National Immigrant Justice Center

Great News: Students Kathleen Ryan and Nicole Theriot, participating in NIJC's Externship at Notre Dame Law School, successfully represented their client in her asylum proceedings! 😊 Congratulations to this courageous mother who now, along with her children, has asylum protection! Send them your well wishes in the comments below. 💖

Last week NIJC proudly joined U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver in introducing the Chance to Come Home Resolution, co-sponsored by Rep. Cleaver with Reps. Adriano Espaillat and David Trone and Senator Cory Booker. This crucial moment demonstrates strong support for creating a central and fair process for reviewing petitions of people who were unjustly deported from the United States. “As it currently stands, due to the lack of a centralized review unit at DHS, there is no meaningful process for unjustly deported individuals to be reunited with their families and the communities they know and love. These are folks who resided in the country for decades, started their small businesses, and contributed to their local economies—and they deserve due process and a fair chance to come home,” said Rep. Cleaver. “I am committed to strengthening America’s immigration system in a fair and humane way, which is why I’m proud to introduce this bicameral resolution that would reunite hardworking families while boosting our local economies and upholding our values as Americans.” 🔗 Read Congressman Cleaver's full press release about the resolution here - and thank him for fighting on the right side of history: https://lnkd.in/gxTQzqEF

Our country needs a sensible and fair process to bring back people who've been unjustly deported. The newly introduced Chance to Come Home congressional resolution brings us closer to this goal. "We are calling for a mechanism to reunite families," U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver told Newsweek. "I don't want to pretend that it will be easy, because I think many Americans have been poisoned by the language that is used when the subject of immigration arises." This resolution is an important milestone in the Chance to Come Home campaign, through which NIJC in partnership with deported advocates and other partners have sought to raise awareness of our country's unforgiving deportation system. The U.S. immigration system regularly tears people from their communities and families from their loved ones and breadwinners, often through unfair and racist tactics. "These are folks who were deported in exceptionally unjust ways," said NIJC Policy Director Nayna Gupta. "[Others] were targeted for exercising their First Amendment rights and speaking out against abuse in immigration detention facilities ... These are people who have strong reasons to present a case for return, but under the current system are unable to meaningfully do so." Read the full piece in Newsweek: https://lnkd.in/gqqNMPwC Learn more about our Chance to Come Home campaign and support the new resolution here: https://lnkd.in/gm_9g4cj

Yesterday NIJC was proud to join U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver to introduce a Chance to Come Home Resolution. The resolution is co-sponsored by Rep. Cleaver along with Reps. Adriano Espaillat and David Trone and Senator Cory Booker. This is a vital show of support for creating a central and fair process for reviewing petitions of people who were unjustly deported from the United States. “We're trying to reunite, with this legislation, families that have been devastated by our unfair and unjust deportation system that we have in our country,” Rep. Cleaver said during a virtual briefing introducing the resolution. “It is unfathomable to think that somebody would actually come to the conclusion that it is alright to [separate families]. It is wrong and the legislation that we have put forth — we think that if we're able to get this to the president's desk that he will sign it. And, it would also allow the Department of Homeland Security to help us reunite many people in this country with loved ones.” “As threats of mass deportations make national headlines, this Chance to Come Home congressional resolution reminds us that deportation of people with years of life in the U.S. imposes irreparable damage to children, separates families and loved ones, and undermines the prosperity of U.S. communities,” said NIJC Director of Policy Nayna Gupta. “This would be a small, but powerful step toward bringing basic fairness to the immigration system and repairing the damage deportation has already inflicted on far too many U.S. families across the country.” Read NIJC's full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gyNErXxU Read the official statement by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver here: https://lnkd.in/gxTQzqEF

NIJC, Human Rights First, and Immigration Equality recently published a report on the experiences of 41 LGBTQ+ migrants who have been detained by ICE and CBP. Their stories highlight the human rights violations happening in detention centers. "LGBTQ+ people frequently come to the United States fleeing severe violence and danger. Instead of providing refuge and safety, the United States subjects them to conditions in immigration detention facilities that aggravate their past trauma, neglect their medical needs, and expose them to discrimination and violence," said NIJC's Policy Director Nayna Gupta.

Tune in for an informative virtual briefing on the Chance to Come Home congressional resolution TOMORROW, July 10, at 3:30 pm ET! Hear from policy experts, congressional sponsors, and people impacted by deportation and learn more about the resolution, our policy proposal, and ongoing efforts to reunite families through the Chance to Come Home campaign. 🏠✨ Register here: https://lnkd.in/gaewsjh6

When reflecting on Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP's clinic, during which a group of 11 Afghan asylees who were forced to flee after the Taliban takeover finally had the opportunity to apply for permanent residence, NIJC Senior Asylum Attorney Geoff Cebula said: "These applicants included a female OBGYN, a journalist, a television broadcaster who disseminated anti-Taliban programs, a democracy and women's rights advocate, a photographer and athlete who was among the first group of women to climb the second highest mountain in Afghanistan, and three young girls who would not have been allowed to pursue an education under the Taliban. "Each of these clients has faced extraordinary challenges over the past three years, including separation from loved ones and navigating the U.S immigration system. Your work on their behalf ensures that they will be able to gain more security in the United States and integrate more fully into their communities." Let's give our peers a big shoutout for their fantastic work!

Don't miss our virtual briefing on the Chance to Come Home Congressional resolution on Wednesday, July 10, at 3:30 pm ET! Join policy experts, congressional sponsors and people with firsthand experience of deportation, who will discuss how deportation harms families and community members throughout our country. Register to join here: https://lnkd.in/gaewsjh6

Happy Independence Day! Today, we celebrate our country, including immigrants who embody the values of freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that define the American spirit. Immigrants are the American Dream. They make our country stronger and its future brighter. 💪 We must work to remain a land of opportunity and a beacon of hope for those seeking safety and a brighter tomorrow. Happy 4th! 🗽✨

Here are this week's NIJC #ProBonoMatters Updates: 🌟 Jones Day hosted our 13th pro se asylum workshop for 10 individuals from Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. 🌟 It was just a couple of years ago that our Afghan clients applied for asylum and now, with support from Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, 11 clients have representation as they seek permanent residence. Thank you to these great partners and all language volunteers for supporting this critical work!