August 5, 2019 Announcing essay and video contest Calling all high school students! Our annual essay contest is now open, and we have an exciting change to announce. In addition to essays, we are now accepting short (2-3 minute) videos as well. Prizes of $750 will be awarded for the top essay and the top video. Students are…
July 2, 2019 Restoring Pell Grants to incarcerated students In 1994, Congress passed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, also known as the crime bill, in an attempt to be tough on crime. The bill included an amendment to ban Pell Grants for incarcerated students. As a result the number of education programs within…
June 19, 2019 Read in Spanish Please enjoy this abbreviated version of the MCC Immigration Update. The full update will return in July. Dreamer and TPS bill passes House On June 4, The American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6) was approved by the House (see how your representative voted). The bill would provide a path to…
In April Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), visited the United States. Controversy and protests around his victory in the long-delayed presidential election linger on, even as the transition and transfer of power has been described as the most peaceful since DR Congo’s independence. In Washington Tshisekedi met with Secretary…
Dreamer and TPS bills pass House committee Read in Spanish On May 22, the Dream Act and the American Promise Act were approved by the House Judiciary Committee (see how members voted: H.R. 2820, H.R. 2821). The first bill would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children while the second bill…
For many people who follow the political developments between the United States and North Korea, the disappointment after the Hanoi summit was palpable. Rumors had been circulating of a potential agreement that would bring an official end to the Korean War and potentially open liaison offices, generally a precursor to future embassies. As news leaked…
Read in Spanish Number of families seeking asylum on the rise The number of families and individuals seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border has continued to rise, stretching the capacity of border officials and nonprofits in the region. MCC signed on to a statement raising concerns with White House plans to cut foreign assistance to Central America, arguing that such an…
