A chance to come home after unjust deportation

NIJC's new paper, A Chance To Come Home: A Roadmap To Bring Home The Unjustly Deported, lays out a proposal for the Biden administration to bring home people who have been unjustly deported and quickly reunite them with their loved ones and communities. Hear from those who have been deported and their families and see the paper. 

IN THE NEWS: U.S. Navy veteran Howard Bailey talked to CQ Roll Call about his life in Jamaica after he was deported because of a conviction for marijuana possession which has since been pardoned. The piece also quotes NIJC's Nayna Gupta and talks about NIJC's new proposal for the Biden administration to give deported individuals a chance to come home.

NIJC's response to guilty verdict in George Floyd's murder trial

The verdict in Minnesota last month brings necessary accountability to the police department and the former officer who murdered George Floyd. We are hopeful that it is evidence of our society’s growing willingness to redress the racism and white supremacy that puts Black, Indigenous and other people of color in danger in the United States. But the national reckoning that started last summer following Mr. Floyd’s death must not end with this one trial. It’s time for our society to reorient our priorities and resources: away from militarized law enforcement systems that foster state violence, and toward programming and services that improve the wellbeing and health of everyone in our communities. Read our full statement.

Letter in New York Times calls to end detention

Immigration detention is inhumane and must be abolished. See the letter to the editor of The New York Times by Diana Rashid, supervising attorney with NIJC's detention project.

UPDATE: Robert, the client who Diana mentions in the letter, was released just days after the letter was published. After spending more than 30 years incarcerated, he is now together with his family and said, "being free feels natural." In January, Robert shared his story from detention during a press conference with members of Congress as they re-introduced the New Way Forward Act. Watch his testimony.

Documents reveal new ICE jail for children in Virginia

Advocates, legal experts and community organizations are speaking out to expose and oppose a new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contract signed under the Biden administration that allows for the long-term detention of migrant teenagers in a juvenile jail in Winchester, Virginia. Read the statement NIJC released together with more than two dozen organizations.

A better budget for a humane immigration system

For decades, the United States has spent BILLIONS of dollars on policing and detaining asylum seekers and immigrants, putting enforcement and deterrence at the heart of immigration policy. The consequences have been deadly, with harms inflicted disproportionately on Black, Brown, and Indigenous immigrant communities. Our communities and families are stronger when they include immigrants, regardless of their status or background, and we all have a stake in demanding immigration policymaking that ensures justice and respects human rights. Read more from our policy team about how we can budget for a better, more humane immigration system.

Upcoming virtual event: Responding to Child Migration in a New Era

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. CT
Sign up here: https://bit.ly/jj51821

Join us for our next presentation in our Justice & Java series to hear about the process unaccompanied children face in the United States and the steps we can take to ensure their safety and prevent others from needing to flee their homes in the future. Speakers are Ashley Huebner, NIJC Associate Director of Legal Services; Azadeh Erfani, NIJC Senior Policy Analyst; Hillary Richardson, NIJC Supervising Attorney; and Sara Scullen, pro bono attorney and of counsel at Quarles & Brady. Sign up to get log in info: https://bit.ly/jj51821

ONE MONTH AWAY: The Virtual Human Rights Awards

Tuesday, June 8, 2021
5:00 p.m. CT
RSVP now at: www.immigrantjustice.org/humanrightsawards

Join immigrant rights supporters from around the globe for the 22nd Annual NIJC Human Rights Awards virtual event on Tuesday, June 8! You'll hear inspiring stories from immigrants, legal advocates, and community members fighting for immigrant rights. Plus, you'll help provide life-changing legal services for 10,000+ immigrants this year.

This year's awardees are Allstate, community activist Johannes Favi, and attorney Sara Ghadiri of Chapman and Cutler LLP. Plus, Emmy award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa will moderate a discussion with NIJC clients, Ella, Gabriela, and Samer.

Stay tuned for some exciting announcements coming soon about special guests!

RSVP now at www.immigrantjustice.org/humanrightsawards