This holiday season, our hearts are with the Afghan and Somali community who find themselves the latest victims of the Trump administration’s rampant xenophobia. Trampling on the rights of entire communities has been an unsurprising theme of the Administration. Throughout the year, we’ve seen time and time again the scapegoating of immigrants to enact their vision of a United States of America that excludes anyone who doesn’t fit their preferences.
At NWIRP, we are proud of all of the ways in which we have fought back this year. Our legal team has been working hard to defend due process and secure immigration protections for thousands of community members, including survivors of violence and trafficking, children and youth, families seeking safety and opportunity, and people defending their status in the United States. Our client communities and partners have stayed abreast of the many policy changes implemented through our immigration update webinars and community outreach efforts. And our impact litigation team continues to work hand-in-hand with our legal staff, this year initiating several class action lawsuits (two of which are nationwide classes and two cases which have been litigated up to the U.S. Supreme Court) challenging mandatory detention without bond, the administration’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship, deportation to third countries, and more. In addition, we have secured the release of scores of individuals through habeas petitions.
Thank you for making this work possible, and for continuing to stand with us as we push back against injustice.
If you haven’t had a chance to make a gift to NWIRP this year, please consider making a year-end donation today to support our ongoing work in the year ahead
Steadfast Solidarity with Immigrant Communities
As I mentioned above, this is a very difficult time for our Afghan community. Many of these community members have already had their lives uprooted because of horrible violence, and in fact most faced persecution or death because they or a family member had worked with the U.S. military or other U.S. government agencies. It was for this reason that they were granted status here. But as we have frequently seen, this Administration has no respect for the plight of nearly any immigrant community. Last week, the New York Times reported on a recent racist tirade by the President against the Somali community. And, he and his appointed leadership have made similar racist comments against people from dozens of countries.
We wholeheartedly reject their bigoted worldview and are grateful that this community agrees that the United States should be a welcoming place for immigrants from all countries.
Federal Court Restores the Right to Bond Hearings for Nationwide Class
Late last month, a Federal District Court Judge certified a nationwide class of detained immigrants who are challenging the government’s new policy of denying consideration for bond to all persons who originally entered the country without admission, including thousands who have been living in the United States for decades and have no criminal history.
The case was filed by four longtime residents who were arrested in different large-scale enforcement actions in Los Angeles, all who had been living in the United States for years, supporting their families and communities, without any prior immigration or criminal contacts.
The judge previously granted their motion for a temporary restraining order and all four were given bond hearings where immigration judges determined that they could be released on bond. Judge Sykes appointed the four as class representatives for the nationwide class. The class is represented by NWIRP, the USC Gould School of Law Immigration Clinic, the American Civil Liberties Union Immigrants’ Rights Project (ACLU IRP) and the ACLU of Southern California.
The Court’s order affirms the rule of law, rejecting the government’s new interpretation, which is counter to both the statute and decades of both congressional understanding and agency practice.
If you know someone who is affected by this ruling – a friend, family member, or community member – they can now apply for a bond hearing. Click here to read the Court’s advisory
NWIRP Immigration Updates Webinar on Thursday
While it has been a very challenging year, we remain committed to defending and advancing immigrant rights. As we prepare for another year under the current Administration, we invite you to join our upcoming Immigration Updates Webinar this Thursday, December 11th, where we will share the latest updates on immigration policies and laws.
The webinar will be held in Spanish from 12:00pm to 12:45pm and in English (with an option of closed captioning in x languages) from 12:45pm to 1:30pm.
If you can’t attend this webinar, note that the session will be recorded. You can also access past training videos and webinars at this link.
Thank you so much for being a part of the NWIRP community of support. We look forward to continuing to make Washington a better place for immigrants with you in the new year.
With gratitude,
Malou Chávez (she/her/ella)
Executive Director
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