Federal lawsuit challenges latest attempt to block asylum seekers

This week, NIJC filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration with the ACLU, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, and Human Rights First challenging so-called “safe third country” agreements that send individuals to dangerous places and block asylum seekers from receiving a chance at asylum. Read about our lawsuit.

Trump administration knew trauma of family separation

Our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request unearthed documents showing that pediatricians, social workers, civil rights groups, and even government employees had documented the severe trauma and harm caused by separating families -- dating back to 2016 -- and the Trump administration decided to separate families en masse anyway. Read the investigation by The Center for Public Integrity and The Texas Tribune.

Shout out to our partners in the FOIA, American Immigration Council, Kids in Need of Defense, Women's Refugee Commission, and The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project.

Congress authorizes more funding for mass incarceration and deportation

Before the holidays, Congress passed a spending bill which allows unchecked spending by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection to continue expanding mass incarceration and deportation. Read NIJC's statement with the Defund Hate Campaign.

IN THE NEWS: NIJC's Heidi Altman spoke to Arizona PBS about the troubling consequences of this bill.

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On the blog: Jonah's journey out of detention after asking for asylum

Jonah fled political persecution in Zimbabwe but when he arrived at O'Hare airport and asked for asylum, U.S. officials separated him from his wife and threw him into immigration jail, causing him to miss the birth of his child. After suffering trauma in jail, he finally was freed and granted asylum. Read Jonah's story.

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Be the next COO at NIJC!

We're looking for a dynamic, mission-driven person to be NIJC's Chief Operating Officer in our Chicago office! This is an exciting opportunity to help guide a leading human rights organization at a pivotal time for immigrant rights. See the full COO job description and other open positions at NIJC.