5 Crystal Ball Predictions That Will Change U.S. Immigration In 2023

1. Chat GPT Technology Promises To Revolutionize U.S. Immigration

AI technology, such as the chatbox at chat.openai.com, will change the way immigration is managed. The technology will revamp the U.S. immigrant application process by providing applicants with the full details of how it works and what steps they need to take to succeed. Furthermore, the technology will help different applicants differently. For example, business immigrants will be able to get help with preparing business plans. Refugees will be able to detail country conditions and why they fear returning home. Workers will find guidance on which application to file where to get what work permit and the criteria to succeed. Even more revolutionary is the change over expected in 2023 from the Chat GPT level 3 to the GPT level 4 which promises 500 times more connectivity approaching the human brain in terms of connections. Not since the introduction of Google has IT held such immense promise for us all. Try it here.

2. Speeding Up USCIS Processing Times

Due to improvements in capacity, technology, and staffing USCIS will make significant progress in reducing processing times for many immigration applications. To date, the new hires and training have not made much of an impact on the processing of the backlog of immigrant cases but substantial improvement can be expected in the new year. USCIS will increase capacity, improve technology, and expand staffing to achieve its goals. The agency adopted a new cycle time for goals aimed at processing cases in no more than six months by the end of fiscal year 2023.

Indeed the USCIS has announced, “In the months ahead, the agency plans to build on this progress by implementing premium processing for all petitions for immigrant workers (Form I-140) and certain employment authorization applications (Form I-765) for students and exchange visitors; establishing a permanent biometrics exemption for all applicants for change of nonimmigrant status and extension of nonimmigrant stay (Form I-539); and simplifying several common forms, including the applications for employment authorization (Form I-765), adjustment of status (Form I-485), and naturalization (Form N-400). In addition … (the USCIS plans) … to advance the USCIS humanitarian mission, including online filing and notices, new rulemakings, and increased staffing and public engagement.”

3. Bussing Around Migrants Inside The U.S. Will Continue

Increasing numbers of buses filled with migrants will come northward as political leaders in the southern states seek to register their immigration grievances and frustrations with the flood of migrants coming over the southern border with leaders in Washington and in northern states. Potentially hazardous incidents involving the health or indeed even the death of migrants could escalate this issue substantially. The resulting conflict will wend its way through the court system and up into the Supreme Court but no adequate solution will be found until comprehensive U.S. immigration reform is implemented by Congress.

4. New EB-5 Investors Will Be Able To Jump Ahead Of Backlogs

The early part of the 2023 year will offer new EB-5 investors a chance to jump ahead of backlogged EB-5 investors if the new investors invest in rural, high unemployment, or infrastructure projects. EB-5 investors currently in the United States investing in such above-mentioned so-called “reserved set-aside” areas will be able to concurrently file an EB-5 permanent resident application (I-526 petition) while also getting an employment authorization document and an advanced parole travel document. However, it is widely expected that by September 2023 these reserved set-aside areas will be used up. You can learn more about this from the video here.

5. Displaced Persons Worldwide Will Top 110 Million

Displaced migrants from countries facing wars, stark food shortages, and climate change disruptions, including among them Ukrainians and Afghans, will continue to flee and arrive in the U.S. as the conditions in their homelands worsen. In 2023 the number of displaced persons in the world is expected to grow to over 110 million according to the UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency. This growing worldwide problem desperately needs serious attention and leadership from the U.S. and other Western countries.