Senate must reject proposal to block asylum seekers from U.S. in exchange for foreign military funding

A new funding proposal in the Senate would put in place extreme anti-asylum and detention policies. We call on our elected officials to reject this proposal as it would fail to effectively resolve migration challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border.  

Even though this bill failed at yesterday's cloture vote, we are concerned its extreme anti-immigrant provisions create a dangerous new framework for future immigration legislative debates.

"Passing this law would be co-signing a death sentence for hundreds of thousands of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, including children, who need protection," said NIJC Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy.

Read our full statement on the bill and see our summary of why the bill is so harmful.

ON THE GROUND
NIJC's policy team in D.C. joined hundreds of people in the pouring rain to save asylum and support immigrants. They joined advocates in knocking on all 100 senate doors to tell our elected officials to oppose extreme anti-immigrant policies in spending negotiations. 

Supreme Court to hear case about unity rights for mixed-status families

Harlem youth mentor appeals for presidential pardon to prevent deportation

Robert Panton, a renowned youth mentor in Harlem, is facing deportation for a single minor drug offense from more than 30 years ago. Despite living in the U.S. for over 50 years and completing a severe sentence for his crime, Robert is still at risk of being deported. 

IN THE NEWS
Watch Robert’s interview with News 12 New York where he discusses his history of community activism and his recent request for a presidential pardon from President Biden after facing an unjust deportation order.

TAKE ACTION
Join the nearly 1,500 other people who have signed the petition to stop Robert’s deportation! 

The problem with Expedited Removal and the FERM program

In the Senate funding negotiations, one of the reported proposed solutions is expanding expedited removal, which could fast-track deportation processing and undercut due process for people seeking asylum and other forms of relief.
 
Together with Human Rights First and Women’s Refugee Commission, we made a new explainer to answer all questions about expedited removal and the Biden administration’s Family Expedited Removal Management program (FERM).  

Read our full explainer on why expedited removal is unfair and needs to be overhauled. 

NIJC has a new location in downtown and new email domain!

Sneak peak of our first legal clinic of the year!