Lawsuit Challenges new law Closing Immigrant Detention Center in Tacoma

Lawsuit Challenges new law Closing Immigrant Detention Center in Tacoma

By Nina Shapiro, Seattle Times The GEO Group, a huge private prison corporation, is suing the state, claiming a new law mandating the closure of the immigrant detention center it runs in Tacoma would unconstitutionally subvert federal authority. Not only does the law enacted by the Legislature in March interfere with a contract signed between […]

NEW POLL: Voters in 10 Key States Support a Pathway to Citizenship for Dreamers, TPS Holders, Farmworkers and Essential Workers

NEW POLL: Voters in 10 Key States Support a Pathway to Citizenship for Dreamers, TPS Holders, Farmworkers and Essential Workers

WASHINGTON – A new poll from the end of April into early May 2021 in 10 key states shows significant support among likely voters, including independents, for a pathway to citizenship. In addition, the poll shows that voters continue to support the job President Biden is doing to get our country back on track, and in […]

Biden Moves to End Trump’s War on ‘Sanctuary Cities’

Biden Moves to End Trump’s War on ‘Sanctuary Cities’

The northern facade of the Department of Justice building in the Nation’s capital. Washington, DC / USA – April 22 2019 (Shutterstock) By Katy Murdza, Immigration Impact The Biden administration has ended a Trump-era policy of denying so-called sanctuary cities from receiving certain forms of federal funding. The policy had been used in retaliation against […]

The House Has Passed Two Major Immigration Bills. Here’s What They Would Do.

The House Has Passed Two Major Immigration Bills. Here’s What They Would Do.

Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito led an interfaith rally to denounce Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslim entry into the US. – December 9, 2015 (Shutterstock) By Katy Murdza, Immigration Impact The U.S. House of Representatives has passed two major bills to protect the rights of certain noncitizens entering the United States. The bills—the NO BAN Act […]

Immigrants, Working People and Progressive Coalitions Turn Out on May Day with One Message: Citizenship Now!

Immigrants, Working People and Progressive Coalitions Turn Out on May Day with One Message: Citizenship Now!

Marchers demanding the Biden administration make progress on immigration reform, including Temporary Protected Status for Cameroonians living in the U.S. – Washington D.C. – May 1, 2021 (Shutterstock) WASHINGTON – Immigrants, progressive allies and working people nationwide turned out to in-person and virtual events on May 1 to elevate the need for President Biden and Democrats […]

Problems at USCIS Persist, Despite Biden’s Progress on Immigration in His First 100 Days

Problems at USCIS Persist, Despite Biden’s Progress on Immigration in His First 100 Days

By Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Immigration Impact When President Biden took office, he inherited a legal immigration system that was teetering on the brink of collapse. Delays within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have reached historic levels and some work permit applications are taking so long to process that thousands are losing their jobs. A new […]

Firsthand Experiences Inside ICE Facilities During the Pandemic Underscore Why Immigration Detention Should be Abolished

Firsthand Experiences Inside ICE Facilities During the Pandemic Underscore Why Immigration Detention Should be Abolished

ICE Protest outside Bergen County Jail: Protesters outside the jail with abolish ICE signs. – Hackensack, New Jersey, USA – November 29th, 2020 (Shutterstock) By American Immigration Council Staff, Immigration Impact Many of us will always vividly remember the fear and lack of control that took hold as COVID-19 spread through our communities. While many […]

Getting Your Marijuana Record Expunged

Getting Your Marijuana Record Expunged

By Norma Lewis, JD There was quite a bit of excitement, relief, and joy, and a few spiffs smoked when New York legalized recreational marijuana. Several advocates and lawmakers welcomed it as one of the most progressive cannabis laws in the country. That’s in part because it automatically clears the criminal records of people with […]