TAKE ACTION!
3 Ways to Support Immigrant Families in July

Dear Allies,

For three years before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trump Administration unleashed a drumbeat of assaults on immigrants with low incomes and the core federal programs that help to stabilize their lives. Now, in the middle of a health and economic crisis, the Administration is continuing its obsessive focus on deterring immigration and harming immigrant families at any cost. The stakes are high, and it’s urgent that we continue to fight back. Heading into July, we have THREE WAYS for you to take action and #ProtectFamilies by 1) advocating for an immigrant-inclusive COVID relief package, 2) commenting on the proposed DS-5540, and 3) commenting on the proposed asylum rule. Keep reading for more information and a link to our upcoming webinar. 

Although there is a growing consensus that Congress will pass a COVID 4.0 bill in July, it’s still unclear how big it will be and what it will include. It’s up to us to ensure that it includes the needs of immigrants and their families. Last week, Senator Rubio (R), Senator Tillis (R) and Representative Diaz-Balart (R) introduced bills that would provide a partial fix for the millions of mixed immigration status families who were left out of the CARES Act stimulus payments -- but would still leave out millions of citizen children and their parents. Our asks for COVID 4.0 include fully inclusive stimulus payments, and also access to healthcare, nutrition support, and more. For more information on the stimulus payment proposals, check out this new resource from CLASP. 

On Monday July 13 at 2 PM ET/ 11 AM PT, join the PIF Campaign for a 30-minute call to learn about what actions you can take to ensure that  COVID 4.0 is inclusive of immigrant families. We will share a quick state of play, key targets, and messages. All registrants will also get access to our toolkit to support your federal advocacy efforts. Click here to register.

The Department of State (DOS) has opened a new comment period on the  form that accompanies their public charge rule. The form has been in place since the effective date of the rule in February but  DOS is now seeking a three-year approval of the form. Comments are due by July 2. You may recall that last December, the PIF Campaign drafted a template comment opposing this form and the underlying policies in efforts to block implementation of the rule and to build the administrative record. Although the form has since been implemented, we think there is still value in submitting comments in this round -- especially in light of ongoing litigation efforts. Our partners at ILRC have drafted a short template comment to support your advocacy efforts.

The Trump Administration has issued a new proposed rule on asylum that would further close the door to people fleeing persecution. The PIF Campaign does not typically circulate requests for comments on rules that are solely immigration-focused, but the horrific implications of this proposal compel all of us to fight back. Here are just a few examples of the numerous changes to U.S. asylum law and policies included in the proposal:

• The proposed rule would categorically deny claims of persecution or the fear of persecution based on gender, excluding transgender people, women and girls fleeing countries where the government fails to protect them from crimes including rape, domestic violence and sexual abuse.  

• Applicants who were tortured by government officials would be denied Convention Against Torture (CAT) protections unless the officials were acting “under color of law.” 

• Immigration judges would be allowed to deny asylum applications without a court hearing. Without a hearing, applicants disadvantaged by language and literacy challenges as well as the effects of trauma will face nearly insurmountable obstacles.

Ready to take action? 

• If you are pressed for time, these comment portals are available to help you submit a comment on the proposed asylum rule in 5 minutes or less. 

  • Comment site from CLINIC

  • Comment site from the Immigration Justice Campaign (a joint initiative of AILA and AIC)

• If you want to learn more, have time to submit a longer comment, and/or have the capacity to engage others, Tahirih Justice Center has compiled additional partner resources including social media toolkits, template comments, webinars and sample organizational statements. 

Thank you for your continued partnership!

Madison Allen (CLASP)
Connie Choi & Jenny Rejeske (NILC)

Visit us at https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/