Final settlement reached in class action lawsuit defending immigrant children

We now have a final settlement agreement in Garcia Ramirez v. ICE, NIJC's class action lawsuit with Kirkland & Ellis and American Immigration Council challenging the unlawful detention of unaccompanied children! As part of this settlement, the U.S. government is paying $4.8 million for costs incurred by plaintiffs as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) fought to continue jailing immigrant youth when they turned 18. We will continue to monitor ICE’s compliance to ensure they stop detaining children on their 18th birthdays. Read more about our lawsuit and the settlement.

People speak out about mental health in detention

A mother whose son died by suicide after more than six years in ICE detention and another mother who struggled with mental illness during her own 10 months in detention told Congressional staff about ICE's abusive mental health treatment during a recent briefing. They joined NIJC's policy team, a neurologist doctor, and a Department of Homeland Security whistleblower - all of whom have have worked for years to challenge ICE's abuse of people with mental illness and use of solitary confinement. Watch their stories.

New report on protecting immigrant children in government custody

NIJC and the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights published a new report showing how the federal government's "incident reporting" system harms unaccompanied and separated children and prolongs their time in federal custody. See the report.

Reports reveal Biden administration may expand Title 42

A year after border patrol violently expelled Haitians in Del Rio, Texas, who were seeking safety at our border, reports emerged that the Biden administration would try to expand Title 42. Pushing back asylum seekers, whether by deputizing other nations or expelling them ourselves, blatantly violates the law. The administration must END Title 42, not expand it. Read more.

Chicago continues to welcome migrants from border

It's been one month since the first migrants arrived in Chicago by bus from Texas. See more about how we're welcoming people, how you can help, and legal resources on our website.

IN THE NEWS: The New York Times published a letter to the editor by NIJC Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy and NIJC Leadership Board Member Iris J. Millán about Illinois' welcoming reception and the need for federal support and a functioning immigration system. NIJC's Alejandra Oliva joined advocates from partner organizations on WTTW's Chicago Tonight to talk about how we're assisting people who are arriving.

One month until the 4th Annual 5K for Immigrant Justice!

The 5K for Immigrant Justice is in less than one month! Join us in person in Goshen, Indiana on Saturday October 29, 2022 OR join us virtually and do your race on your favorite route near you anytime during race week through Saturday, November 5, 2022. Come together with people around the country to show your support for immigrant rights and to fund life-changing legal services. Sign up now to join the more than 400 people who are already participating: https://bit.ly/NIJC5K2022

New AmeriCorps VISTA & many other positions open at NIJC!

NIJC is now an AmeriCorps VISTA site and we're recruiting three members—a Pro Bono Data Coordinator, Volunteer Communications and Engagement Coordinator, and Volunteer Coordinator. Plus, we are hiring lots of other staff across all projects and experience levels! Check out all job descriptions on NIJC's career page and apply now.