Immigrant Justice Corps’ Post

“Nobody should face the devastating consequences of detention or deportation without someone to defend them in court. The new Colorado Fiscal Institute report demonstrates the transformative impact that legal representation has on keeping families together and promoting economic stability.” —Liz Kenney, associate director for Vera’s Advancing Universal Representation Initiative    The Colorado Fiscal Institute’s new report, “Impacts and Benefits for Investing in Immigration Justice: Colorado Immigration Legal Defense Fund” highlights the urgent need to expand access to immigration defense services. The report underscores how the lack of legal representation is affecting immigrants facing deportation and costing Colorado’s state and local economies.     Read on for more on the Colorado Fiscal Institute’s findings and how we will continue to work with Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network and Mountain Dreamers to fight for universal representation: https://lnkd.in/dyyT9vjC

“Access to legal services for immigrants in California is not simply about safeguarding people’s rights, it's about preserving the fabric of families and communities. California must remain a leader in protecting its immigrant communities and pass the California REP For All Act to advance universal legal representation for all people facing deportation, regardless of their interaction with the criminal legal system.” — Shayna Kessler, associate director for advocacy for Vera's Advancing Universal Representation initiative Publicly funded legal services are a lifeline for immigrant families. The criminal exclusion currently in California’s program for removal defense exacerbates systemic racism in the criminal legal and immigration systems. Nobody should have to stand alone in immigration proceedings or while facing deportation and its devastating consequences. #Rep4All (AB 2031) will ensure all immigrants can access the resources they need, so California families can thrive with safety and stability. Here’s how: https://lnkd.in/eviyDKpp

The immigration crisis isn't at our border, it's in our immigration courts. A TRAC Immigration report via Syracuse University released on January 24, 2024, highlighted, "[...] representation rates have plummeted from 65 percent down to 30 percent." In our unwavering commitment to justice, we tirelessly work to provide representation for everyone, ensuring that no immigrant stands alone. Universal representation programs are a lifeline for immigrants to take on our complicated U.S. immigration court system and have a fighting chance. We urge the LA City Mayor and LA County Board of Supervisors to allocate ample resources for RepLA.   We advocate for the passage of the REP4All bill at the state level in California and rally behind the Fairness to Freedom bill in Congress to guarantee legal representation for ALL immigrants in court. Together, we can make justice a reality for every individual. #Rep4All #Advocacy

I recently posted a video on TikTok named 'A day in the life of an Immigration Lawyer' https://lnkd.in/gWYwDpzB . The video highlights a small portion of my day attending the Tribunal and going back to the firm to complete more work. While the video has received many likes and views , I've encountered some racist comments such as ' Bringing in more criminals' and 'Throw em out'. Let's set the record straight: Immigration lawyers help genuine people in need, often fleeing war-torn countries or seeking safety. We stand for justice and compassion, not criminality. Let's replace ignorance with understanding and fear with empathy. Together, let's advocate for a fair and humane immigration system. #immigrationlawyer #asylumseekers #humanrightslaw

"Without professional legal help, many asylum seekers (...) with legitimate claims face a real risk of deportation back to their home countries, where many of them face potential arrest, assault or even death. Only about 30 percent of migrants are now able to find a lawyer to represent them in legal proceedings, compared with 65 percent five years ago, according to an analysis by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a research group at Syracuse University." We know that the chances of winning an asylum case increase exponentially with access to an attorney, but legal fees are often prohibitive for families forced to flee their home countries at a moment’s notice. This is why the work we do together at GAIN is so important—providing free legal representation, both directly and through connections to pro bono partners, to ensure families seeking refuge in Georgia have a fighting chance in one of the toughest immigration courts in the nation. #GAIN #AsylumSeekers #LegalServices #ImmigrationServices #ProBono #FreeLegalRepresentation #AtlantaLawyer #AtlantaAttorney

NEW COMMUNITY RESOURCE TO SHARE! A criminal court case can negatively impact immigration status. Here are 4 things noncitizens should consider during and after a criminal case: 1️⃣ you have a right to immigration advice 2️⃣ know that police share fingerprints with ICE 3️⃣ consider avoiding traveling abroad 4️⃣ delay submitting applications to immigration agencies, if possible Get all the details in our new resource created in partnership with City University of New York School of Law Immigrant and Non-Citizen Rights Clinic an share with clients and community members! Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole: bit.ly/crim-case-issues

“All people deserve fairness and freedom, and we urge Congress to improve the antiquated U.S. immigration system by expanding legal pathways to citizenship, improving immigration case processing, and investing in universal legal representation to ensure that all children, adults, and families facing immigration proceedings are treated with dignity and have full access to due process.” —Nick Turner, President of the Vera Institute of Justice    Today, more than a year after the Fairness to Freedom Act was introduced by United States Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Cory Booker, and U.S. Representatives Norma Torres, Pramila Jayapal, and Grace Meng, we gathered on Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to support this bill and establish a federal right to legal representation for all immigrants facing deportation.     The Fairness to Freedom Act is a solution that would help millions. With rising high stakes for immigrant communities and anti-immigrant proposals and rhetoric, it is essential that Congress   meet the moment and build a future where all people in the United States receive fair treatment under the law, no matter where they were born.     #UniversalRepresentation #Uniting4URep    https://lnkd.in/eP6qVtZN  

The Struggle is Real: Immigrant Children in Court Meet Lia, a 12-year-old asylum seeker who fled to the US after being abused by her father in Honduras. But instead of finding safety, she faced deportation proceedings alone - without a lawyer. Lia's story is not unique. In the US immigration court system, children face judges alone, without the right to a court-appointed lawyer. The statistics are staggering: -23,364 children have deportation cases pending in Philadelphia -74% have no lawyer -90% of unrepresented children are deported But there is hope! Project Libertad's Immigrant Children's Defense Project provides: -Free immigration legal services -Know Your Rights sessions -Community education and outreach -Legal referrals -Advocacy for just policies Let's ensure no child faces immigration court alone! 🦋