Category Archives: News Releases

NILC Statement on House Passage of a Pathway to Citizenship in the Budget Resolution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2021

CONTACT
Madison Allman, [email protected], 202-384-1279

NILC Statement on House Passage of a Pathway to Citizenship in the Budget Resolution

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $3.5 trillion budget resolution that increases funding for health care, child and elder care, and education and climate action. It also includes more than $100 billion to create a pathway to U.S. citizenship for millions of immigrant youth, people with temporary protected status, immigrant essential workers, and farm workers.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement:

“We at the National Immigration Law Center celebrate the House passage of this historic budget resolution, which puts us one step closer to addressing some of the most significant crises affecting working families in our country. This crucial development is undeniable proof of our collective power and momentum. This moment serves as a reminder that elections matter: Voters elected Democrats to power to deliver a more just and equitable vision for our country.

“Citizenship would provide long-overdue stability for millions of immigrants who are part of our families and communities. They are essential to our country and our continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and must finally be recognized. We urge Congress to pass the most inclusive bill possible and ensure that we are expanding safety-net protections so that we all have what we need to thrive.”

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NILC Urges the Biden Administration to Fight the Return of the “Remain in Mexico” Policy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2021

CONTACT
Madison Allman, [email protected], 202-384-1279

NILC Urges the Biden Administration to Fight the Return of the “Remain in Mexico” Policy

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide today whether to stay a lower court’s order requiring a restart to the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols. This policy forced thousands of people seeking asylum to wait in Mexico for their court hearing dates, often in dangerous conditions.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement:

“Under the cruel Remain in Mexico policy, the U.S. slammed the door on people in need of refuge and subjected thousands of asylum-seekers to unthinkable violence and danger while depriving them of due process.

“Last November, a diverse, multigenerational coalition of voters delivered the now-Biden administration a clear mandate to build a 21st century immigration system that centers the dignity and humanity of all people. Voters resoundingly rejected the previous administration’s agenda, including its shameful and cruel border policies.

“Regardless of what the Supreme Court decides, the National Immigration Law Center will do everything in our power to ensure that this harmful policy comes to a decisive end and that no policy like it is ever instituted again. We urge the Biden administration to do the same and to exhaust every option to end Remain in Mexico. The administration should focus its efforts on delivering on Biden’s promise to reclaim the United States’ position as a beacon of hope for all who seek a safe and better life.”

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NILC Statement on Senate Passage of a Pathway to Citizenship in the Budget Resolution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2021

CONTACT
Madison Allman, [email protected], 202-384-1279

NILC Statement on Senate Passage of a Pathway to Citizenship in the Budget Resolution

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate today approved a $3.5 trillion budget resolution that increases funding for health care, child and elder care, and education and climate change, and includes more than $100 billion to create a pathway to U.S. citizenship for millions of immigrant youth, people with temporary protected status, immigrant essential workers, and farm workers. The resolution now moves to the U.S House of Representatives.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement:

“Today’s passage of the Senate’s historic budget resolution is a strong reminder that a broad multiracial and multigenerational coalition of voters gave Democrats a governing trifecta to respond boldly to the most pressing issues affecting our nation and to ensure that Republican intransigence doesn’t stand in the way of long-overdue progress. This budget resolution, which passed the Senate on a party line vote, represents a historic opportunity to expand the safety net so that everyone in our country has the freedom to thrive.

“It is also a momentous victory for immigrant communities and a critical step forward in addressing some of the most significant crises affecting working families in our country. We at the National Immigration Law Center have worked alongside our partners in the immigrant justice movement to bring about this moment.

“Making citizenship and inclusive relief a priority is long overdue for millions of immigrants who call the U.S. home. While today we celebrate meaningful progress, there is still work to be done to secure this historic victory. We urge Congress to take this critical bill across the finish line — without any harmful amendments — and ensure that we are creating an immigration system that is rooted in racial and economic equity and inclusion, so that we all have what we need to thrive.”

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NILC Statement on the Inclusion of a Pathway to Citizenship in the Budget Reconciliation Package

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2021

CONTACT
Madison Allman, [email protected], 202-384-1279

NILC Statement on the Inclusion of a Pathway to Citizenship in the Budget Reconciliation Package

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats today released a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint that would increase funding for health care, child and elder care, education and climate change, and includes more than $100 billion to provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrant youth, people with temporary protected status (TPS), farm workers, and essential workers.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement:

“Democratic leadership unveiled a historic budget that would address some of the most significant crises affecting working families in our country, ranging from funding reducing childhood poverty and supporting a robust safety net to responding to the urgent needs of the climate crisis. It also includes funding to create a pathway to U.S. citizenship for millions of immigrants in our country, which is an important reminder that elections matter.

“We at the National Immigration Law Center and our partners in the immigrant justice movement have been advocating for a pathway to citizenship for decades, and we are thrilled by today’s events. An overwhelming majority of Americans — and voters — support a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who call the U.S. home. We commend Congress for responding to the will of the American people with this crucial step forward.

“Immigrants are an essential part of our communities, not only as our family members and neighbors but also as people who have continued to show up day after day during this pandemic to keep our country going. As we enter our recovery phase, we must also recognize that there is no recovery without immigrants — and passing a pathway to citizenship through reconciliation would provide urgently needed relief and stability for millions of DACA recipients, TPS holders, farm workers, essential workers, and their loved ones.”

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National Immigration Law Center Responds to Texas Federal Court Ruling on DACA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2021

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Madison Allman, 202-384-1279
Juan Gastelum, 213-375-3149

National Immigration Law Center Responds to Texas Federal Court Ruling on DACA

WASHINGTON – A U.S. district court in Texas today agreed with a group of states, led by Texas, that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is unlawful.

The court ruled that DACA is unlawful and blocked the federal government from granting any new first-time DACA applications. However, the court will continue to allow DACA renewals. People with DACA will not lose their protections. For the time being, pending renewal applications will be adjudicated and current DACA recipients can continue to submit renewal applications.

Avideh Moussavian, director of federal advocacy at the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement:

“Today’s federal court ruling again upends the lives of hundreds of thousands of immigrant youth whose home is here; it will harm all our communities. It is a stark reminder of the urgency for Congress to act swiftly to pass a long overdue pathway to U.S. citizenship for immigrant youth and all 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.

“While immigrant youth who currently have DACA will keep their protections for now, this court decision underscores the need for swift action that provides relief and stability to immigrant youth once and for all. Congress must use every opportunity available to pass the strongest and most inclusive bill possible, as soon as possible. The House of Representatives already passed the bipartisan Dream and Promise Act in March, and just this week Senate leadership included a pathway to citizenship as part of its budget resolution.

“DACA is a hugely successful and transformative policy with overwhelming public support. But we have always known that a permanent solution is necessary. Immigrant youth have lived through years of uncertainty as a result of politically motivated attacks on DACA that put them at risk of being separated from their loved ones and being deported. No one should have to plan their lives in two-year increments or from one administration to the next.

“We know that today and the road ahead are difficult for many members of our communities. It is as important now as ever that we stand in our power and remind ourselves of our collective resilience. DACA is and will continue to be a testament to the strength and political power our communities have built up over years of organizing for justice. We have fought back politically motivated attempts to end it before and prevailed. We cannot and will not let up in our fight now.”

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NILC and IJF Call for Elimination of the Filibuster

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2021

CONTACT
Madison Allman, [email protected], 213-328-7082

NILC and IJF Call for Elimination of the Filibuster

WASHINGTON — The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF) today announced the organizations’ support for eliminating the filibuster in the U.S. Senate.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of NILC and IJF, issued the following statement:

“We are at a critical and determinative moment in our country’s history. We are facing multiple crises, from climate change, to COVID, to attempts to subvert our nation’s democracy. Our elected leaders need to act boldly to address our country’s most pressing issues and set us on the path to a more equitable and inclusive society where we all have the freedom to thrive. Ending the Senate filibuster is a necessary step.

“The filibuster gives extraordinary power to any single senator to thwart critical legislation, even when the majority supports it. This is a tool of obstruction that has long been wielded by right-wing politicians to block efforts to advance civil rights and racial justice in the law.

“Historically, it has been used to limit the political power of communities of color, including immigrants. Today, it remains a major impediment to urgently needed reforms critical to the progressive movement, including a sustainable economy that responsibly works for all of us, health care for all, common sense gun policies, protecting our right to vote, and creating a 21^st century immigration system. All while antidemocratic forces turn to increasingly aggressive tactics to codify restrictions meant to further dilute the votes of the majority and dismantle the very democracy upon which our nation was founded.

“In 2020, more than 80 million Americans voted for a bold vision put forward by now President Biden. The filibuster stands in the way of legislation that brings us closer to realizing that vision, jeopardizes broad reforms to advance racial, economic, and gender justice, and threatens our democracy.

“The current Senate is dysfunctional and has not been able to resolve some of the most pressing issues impacting us all. By 2040, 30 percent of Americans will elect 70 of the 100 senators, which will impact Black and brown communities, in particular, and which in no way will represent the diversity of the nation.

“Eliminating the filibuster would enable us to move ahead with the will of the majority of Americans. It’s time to end the filibuster once and for all for the future of our communities and our democracy.”

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NILC Statement on the Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2021

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Madison Allman, 214-415-4396
Juan Gastelum, 213-375-3149

NILC Statement on the Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Saturday announced the redesignation of Haiti for temporary protected status (TPS) for 18 months.

Haitian nationals in the United States have been eligible since 2010 for temporary protection that has allowed them to live and work here, after an earthquake devastated the country. Haiti continues to experience political and humanitarian crises exacerbated most recently by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 100,000 Haitian nationals who were in the U.S. as of May 21, 2021, qualify for protection under the new redesignation.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement:

“We applaud the long overdue decision by the administration to redesignate Haiti for TPS and commend President Biden for heeding the repeated calls to follow through on his campaign promise to protect Haitian communities with longstanding ties here who have built their lives in the U.S. This announcement is welcome relief for more than 100,000 Haitians who have been living with great uncertainty. It is a testament to countless hours of organizing and advocacy by Black immigrant leaders and their communities, who have led this fight, and an administration that is listening to the needs and dreams of diverse immigrant communities.

“While we celebrate this important victory, there is still a lot of work to do to address policies that disproportionately harm Black immigrants. Many Black-majority countries — such as Mauritania, Cameroon, St. Vincent, and the Bahamas — continue to await a decision on TPS designation, and thousands of people continue to be expelled and denied due process and the legal right to claim asylum under the administration’s ongoing use of Title 42. This includes approximately 2,000 Haitians who were wrongfully sent back to the same deadly conditions that warranted the redesignation of TPS for Haiti.

“We urge President Biden and Congress to address longstanding inequities in our immigration system and commit to permanent solutions. Congress must move quickly to pass a pathway to U.S. citizenship for people with TPS, immigrant youth, essential workers, and ultimately all immigrants who call the U.S. home.”

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NILC Statement on the Essential Role of Immigrant Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2021

CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, [email protected], 213-375-3149

NILC Statement on the Essential Role of Immigrant Workers

WASHINGTON — Immigrant workers, experts, and advocates testified at a hearing before a key U.S. Senate subcommittee today highlighting the experiences of immigrant essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and pending legislation to provide them a pathway to U.S. citizenship.

The hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety — chaired by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) — featured Rose Tilus, a Haitian nurse in Rhode Island with temporary protected status, who spoke about her experience caring for COVID-19 patients and contracting the virus. Witnesses also highlighted the contributions of farmworkers and other essential workers in industries heavily staffed by immigrants.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement:

“Immigrants are essential to our communities, economy, and our nation. Nearly three quarters of all immigrants in the U.S. workforce — including more than 5 million who are undocumented — are working in essential roles and helping us get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Whether caring for our most vulnerable, teaching our kids, rebuilding after climate disasters, or keeping us fed, millions of immigrants are putting themselves and their loved ones at risk for all of us. We have applauded these courageous workers for keeping our country running in the midst of a global public health and economic crisis, but that’s not enough. We must recognize immigrant essential workers under the law and put them on a pathway to U.S. citizenship as part of our relief and recovery efforts.

“Courageous workers like Rose should have the certainty that they will not be separated from their loved ones and the communities and country they call home because of their immigration status. We thank Senator Padilla for shining a light on their experiences and contributions, and for his leadership on the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, which provides a permanent solution.

“Today’s hearing is an important step forward, as we continue to urge Congress to seize this critical moment and provide a long overdue pathway to citizenship for essential workers, immigrant youth, people with temporary protected status, and, eventually, all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. As we move into a recovery from COVID and build back our nation, we must recognize that there is no recovery without immigrants.”

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National Immigration Law Center Statement on President Biden’s First Joint Session Speech to Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2021

CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, [email protected], 213-375-3149

National Immigration Law Center Statement on President Biden’s First Joint Session Speech to Congress

WASHINGTON — President Biden today delivered his first speech before a joint session of Congress. In his speech, Biden renewed his call to Congress to pass legislation this year to reform the U.S. immigration system.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement:

“In his first 100 days in office, President Biden has sent a clear signal that our country is ready to chart a new course on immigration. We were heartened to hear the president reiterate that commitment tonight before both chambers of Congress and millions of Americans watching at home, and we urge Congress to meet President Biden’s words of encouragement with courageous, bold action.

“Immigrants are essential to our nation. President Biden’s ability to follow through on the vision he put forth for immigrants will determine whether he will make history not only by undoing the harms of the previous administration but by creating a transformational immigration system that will impact millions of immigrants, their families and loved ones, their communities, and our country as a whole.

“We expect President Biden and Democrats who currently wield the levers of power to deliver on his promises to enact a 21st century immigration system that reflects the values we aspire to as a nation and our role as a global leader. We cannot let the tired Republican playbook get in the way of long-overdue action on immigration.

“These times call for moral imagination and courageous leadership. Immigration is one of the defining issues of our time, yet politicians have spent more than 30 years talking and not taking action on much-needed reforms. President Biden must lean into this moment when there is broad public support for bold solutions for the 11 million undocumented immigrants who call the U.S. home and who urgently need a pathway to U.S. citizenship. That includes immigrant youth who grew up here, long-time residents with temporary protections, and millions of essential workers helping us get through the pandemic.

“We must take every opportunity available to provide them all a pathway to citizenship as part of our efforts to set our country on a path to a just recovery that lifts us all. There is no recovery without immigrants.”

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NILC and Immigrant Justice Fund Name New Chief Communications Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2021

CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, [email protected], 213-375-3149

National Immigration Law Center and Immigrant Justice Fund Name New Chief Communications Officer

LOS ANGELES — The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF) today announced the promotion of Victoria Ballesteros to serve as chief communications officer for the organizations. In this role, Ballesteros joins NILC and IJF’s executive leadership teams and will develop innovative communication and narrative strategy approaches in furtherance of NILC and IJF’s respective missions, while articulating the vision and impact of the two organizations.

“NILC and IJF’s strategic decision to create this new role signals a recognition of the importance of communication as a strategic driver of our work,” stated Ballesteros. “As the daughter of immigrants, I am humbled and honored to step into this role and shift the public narrative around the role of immigrants in our country, to advocate for a society where we all have the freedom to thrive, and to build visibility of immigrants as an important political constituency.”

“Victoria’s breadth of experience in communications and executive leadership make her the right person to guide our work advocating and amplifying immigrant voices,” said Marielena Hincapié, executive director of NILC and IJF. “Her leadership as director of communications over the past year has taken our communications efforts to new heights, and we’re thrilled to continue our work together in this new leadership role.”

Ballesteros joined NILC and IJF in 2020 as director of communications. In that role, she led NILC’s narrative and strategic communications work, as well as IJF’s political communications efforts during the 2020 election cycle. A search is currently underway for a new director of communications for NILC and IJF.

Ballesteros has more than 20 years of communications and prior executive leadership experience, including leading communication research and advocacy campaigns primarily in the nonprofit and public sectors. She has worked for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Children’s Defense Fund, the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency, California’s Senate Majority Leader, and for The SCAN Foundation.

Ballesteros has a master’s degree in communication management from the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the California State University, Fullerton, with a minor in Chicano studies. She is fluent in Spanish and resides in Los Angeles.

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