Immigrants sue county and federal governments for misusing ICE detention funds

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), Sidley Austin LLP, and people in detention sued Clay County in Indiana for illegally using money meant for the care of migrants detained in their jail for things like raises for county employees and improvements at other county facilities. Meanwhile, immigrants are suffering in the county jail’s inhumane conditions. Read more about the plaintiffs' stories. The reality is that counties across the country profit off the detention of immigrants. Read our blog post about how our lawsuit challenges systemic failings of immigration detention.

Concerning efforts to delay the termination of Title 42 border policy

A growing number of members of Congress and reportedly the White House are seeking to delay the end of Title 42, the border policy with racist roots that blocks people seeking refuge at the U.S. border. NIJC has seen first-hand the harm and human rights violations that have occurred because of Title 42 and we condemn any delay to its termination. NIJC Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy said, "Backpedaling the rescission of Title 42 makes the Biden administration further complicit with a racist policy that was designed as an attack on the very foundations of refugee protection policy. Once again, we call on the Biden administration and members of Congress to resume asylum processing at the border." Read Mary Meg's statement.

Mary Meg joined nearly 40 civil rights leaders in sending a letter to President Biden imploring the administration to clearly defend its plans to restore asylum access and to end Title 42. Read the letter from civil rights leaders.

LEARN MORE: Get our FAQ about Title 42 and why we must end expulsions at the border.

TAKE ACTION: Tell your members of Congress to support the termination of Title 42 and to welcome people seeking refuge.

Virtual event: What It Will Take To Save Our Asylum System

Right now is a pivotal moment for the U.S. asylum system. Join us for a virtual event to review the state of asylum at the border, in the law, and in the courts, and learn how you can advocate for people seeking asylum.

What It Will Take to Save Our Asylum System
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
12:00 - 1:00 PM CT

Register now to join us for this virtual event: https://bit.ly/jj51022

Get tickets for NIJC's Human Rights Awards!

We still have tickets available for the in-person Human Rights Awards, but they're going fast so get your tickets now to join us!

Get tickets for the in-person or register for the virtual Human Rights Awards:
https://immigrantjustice.org/HumanRightsAwards

Here are the event details:

Wednesday, June 15, 2022
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. CT
Hilton Chicago, 58 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago, IL 60605

Virtual event:
Thursday, June 16, 2022
4:30 - 5:15 p.m. CT

The 23rd Annual NIJC Human Rights Awards will honor human rights champions and courageous immigrants and leaders in our communities!

2022 Awardees:

Keynote & Jeanne M. and Joseph P. Sullivan Award: Dan-el Padilla Peralta
Human Rights Corporate Award: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Human Rights Practitioner Award: Elizabeth Lopez of United Airlines
Community Change Award: Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

See more about the awardees and RSVP for the in-person and virtual Human Rights Awards:
https://immigrantjustice.org/HumanRightsAwards