Advocacy Letters/Comments
Advocates Support Expansion of the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) Legal Orientation Program (LOP)
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, along with other faith-based, human rights, immigrant advocacy, and legal service organizations expressed thir support for expanding the Legal Orientation Program (LOP), a program within the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). Since its launch in 2003, LOP has generated bipartisan support because of its proven track record in reducing court processing times and making the detention and immigration court process more efficient.
Comments on Public Meetings: Proposed Changes to Regulations Governing Recognition and Accreditation [EOIR Docket No. 176]
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) submits these comments in response to the request for public comment by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) in advance of its two public meetings on the agency's proposal to amend the regulations governing the recognition of organizations and accreditation of representatives who appear before EOIR.
Open Letter in Response to the Closing of the Berks County Family Shelter Care Center and Solicitation of New Family Detention Beds
"We call on the administration to prioritize release of immigrant families in all cases. We
urge the administration to assign social workers to manage familiesʼ cases rather than
placing them in detention. For families without housing, the administration should
partner with non-profit shelter or child welfare organizations experienced in supporting
asylum-seeking and immigrant families to resolve any issues preventing the direct
release of families. Social workers with proven track records providing family and child
Comments on Special Immigrant Juvenile Regulations
The undersigned members of the ICLN and other interested parties are writing in response to the regulations proposed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) on September 6,
2011, regarding Special Immigrant Juvenile Petitions. While we applaud the proposed
regulations’ provisions reflecting the statutory language updated by the William Wilberforce
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, we have significant concerns about
much of the proposed regulatory language, as well as the commentary accompanying the
CLINIC Letter to Secure Communities Task Force
CLINIC offers our faith-based perspective to recommend improvements to the Secure Communities program.
Comments on Policy on Unauthorized Practice of Law
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) submits these comments in response to the request for public comments by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Policy Memorandum, PM-602-0039, The Role of USCIS District Directors in the Board of Immigration Appeals Recognition and Accreditation Process; Revisions to the Adjudicator’s Field Manual, New Chapter 12.6, AFM Update AD 11-34. Click here (pdf) for the full letter.
CLINIC and USCCB Comments on DHS’s Policy on Removals to Haiti
On March 11, 2011 CLINIC and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) responded to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Policy for Resumed Removals to Haiti, which DHS made available for public comment on Monday, March 7, 2011. Click here (pdf) for the full letter.
NGO Comments on ICE Draft Detainer Policy
CLINIC and several other advocacy organizations have submitted a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that addresses the agency's draft policy on detainers.
CLINIC Comments on USCIS Fee Waiver Request Form
CLINIC is pleased that USCIS has finally agreed to create a fee waiver application form, as this is something we have been requesting for many years. This form is particularly important at this time, when USCIS is proposing to raise application fees again.
CLINIC Comments on changes to EOIR 1-800 Line
In a letter to Thomas G. Snow, acting director the Executive Office for Immigration Review, CLINIC expressed concern over the agency's proposed change to the telephone system that is available to individuals in removal proceedings.
