This morning, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship and affirmed that it cannot be stripped away through executive action. This decision affirms a fundamental constitutional principle that has defined this country for over 150 years – that every child born in the United States is a citizen of the United States.
NWIRP is proud to have brought the first class action challenging the Trump administration’s effort to undo birthright citizenship through executive action last year. We are also grateful for the many leaders and partners who worked to defend this constitutional right including the Washington Attorney General’s office, and our partners at the ACLU. NWIRP and the Attorney General for Washington State successfully defended birthright citizenship before the district court and the Ninth Circuit Court of appeals, preserving this fundamental right. The ACLU then defended this fundamental constitutional right before the Supreme Court.
“We are proud that NWIRP was able to work alongside the Washington State Attorney General and present arguments to defend this fundamental right before the district court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals,” said Leila Kang, supervising attorney for NWIRP’s Impact Litigation team. “Today, the Supreme Court affirmed what every other court to rule on this issue has made clear–the President has no authority to rewrite our Constitution. But the divided opinion from the Supreme Court reminds us that we must continue to defend the most fundamental freedoms. We cannot take anything for granted.”
While this was a critical victory, there have also been devastating losses. Just last week, the Supreme Court issued a ruling permitting the administration to eliminate Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian community members. The ruling opens the door for stripping TPS from hundreds of thousands of community members from other designated countries as well. The Supreme Court also approved the administration’s program blocking asylum seekers at our doorsteps from even submitting applications for protection. Together, these rulings represent significant restrictions of humanitarian protections that have long served as lifelines for people seeking safety and stability. We cannot emphasize enough the profound consequences these decisions will have for directly impacted immigrant community members, their loved ones, and their communities.
Our unwavering commitment remains the same. We will continue to challenge unlawful policies, support our communities through our work, and fight for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect.
Mega Master Calendar Hearings And Due Process
Across multiple administrations, we have seen repeated efforts to limit access to meaningful due process in our immigration system. From expedited removal procedures to so-called “rocket dockets,” policies have increasingly prioritized speed over fairness, often at the expense of people’s legal rights.
The latest example is the expansion of large-scale master calendar hearings, sometimes referred to as “mega master calendar hearings,” where dozens or even hundreds of individuals may appear before an immigration judge during a single hearing session. These types of hearings create significant barriers for community members attempting to understand complex legal proceedings, secure counsel, and fully exercise their rights.
The Seattle immigration court experienced its first mega master last week. NWIRP and our partners are continuing to monitor these developments closely and advocate for an immigration court system that respects fundamental fairness and ensures that individuals have meaningful access to legal protections. Every person facing deportation proceedings deserves a fair opportunity to be heard. Efficiency cannot come at the expense of due process.
Celebrating Pride Month Across Washington State
Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, leadership, and contributions of LGBTQ+ community members, despite current attacks our communities are experiencing, including today’s Supreme Court ruling barring transgender girls and women from playing school sports that match their gender identity.
This month, NWIRP staff were proud to participate in Pride celebrations in both Wenatchee and Tacoma alongside community members, partners, and advocates committed to building welcoming and inclusive communities. We are grateful to everyone who joined us in celebration throughout the month and look forward to continuing to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities across Washington State.
New Community Advisory: Know Your Rights After Ending Representation with an Attorney or Legal Representative
If you’ve ended your relationship with an immigration attorney or DOJ accredited representative, it’s important to know the steps you can take to protect your case, your documents, and your rights. This guide covers how to request your file, track your case, avoid fraud, find new legal support, and report misconduct if needed. Immigration cases can move quickly and have strict deadlines; staying informed and organized can make a real difference.
Please share this information with friends, family, and community members who may benefit from it.
Assisting Community Members Apprehended by Immigration Enforcement
Over the weekend, we received reports from our partners across the state that several community members were apprehended by immigration enforcement officers. We encourage you and your loved ones to contact NWIRP in the event that someone you know has been taken to the Tacoma immigration detention center by calling us toll-free at (877) 814-6444, or by sending an email to detainedreferrals@nwirp.org.
Upcoming Free Webinar on July 22nd
Join us on Wednesday, July 22 to learn about recent immigration related updates. We will share information in English from 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM, followed by the same updates in Spanish from 5:45 PM to 6:30 PM. Please join at the time that works best for your language needs.
Your partnership allows us to continue providing free legal services, challenging unlawful policies, educating communities about their rights, and standing beside people as they seek safety and opportunity.
Thank you for your continued support. We are grateful to have you as part of this movement.
In Solidarity,
Malou Chávez (she/her/ella)
Executive Director
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