Dear ,
This month the Biden Administration closed the border to asylum seekers, which we condemned with our partners in the Immigrant Justice Network, and announced relief for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, which we cautiously praised. 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:
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 which analyzes the immigration impact of over 200 New York statutes
Sample briefing 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) and Third Circuits (J.W. brief and appendix) in support of immigrant targeted by the drug war.
We provided extensive support, including filing multiple amicus briefs (brief in support of petitioner, brief in support of rehearing) 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 in Albany, NY calling for the legislature to pass a statewide sanctuary bill for immigrants.
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.
