Legal service providers sue to protect asylum seekers 

We at the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) are joining other immigration legal service providers in suing to block a Trump administration rule that would create insurmountable obstacles for people applying for asylum in the United States. Read more.

Online event TODAY: How to Sever the Criminal Legal and Deportation Systems

The U.S. criminal and immigration systems, both of which disproportionately target Black people and people of color, have long been entangled. This creates a double punishment for immigrants through a pipeline from almost any involvement in the criminal legal system to immigration detention and deportation. Join NIJC this afternoon for our first Policy Corner online event of 2021 to discuss the harmful ways in which the U.S. criminal and immigration systems intersect and what we must do to sever this relationship to create an immigration system that treats people with dignity and respects human rights for all. Register now for log in info: https://bit.ly/pc11221

Event details:
Policy Corner: How to Sever the Criminal Legal and Deportation Systems
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CT
Virtual via webinar
Register now for log in info: https://bit.ly/pc11221

If you're not available to join the event live, you can still register and we'll send you the recording after the event.

NIJC files civil rights complaint for asylum seekers

NIJC filed a civil rights complaint on behalf of people who came to the United States to seek asylum but were blocked from protection when the U.S. government referred them for criminal prosecution for entering the country without authorization. Read more.

Lawsuit challenges border patrol's expedited removal policy

NIJC and our partners sued the Trump administration for unlawfully permitting low-level, unappointed border patrol employees to deport immigrants without a hearing or judicial review. Read more about the petitioner, who was detained at O’Hare airport and expelled from the U.S. despite having a visa, and the lawsuit.

Congratulations to NIJC's Mary Meg McCarthy

We're very proud of NIJC Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy who recently received two wonderful honors. Mary Meg received the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) 2020 Distinguished Public Service Award! She was also selected as an exceptional Women in Law Award honoree by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine! Congratulations to Mary Meg for these well deserved honors.

Your support advances immigrant rights!

Thank you for supporting immigrant rights to close out 2020! Advocates like you donated more than $535,000 (far surpassing NIJC's year-end goal) to defend immigrants and asylum seekers and to create an immigration system that recognizes the dignity of all people.

In case you missed it, check out our blog post detailing the extraordinary ways we came together to protect human rights last year. From representing nearly 1,900 asylum seekers, to freeing a record number of people from detention, to educating attorneys and community members virtually, to mobilizing for more humane and racially just immigration policies. We look forward to continuing the fight for justice with you in 2021!