Friend, a couple weeks ago, my colleague, Lisa, sent you
an email offering a chance to submit questions about the U.S. immigration system
or pressing immigration issues. We received questions about our asylum system,
DACA, health care, and more. Haven’t submitted yet? There’s still time to add your question for the chance
to receive a response from one of our NILC experts.
[[link removed]]

I tapped some of NILC’s experts to answer three of the questions we received
from you:

1) Why hasn’t a pathway to citizenship for immigrant youth passed in Congress
yet?

This is the question on so many of our minds. We know that protecting immigrant
youth is morally right, economically smart, and a majority of Americans support
it. And yet, year after year, politicians have failed to deliver a permanent
solution. Why?

Sadly, immigration has become one of the most politicized issues of our time. So
even though the need for a pathway to citizenship for immigrant youth is urgent,
our Congressional representatives, once again, ended last year without taking
action. To be clear, this does not mean the fight is over. We must be
unrelenting in our demands and clear in our message that this is not about
politics, it’s about people’s lives and what is best for our country. It
shouldn’t take the imminent threat of DACA ending in the courts for Congress to
muster the courage to act. However, it’s clear that there will come a moment
when they can delay no longer, and we will be there fighting to make sure they
do the right thing.

2) Can someone who is undocumented travel to another state for an abortion?

Yes, you can travel from one state to another state to get healthcare services,
including abortions. If you live in a state where abortion is not legal, you can
go to a state where legal abortions are available to get health care. However,
Border Patrol interior checkpoints and agents posted at airports alongside TSA
screeners require lawful status to pass through.

Anyone without documents who is at or near a U.S. international border and needs
to travel for health care by land or air should first consult an immigration
attorney, and then, if needed, an advocacy organization. Self-managed medication
can be an alternative to traveling. Click here to learn more about traveling as an undocumented person.
[[link removed]]

3) I’m a board-certified pediatrician, retired after 35 years, and moderately
fluent in medical Spanish. I’d like to volunteer at the border. Can you send me
to someone that can help?

Yes! There are many opportunities to volunteer with or donate to organizations
working on-the-ground with impacted communities at the border. Here are a few
you can check out:

* Florence Project, Tucson, Arizona
[[link removed]]
* *Volunteer opportunities for interpretation
* Al Otro Lado, San Diego, California/Tijuana, Mexico
[[link removed]]
* *Volunteer opportunities for interpretation
* Las Americas, El Paso, Texas
[[link removed]]
* *Multiple volunteer opportunities, including interpretation
* Border Servant Corps (BSC), Las Cruces, New Mexico
[[link removed]]
* *Provides medicine and medical supplies at the border

As you can see, immigration in the U.S. is complicated and often difficult to
understand. Hopefully the answers above shed some light into how our system
works and what can be done to improve it.

Thank you,

Raha Wala
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy
National Immigration Law Center

DONATE
[[link removed]]This email was sent to [email protected].
If you would no longer like to receive emails, you may unsubscribe below.
View in Browser [[link removed]] | Unsubscribe [[link removed]] | Manage Your Preferences
[[link removed]]