African Communities Together

Changes to Entry Period for 2027 Diversity Visa (DV) Program

2027 Diversity Visa (DV) Program: State Department announced upcoming changes to the Diversity Visa (DV) Program entry process for the DV-2027 cycle. The exact registration start date has not yet been released.

Read More: travel.state.gov/content/trav...

2B/ Bonus: consider the 2040 asks from @gra-alexandria.bsky.social & @africansus.bsky.social:

Add inspectors to publicly report on landlord compliance with legal & voluntary guidelines.

Stronger voluntary guidelines re: transparency, penalties & fees, maintenance, & tenants' right to organize

Trump officials crafting rule to prevent asylum-seekers from getting work permits The Trump administration is considering a regulation that would prevent most asylum-seekers from getting work permits.

The Trump administration is considering a rule that would prevent most asylum-seekers from receiving work permits. Advocates warn this could harm migrants’ livelihoods and push them into the underground economy, while asylum seekers continue to contribute to U.S. communities.

Thank you for sharing✊🏿

The Diversity Visa lottery now requires a $1 registration fee. While it seems small in the U.S., it poses a real barrier for applicants abroad where a dollar carries far greater weight. This Trump-era rule is designed to limit access to the program.

Even at 1%, new tax will burden African immigrants who send money back home Diaspora Africans in the U.S. fear the tax will make it harder to send funds for babies, food and health care back home.

A new 1% U.S. remittance tax will take effect next year, impacting African immigrant families who send money home. Experts warn it could strain households, limit financial inclusion, and push remittances into informal channels. These funds are lifelines for millions across Africa.

Reps. @repyvetteclarke.bsky.social and @ritchietorres.bsky.social introduced a resolution to establish September as National African Immigrant Heritage Month. This historic step uplifts the vital role of African immigrants in the U.S. Read more and see a statement from ACT’s Nils Kinuani.

DHS just gave USCIS new law enforcement powers: investigate fraud, carry guns, make arrests, and start deportations. Starting Oct 2025, USCIS will act more like ICE - shifting from a service agency to an enforcement one.

We hosted a panel on private equity’s role in the housing crisis. Thank you to Bad Company author @greenwell.bsky.social and tenant organizers for joining us to discuss how private equity drives rising rents and housing instability. What changes do you think are most needed to protect tenants?

Reminder: the @greenwell.bsky.social + @africansus.bsky.social talk on private equity & housing in Alx is tonight at 6:30

I can’t make it unfortunately. I wouldn’t hate it if someone went and posted updates 👀

secure.everyaction.com/OLGb8WNf4E6o...

Thank you for sharing - excited to you all at our event!

NYC to shut down migrant shelter at the Row, last hotel used to house asylum seekers The hotel became a symbol of the city's growing migrant crisis three years ago.

NYC’s last hotel housing homeless migrants, the Row NYC, will close soon. Since 2022, the city opened hundreds of emergency shelters, but closures continue while thousands still rely on the right-to-shelter law. What happens next for these families?

We’re taking the Trump-Vance administration to court. ACT has joined a federal class-action lawsuit with @nyclu.org and The Door, to stop ICE from targeting immigrants in courthouses, which is a direct attack on due process.

Trump officials crafting rule to prevent asylum-seekers from getting work permits The Trump administration is considering a regulation that would prevent most asylum-seekers from getting work permits.

The Trump admin is quietly considering a rule to block most asylum-seekers from getting work permits, reversing decades of policy. It won’t fix backlogs. It will just force people into poverty while they wait. Cruel by design, and deeply destabilizing.

Read more: www.cbsnews.com/news/asylum-...

City Tests New Shelter Rules Advocates Warn Will Lead to More Street Homelessness The plan would allow the removal of people who don’t have an active public assistance case, reject a housing offer or break shelter rules.

Mayor Adams’ Dept. of Homeless Services is piloting new rules that could eject shelter residents for missing benefits appointments or refusing housing. This isn’t “accountability,” it's a policy designed to increase street homelessness. ACT strongly opposes it.

📢 Big news in New York’s fight for housing justice:

After more than a year of legal hurdles, the NY State Appellate Court has affirmed what many housing advocates already knew: the NYC Council does have the authority to expand CityFHEPS!

Read our statement here: africans.us/city-fheps-v...

Virginia Has Become a Hotbed for Immigration Arrests

ICE arrests in Virginia have jumped 350% since 2024, more than any other state. Backed by Governor Youngkin, ICE is targeting people at traffic stops, courthouses, and shelters. Virginia is being used to test aggressive tactics that could spread nationwide.

Read More www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/u...

Thank you for your solidarity. It was a pleasure hearing your impactful words this morning. @galeabrewer.bsky.social

CASA Sues Trump Administration to Safeguard Afghans and Cameroonians Fleeing Violence – We Are Casa

The Trump administration is stripping protections from Afghan & Cameroonian TPS holders—a racist attack on Black and brown communities who fled violence, only to face deportation. It's a critical humanitarian program now under attack. Learn why defending TPS matters: bit.ly/3HL1D3f

African Communities Together condemns the Trump travel ban targeting 19 mostly African and Muslim nations. This cruel policy blocks families, students, and refugees—undermining safety and unity. It’s not about security. It’s about exclusion. We say: No Ban Ever.

EXCLUSIVE: 252 Groups Urge Senate to Reject Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” Coalition letter slams “unaccountable” $150B deportation funding in House-passed budget proposal

We've joined 250+ orgs urging the Senate to reject H.R.1., also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This bill is far from beautiful–it funnels over $150B into detention and deportation while slashing aid for immigrants. It’s an attack on our rights, safety, and values. We demand a NO vote.

Judge Finds U.S. Violated Court Order With Sudden Deportation Flight to Africa

DHS deported 8 immigrants without giving notice to their legal teams and violating a federal court order. Lawyers were told the men were being sent to South Sudan, but the flight had landed in Djibouti. We oppose this reckless and unjust action that puts lives at risk and ignores basic due process.

White South Africans arrive in US under Trump refugee plan Donald Trump says they are victims of "racial discrimination", which is strongly denied by South Africa.

There is no other way to say it.

Granting white South Africans refuge at the same time that you are indiscriminately gutting all immigration programs benefiting Black and Brown people, including the refugee resettlement program, is racist.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

“This limited extension of TPS for South Sudanese individuals creates uncertainty for our community members and leaves them in a precarious situation. We believe our South Sudanese brothers and sisters deserve the full protection offered by TPS,” said Nils Kinuani, Federal Policy Manager at ACT

We’re thrilled to welcome Maimouna Dieye as our new NY Chapter Director! A longtime ACT leader, she’s led powerful work in language access and fair licensing for hair braiders. Now, she steps into this new role ready to grow our movement. Congratulations, Maimouna!

An amazing win for New Yorkers and the advocates who worked tirelessly to see this program come to life! HAVP will be a lifeline for those experiencing (or at risk of experiencing) homelessness, regardless of status. This is only the beginning! #HousingIsAHumanRight

Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian woman, died in ICE custody at Broward Transitional Center on April 25. Her death, now under investigation, has raised urgent concerns about ICE’s treatment of Haitian migrants and the conditions in U.S. immigration detention centers.

In the first 100 days, the Trump administration has diverted DHS resources away from combating violence and fentanyl trafficking to focusing on detaining and deporting students, parents, and workers.

The Trump administration has paused its plan to cancel 1,000+ student visas after public pressure. While some uncertainty remains, this is a key relief for many. ACT stands with international students and continues to fight for fair, dignified immigration policies.

Image shows a sign from the 2018 March for Racial Justice in DC. The sign says "America's got room Immigrants welcome"

Tuesday April 22, 4pm Eastern, NoMuslimBanEver April 2025 Update
From: African Communities Together
Join us to hear updates on South Sudan Ban, Afghanistan TPS termination, what we know about the travel ban & know your rights guidance for travel.
www.nomuslimbanever.com/aprilupdate