Supreme Court allows harmful new "public charge" rule to take effect 

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to implement the expansion of "public charge" throughout most of the country (except in Illinois where a statewide injunction remains in effect) while litigation continues in federal courts. The policy creates new poverty- and disability-based barriers to lawful immigration status and will put thousands of American families at risk of permanent separation and severe financial insecurity. See our response.

FOR COMMUNITIES: If you have questions about the public charge rule and who it affects, the Protecting Immigrant Families campaign has excellent resources.

Lawsuit against ICE's racial profiling tactics moves forward

An Illinois Federal Court ruled that our lawsuit challenging U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) use of racial profiling and unlawful arrests can proceed in the courts. NIJC brought this lawsuit with ACLU and Winston & Strawn LLP on behalf of several individuals subject to ICE's unlawful tactics in southwest Chicago and northern Illinois. Read more about our lawsuit.

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Demands to free transgender immigrants grow

More than 90 organizations, led by NIJC and TransLatin@ Coalition, demanded that ICE immediately release all transgender people in its jails in compliance with language in the spending bill that Congress recently passed. For years, our organizations have been documenting abuses against and deaths of transgender individuals in detention. Read more about our demands.

Earlier this month, more than 40 members of Congress, led by Representative Mike Quigley, urged ICE to free all transgender people in its custody.

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Behind the scenes at immigration court

Many people in immigration proceedings don't have a lawyer and the system is chock-full of red tape to discourage and impede immigrants' access to relief. The Associated Press went behind the scenes at NIJC's help desk at Chicago's immigration court where NIJC attorneys assist people waiting for court. It's sometimes the only legal information many will receive. Check out the AP investigation.

EVENT - Justice & Java: Reports from Chicagoland and Indiana

Thursday, February 27, 2020
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. CT
Chicago, exact location TBD

Amid attacks on immigrants and continuous fear-mongering, join experts at NIJC for an update about what is happening on-the-ground in communities in Chicagoland and Indiana, and how legal and community organizations are responding. This presentation is part of our morning event series, Justice & Java, and is open to all community members to learn about ways to support access to justice. Space is limited- sign up to reserve your spot now!

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SAVE THE DATE: 21st Annual NIJC Human Rights Awards on 6/2/20

Tuesday, June 2, 2020
11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. CT
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile

Save the date for the 21st Annual NIJC Human Rights Awards on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile! Join us and more than 1,000 others to celebrate human rights and community leaders, and hear keynote by Aarti Shahani, NPR reporter and acclaimed author. Get more details.