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Attempts to block funding cause chaos for children and people seeking legal aid

The Trump administration recently froze funding and issued stop-work orders for legal aid programs serving immigrants, including for unaccompanied immigrant children and for people at immigration court. Both attempts failed and NIJC has resumed providing legal information and representation under these programs, but the efforts created chaos and uncertainty for people navigating the complex immigration system on their own.
 
We will keep fighting so that people and children continue to have access to legal programs that help them understand their legal rights and secure protection.
 
IN THE NEWS: In an interview with The Guardian, NIJC Policy Director Azadeh Erfani said, “Taking away the immigration court help desk, the legal orientation programs, all of this is really engineered to create the kind of chaos that will lead to unlawful deportations.”
 
Read the full article here. 

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Dream and Promise Act provides path to citizenship for community members

We applaud the reintroduction of the bipartisan Dream and Promise Act by Representative Sylvia Garcia - a bill that creates a positive way forward for our community members.

“The Dream and Promise Act provides a critical counterpoint to the extreme anti-immigrant rhetoric reverberating from the White House," NIJC Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy said. "This bill offers a pathway to citizenship for people whose current legal status has been threatened by the Trump administration and provides a vision for a more positive future for all of our communities."

Read our full statement responding to the bill's reintroduction. 

Welcoming immigrants makes our communities better for everyone

Amidst attacks on communities that welcome immigrants, like today's congressional hearing targeting Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and mayors of other cities with welcoming laws, we know that being a welcoming city makes our communities better and safer for all residents. Read our statement for the record for today's hearing and four things you need to know about welcoming cities.    

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Woman seeking asylum was deported before judge intervened

One of NIJC's clients, an Ecuadorian woman and domestic violence survivor seeking asylum, is feared to be deported even after a federal judge temporarily blocked an order for her deportation and seven other plaintiffs in our lawsuit.
 
IN THE NEWS: When speaking to ABC News, NIJC Litigation Director Keren Zwick said she feared for her client’s safety. "She fled because she is facing domestic violence, and she fled a partner who threatened to kill her and held her captive and went looking for her when she tried to escape," she said. "If we're living in a world where the U.S. government thinks it's okay to remove a person and asylum seekers ... without giving them any opportunity to pursue protection, that's just a complete subversion of our asylum system."  

Read the full story. 

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Private company detaining immigrants at Guantánamo has history of human rights abuses

Instead of allowing a private corporation to make huge profits from detaining and abusing people at Guantánamo Bay, our country must invest in a humane and just immigration system that works for all people.

IN THE NEWS: When speaking to The Guardian about the recent spike in detentions and the facility's shameful history, NIJC Senior Policy Analyst Jesse Franzblau said, “There is no rational justification for shipping off immigrants to Guantánamo Bay, which should not be used to detain any human beings - sending people there now without any due process or access to counsel flies in the face of US and international law.” 

Read the full article here. 

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15 people renew their DACA at our free legal clinic

Together with our pro bono partners at Chapman and Culter LLP and JP Morgan Chase, we helped 15 people renew their protections under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)! These community members can continue living, working, and supporting their families with some stability during this time of uncertainty. Celebrate their success on social media!

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Save Your Seat: NIJC Human Rights Awards on 6/3/25

Event Information
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. CT
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
540 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

NIJC's 26th Annual Human Rights Awards will be in Chicago on Tuesday, June 3, at 12 pm CST!

Join more than 1,000 new and long-time supporters alike to honor the tremendous achievements of human rights champions and community, philanthropic, and business leaders. Human rights activist and renowned author Jewher Ilham will receive the Jeanne M. and Joseph P. Sullivan Award and deliver the keynote.

This event sells out, so make sure you get tickets now!