08/12/2019
For Immediate Release: August 12, 2019 Contact: Arianna Rosales, media [at] ilrc.org Congress Must Block Public Charge Policies that Harm Immigrant Families and Communities, Says Immigrant Legal Resource Center Today, the Trump administration finalized a rule which will severely undermine the health of our communities by dramatically expanding how the use of critical health programs and services...
08/08/2019
This community resource explains Freedom City Policies in Austin, Texas, an example of organizers, advocates and community members coming together to fight for the decriminalization of immigrants and communities of color. It gives an overview of the policies, why they were enacted, their impact on the community, individuals’ rights under the policies and actions that may be taken if police...
08/06/2019
In a flawed but significant decision, the Ninth Circuit held that California Penal Code § 243(d), battery with injury, is a crime of violence. United States v. Perez (9th Cir. July 11, 2019). Because of Perez, criminal defenders must assume that § 243(d) is a crime of violence and seek other dispositions when necessary. Immigration advocates should appeal adverse decisions and preserve the...
07/26/2019
On July 23, 2019, DHS issued a notice, expanding the reach of expedited removal to individuals who have been living in the United States for two years or less, and who live anywhere in the United States. This would allow noncitizens to be deported without an opportunity to gather evidence or to present their case to a judge. On August 6, 2019, the American Immigration Council, the American Civil...
07/16/2019
On Tuesday, July 16, 2019, ILRC Executive Director, Eric Cohen, testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship about the current dysfunctional state of our country’s naturalization program. He joined representatives from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) to shed light on how USCIS policy...
07/11/2019
This practice advisory provides an overview of ways to advocate with USCIS and DHS components for solutions to individual case problems and systemic issues.
07/11/2019
This community resource provides a brief explanation of the Immigration Court experience. It gives an overview of what happens in Immigration Court, how to confirm information about a case in Immigration Court, and what a person in removal proceedings should do if they do not have an attorney to represent them at an upcoming hearing. This information is useful for community members and advocates...
06/28/2019
Noncitizen victims of violence, serious crimes, and persecution may be eligible for certain forms of immigration protection and status. These options are often referred to as Humanitarian Forms of Relief. They include: T nonimmigrant status, U nonimmigrant status, VAWA self-petition, asylum, and special immigrant juvenile status. This practice advisory is one of two that will give an overview of...
06/28/2019
This practice advisory provides an overview of the Matter of M-A-C-O- decision and gives some arguments and tips for practitioners to help them advocate for their UC clients seeking asylum. It also addresses the new USCIS memo on initial jurisdiction over UC asylum claims.
06/27/2019
This advisory is the second in a two-part series on unlawful presence and unlawful presence waivers. This advisory covers the requirements and process for the provisional waiver, as well as updates and pitfalls to avoid in light of recent changes that have made pursuing the provisional waiver process more challenging. These include: State Department updates to public charge guidance and increased...