Center for Immigrant Rights
Preparing for CLINIC/JFI Advocacy Day
Advocacy Day is Tuesday, May 21, 2013.
Get ready for your day on Capitol Hill! Kevin Appleby, Director of USCCB's Office of Migration Policy and Public Affairs and Allison Posner, CLINIC's Director of Advocacy will speak about the Church's position on immigration reform and how to frame your "asks" when speaking with your representatives. We will also review the agenda for Advocacy Day and provide practical tips about getting around the Hill and what to expect from the day.
Held on May 7, 2013.
CLINIC Comments on Age-out Protections for U Visa Derivatives
On January 10, 2013, CLINIC shared comments on USCIS’s policy memo, “Age-Out Protection for Derivative U Nonimmigrant Status Holders: Pending Petitions, Initial Approvals, and Extension of Status.” CLINIC welcomes the issuance of the guidance, as this policy will provide much needed security for the immigrant crime victims and their families that CLINIC members serve. We are encouraged by USCIS’ statement that the preservation of family unity is a benefit to law enforcement. The policy provides important protections for U visa derivatives who age out after the approval of
CLINIC Comments on Employment Eligibility for VAWA Beneficiaries
On January 10, 2013, CLINIC shared comments with USCIS on its guidance entitled “Eligibility for Employment Authorization upon Approval of a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self- Petition; and, Eligibility for Employment Authorization for Battered Spouses of Certain Nonimmigrants.” CLINIC’s comments addressed concerns regarding the employment authorization process for approved VAWA beneficiaries, as well as the eligibility for employment authorization for battered spouses of A, E (iii), G, and H nonimmigrants. To read the full comments,
By: Charles Wheeler CIS has just released interim guidance on age-out protection for U derivatives. Per the guidance: The interim guidance does not address derivatives who age-out abroad while the application for derivative status is pending. The guidance is effective immediately.
USCIS Issues Policy Memos on VAWA EAD Eligibility and U Visa Derivative
Migration Policy and Advocacy in 2013 and Beyond: New Challenges and New Opportunities
Date: Monday Dec 03, 2012 to Wednesday Dec 05, 2012
Migration Policy and Advocacy in 2013 and Beyond: New Challenges and New Opportunities
*Please note that times are listed for the event's local timezone.
DHS Guidance on Hurricane Sandy
Click here for the original letter.
To the extent that Tropical Storm/Hurricane Sandy (Sandy) impacts law enforcement operations and/or the storm triggers the need for an officially ordered evacuation or an emergency government response, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) highest priorities are to promote life-saving and life-sustaining activities, the safe evacuation of people who are leaving the impacted area, the maintenance of public order, the prevention of the loss of property to the extent possible, and the speedy recovery of the impacted region.
As such, to the extent that Sandy impacts law enforcement operations and/or the storm triggers the need for an officially ordered evacuation or an emergency government response, there will be no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations or sheltering related to Sandy, including the use of checkpoints for immigration purposes in impacted areas during an evacuation. If a state or local law enforcement agency determines that individuals in their custody should be transferred or released due to Sandy, the state or local law enforcement agency should not decline to do so solely on the basis of an immigration detainer issued by ICE or CBP.
Comments on the Department of Health and Human Services' DACA/Lawfully Present Amendment
On October 23, 2012, CLINIC and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services in response to the Department’s amendment of the definition of the term “lawfully present.” The amendment will prevent those granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program from accessing affordable health insurance coverage options. Excluding DACA recipients from this program is inequitable and undercuts the spirit of the Administration’s DACA policy.
Juvenile Records: State by State
A criminal record may disqualify you for DACA. Start with the resources on this chart to get a copy of yours. Know your criminal history before applying.
Support for Integration Grant Funding
CLINIC and other organizations that help permanent residents naturalize and that promote the integration of newcomers sent the attached letter to Representative Nancy Pelosi, urging her to support appropriations funding for the U.S. Citizenship and Integration Grants Program. Since the program began in October 2009, USCIS’s Program has helped more than 38,000 permanent residents in 30 states and the District of Columbia prepare for citizenship. Twenty-six percent of the 2012 grantees are CLINIC affiliates.
Letter from ICE and CBP about Hurricane Isaac
Click here for the original letter in English, Spanish or Vietnamese.
In the event that Hurricane/Tropical Storm Isaac (Isaac) triggers the need for an officially ordered
evacuation or an emergency government response, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) highest priorities are to promote life-saving and lifesustaining activities, the safe evacuation of people who are leaving the impacted area, the maintenance of public order, the prevention of the loss of property to the extent possible, and the speedy recovery of the region
As such, there will be no immigration enforcement initiatives associated with evacuations or shelteringrelated to Isaac, including the use of checkpoints for immigration enforcement purposes in impacted areas during an evacuation. If a state or local law enforcement agency determines that individuals in their custody should be transferred or released due to Isaac, the state or local law enforcement agency should not decline to do so solely on the basis of an immigration detainer issued by ICE or CBP. If a state or local law enforcement agency does decide to release an individual subject to an ICE or CBP detainer based on Isaac, the agency should, wherever possible, contact the local ICE or CBP office prior to any such release to ensure that the release does not pose a danger to the community.
