Migrants sue ICE over misuse of detention funds.
Plus: read our updated FAQ on the Keeping Families Together program!
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| Federal Court advances case challenging misused detention funds A new federal court ruling allows people who faced inhumane living conditions in Clay County Jail (IN) to sue and hold U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Clay County accountable for misusing funds meant to improve conditions in detention. NIJC represents three plaintiffs--Maribel, Javier, and Baijebo—who are standing up for other people who have been denied basic human dignity. IN THE NEWS: "For years, ICE has looked the other way as Clay County brazenly misappropriates funds earmarked for the care and custody of people detained by ICE at Clay County Jail, while those housed at the jail suffer in egregiously substandard conditions," said Mark Feldman, a senior litigation attorney at NIJC. Read more about the ruling here. |
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| | Report exposes abusive conditions for LGBTQ+ people in ICE detention A new bombshell report from NIJC and partner organizations, "No Human Being Should Be Held There," details the horrid conditions LGBTQ+ migrants are subjected to in U.S. detention centers.
IN THE NEWS: In an interview with The 19th News, Lee VanderLinden, a supervising attorney for NIJC's LGBT Immigrant Rights Initiative, spoke on the poor care that migrants seeking asylum receive after being unjustly detained. “I haven’t seen improvements for medical care of HIV-positive people or of trans people generally, with access to [hormone replacement therapy for gender-affirming care] or other medical interventions,” they said. “I haven’t seen a coordinated effort to improve those conditions.” Learn more in the full article and read our joint report, “No Human Being Should Be Held There.” |
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| | Important updates and FAQ about new family unity program Online applications are open for the new Parole-in-Place (PIP) program, also known as Keeping Families Together, providing a new way for some spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to gain legal immigration status. Texas and 15 other states filed a lawsuit challenging the program and the judge issued a 14-day administrative stay, preventing the government from approving PIP applications. The order does not prevent people from filing PIP applications, and it does not prevent the Department of Homeland Security from receiving them. People can keep filing applications but must be informed of the risks and benefits before moving forward. IN THE NEWS: “While the new program provides an opportunity for many long-time community members to finally apply for legal status and work authorization, the administration also implemented significant barriers for immigrants who have interacted with the criminal legal system,” said NIJC Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy. “Like with any new program, NIJC strongly encourages individuals who have been charged or convicted of crimes, or who have complex immigration histories, to speak with a qualified immigration legal professional before they pay the hefty application fee and submit their request to the government.” Read our updated FAQ to learn everything you need to know about what the program does, who is eligible, and who should proceed with caution. |
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| | Legal clinic helps Afghans seeking permanent residency in the U.S. We had another great clinic for people from Afghanistan seeking permanent residency with pro bono attorneys at Sidley Austin LLP! Shout out to the NIJC staff and volunteers who combined their expertise to connect Afghan refugees and asylees with legal counsel. Catch a glimpse of them in action on Instagram! |
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| | Free DACA renewal legal clinic If you or anyone in your network needs assistance with renewing DACA, make sure to share our upcoming free, in-person legal clinic on September 17 at NIJC's office in downtown Chicago! To learn more, visit our website here. |
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| | 6th Annual NIJC 5K for Immigrant Justice Don’t miss your chance to join NIJC's 6th Annual 5K for Immigrant Justice! This is a great opportunity to support immigrant rights while coming together with your community. Join us in person on race day, Saturday, October 12, 2024 in Goshen, Indiana, or join us virtually and do your 5K on your favorite route anytime during race week. Sign up before September 15th to get a free t-shirt with your registration!
We'd also like to give a huge thank you to this year's Gold Sponsors: Nica Holdings LLC, Maria Blumenfeld Law, AILA Indiana Chapter, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Community Foundation of Elkhart County, Edible Michiana, and SRE Properties, and TenSleep LLC! Show your support for immigrants and sign up now! |
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| | | NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER
111 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800 | Chicago, Illinois 60604
immigrantjustice.org |
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