A promising start to 2022 thanks to you!

Generous supporters of NIJC, like you, donated more than $510,000 in last few months of 2021, surpassing our year-end fundraising goal! This critical funding will go towards defending immigrants, protecting people seeking asylum, and advocating for humane immigration policies throughout the new year. On behalf of the NIJC team and the thousands of people we serve each year, we are grateful for your support.

A big thank you to our dedicated partners for their generous matching gifts during NIJC's year-end campaign: Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, David Berten, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Jerry Newton and David Weinberg, Perkins Coie LLP, and Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP.

TAKE ACTION: Demand that ICE free people in immigration detention in Illinois!

As the Illinois Way Forward Act comes into effect this month, forcing local counties to end their contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain immigrants, ICE has the opportunity to release the people who are currently detained. NIJC joined more than 60 local organizations in calling on ICE to free people in detention in Illinois, not transfer them to detention centers in other states.

Join us and sign the petition to #FreeThemAll!
This petition is hosted by our friends at Organized Communities Against Deportations.

The fight continues to end the Remain in Mexico program

When the Biden administration re-implemented and expanded the Remain in Mexico program, NIJC attorneys attempted to offer consultations and interview accompaniment to people detained while awaiting processing. Our experience confirmed what we feared: There is no such thing as meaningful access to counsel or humane treatment in any version of Remain in Mexico, and it is impossible to fix a program built on an inhumane foundation. We continue to demand the administration immediately end Remain in Mexico. See a field update from NIJC attorneys. 

View our graphic series on Instagram explaining more about the inhumane and unlawful Remain in Mexico program.

Defending human rights in 2021

2021 was quite a year but we're so proud of all the ways that we came together with supporters and partners to defend human rights! Check out our blog post and infographic about some of the most exciting victories of last year and the impact they had on thousands of immigrants and people seeking safety. We’re looking forward to more victories for immigrant rights in 2022!

Kenault was reunited with his family!

A few days before Christmas, Kenault Lawrence returned home and finally reunited with his family after a decade of being separated. Kenault was deported to Jamaica in 2013, tearing him from his newborn son and leaving his wife in a desperate economic position. After the family fought for nearly ten years, the U.S. government allowed him to return and we welcomed him home to Virginia. See photos and watch the video of Kenault reuniting with his wife and son at the airport (warning: this is a tear-jerker).