Previously detained transgender activist meets with lawmakers in D.C.

Alejandra Barrera was in Washington, D.C., with her NIJC lawyer and other advocates sharing her story with lawmakers and advocating for the release of transgender women in immigration jail. Alejandra is a transgender Salvadorian activist and asylum seeker who suffered for two years in immigration jail and was finally released after international advocacy. See photos from the trip on Facebook.

Stay tuned: Next week we're launching the #FreeKelly week of action to pressure Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to release NIJC client Kelly, a 23-year-old transgender asylum seeker, who has been detained for more than two years and has suffered medical neglect and solitary confinement for four straight months. We'll be sending emails next week about how you can help.

Courts block cruel "public charge" rule

Several federal judges, including one in Chicago, blocked the Trump administration's cruel public charge rule, which would have denied green cards to immigrants who use or are deemed likely to use public programs.

​          
             

TAKE ACTION: Demand investigation into military deployment to the border

Did you know that the U.S. deployed 7,000 troops to the southern border? Deploying troops to the border is wrong and against the law. This is clearly a charade to further the Trump administration's anti-immigrant agenda and using military service-members as political pawns is unacceptable. Sign the petition demanding an investigation into this misuse of the military!

The dark money trail behind private immigration jails

We followed the dark money. It led to private email exchanges and exposed a legally questionable kickback scheme by which private prison corporations make huge profit off of locking up immigrants in towns and cities around the country. We dug in to find out how this is working in Farmville, Virginia.

​          

When ICE denies parole: Margaret's story

In the first post of our new blog series by NIJC's detention team called Getting Out, we tell the story of Margaret, an 18-year-old who successfully petitioned for her own asylum, all while battling against the injustices of immigration detention.

Immigration law goes beyond the courtroom for one volunteer attorney

For attorney Lizzy Westrope of DLA Piper, doing pro bono work is another way to fill a need in the community. We speak with her about volunteering her skills to provide life-changing legal services to immigrants, including a man who recently won asylum.

Illinois lawmakers visit local immigration jail unannounced

We are to see our elected officials holding ICE accountable. After complaints from detained individuals, U.S. Representative Jesus “Chuy” Garcia; Illinois state representatives Lisa Hernandez, Aaron Ortiz, and Celina Villanueva; and Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya made an unannounced visit to the immigration jail in Kankakee, IL to see what it's really like inside. Immigration detention is inhumane. Period.

​          

Remembering Representative Elijah Cummings

We are deeply saddened by Representative Elijah Cummings' passing this week. We send our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones for this immense loss. Rep. Cummings fought tirelessly for racial justice and for the right of immigrants and all marginalized communities, and advocated for transparency and accountability in his leadership of the House Oversight Committee.

At a recent hearing, he held Acting Secretary of Homeland Security McAleenan accountable for the administration's cruel family separation policy in an impassioned exchange.

​          

Join us for the 5K Run/Walk for Immigrant Justice

Are you signed up yet for the 5K Run/Walk for Immigrant Justice on November 2, 2019 in Goshen, Indiana? Come together with other community members to show your support for immigrant rights and fund life-changing legal services for our neighbors.

​          

Open jobs at NIJC!

NIJC is hiring...a lot! While the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers are under attack, now is a critical time to join the National Immigrant Justice Center team. We're hiring attorneys, paralegals, a legal supervisor, a data management specialist, and more, working in NIJC's Children's Protection Project, Immigrant Legal Defense, and litigation, pro bono, and detention projects. Positions open in NIJC's offices in Chicago, Indianapolis, and San Diego.