Dear friend of IDP,
Today, as many of us gather with loved ones to celebrate the holidays, we are reminded of how precious these moments are—and how vital it is to protect the bonds of family and community.
For Ms. L, a green card holder from Jamaica, this holiday season marks a new chapter of joy and freedom. After living in the U.S. for over 40 years, she faced the terrifying possibility of deportation due to a single marijuana conviction from 1986. This conviction not only jeopardized her ability to become a U.S. citizen, but also made her too afraid to travel to Jamaica to visit her family, especially during the holidays.
When Ms. L called IDP, she was unsure whether New York’s marijuana legalization laws, which we helped champion, could help her. Our legal team reviewed her case and found a path forward: post-conviction relief that could undo her conviction. With the help of our pro bono partners at Cravath, Swaine, and Moore, Ms. L’s conviction was vacated. Now, she is free to apply for citizenship and to travel to see her loved ones without fear.
Ms. L called to tell us, “Thank [you] all for the help you gave me to achieve my freedom.”
Stories like Ms. L’s highlight why our work is so urgent. Too many families live under the shadow of detention or deportation, torn apart by systems of punishment and control. Together, we can change that. Your support ensures that people like Ms. L can remain with their loved ones—celebrating holidays and milestones without fear.
This season, give the gift of freedom and family.
