM Program Expansion

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  • Immigration

New Data: Some 10.6 Million U.S. Citizens Live With An Undocumented Immigrant

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on U.S. Supreme Court’s Failure to Issue an Emergency Stay…

  • Policy & Reports
  • Immigration

Pushing Back Protection: How Offshoring and Externalization Imperil the Right to Asylum

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Introduction of the LIKE Act of 2021

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  • Immigration

Diversity Visas Lost to Travel Bans: Priority Bill Spotlight

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

Representative Adriano Espaillat Joins Immigrant Heritage Month Virtual Roundtable with FWD.us, Community…

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  • Legal Avenues

How are immigration and GDP growth connected?

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  • Legal Avenues

Improving Opportunities for New Americans Act

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  • Immigration

ICYMI: Hearing Underscores Urgent Need to Protect Immigrant Veterans and Military Families

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Latest MPP Expansion Eligibility

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  • Immigration

ICYMI: 151 Higher Education Institutions & 60 Major Businesses File Amicus Briefs…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Launches New Video Outlining How To Build a Working, Humane Approach…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement: Introduction of the EAGLE Act of 2021

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  • Immigration

ICYMI: Secretaries Buttigieg and Walsh Highlight Need for Immigration Reform for Economic…

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  • Immigration

International student enrollments have dropped and long term trends are worrying

  • Policy & Reports
  • Immigration

Protecting Optional Practical Training is in our national interest

  • News
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee Hearing on Granting Citizenship to…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement: Biden Administration to Implement International Entrepreneur Rule (IER)

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  • Immigration

Reducing immigration means a smaller, poorer, and weaker America

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on the Family Reunification Task Force

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

ICYMI: TIME Piece on Why Increasing Legal Immigration Avenues Is Good for…

  • Reports
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Increasing Future Immigration Grows the U.S.’ Competitive Advantage

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

NEW REPORT: Increasing Immigration is Vital to the U.S.’ Continued Global Economic…

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  • Immigration

Congressman Soto Joins FWD.us To Discuss Immigrant Essential Workers, Urges Senate To…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement: Latest Developments on Restoring Asylum & Refugee Protections Must Be…

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

ICYMI: Leading Economists Urge Pathway to Citizenship

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement: Biden Roadmap to Unify Families, Restore Asylum & Refugee Protections,…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement: Department of Homeland Security Formally Withdraws Trump-era H-4 Work Authorization…

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FWD.us Statement: President Trump’s border visit ‘a dark bookend for a desperate…

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  • Immigration

NEW ESSAY: Economic Recovery from COVID-19 Depends on a Pathway to Citizenship…

trump immigration agenda
  • Press Release
  • Immigration

ICYMI: New Stories — Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Agenda Backfires in Critical States

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

ICYMI: Family Separation Defines Trump’s Presidency in the Final Days Before the…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us, U.S. Business Community File Amicus Brief in Support of Skilled Visa…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on the House Judiciary Committee’s Report on Family Separation

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  • Press Release
  • Immigration

NEW REPORT: Deeper Into Darkness or a Chance for True Progress: The…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Remarks on Immigration in Tonight’s Presidential Debate

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  • Immigration

5 Immigration Questions That Deserve to be Answered in Tonight’s Town Hall…

trump immigration agenda
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  • Immigration

NEW REPORT: Restricting Immigration

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New DHS and DOL H-1B Policies a “Rushed Attempt” to Further Restrict…

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  • Immigration

Five Ways Trump’s Immigration Policies Have Harmed Utah’s Families

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  • Immigration

NEW REPORT: The Trump Administration’s Separation of Families

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  • Legal Avenues

FWD.us Statement on House Resolution 1153 Condemning Abuse of Women at Irwin…

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Trump Administration Efforts to Dismantle the Refugee Admissions System

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

NEW REPORT: Dismantling DACA & Terminating TPS: A Moral and Economic Disaster…

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  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Trump Administration’s Proposal to Restrict International Student Visas and…

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  • Immigration

High Skilled Immigration – 5 Things to Know

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

Leading U.S. Businesses to File Amicus Brief in Support of Protecting Legal…

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on New Executive Order Slashing Legal Immigration

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  • Immigration

ICYMI: Foreign-born health care workers should be allowed to join the fight…

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  • Legal Avenues

FWD.us Statement on Efforts to Cut Legal Immigration Further

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

ICYMI: Sens. Durbin, Perdue, Young, Coons to Introduce Bipartisan Bill Addressing Shortage…

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  • Coronavirus

President Trump’s immigration ban won’t help fight coronavirus, but it will hurt…

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  • Coronavirus

Foreign-born doctors should be allowed to join the fight against COVID-19

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Executive Order Drastically Cutting Legal Immigration

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Ninth Circuit Decision on the Trump Administration’s Asylum Ban…

  • Policy & Reports
  • Immigration

Congress should restore equal access to citizenship for children of Americans serving…

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Trump Administration Expanded Travel Ban

  • Press Release
  • Texas

ICYMI: Attorneys and Community Members Across the Country Pushing Back on Trump…

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement: ‘Public Charge’ Is a Backdoor Effort to Cut Legal Immigration

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

ICYMI: NY Times Uncovers Audio of Family Being Kidnapped After They Were…

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Farm Workforce Modernization Act

  • Policy & Reports
  • Immigration

Read the Amicus Brief: Optional Practice Training (OPT)

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  • Immigration

FWD.us, U.S. Business Community File Amicus Brief in Support of Optional Practical…

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

ICYMI: Judge Blocks Trump’s Plan to Bar Immigrants Who Can’t Pay For…

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Trump Administration’s Latest Attempt to Drastically Slash Legal Immigration…

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Trump Administration’s Continual Efforts to Gut the Refugee and…

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Trump Administration Efforts to Allow for Indefinite Jailing of…

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Passage of the “Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act”

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on the Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act

  • Policy & Reports
  • Immigration

RAISE Act’s false promise of increased wages rooted in a flawed “fixed-pie”…

  • Stories
  • Immigration

Wojciech

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

New Report: U.S.’ Outdated High-skilled Immigration System Needs Overhaul

  • Policy & Reports
  • Immigration

Barriers to recruiting and retaining global talent in the U.S.

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Final Rule Implementing Two Major Changes to the H-1B…

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

Proposed Changes to H-1B Visa Selection Process

  • Brief
  • Immigration

Birthright Citizenship: 5 Things to Know

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

New Tool to Submit Public Charge Comments

  • News
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Trump Administration’s Proposed Changes to Public Charge Policy

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

ICYMI: Editorial Boards Criticize Trump Administration’s Immigration Policies

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

House Appropriations Committee Approves FY2019 DHS Appropriations Bill

  • Stories
  • Legal Avenues

Jing Ran

  • Stories
  • Legal Avenues

Martin Wallner

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on the Defeat of H.R. 4760

  • Stories
  • Immigration

Alejandra

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on DHS’ Proposed Rescission of the International Entrepreneur Rule

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

ICYMI: 130 Bipartisan Legislators Urge DHS to Protect H-4 Work Authorization

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

New report shows anti-immigrant rhetoric, policies are hurting U.S. fashion industry

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

FWD.us, CFDA Release Updated Fashion Report; Call for Critical Immigration Policy Reforms to Create Jobs and Drive Innovation

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

Report Examines Economic Consequences of Attacks to Legal Immigration

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

NEW NBC POLL: 69 Percent of Southerners Favor Legalization For Undocumented Immigrants

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

H-1B Visa Petition Period Closes Within Just Five Days for Sixth Consecutive Year

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on Opening of H-1B Filing Window

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on the Delay of H-4 Rescission Rule

  • Press Release
  • Immigration

ICYMI – Cuts to legal immigration unpopular among Republican senators

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on the White House Immigration Proposal

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on International Entrepreneur Rule Court Decision

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

Statement from FWD.us President Todd Schulte on the RAISE Act

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on the DHS’s Intent to Rescind the International Entrepreneur Rule

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

‘‘State Sponsored Visa Pilot Program Act of 2017’’ is thoughtful conservative approach

  • Press Statement
  • Immigration

FWD.us Statement on DC District Court’s Ruling on STEM and OPT Training

Champions of Reform

Advocates Pushing For Commonsense Reform

A broad majority of Americans support smart immigration reform.