The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit resource center that provides immigration legal trainings, technical assistance, and educational materials, and engages in advocacy and immigrant civic engagement to advance immigrant rights.
To speak to one of our expert immigration attorneys, learn more about a particular aspect of immigration policy or law, or to be added to our media list for updates, please contact media@ilrc.org
For all naturalization related media inquires, please contact media@ilrc.org
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California Launches Unprecedented Campaign to Provide Free Immigration Legal Services and Support for Immigrant Community College Students
(San Francisco, CA)—California has launched the Higher Education Legal Services Project, an unprecedented campaign to provide California Community College students with free immigration legal services and support, including immigration consultations, eligibility screenings, and case management. By making these services accessible and available for free, students affiliated with the state’s largest college system gain access to trusted legal support to avoid exorbitant legal fees and potential fraud.
Deported Activist Reunited With His Family After 20 Year Legal Battle
(San Francisco, CA)—Committed advocate, father, and grandfather, Robert Vivar, was reunited with his family today in San Diego after 20 years of tirelessly fighting for himself and veterans to return to the U.S. During the time Mr. Vivar was deported and living in Mexico he worked with other deported veterans with their cases and has been an ally with immigrant communities and organizations to push the New Way Forward Act, a bill that would decriminalize immigration and address injustice and systemic racism in the U.S. immigration system.
Administration’s New Enforcement Priorities Dangerously Give Officers Broad Discretion
Contact: media@ilrc.org
The ILRC firmly condemns the brutality and violence Haitian asylum seekers have been met with at the U.S.-Mexico border
Contact: media@ilrc.org
ILRC Reflects on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11
(Washington)—As the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) observes the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the ILRC urges the country to change course on two decades of harmful policies and adopt a new way forward. This moment of reflection calls for critical analysis of the policies enacted in reaction to the attacks.
Biden Harris Administration Must Fully End Trump-era Policies that Punish Asylum Seekers
Contact: media@ilrc.org
House Passes Senate Budget Resolution Including Pathway to Citizenship; ILRC Says Legalization Should Be Broad and Inclusive
(Washington)—Today the House of Representatives passed a budget resolution that includes a pathway to citizenship. After years of bold organizing and tireless advocacy, legislators are no longer able to ignore the need to provide relief to millions of members of the immigrant community. As Congress spends the next weeks developing the details of this policy, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) urges Congress members to remember that the legalization should be broad and inclusive.
New Report Shows How Non-Citizens in Harris County are Treated Unfairly by Courts; Texas GOP Bail Bill Adds to the Injustice
(Houston, Texas)—A report issued today by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) shows how non-citizens are treated unfairly by the Harris County criminal court system. Unfortunately, a bill supported by Republicans that is being considered in the Texas State Legislature special session will continue this injustice.
Immigrant Legal Resource Center Applauds New ICE Policy to Avoid Arresting and Deporting Noncitizen Survivors of Crime
(Washington)—The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) commends Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) new policy to avoid arresting and deporting noncitizen survivors of crime.
Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Gov. Abbott's Order Restricting Transportation of Migrants
For Immediate Release: August 3, 2021
ILRC Commends Biden Harris Administration Strategy to Promote Naturalization Across Federal Agencies
(Washington)—The Biden Harris Administration’s initiative to promote naturalization across a host of federal agencies is an exciting strategy to expand access to the citizenship process to millions of immigrants.
The ILRC Condemns Texas Judge’s Ruling that DACA Program is Unlawful
(San Francisco, CA)--The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) will continue to defend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program which has granted close to 1 million immigrant youth protection from deportation. The ILRC, along with our partners, will continue to fight US District Court Judge Andrew Hanen’s ruling today declaring DACA unlawful in a case brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and joined by 9 states. Today’s decision does not affect current recipients and their ability to renew their DACA cases but blocks the government from approving new applications for DACA from first-time applicants.
AG Garland Restores Access to Administrative Closure in Immigration Courts, Reversing a Trump Era Decision
(San Francisco, CA)—The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) applauded today’s decision by Attorney General Merrick Garland to restore access to administrative closure in immigration courts nationwide, reversing a Trump era decision that had halted this longstanding practice.
ILRC Condemns ICE Director Nominee Gonzalez’ Comments in Confirmation Hearing
(Washington)—Today, during Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez’ Senate confirmation hearing for the ICE director position, the rest of the country got to see what Texans already knew: that Gonzalez has no plans to change immigration enforcement in the United States.
Rep. Garcia, Teen Advocate, New American Campaign Founding Funders Honored at 2021 Burton Awards Ceremony
(San Francisco, CA)—Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia, teen activist Crista Ramos, and the New American Campaign’s founding funders were honored at the 2021 Burton Awards for their work in the areas of policy, advocacy, and lawyering to significantly advance the civil rights of immigrants.
Gov. Abbott’s Anti-Immigrant Fervor Gets Worse as He Orders Texas Prison Cleared to Hold Immigrants
(Austin, TX)—Greg Abbott has signaled that his mission as governor of Texas is to unleash as much harm as possible against immigrants, while ignoring the real needs of Texans.
9th Anniversary of DACA Acknowledges Strength of Immigrant Youth Organizing But Highlights Need for Action from Biden Harris Administration
(San Francisco, CA)—The 9th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program marks the continued determination of the immigrant community battling against hateful and racist policies to win relief, but unfortunately highlights the continued danger faced by immigrant communities at the hands of the Biden Harris Administration’s enforcement and detention practices.
Congressional leaders push back on Biden’s DOJ’s attack on California private prison ban
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, a congressional letter led by Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA) and Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ), urged Attorney General Merick Garland drop the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against California’s AB 32 bill banning private prisons. The letter has been signed by 25 members of congress including representative Rashida Tlaib, member of the famous Squad at the House of Representatives. This follows a similar letter submitted to the U.S. DOJ by advocates in March.
Supreme Court Rules Unanimously Against Immigrants with TPS
The lives of thousands of immigrants who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) were thrown into further turmoil today when a unanimous Supreme Court restricted a potential path to permanent residence for those who entered the country without permission. There are approximately 400,000 people from 12 countries with TPS status, which provides the right to live and work lawfully in the United States but no permanent status.
Collective Freedom Project Launches: Shows How Communities are Fighting Criminalization
The Collective Freedom Project launched today, an effort of more than 24 organizations and coalitions throughout the country committed to waging campaigns that bring together both citizens and noncitizens in efforts to fight against criminalization in pursuit of collective freedom. The project tells the stories of how local communities in Atlanta, California, Chicago, and Texas have successfully protected people from police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) violence, ended the use of a racist gang database, closed jails and immigrant detention centers, and pursued a groundbreaking state legislative agenda.
One Year After George Floyd’s Murder, Much Work Still Needs to be Done to Dismantle Racist Institutions
On the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, much work still needs to be done to dismantle racist institutions that target Black people, including Black immigrants. Although former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd, anti-Black racism is still rampant in the criminal legal system. Unless there is deep systemic change, this vicious cycle of racism against Black people will be repeated.
California Supreme Court Directs Lower Court to Vacate Old Conviction for Deported Activist
(San Francisco, CA)—The California Supreme Court today ordered the lower court to vacate the old conviction for deported activist Robert Vivar, bringing him one step closer to being reunited with his family in the U.S.
In response to Harris County Sheriff Gonzalez's Pending Nomination as ICE Director, Advocates Demand Accountability and Bold Action