,

Two weeks ago, we wrote to you that we were headed to court. Well, we already have a victory to report!

First, a bit of NILC history: In the 1980s, we successfully secured a nationwide, permanent injunction requiring the INS (now the Department of Homeland Security, or DHS) to stop interfering with the rights of Salvadorans to apply for asylum in the United States.

Under the “Remain in Mexico” policy, Salvadorans and other asylum seekers have been denied certain protections to which they are entitled. So, we headed back to court to fight against this inhumane policy that perpetuates the harm we fought so hard to end over 30 years ago.

Last week, a federal district court in Los Angeles granted our request to order the U.S. government to turn over critical information on the “Remain in Mexico” program and its impact on Salvadoran nationals. This victory will help us expose the full extent of the harm caused by this cruel and unlawful policy.

The protections enshrined in the Orantes injunction are as vital today as they were when they were established. We will continue fighting to restore full and fair access to asylum for all people seeking safety and freedom from persecution. Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Lisa Graybill
Legal Director
National Immigration Law Center