The week of March 9th for Barbara was one full of anxious waiting by the mailbox. On the 11th, after months of waiting, her green card came in--ensuring she could stay and continue the life she had started to build in the United States. On the 13th, she was matched into a pharmaceutical residency,…
Experts from the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) discuss how the Trump administration has used COVID-19 as an excuse to shut down immigration and harm immigrants, a goal it's been working towards since the beginning of its administration. Policy and direct legal service staff speak discuss…
Johannes Favi shared his story on May 13, 2020, with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship during its “Democratic Virtual Roundtable on ICE’s Response to COVID-19.” NIJC represents Mr. Favi in his immigration case and won his…
When the Supreme Court decides on the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program — its ruling is expected any day — it will be evaluating the right to live and work in the United States for nearly 700,000 people around the country.
One of those people is Yash, a DACA…
In early April, a man NIJC is representing in immigration court tested positive for COVID-19 while in custody at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, California.
On May 6, Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejia, another individual detained at Otay Mesa, died from COVID-19. Mr. Escobar Mejia's death…
We’re seeing unprecedented attacks on our immigrant neighbors and those seeking safety in the United States, including children. As our country grapples with the legacy of systemic racism alongside a global pandemic that disproportionately affects people of color, we must remain committed to…
Last month, the Trump administration exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to accomplish its longstanding goal: eliminate decades of protections for asylum seekers, torture survivors, and unaccompanied children under U.S. and international law. Despite numerous assaults on humanitarian protections, the…
On April 16, 2020, two NIJC clients spoke about their experiences in ICE detention during the COVID-19 pandemic at a Congressional briefing. Both men had been recently released from detention at different detention facilities in the Midwest, and although their stays differed in duration and…
NIJC and nearly 200 organizations nationwide urge U.S. Congressional leadership to support the Federal Immigrant and Release for Safety and Security (FIRST) Act, co-sponsored by Representative Jayapal and Senator Booker. Despite the urgent call by public health experts amidst the outbreak of COVID-…
Frequently Asked Questions
On March 20, 2020, the Trump administration took the unprecedented step of sealing the U.S. border under the guise of curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. This sweeping executive action has raised many questions related to the intersection between public health and immigration…