Demanding a more welcoming country on World Refugee Day

As we celebrated World Refugee Day last Sunday, NIJC Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy and Alianza Americas Executive Director Oscar A. Chacón reflected on their recent trip to the border with colleagues from around the country. They call on the Biden administration to step up and welcome migrants and asylum seekers, treat them with dignity, and give them a fair chance in court. Read their blog post.

ADVOCACY IN ACTION: NIJC joined more than 120 organizations in sending a letter to the Biden administration expressing concerns about families in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at the southern U.S. border and demanding community-based welcome centers better equipped to support asylum seekers. See the letter.

Continuing the fight for freedom on Juneteeth

The U.S. deportation machine disproportionately detains and deports Black immigrants. In addition, Black immigrants in detention are given significantly higher bond amounts, are detained for longer, and are locked in solitary confinement more often. On Juneteenth this past Saturday, we celebrated liberation by helping others become free. Join us by donating to the Black Immigrants Bail Fund.

Learn more about how systemic racial disparities impact Black immigrants from the Black Alliance for Just Immigration and RAICES.

VIDEO: Calling for a compassionate and just immigration system on Father's Day

Johannes Favi—a father, formerly detained advocate, and NIJC client—shared an important message for Father's Day. We join his call for an immigration system rooted in compassion, justice, and second chances for all. Watch Johannes' Father's Day message.

Victory: Trump-era restrictions on asylum reversed

The U.S. Attorney General issued two recent decisions which vacated harmful precedents from the Trump administration. Matter of A-B- adversely impacted asylum seekers fleeing gender- and gang-based violence, and Matter of L-E-A- harmed asylum seekers facing persecution because of their family. Read our statement on these decisions.

U.S. redesignates temporary protections for Haitians

NIJC celebrates the redesignation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and applauds Black immigrant leaders, whose advocacy was instrumental in the Biden administration's decision. We continue to call on the administration to further protect Black and Brown migrants by ending unlawful expulsions. Read more.

Legislative wins for immigrants in Illinois

The final days of the Illinois General Assembly’s spring session earlier this month brought important wins for immigrant communities. These victories were the result of years of persistent work by a broad coalition of immigrant communities and advocates. They include:

- The Illinois Way Forward Act, which restricts local law enforcement's ability to cooperate with ICE and requires local governments to end their contracts with ICE to detain immigrants;

- An amendment which ensures Illinois law is consistent with federal law in protecting abused, abandoned, and neglected immigrant youth;

- And an amendment that allows some immigrants an opportunity to vacate a previous conviction.

These bills are now before Governor Pritzker to sign into law. Read more details about these legislative victories.

WATCH: Ella's Story

Ella is an asylee originally from Kyrgyzstan, where they were a journalist who advocated for the rights of women and queer people, but were forced to flee because of queerphobic violence and escalating threats against them. As we celebrate Pride Month, watch and share Ella's story! Watch Ella's story about finally being free to live their life without fear.

REWATCH: The Virtual Human Rights Awards!

Hundreds of immigrant rights supporters around the world tuned into the 22nd Annual NIJC Human Rights Awards last week on June 8, 2021!
Watch the recording of the event: www.immigrantjustice.org/humanrightsawards

This celebration is one of NIJC's most important events of the year because it provides critical funding for NIJC's legal services for immigrants and asylum seekers. We're 89% of the way to our fundraising goal! If you haven't yet, please donate to help reach our goal (and your donation will be matched thanks to the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation)!

NIJC is hiring!

NIJC has lots of open positions for various experience levels and skill-sets. Are you interested in working towards a humane and compassionate immigration system and providing life-changing legal services? If so, join our team and apply now (or share with someone who would be a great fit)! Check out the open jobs at NIJC.