Friend, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed watching and reading the news, especially when it comes to immigration policy.

That’s why we want to take a moment to share three pieces of good news with you today:

1. The Impact Fund recently honored the named plaintiffs in our landmark class action lawsuit, Zelaya, et al. v Hammer, et al., which challenged a massive illegal workplace raid in east Tennessee. Isabel, Geronimo, Catarino, Martha, Carolina, and Maria were inducted into the Impact Fund Class Action Hall of Fame, in recognition of the courage it required to pursue justice for themselves and their coworkers. We were so proud to witness our clients receive this well-deserved recognition for their courage in standing up against federal agents who targeted them in this raid.


2. After many years of advocacy, Congress restored federal benefits eligibility to persons who immigrated to the U.S. under a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with Palau, the Marshall Islands, or Micronesia. COFA migrants will now have access to essential federal benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and FEMA assistance for the first time in nearly 30 years. This long overdue fix could profoundly improve people’s lives.


3. Following the Biden administration’s announcement of a renewal process for workers applying for deferred action, our dedicated staff at NILC traveled to Chicago to lead a training for six organizations and conduct a legal clinic. In doing so, we were able to provide a space for workers to understand their rights and for on-the-ground organizations to support their communities. As a reminder, deferred action for labor disputes is the impactful policy that our workers’ rights team advocated to secure for years, to ensure that workers who report abusive employers or are involved in labor disputes can access temporary protection so that they don’t have to fear immigration-based retribution by standing up for themselves.

Every email to your elected officials, donation, and act of solidarity helps us move closer to a more just and inclusive society. As we celebrate these achievements together, we're reminded of the difference we can make when we stand together.

Thank you for being with us through it all.

Kate Kahan
Executive Vice President, Programs
National Immigration Law Center