Stand With The Immigrant Defense Project

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Dear friend of IDP,

Four years ago, we were collectively holding our breath. Anti-immigrant policies had taken an enormous toll. Calls to our hotline had more than doubled. It seemed like a new crisis erupted each week as the Trump administration weaponized the law to terrorize immigrant communities. We’d worked intensely to resist the Trump administration’s policies and were hoping for change.

Now we are looking ahead once again to an election year. Whatever happens next November, the reality is that immigrant communities today are still reeling from the effects of the laws and policies produced as a result of tough-on-crime rhetoric from nearly 30 years ago. Our community of supporters understands this and we’re grateful for your support. We are using everything we’ve learned to prepare, whether there is an administration change or not. We will find new strategies, opportunities, and successful defenses in spite of the unjust law.


** The Immigrant Defense Project, formed in direct response to the dehumanizing 1996 immigration reforms, will continue to fight.
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** Will you join us?
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The laws and policies that treat immigrants as disposable have destabilized communities and revealed ugly racism and xenophobia. Much of the work we know will be critical in 2024 is already underway:
* Defending and expanding sanctuary policies. The sanctuary movement has been a rallying cry against xenophobia. IDP anchors the ICE Out! NYC campaign ([link removed]) [link removed] strengthen the city’s sanctuary laws and in February 2023, we exposed collusion ([link removed]) between New York City’s Department of Corrections and ICE. Ourhttps://www.nyclu.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/2022-nyclu-onepager-ny4all-eng.pdfNew York for All campaign ([link removed]) to expand sanctuary protections state-wide gained momentum this year, winning support from over 25 labor unions and workers rights organizations
([link removed]) . But there’s so much more to do across the country. Last month we launched a new Detainer FAQ website ([link removed]) in response to the calls we’ve received from immigrants and their loved ones in places without strong sanctuary protections.
* Narrowing the convictions that can trigger deportation and ensuring criminal legal system reforms benefit immigrants facing deportation. This year, we celebrated exciting Second Circuit court decisions narrowing the New York drug convictions that trigger devastating immigration results, including mandatory deportation and asylum ineligibility. IDP’s decades-long litigation strategy to reduce the impact of drug convictions is reaping relief for immigrant communities targeted by racist drug war policing. We created practice advisories, model briefings ([link removed]) , and trainings to ensure lawyers can use the decisions to stop deportations in progress. We are working with immigrants and their advocates to reopen past deportation orders and leading a targeted community education campaign for immigrants impacted by the drug war.
* Using research-backed strategies for communicating the inhumanity of aggressive anti-immigrant policies. We anchor the Comm/Unity network ([link removed]) , providing communications support to 17 national immigrant rights organizations working to dismantle criminalization in word and deed. In addition, with partners challenging Operation Lone Star in Texas, we’re helping local organizations make the case that arrests and incarceration can’t deliver the safety and stability border communities deserve. In 2024, we will continue to engage our core partners while providing training to new allies about smart messaging in the face of hostile politics.
* Supporting asylum seekers. Newly arrived immigrants are being used as pawns in political fights. In New York, many people bussed from the southern border face surveillance and criminalization while living in shelters. We are providing direct assistance to those targeted by the criminal legal and family regulation systems. We’re also updating our resources for advocates representing asylum seekers who have been arrested or convicted in the U.S., ensuring they have access to cutting-edge strategies for defenses to deportation.

The immigrant rights movement is at a crossroads. Even in deep blue cities, we see the rise of scarcity narratives that scapegoat immigrants. But pitting communities in need against each other distracts from the changes that provide safety, justice, and opportunity for all communities. At the core of our work is developing an intersectional, collaborative approach to immigrant justice despite the barriers:

Bringing advocates together in a shared vision for change
* We co-anchor the Justice Roadmap ([link removed]) , which identifies real world, legislative solutions to community safety and well-being that do not rely on violent policies, structural oppression, or a culture of punishment. In 2023 ([link removed]) , more than 120 organizations signed on to the Justice Roadmap, which was supported by over two dozen legislators. We’ve already started the process of updating the Roadmap for the 2023-2024 legislative session and we will be co-coordinating the release of the Roadmap early in session and coordinating cross-campaign actions and communications plans.
* As core members of the Immigrant Justice Network ([link removed]) , we supported the reintroduction of the New Way Forward Act ([link removed]) , federal legislation that rolls back harmful immigration laws. We will continue to ensure there is a consistent voice for immigrants with convictions in D.C.

Bringing litigation wins and cutting edge legal strategies home to communities
* Since January, our hotline and Padilla Support Center have helped over 700 people navigate and defend themselves in the criminal and immigration systems. And we’ve trained over 375 lawyers representing immigrants with criminal or family court contacts.
* We trained over 330 community advocates on best practices for providing Know-Your-Rights ([link removed]) presentations that include accurate and actionable information about the intersection of immigration and criminal systems and digital security. This fall we’re working with a small group of community based organizations working in underserved communities across New York to deepen their skills and knowledge for ongoing Know Your Rights work.

Fighting unjust immigration laws and protecting due process for immigrants
* This year Fair Courts for Immigrant New Yorkers ([link removed]) passed the legislature in a rebuke to NY Gov. Hochul, who vetoed the bill last December. Through individual testimonials and memos from organizational allies, we shined light on why immigrant New Yorkers taking a plea must have a right to be given notice of the possibility of deportation or ineligibility for status - and why there must be a remedy when that right is violated. The bill also reinforces the right to individualized advice from a defense attorney under Padilla v. Kentucky.
* We litigated to defend post-conviction relief laws in California, New York, and Georgia. As a result, the government reopened old removal proceedings for longtime green card holders and opened up a public comment process over post-conviction laws in immigration cases. We will carry these active fights into 2024, supporting immigrants in federal court and before the Board of Immigration Appeals while keeping our focus on large scale change possibilities.
* Our litigation supports broad Sixth Amendment rights for immigrants in the criminal legal system. This year we supported a naturalized U.S. citizen facing denaturalization in U.S. v. Farhane ([link removed]) and a longtime resident facing family separation in People v. Martinez. In 2024, we will continue to support immigrants fighting for strong Padilla protections with amicus filing and strategic and technical assistance.

Ending the punishment paradigm and supporting immigrants facing injustice
* Already in 2023, 15 immigrants have been granted clemency ([link removed]) as a result of our consistent advocacy urging New York Gov. Hochul to use the power she has to provide relief for immigrants suffering as a result of systemic injustices. We advocated publicly and privately for many of the people who were pardoned and continue to work with others whose requests are pending.
* We supported community membershttps://x.com/ImmDefense/status/1650919797813825537?s=20publicly speaking out ([link removed]) about the harms of double punishment. The community members we are working with have faced detention and deportation as a result of local agencies colluding with ICE ([link removed]) and for many, their only chance at relief is through special action by a Governor or decision maker within ICE. We are using our experience and expertise to advise them and creating and facilitating meetings, speaking opportunities, and op-eds ([link removed]) so their ideas and voices can lead our movement.

Your support ([link removed]) allows us to continue this fight against the unjust laws and policies that rely on perpetual punishment. Through the ups and downs of the last few years, we’ve remained principled and committed to all immigrants, and we’re thankful for a community that understands what is at stake. Thank you for standing with us ([link removed]) as we all work towards a world that provides immigrant communities with justice, support, and compassion.

In solidarity,

Marie Mark

Interim Executive Director

On behalf of the entire IDP staff:

Amelia Marritz, Andrew Wachtenheim, Benita Jain, Denise Grosman, Drew Vaccarro, Elena Noureddine, Em Puhl, Gabby Diamaté, Genia Blaser, Jon Rodney, Jophiel Astorga, Laura Wooley, Lili Agudo, Linda Flor Brito, Manny Vargas, Nabilah Siddiquee, Ryan Muennich, and Yasmine Farhang

P.S. This year, we’re fortunate to have a matching grant from our generous partners at FJC - a family of philanthropic funds - but only if we can raise $50,000 from our supporters by December 31. Please donate today ([link removed]) to help us reach our goal and double the impact of your support.
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