Immigration Changes Impact Students

Immigration policy shifts are reshaping the landscape for Literacy Pittsburgh’s foreign-born students, creating new barriers that reach far beyond the classroom. Many learners now face uncertainty about their legal status—even those already vetted and approved—fear of attending in-person programs, and restrictions on employment opportunities—all of which disrupt their ability to build stable lives and pursue education. These challenges don’t exist in isolation; they ripple outward into our region’s workforce, reducing the number of motivated, reliable workers and shrinking a tax base that supports local, state, and federal services. Nationwide, these policies impact hundreds of thousands of refugees, asylees, visa applicants, green card holders, and other immigration applicants. 

Employment Authorization for Asylum-Seekers 
For example, the Department of Homeland Security has proposed changes to employment authorization for asylum-seekers that would require them to wait 365 days (up from 180) for work authorization. If enacted, this proposal would make it impossible for asylum-seekers to support themselves with legal employment for more than a year and would deprive employers of a ready workforce. 

Refugee Rescreening 
Recently, plans were announced to subject all refugees who arrived in the United States between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, to a “review and reinterview.” Detaining refugees on the pathway to citizenship for re-vetting creates fear and disrupts lives. Refugees are one of the most thoroughly vetted groups of immigrants. They have already been through years of screening, background checks, and in-person interviews. 

Refugee Resettlement Suspended 
Last year, an indefinite ban on refugee resettlement was enacted and upheld in a recent court decision. Tens of thousands of refugees who had already been approved for resettlement in the U.S. are stranded overseas in dangerous conditions. Historically, Allegheny County has resettled 1,000 refugees annually. This is a lost pipeline of worker talent and taxpayers. 

“Refugee resettlement has long been an essential instrument that enhances our national security, strengthens our economy, and upholds human dignity,” explains Jennie Murray, president of the National Immigration Forum. “Major changes to the resettlement program under the current administration have slowed refugee admissions to a trickle and are keeping the most vulnerable from accessing protection.” 

Restricted Entry and Rescreening by Country 
People from 39 countries who are eager to become US citizens are facing more significant hurdles. Applications for green cards, work authorization, and citizenship have all been delayed or paused. Threats of detention and possible deportation loom over their lives as they attempt to contribute to our region.  

At the same time, “the number of judges in the nation's immigration courts shrank by about a quarter in the last year due to firings and resignations — even when accounting for new hires,” according to a February 2026 NPR article. This slows the review process even as caseloads increase significantly. 

U.S. Citizenship Process 
Those seeking U.S. citizenship will find the path more challenging and longer. Individuals who file their naturalization applications on or after October 20, 2025, will be required to take a new, harder civics test with 128 potential questions, a higher passing score (12/20 correct), stricter vetting for good moral character, and tighter scrutiny of disability-related exceptions, among other changes. At Literacy Pittsburgh, we prepare students for the civics test , so this requires a revamping of our curriculum. These changes may delay individuals who have been studying for months based on the old test content.  

As immigration rules continue to evolve, the pressures placed on foreign-born students will only intensify unless communities, educators, and policymakers work together to create safer, more accessible pathways for learning and employment. Literacy Pittsburgh is a proud member of the Collaborative for Immigrant Impact, which is working together to do just that.  Supporting these learners is not simply an act of compassion—it is an investment in the economic and social vitality of our region. When we remove barriers and empower immigrants to participate fully, we strengthen our workforce, broaden our tax base, and build a more resilient future for everyone.