[This is a bi-weekly publication produced by Senior Policy Associate Cheasty Anderson. New issues will be posted here on this blog or you can subscribe to have them delivered directly to your inbox.]
Image via CNN/Getty
Dear Partners and Friends,
Thank you so much for wanting to stay up to date on what’s happening. Here’s the latest roundup of immigration-related news, and our bi-weekly action opportunity. Please let me know as things cross your desk that you think might be of value for our next newsletter, and as always, feel free to forward to folks who might want to join our list.
Lead Stories:
The Trump Administration begins deporting asylum seekers to Guatemala, without due process
“The Trump administration has sent the first migrant to Guatemala as part of its agreement with the country to accept asylum seeking migrants from the US.” “Migrants who are placed in this asylum program do not have access to counsel prior to being removed from the US.” Read more here.
Federal Courts Block Trump Administration Immigration Restrictions
“A federal judge stopped the State Department from suspending legal immigrants’ entry to the U.S. if they can’t pay their own way through our nation’s health care system.” Read more about the block on the insurance mandate here.
“Federal courts have prevented President Donald Trump from implementing a proclamation he signed last month… Previously scheduled to go into effect November 3, Trump’s proclamation would have made getting into the US much harder for immigrants sponsored by family members.” Read more here.
Action Items:
1. Submit a comment opposing the Fee Hike Rule by December 16
The Trump Administration has published a proposed rule that would make it impossible for many immigrants who aren’t wealthy to gain status or citizenship. Our partners at CLINIC have made it easy to speak up. In less than 3 minutes you can submit a comment opposing the fee for asylum applicants or the increased fee for naturalization.
2. Sign a HIAS Petition in Support of Asylum Seekers
“Sign the petition to tell the Department of Homeland Security: Give asylum seekers a fair process, and treat them with the dignity, compassion and respect they deserve.”
3. Sign up to Organize a Meeting with Your Member of Congress
Sign up to help organize a meeting with your member of congress and HIAS will provide training and resources. Currently, there are meetings planned for TX-2, TX-18, TX-25, TX-32. If you are a part of these districts, join the meetings. If your district is not represented, organize a meeting.
4. Demand Investigations of Child Detention Facilities
Demand that your Member of Congress launch an investigation into the unsafe conditions of child detention facilities by taking action now! Send the message here.
Public Charge Resources:
The PIF campaign has great new resources (with LOTS of language translations) to help people stay informed on public charge. You can find them at: protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/know-your-rights
Other Recent News of Interest:
- U.N. Expert Clarifies Statistic On U.S. Detention of Migrant Children
- Proposed Asylum Fees Would Have Immigrants Paying For Red Tape
- Forbidding Asylum Seekers From Working Undermines The Right To Seek Asylum
- Maryland: Prince George’s Council Bans Agencies From Working With ICE
- Senators And Presidential Candidates Are Demanding The DHS Report On MPP
- A Young Immigrant Has a Mental Illness, And That’s Raising His Risk Of Deportation
- More Than 100 Show Up at San Antonio Immigration Court for Artificial Hearing Date
- Trump Wants To Start Deporting Asylum-Seekers to Honduras by January
- Why Asylum-Seekers Send Children Across Border Alone
- Migrants Describe Kidnappings And Other Dangers At The Mexico Border
- Trump’s Latest Gambit: Send Asylum Seekers To ‘Safe Third Countries’ That Are Less Than Safe
- ICE Arrested Students Who Enrolled In Fake University Set Up By Sting Operation
Thanks so much for reading and staying informed.