See the positive change your generous support has made so far this year

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Dear ,

This month the Biden Administration closed the border to asylum seekers, which we condemned ([link removed]) with our partners in the Immigrant Justice Network, and announced relief for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, which we cautiously praised ([link removed]) . While some advocates have praised this as a “balanced” approach, we remain deeply concerned that policymaking in which relief for some comes at the expense of others perpetuates dangerous and false distinctions about who is deserving of safety, stability, and justice.

And we know we’re not alone. Your support has helped us to fight for immigrants who are often left behind and build the capacity of a broad community of lawyers, advocates, and community members determined to ensure justice in the face of mass detention and deportation. Here are a few things we accomplished in the first six months of 2024:
* We responded to over 500 requests for help from immigrants and their loved ones and advocates. In the spring, number of people requesting help each month rose to numbers not seen since early 2020 but our Hotline and Defender Support programs hustled to meet the need. We also released resources to help community members navigate common questions:
+ How to obtain criminal court documents in New York City ([link removed])
+ Will a Criminal Court Case Affect My Immigration Status? ([link removed])
+ Appealing New York convictions ([link removed])
* We trained 592 attorneys and advocates and released resources to help attorneys continue to fight for clients with criminal legal system contacts:
+ The 2024 New York Quick Reference Chart ([link removed]) which analyzes the immigration impact of over 200 New York statutes
+ Sample briefing ([link removed]) for advocates arguing that New York drug distribution offenses are not “crimes involving moral turpitude.”
* We filed amicus briefs in cases before the Second (Johnson brief and appendix ([link removed]) ) and Third Circuits (J.W. brief ([link removed]) and appendix ([link removed]) ) in support of immigrant targeted by the drug war.
* We provided extensive support, including filing multiple amicus briefs (brief in support of petitioner ([link removed]) , brief in support of rehearing ([link removed]) ) and mooting the attorneys arguing Farhane v. U.S., a case considering whether naturalized citizens have a right to advice about the risk of denaturalization as a result of a criminal plea.
* We gathered dozens of elected officials, community members, and advocates for an immigrants solidarity rally ([link removed]) in Albany, NY calling for the legislature to pass a statewide sanctuary bill for immigrants ([link removed]) .
* We shared findings from our opinion research on how to protect sanctuary policies in the face of proposed carve outs for certain drug offenses to a group of over 50 advocates.

Your incredible support fuels our ability to act swiftly and decisively in response to policy changes that disrupt the lives of immigrants and their families. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to build the toolbox for advocates dedicated to fighting on behalf of immigrants alongside us.

Our upcoming work includes:
* planning for possible shifts in federal immigration policy ([link removed]) after the election;
* developing new resources to help immigrants navigate the announced Parole in Place program for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens ([link removed]) ;
* updating resources for attorneys representing asylum seekers;
* developing education and advice pipelines in partnership with advocates working with immigrants criminalized as a result of pregnancy outcomes ([link removed]) ;
* responding to the Supreme Court’s decision on the power of agencies ([link removed]) like the Board of Immigration Appeals;
* a new round of customized Towards Freedom trainings to help advocates identify messaging opportunities to challenge criminalization and detention of immigrants;

and more. Thank you for making the fight for and with immigrants with criminal legal system contacts possible.

In solidarity,

Marie and Team IDP
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This year, the United States is on track to deport over 250,000 people. IDP fights to end the human rights crisis created by mass immigrant detention and deportation. Become a monthly donor to help us sustain this work.
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