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.
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
State Advocate's Bulletin
State Immigration Legislation 2010-2011: Resources
Podcast: Indiana Immigration Law PL 171 Q & A
State Immigration Enforcement, Human Dignity and Poverty: What Should I Know? What Can I Do?
Webinar: State and Local Immigration Laws: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (2010)
Federal/State Enforcement Partnerships: Resources
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
10-18-2011 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
Legal Issues Raised by State Immigration Enforcement
State Challenges to Birthright Citizenship
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.
