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.

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.

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
• *Volunteer opportunities for interpretation
• Al Otro Lado, San Diego, California/Tijuana, Mexico
• *Volunteer opportunities for interpretation
• Las Americas, El Paso, Texas
• *Multiple volunteer opportunities, including interpretation
• Border Servant Corps (BSC), Las Cruces, New Mexico
• *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