State and Local Immigration Enforcement
In 2007, CLINIC created a new project to support advocates working to address the growing number of anti-immigrant measures proposed and introduced at the state and local levels. After the collapse of comprehensive immigration reform in 2007, approximately 500 immigration related bills were introduced by state legislators. By 2008, the number of proposed immigration-related bills had tripled to 1,562. Nearly every state legislature had introduced a bill related to immigration. Through the project, CLINIC provides legal analysis, training, technical assistance, and support to advocates working to combat anti-immigrant legislation and ordinances, many of which are far reaching and penalize not only the undocumented, but their families, business owners, and others who interact with them. Contact CLINIC staff attorney Karen Siciliano Lucas at klucas@cliniclegal.org for more information.
Upcoming Events
Please join us for an immigration advocacy training in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, November 17th from 8:30am-3:00pm! For more information and registration, see this flyer.
Register here for the MRS/CLINIC December 3-5, 2012 national conference: "Migration Policy and Advocacy in 2013 and Beyond: New Challenges and New Opportunities"!
State & Local Bulletins and Updates
States Are Fighting for Pro-Immigrant Legislation...and Winning!
Federal Judge Delivers Tough Blow to “America’s Toughest Sheriff”
Arizona and Nebraska Still Battling to Keep DACA Recipients Off the Road
State Advocate's Bulletin Winter 2012
State Advocate's Bulletin Fall 2011
Litigation & Policy Updates March 2012
Litigation & Policy Updates April 2012
Litigation & Policy Updates June 2012
State Immigration Legislation 2010-2012: State & Local Policy Map
Federal/State Enforcement Partnerships: Resources
9-26-2012 Sign-On Letter Opposing New Or Renewed 287(g) Agreements
Latest Developments in State & Local Pushback Against Detainers
A Sample Letter to the Homeland Security Advisory Council’s Task Force on Secure Communities
8-30-2011 Letter to the Homeland Security Advisory Council’s Task Force on Secure Communities
A Tool Kit for Communities to Advocate Against ICE Partnerships with Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Analyses of Court Challenges to State Immigration Laws 2011 & 2012
Issues Raised by State Immigration Enforcement
Undocumented Immigrants and the Right to Marry
State Challenges to Birthright Citizenship
Five Facts About State Mandatory E-Verify Laws
What is the Economic Impact of Unauthorized Work?
State Immigration Enforcement Bills: Talking Points for Advocates
What Does "Harboring" Mean? A Recent Federal Case in the Seventh Circuit
How Do Alabama-Style Immigration Laws Separate Families?
The Truth About Immigration: Why There Is No Line
USCCB/CLINIC Conference Salt Lake City January 2012
Karen Siciliano Lucas Powerpoint Presentation: State Immigration Enforcement Overview
Wendy Cervantes Powerpoint Presentation: Public Benefits Restrictions and Education Policy
Justice for Immigrants' Photos of the USCCB/CLINIC Conference Salt Lake City
What Are Our Bishops Saying About State Immigration Legislation?
Click here for our recent postings (organized by state).
Litigation Assessment
CLINIC is requesting information about cases that may be in need of litigation before state, local, and federal court systems. If you are aware of any of these type of cases, please complete our Litigation Assessment Referral Form.
Please note that CLINIC is compiling this data for informational purposes. Submission of this form does not guarantee that CLINIC will attempt to match or litigate your case.
For information on CLINIC's effforts to document immigration enforcement abuse, click here.
Additional Resources
Advocacy groups around the country are providing resources on the issue of anti-immigrant laws. Below are a few resources:
The Migration Policy Institute(MPI) discusses research and advocacy about state and local issues on its website.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association(AILA) has compiled a list of the many tools created by immigrant advocacy organizations to assist in local/state advocacy initiatives.
The National Conference of State Legislatures tracks state legislation related to immigration.
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) coordinates a state and local immigration listserv. To join the listserv, send an email to Elena Lacayo (elacayo@nclr.org) with your contact information, a description of your organization, and the reasons why you want to join the listserv.NCLR also hosts periodic conference calls on state and local advocacy issues. For more information on NCLR’s work on these issues.
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) hosts a materials-sharing website on state and local immigration policy. To apply to join the website, send an email to Elena Lacayo (elacayo@nclr.org) with your contact information, a description of your organization, and the reasons why you want to access the website.
The Progressive States Network’s State Immigration Project provides updates on immigrant initiatives around the country.
