CLINIC’s Advocacy Program

Advocacy is one of CLINIC’s core programs. At the local, state, and federal levels, CLINIC’s advocacy staff develop and lead strategies to create law, policy, and systems that ensure the rights and dignity of immigrants. Examples include advocating for the broad use of Temporary Protected Status to safeguard immigrants in the United States, working to create a system that facilitates access to naturalization for all, and combatting enforcement at the state and local levels that hurts our communities.

CLINIC’s advocacy work is pulled from the expertise of in-house staff, our network of 400 nonprofit immigrant legal services providers — who are serving hundreds of thousands of immigrants on any given days — and advocacy partners. Every aspect of our advocacy work is guided by Catholic social teaching and following the lead of impacted communities.

Read CLINIC’s 2024 Advocacy Priorities here.

Key Issue Areas

Federal Administrative Advocacy

CLINIC’s advocacy efforts are informed by our approximately 380 network agencies and the more than 2,000 legal representatives they employ and seek to honor the experiences of their clients. Our status as a lead trainer on immigration law and non-profit program management is enhanced by our ability to effectively and productively communicate with representatives from government agencies. Above all, our work is guided by our Catholic identity and the values of Catholic social teaching, as it relates to the treatment of immigrants. Our administrative advocacy efforts take many forms and occur in a variety of settings. We may choose to engage directly with the government. We may build, lead, or join coalitions to accomplish our work. The strategies we develop and tactics we employ depend upon the issue area and theory of change.

Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law

Immigrating to another country takes a lot of courage. Some people may see your immigration status as a weakness and try to take advantage of you. Others may genuinely want to help you, but they simply are not authorized or qualified to do so. Before you ask someone for help or pay for a service, CLINIC wants to help you protect yourself, and others, from immigration scams, commonly called notario fraud.

TPS and DED

Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is a life-saving immigration status that allows foreign nationals to remain in the U.S.

Deferred Enforced Departure, or DED, like TPS, allows foreign nationals to be protected from deportation and have the opportunity to work. DED is granted through the President’s foreign relations power.

State and Local Legislation

Since 2007, CLINIC has been providing policy, engagement, and research support to advocates who are working on immigration legislation proposed and introduced at the state and local level. As efforts for immigration reform at the federal level continue to be delayed, state and local communities have been increasingly active on immigration-related matters.

Promoting the Dignity of Immigrants With Affordable Legal Expertise

As it has for more than 30 years, CLINIC will fight for the rights of immigrants. CLINIC trains legal representatives who provide high-quality and affordable immigration legal services. We develop and sustain a network of nonprofit programs that serve over 500,000 immigrants every year. We cultivate projects that support and defend vulnerable immigrant populations by:

Providing direct representation for asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border and educating them about their rights;
Reuniting formerly separated families;
Increasing legal representation for those in removal proceedings and in detention;
Providing public education on immigration law and policies; and
Advocating for fair and just immigration policies that acknowledge the inherent dignity and value of all people.

History has taught us that people who step up can make a difference. We hope you will join us.

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About the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

Embracing the Gospel value of welcoming the stranger, CLINIC promotes the dignity and protects the rights of immigrants in partnership with a dedicated network of Catholic and community legal immigration programs. We are based out of Silver Spring, Maryland (Washington, D.C. metropolitan area), with an office in Oakland, California, and additional staff working from locations throughout the country. Questions and inquiries can be sent to national@cliniclegal.org.

National Office

Phone: (301) 565-4800
Fax: (301) 565-4824

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