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    Important Information and Resources Related to COVID-19 Pandemic

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    3. State and Local Immigration Project

    State and Local Immigration Project

    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.

    For example, after the collapse of comprehensive immigration reform in 2007, approximately 500 immigration related bills were introduced by state legislators with 270 measures enacted. During the 2017 state legislative session, lawmakers in nearly all 50 states enacted more than 300 immigration-related laws within the first half of the year. The laws addressed critical immigration topics, including local police participation in federal immigration enforcement, anti-sanctuary policies in schools and local government, as well as refugee resettlement.

    Through the State and Local Immigration Project, CLINIC provides legal analysis, training, technical assistance, and support to advocates working to both combat anti-immigrant legislation and ordinances, and to support pro-immigrant measures. Contact CLINIC advocacy attorneys, at advocacy@cliniclegal.org for more information.

    Migration in the Community: Bishops' Statements

    A collection of statements from Bishops on Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (DACA)

    • USCCB Executive Committee’s statement on the administration’s DACA decision
    • Catholic Bishops condemn Trump administration’s decision to rescind DACA
    • California Bishops urge the administration to protect DACA youth and their families
    • Bishops in Missouri call upon state and federal officials to work together to enact legislation that establish a pathway to citizenship for young undocumented immigrants
    • Cardinal Cupich, Archdiocese of Chicago, responds to DACA decision by reaffirming the Churches commitment to upholding the dignity and fundamental rights of all persons
    • Bishop McGrath of the Diocese of San Jose expresses disappointment with the decision to rescind DACA
    • Bishops of Arizona and New Mexico urge the community to pray and advocate for protections for DACA youth
    • Wisconsin Bishops call on Congress to find a legislative solution that protects DACA youth
    • Indiana Bishops issue a statement of support for DACA immigrants and calls upon Congress to act responsibly to provide protection for them

    Related Resources

    • Why States Should Offer Unmarked Driver’s Licenses to All Residents
    • Advocating for In-state Tuition for All Residents

    Infographic Maps

    • Access to Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Residents
    • Tuition Equity Access to Higher Education for Immigrants

    Additional Resources

    National advocacy groups provide other resources on state and local immigration laws and policies. Below are a few resources:

    • The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) discusses research and advocacy about state and local issues on its website.
    • The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) tracks state legislation related to immigration.
    • The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Immigration and the States Project examines the intersection of federal, state, and local immigration laws and policies.

    State Immigration Enforcement

    State Government Guide to Promoting U.S. Citizenship and Facilitating Naturalization (Produced by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

    Last Updated on December 1, 2020

    2020 State Immigration Legislation in Review*

    Last Updated on November 3, 2020

    Six Easy Ways Immigration Practitioners Can Encourage Census Participation

    Last Updated on March 12, 2020

    Open Records Process: Effective Strategies for Community Organizers to Boost Immigration Advocacy

    Last Updated on January 29, 2020

    Using Your State's Open Records Law for Immigration Advocacy: A Guide for Community Organizers and Immigrant Rights Advocates

    Last Updated on January 28, 2020

    Toolkit for State and Local Governments on USCIS Proposed Fee Changes

    Last Updated on November 18, 2019

    Planning for the Possibility of Enforcement: Standby Guardianship for Immigrant Parents

    Last Updated on October 24, 2019

    Driver’s License Backgrounder

    Last Updated on October 9, 2019

    Access to Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Residents

    Last Updated on October 9, 2019

    Why States Should Grant Driver's License to All Residents

    Last Updated on October 9, 2019

    Executive Order 13888: Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement

    Last Updated on October 2, 2019

    Midyear Review of 2019 State Immigration Legislation

    Last Updated on August 22, 2019

    Professional and Occupational Licenses for Immigrants

    Last Updated on August 22, 2019

    Federal E-Verify: Why States Should Refrain from Requiring its Use

    Last Updated on June 4, 2019

    Combatting Immigration Services Fraud

    Last Updated on September 11, 2018

    Summary of Federal Court’s Decision on California's Pro-immigrant Laws

    Last Updated on July 17, 2018

    Tuition Equity: Access to Higher Education for Immigrants

    Last Updated on September 19, 2017

    Tuition Equity Map

    Last Updated on September 19, 2017

    Analysis of Texas’ SB4 Partial Injunction

    Last Updated on August 31, 2017

    City of El Cenizo et al v. Texas SB-4 Ruling

    Last Updated on August 30, 2017

    Why states should enact comprehensive laws that protect against the unauthorized practice of immigration law

    Last Updated on August 4, 2017

    Integration Toolkit

    Last Updated on June 22, 2017

    Countering Anti-Immigrant Narratives

    Last Updated on June 19, 2017

    Working with Local Government on Immigrant Integration

    Last Updated on March 8, 2017

    Stay Up To Date on Your State's Political Process

    Last Updated on December 14, 2016

    Sanctuary Cities Toolkit

    Last Updated on October 3, 2016

    Forms of Identification for Undocumented Immigrants

    Last Updated on August 15, 2016

    Immigration Detainers

    Last Updated on August 8, 2016

    Finding Help With Immigration Law: Do You Know Who Your Allies Are?

    Last Updated on July 15, 2016

    Are immigrants in your community looking for advice? Here’s how you can help.

    Last Updated on May 6, 2016

    CLINIC Refugee Resettlement Toolkit: Rights and Responsibilities of States

    Last Updated on March 14, 2016

    Five Facts About State Mandatory E-Verify Laws

    Last Updated on February 11, 2016

    Recent Enforcement Efforts in the United States: A Call to Action Webinar Powerpoint

    Last Updated on February 10, 2016

    5 Ways You Can Help Stop the Detention of Immigrant Families

    Last Updated on August 6, 2015

    PowerPoint Slides from Empowering Immigrant Clients to Build Welcoming Communities (Nov 2014)

    Last Updated on November 14, 2014

    PowerPoint Slides from Creating Welcoming Communities: Pro-Immigrant Advocacy with City & County Policymakers

    Last Updated on October 6, 2014

    Why States Should Offer Unmarked Driver’s Licenses to ALL Residents

    Last Updated on July 3, 2014

    Why States Should Offer Unmarked Driver’s Licenses to ALL Residents

    Last Updated on July 3, 2014

    State Driver’s License Bills: An Analysis of New Jersey’s S1696

    Last Updated on May 14, 2014

    Advocating for In-State Tuition for All Residents

    Last Updated on April 26, 2014

    Talking Points on Tuition Equity: Why States Should Offer In-State Tuition to All Residents

    Last Updated on March 10, 2014

    Why States Should Provide Access to Driver’s Licenses to Undocumented Immigrants

    Last Updated on February 11, 2014

    State Laws Extending Driving Privileges to ALL Residents (January 2014)

    Last Updated on January 31, 2014

    Welcoming the Stranger through Immigrant Integration

    Last Updated on September 17, 2013

    A Tool Kit for Communities to Advocate Against ICE Partnerships with Local Law Enforcement Agencies

    Last Updated on June 13, 2013

    Slide or click on dots to see more

    State and Local Updates

    State Government Guide to Promoting U.S. Citizenship and Facilitating Naturalization (Produced by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center)

    Last Updated on December 1, 2020

    2020 State Immigration Legislation in Review*

    Last Updated on November 3, 2020

    Six Easy Ways Immigration Practitioners Can Encourage Census Participation

    Last Updated on March 12, 2020

    Open Records Process: Effective Strategies for Community Organizers to Boost Immigration Advocacy

    Last Updated on January 29, 2020

    Using Your State's Open Records Law for Immigration Advocacy: A Guide for Community Organizers and Immigrant Rights Advocates

    Last Updated on January 28, 2020

    Toolkit for State and Local Governments on USCIS Proposed Fee Changes

    Last Updated on November 18, 2019

    Planning for the Possibility of Enforcement: Standby Guardianship for Immigrant Parents

    Last Updated on October 24, 2019

    Driver’s License Backgrounder

    Last Updated on October 9, 2019

    Access to Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Residents

    Last Updated on October 9, 2019

    Why States Should Grant Driver's License to All Residents

    Last Updated on October 9, 2019

    Executive Order 13888: Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement

    Last Updated on October 2, 2019

    Midyear Review of 2019 State Immigration Legislation

    Last Updated on August 22, 2019

    Professional and Occupational Licenses for Immigrants

    Last Updated on August 22, 2019

    Federal E-Verify: Why States Should Refrain from Requiring its Use

    Last Updated on June 4, 2019

    Combatting Immigration Services Fraud

    Last Updated on September 11, 2018

    Summary of Federal Court’s Decision on California's Pro-immigrant Laws

    Last Updated on July 17, 2018

    Tuition Equity: Access to Higher Education for Immigrants

    Last Updated on September 19, 2017

    Tuition Equity Map

    Last Updated on September 19, 2017

    Analysis of Texas’ SB4 Partial Injunction

    Last Updated on August 31, 2017

    City of El Cenizo et al v. Texas SB-4 Ruling

    Last Updated on August 30, 2017

    Why states should enact comprehensive laws that protect against the unauthorized practice of immigration law

    Last Updated on August 4, 2017

    Integration Toolkit

    Last Updated on June 22, 2017

    Countering Anti-Immigrant Narratives

    Last Updated on June 19, 2017

    Working with Local Government on Immigrant Integration

    Last Updated on March 8, 2017

    Stay Up To Date on Your State's Political Process

    Last Updated on December 14, 2016

    Sanctuary Cities Toolkit

    Last Updated on October 3, 2016

    Forms of Identification for Undocumented Immigrants

    Last Updated on August 15, 2016

    Immigration Detainers

    Last Updated on August 8, 2016

    Finding Help With Immigration Law: Do You Know Who Your Allies Are?

    Last Updated on July 15, 2016

    Are immigrants in your community looking for advice? Here’s how you can help.

    Last Updated on May 6, 2016

    CLINIC Refugee Resettlement Toolkit: Rights and Responsibilities of States

    Last Updated on March 14, 2016

    Five Facts About State Mandatory E-Verify Laws

    Last Updated on February 11, 2016

    Recent Enforcement Efforts in the United States: A Call to Action Webinar Powerpoint

    Last Updated on February 10, 2016

    5 Ways You Can Help Stop the Detention of Immigrant Families

    Last Updated on August 6, 2015

    PowerPoint Slides from Empowering Immigrant Clients to Build Welcoming Communities (Nov 2014)

    Last Updated on November 14, 2014

    PowerPoint Slides from Creating Welcoming Communities: Pro-Immigrant Advocacy with City & County Policymakers

    Last Updated on October 6, 2014

    Why States Should Offer Unmarked Driver’s Licenses to ALL Residents

    Last Updated on July 3, 2014

    Why States Should Offer Unmarked Driver’s Licenses to ALL Residents

    Last Updated on July 3, 2014

    State Driver’s License Bills: An Analysis of New Jersey’s S1696

    Last Updated on May 14, 2014

    Advocating for In-State Tuition for All Residents

    Last Updated on April 26, 2014

    Talking Points on Tuition Equity: Why States Should Offer In-State Tuition to All Residents

    Last Updated on March 10, 2014

    Why States Should Provide Access to Driver’s Licenses to Undocumented Immigrants

    Last Updated on February 11, 2014

    State Laws Extending Driving Privileges to ALL Residents (January 2014)

    Last Updated on January 31, 2014

    Welcoming the Stranger through Immigrant Integration

    Last Updated on September 17, 2013

    A Tool Kit for Communities to Advocate Against ICE Partnerships with Local Law Enforcement Agencies

    Last Updated on June 13, 2013

    Slide or click on dots to see more

    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 close to 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.

     Make a Monthly Donation

    • It's quick and simple

     Support a Scholarship

    • Help representatives gain crucial training

    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

    8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 850, Silver Spring, MD 20910
    Main Phone: (301) 565-4800 / Main Fax: (301) 565-4824

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    Receive daily immigration news, agency updates, advocacy alerts and information about our latest trainings and resources. It only takes a moment to sign up.


    Use Your Affiliate Benefits

    If you are a CLINIC affiliate, be sure to regularly use your benefits. The page includes exclusive content and tools that will help you as a legal practitioner. Interested in learning more about affiliation? Read through our frequently asked questions to get started.


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