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Dear Friends and Allies,

Minnesota's 2023 legislative session has gotten off to a flying start! We celebrate the Minnesota House's passage of Driver's Licenses For All resulting from the strong, combined effort of activists, legislators, religious, business, and civic leaders (including law enforcement). We were particularly thrilled that two of ILCM's fact sheets were cited and passed out during the floor debate! (LINKS: SF 27: [link removed]; ILCM Fact Sheet: [link removed]; DL Categories: [link removed] )

In the Senate, Driver's Licenses for All has already passed the Transportation and Judiciary Committees and will be heard in the State & Local Government Committee today and in the Finance Committee soon thereafter and then on the floor. Please call your Minnesota Senator and urge them to support Driver's Licenses for All. LINK: Call Senator: [link removed]

While Driver's Licenses For All is the top priority of immigrant advocates in this session, the agenda includes a number of other important bills, including:

- One Day Matters for Gross Misdemeanor Convictions: HF43/SF816 will reduce the maximum sentence for a gross misdemeanor from 365 days to 364 days. The bill does not change any elements of any underlying offenses, nor does it change the classification of any offenses. This bill simply ensures that a Minnesota gross misdemeanor conviction cannot be treated as an aggravated felony by the federal government. Seven states have passed similar measures, including Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. The bill has passed all House and Senate committees, and we look forward to a vote soon on the House and Senate floors. (LINKS: HF43 - [link removed] ; SF816 - [link removed] ; Colorado - [link removed] ; Nevada - [link removed] ; Utah - [link removed] )
- Office of New Americans: HF330/SF360 will permanently establish the Office of New Americans to ensure economic growth for the state and economic prosperity for all Minnesotans. Minnesota is facing a critical worker shortage and will be unable to sustain our economy--let alone grow--without immigrants and refugees. The bill has been introduced, and we look forward to committee hearings and passage to solidify the Office, which has been an incredible partner to ILCM and the communities we serve. (LINKS: HF330 - [link removed] ; SF360 - [link removed] )
- Expanding tax credits for Minnesotans with ITINs: Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) allow undocumented Minnesotans to pay federal and state taxes. Unfortunately, ITIN holders do not have access to a number of tax exemptions and credits, despite their contributions to our economy. SF 174 would allow ITIN holders to access the homestead exemption, and the House Tax Committee will be hearing a bill on Thursday to expand the working family credit to ITIN holders. Both bills would support working undocumented and mixed status families. (LINK: SF 174: [link removed] )
- Expanding MinnesotaCare Coverage: HF96 / SF49 will extend MinnesotaCare coverage to all Minnesota residents, regardless of their immigration status. This will allow all Minnesotans to purchase the quality, affordable health care they need to stay healthy and keep their communities healthy. The bill has been introduced, and we look forward to committee hearings which highlight the benefit of this expansion for all Minnesotans. (LINK: HF96 - [link removed] ; SF49 - [link removed] )

In total, more than 2,000 bills have been introduced in the Minnesota House and Senate so far this session. We know that many of you are active in our democracy and are monitoring and advocating for numerous policies. As you do so, we ask you to apply your immigrant and refugee advocate lens and ask these questions:

- How does this policy impact noncitizen neighbors and community members?
- Does it impose a special burden on immigrants and refugees?
- Does it include or exclude immigrants and refugees?
- Does it address the special needs of immigrants and refugees?

If you can't answer these questions just by reading the proposal, pose these questions to the elected officials and organizations championing the policy. And reach out to us at [email protected] with subject line "Advocacy" if there's a proposal where ILCM can help ensure that policy proposals work for immigrant and refugee Minnesotans.

Thank you for all your support for Minnesota immigrants and refugees. That support has been crucial in the progress we have seen so far in this legislative session. If you'd like up-to-date information on legislation affecting immigrants and refugees, please follow us on social media and sign up to receive Action Alerts. (LINK: Action Alerts: [link removed] )

Adelante!

Veena Iyer
ILCM Executive Director


Giving Hearts Day is February 9!

In 2022, ILCM began providing services to refugees, asylees, and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders in the Fargo area. ILCM has long had a presence in the Fargo-Moorhead and northwest Minnesota area with its Moorhead office opening in 2015. Since then, the need for immigration legal services has only grown...

We are thrilled to share that we have secured an anonymous matching donor! The first $5,000 raised on February 9th will be matched. Don't miss your chance to double your impact for immigrants and refugees in your community!

Busy on February 9? Schedule your gift ahead of time!

Support ILCM: [link removed]


Driver's Licenses for All!

Driver's licenses for all (HF 4/S 27) would restore driver's licenses to all Minnesotans regardless of immigration status so long as they pass the written and practical tests, increasing safe legal access to our shared roads for everyone. This was the law until 2003 when the governor unilaterally revoked this right. On January 30, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed Driver's Licenses for All with 69-60 votes.

We urge everyone who supports Driver's Licenses for All to call your Minnesota Senator and urge them to support Driver's Licenses for All!

ILCM fact sheet: [link removed]
Call Your Senator: [link removed]


Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti

On December 5, 2022, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced an extension and redesignation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This extension and redesignation will be in effect from February 4, 2023, through August 3, 2024. Instructions for applying for TPS are included in the Federal Register Notice (FRN) on TPS Haiti (published January 26, 2023).

ILCM's Fact Sheet: [link removed]
FRN: [link removed]


Minnesota's Newest Americans

On Friday, January 13, from 8-9 am ILCM joined with distinguished speakers to talk about what you need to know about new Americans in Minnesota: who they are, what they are contributing, and what they need to thrive, stay, and keep calling Minnesota home.

ASL interpretation and closed captioning was provided and is included in the recording.

View Event Recording: [link removed]


Indeed We Can

Indeed we can! Indeed we did!

Thank you to Indeed Brewing Company and everyone who came to Indeed Brewing on January 18 to support ILCM!

Support ILCM: [link removed]


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