NIJC sues Biden admin to defend asylum.
Plus: new report and lawsuits to protect immigrant rights.
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Mixed-status families at center of SCOTUS ruling and new Biden program In Department of State v. Muñoz, the U.S. Supreme Court held that U.S. citizen spouses do not have a liberty interest in living with their partners – a major attack on marriage rights, especially for mixed-status families. “It makes a mockery of due process to say that a U.S. citizen can be separated from their spouse without any chance to have judicial review," said Charles Roth, National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) director of appellate litigation, in response to the ruling. NIJC, Diamante Law Group, and the University of California, Berkeley School of Law represented U.S. citizen Sandra Muñoz and her husband Luis Asencio-Cordero, who have been separated for nearly a decade following an unjust visa denial. They had previously prevailed at the Ninth Circuit, but the Biden administration appealed the case to the Supreme Court. Read more about the impact of the Court’s decision here. Days before the Court’s ruling, the Biden administration announced it would extend access to the parole-in-place program to certain spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. This program would allow families to pursue permanent residence for loved ones without needing to travel abroad for consular interviews—a step in the process that for many, like Sandra and Luis, has resulted in permanent separation due to unfair visa denials.
Read and share NIJC’s latest Know Your Rights resource about the new parole-in-place program here. |
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NIJC sues Biden administration over anti-asylum rule NIJC joined Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Texas Civil Rights Project, ACLU and Jenner & Block LLP in filing a lawsuit on behalf of Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center and RAICES to fight the Biden administration's new rule that puts thousands of people at risk by severely restricting access to asylum.
IN THE NEWS: “It’s shameful that the U.S. government has chosen to respond by shutting out access to asylum to those who come to our border in need,” said NIJC Litigation Director Keren Zwick in response to the filing. “We have no doubt that this rule is turning back people who, if the government honored its legal obligations, would qualify for protection. We have no choice but to take the executive branch to court, as we have before, to defend those rights.” Read the complaint here. |
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How border restrictions impact Chicago The latest federal policy changes that put barriers on U.S.-bound people seeking asylum could disrupt many families seeking safety and stability in our community. IN THE NEWS: In an interview with Block Club Chicago, NIJC director of legal services Lisa Koop said, "There are likely migrants in Chicago who were separated from family on their journey north, and the people coming later might now get stuck at the border because of these rules. ...Just because more people may need protection doesn't mean we need to stop protecting everybody and shut off access to (asylum) protection all together." Find out how these rules can impact families and what it could mean for Chicago here. |
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New detention report: ‘No Human Being Should Be Held There’ In a new joint report with NIJC, Immigration Equality and Human Rights First, 41 people who identify as LGBTQ and/or are living with HIV share their distressing experiences in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection detention centers. Read the full report with their stories. |
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NIJC files complaint on behalf of woman abused in Louisiana ICE center NIJC recently filed a civil rights complaint on behalf of a woman who survived deadly conditions and abuse at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center — a place that is notorious for mistreatment of people and unsanitary conditions.
IN THE NEWS: Read this piece by The Latin Times to learn more about rampant abuses going on in detention centers and why we are working close them forever. |
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10 people get help with asylum applications! |
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People seeking refuge and asylum get help applying for permanent residence On World Refugee Day in June, pro bono partners at Sidley Austin LLP and Aon helped refugees and asylees complete their applications for permanent residence. Meanwhile, pro bono attorneys at Kirkland & Ellis were assisting immigrant youth to start their applications for permanent residence. Now, all of these individuals are one step closer to permanent protection! Learn more about our work to assist refugees living in the U.S. here. |
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Share this free renewal clinic with DACA recipients In-person Attendance Required
July 17, 2024 at 8:30 am - 11:30 am CT
In downtown Chicago, Illinois June marked the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has offered hope and opportunity for thousands of immigrants across the United States. We’re continuing to keep that hope alive. On July 17, NIJC will host a free DACA renewal clinic to help people navigate the renewal process with confidence. Register for the clinic here. Share this post to help us reach DACA recipients eligible for renewal. |
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New job opportunities at NIJC! Great news, NIJC is hiring! If you our anyone you know is passionate about advocating for immigrant rights, apply to join our dynamic team. We're hiring for several positions including senior attorney, staff attorney, paralegal, Immigration Court Helpdesk coordinator, and development associate. Apply today. |
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| | NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER
111 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800 | Chicago, Illinois 60604
immigrantjustice.org |
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