Category Archives: News Releases

Federal Court Approves Classwide Settlement of Civil Rights Lawsuit Challenging Workplace Raid

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2023

CONTACT
National Immigration Law Center, Juan Gastelum, [email protected], 213-375-3149
Southern Poverty Law Center, Anna Núñez, [email protected], 334-201-9236
Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, Mallika Vohra, [email protected], 865-363-9188

Federal Court Approves Classwide Settlement of Civil Rights Lawsuit Challenging Workplace Raid

A federal court approved the settlement, which provides for over $1‌‌‌‌ million to workers targeted by federal agents because of their ethnicity

CHATTANOOGA, TN — On Feb. 27, a federal judge approved a final settlement in a class action lawsuit challenging an April 2018 workplace immigration raid at a meat processing plant in East Tennessee.

The settlement provides over $1 million to workers detained in the raid, which was, at the time, the largest workplace raid in nearly a decade. The plaintiffs – represented by the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and several private practice attorneys acting on a pro bono basis – allege that armed U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officers illegally targeted the Latinx workers for detention, excessive force and false arrest.

“Someone asked me if I am happy about the result of this case,” said Martha Pulido, a plaintiff in the lawsuit and resident of Morristown, Tenn. “The question brought me back to that day. Everything was normal, and then in an instant everything changed. Now, I live with the aftermath of that bad experience. It will stay with all of the families forever. I am not happy, but I am content to see that justice prevailed over injustice. I am thankful to the legal team and the class members, who stuck together throughout this time. We will always remember that we are one.”

In August, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee certified the case as a class action in a precedent-setting decision, paving the way for classwide relief for the unlawful policing and racial profiling alleged in the lawsuit. Class members are approximately 100 Latinx workers who were detained during the workplace raid.

Today, the court granted the plaintiffs’ and individual defendants’ motion for final approval of the settlement of the class-action claims against federal agents from the IRS and DHS (including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] and U.S. Customs and Border Protection). The court determined the settlement was reasonable and the relief provided to the class was adequate. Over 95 percent of class members submitted claims forms to access the settlement’s benefits.

“Nearly five years after the raid that tore apart families – but galvanized a community – the final approval of this class settlement is a milestone in the fight for justice,” said Michelle Lapointe, deputy legal director at NILC. “Our courageous plaintiffs and class members worked long hours in grueling conditions to provide food for this country. While the settlement cannot heal the wounds caused by the violent 2018 raid, we are pleased with this hard-fought vindication of their rights and the power of community organizing.”

“Today, justice was served to the Latinx workers, and their community, who took a stand against federal agents targeting them because of their ethnicity,” said Meredith Stewart, senior supervising attorney with the SPLC’s Immigrant Justice Project. “The unprecedented, court-approved settlement demonstrates that we, as a nation, will not tolerate racial profiling. That type of policing goes against not only our rights but also our values. We look forward to the workers receiving the relief the settlement provides.”

The devastating impacts of the 2018 raid were far-reaching, but the community came together to demand justice. The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) was on the ground within hours, working to reunite families, locate detained individuals and meet families’ immediate needs.

“Today’s ruling is a testament to the incredible power and resiliency of immigrant workers and their communities,” said Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director at TIRRC. “Violent enforcement tactics like workplace raids are designed to keep immigrant families living in fear, but these plaintiffs and class members refused to stand by when they knew their rights had been violated. This settlement sends a clear message: No matter who we are or where we are from, we all deserve the freedom to work and live safely in our communities.”

Under the $1.175 million settlement, class members will receive a total of $550,000 and, upon request, a letter from ICE confirming their membership in the class that can be included in any applications for immigration relief. The settlement also requires the United States to pay $475,000 to the six individual plaintiffs to resolve their FTCA claims, including excessive force and unlawful arrest, and $150,000 in attorneys’ fees and expenses to SPLC and NILC.

“This settlement exemplifies that courage and perseverance can bring justice and resolution,” said Eben Colby, a pro bono attorney on the lawsuit.  “It is a consequential moment in addressing illegal targeting of workers due to their ethnicity, as well as overly aggressive and abusive enforcement activities. We are pleased that the court system provided dozens of Latinx workers with what they are owed. This settlement is a historic step in advancing dignity and justice for all immigrant workers.”

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BACKGROUND:
Isabel Zelaya, et al. v. Robert Hammer, et al. was filed on Feb. 21, 2019. Plaintiffs are represented by the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), pro bono attorneys Eben P. Colby, Jeremy A. Berman, Arthur R. Bookout and the law firms of Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison and Sperling & Slater. On April 5, 2018, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Morristown Police Department, executed the largest workplace immigration raid in nearly a decade, detaining approximately 100 Latinx workers at an east Tennessee meat processing plant, violating their civil rights.

Plaintiffs’ and Individual Defendants’ Joint Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement Agreement and Notice to Class Members and Incorporated Memorandum

Joint Stipulation and Settlement Agreement and Release

About the National Immigration Law Center
Established in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is the nation’s leading organization exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of immigrants with low income. Using their litigation and policy expertise, NILC challenges unjust laws and policies that marginalize low-income and other vulnerable immigrant communities. In order to amass the political power necessary to hold decision-makers accountable for making policy changes real and lasting, NILC is also focused on building a stronger, more inclusive immigrant justice movement and fostering intersectional alliances across communities.

About the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition
The Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) is a statewide, immigrant and refugee-led collaboration whose mission is to build power, amplify our voices, and organize communities to advocate for our rights in order to build a stronger, more inclusive Tennessee where people of all nationalities, immigration statuses, and racial identities can belong and thrive. Since its founding in 2001, TIRRC has grown from a grassroots network of community leaders into one of the most diverse and effective coalitions of its kind, a model for emerging immigrant rights organizations in the Southeast and throughout the United States.

About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.

NILC Solidifies Executive Leadership Team with New Executive Vice President of Programs and Strategy and Executive Vice President of Operations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2023

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Madison Allman, 202-384-1279
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458

NILC Solidifies Executive Leadership Team with New Executive Vice President of Programs and Strategy and Executive Vice President of Operations

WASHINGTON — The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF) today announced that Kica Matos has joined as executive vice president of programs and strategy, and Tasha Harris as executive vice president of operations. Matos and Harris join NILC and IJF’s executive leadership team, which plays a crucial role in advancing NILC’s mission.

Before joining NILC and IJF, Matos served as vice president of initiatives at the Vera Institute of Justice. She previously held the role of director of Immigrant Rights and Racial Justice at the Center for Community Change. Additionally, she served as deputy mayor in the city of New Haven, where she oversaw the city’s community programs and launched new initiatives including prisoner re-entry, youth and immigrant integration.

Kica Matos, executive vice president of programs and strategy, said: “I am proud to join an organization that for decades has fought for the rights of immigrants, who make up the fabric of communities across America, yet continue to confront injustices that shock the conscience. There are so many critical issues that NILC is working on that I am excited to support, whether in the courts, standing next to our allies in the labor and civil rights movements, or joining community leaders in grassroots battles at the local, state, and federal levels. Together we will protect workers’ rights, fight beside immigrant youth, and champion new laws so that we all have the freedom to thrive.”

Prior to her arrival at NILC and IJF, Harris was vice president of operations at NeighborWorks America, where she guided enterprise-level project management, executive engagement, and cross-departmental projects for seven years.

Tasha Harris, executive vice president of operations, said: “I am excited to join NILC at a pivotal time in its journey and use my expertise in operations, human resources, and finance to help drive meaningful change for immigrants and their loved ones. I look forward to working with this team to advance justice and equity and achieve impact for our communities.”

Sara K. Gould, interim executive director of NILC and IJF, said: “With the additions of Kica Matos and Tasha Harris, our organizations have gained two deeply experienced advocates who will drive forward NILC’s mission to advance the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their family members. Together with others on the executive leadership team, they will serve important roles in helping NILC and the IJF achieve the transformational change that is needed to meet this moment in history.”

Harris holds a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and a master’s in public affairs from Princeton University.

Matos has a bachelor’s degree from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, a master’s from the New School, and a juris doctorate from Cornell Law School. She was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Albertus Magnus College in 2017 and the University of New Haven in 2019. Matos was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of fame in 2021.

Matos and Harris join NILC and IJF’s executive leadership team that includes Victoria R. Ballesteros, executive vice president of strategic communications and narrative, and Peter Wilderotter, interim executive vice president of development, with Sara K. Gould serving as interim executive director.

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NILC Statement on the Murder of Tyre Nichols

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2023

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Madison Allman, 202-384-1279
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458

NILC Statement on the Murder of Tyre Nichols

WASHINGTON — Sara K. Gould, interim executive director of the National Immigration Law Center and Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement in response to the murder of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers:

“Tyre Nichols’ gruesome murder at the hands of Memphis police is another painful reminder of the urgent need to dismantle the structures upholding white supremacist violence. We mourn the loss of Tyre’s life – one full of love, joy, and purpose. We join the calls for justice for his family and community, as we continue to stand in solidarity with Black leaders demanding accountability, an end to police violence, and reinvestment in communities.”

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NILC Welcomes New Board Member

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2023

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Madison Allman, 202-384-1279
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458

NILC Welcomes New Board Member

WASHINGTON — The National Immigration Law Center today announced the addition of Pedro Gerson, associate professor of law at California Western School of Law in San Diego, to the NILC board of directors.

“NILC is thrilled to welcome Pedro Gerson to its board,” said Sara K. Gould, NILC’s interim executive director. “Pedro’s expertise at the intersection of criminal law and immigration will be vital to our work as we continue to advocate for a 21st century immigration system that recognizes the humanity inherent in each of us.”

“I have long admired NILC’s dedication to advancing the rights of low-income immigrants in the United States,” said Pedro Gerson. “The road toward equity and dignity for all people – regardless of immigration status – is long. I look forward to continuing to fight for justice for the millions of immigrants who call the U.S. home, as well as making it easier for those who wish to come here, as a member of NILC’s board.”

Pedro Gerson is an Associate Professor of Law at California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. He writes and teaches in the areas of criminal law and immigration law. Prior to joining California Western, Gerson directed the Louisiana State University Immigration Clinic. The clinic provides immigration services for people in Louisiana, handling a wide range of immigration matters, from naturalization and asylum petitions to removal defense. Before joining the LSU Law Center faculty, Gerson served as an immigration staff attorney at The Bronx Defenders in New York City, a public defender nonprofit.

Gerson previously held several positions in Mexico City, including as a researcher and project manager at the Instituto Mexicano para la Competitividad (IMCO), a think tank. He also worked in government, in the National Digital Strategy Unit of the Office of the President of Mexico. While in Mexico, he was an adjunct professor in the economics and law departments at Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and Universidad Iberoamericana.

Gerson is a regular contributor to diverse media outlets in both Mexico and the U.S., such as Slate and Animal Político.

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NILC Statement on the Department of Homeland Security’s Guidance Regarding Workers Asserting their Rights in the Workplace

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2023

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Madison Allman, 202-384-1279
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458

NILC Statement on the Department of Homeland Security’s Guidance Regarding Workers Asserting their Rights in the Workplace

WASHINGTON — Raha Wala, vice president of strategic partnerships and advocacy, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s announcement that clarifies the process by which workers asserting their rights against abusive employers can access temporary immigration protections, including work authorization and protection from deportation:

“The Department of Homeland Security’s guidance protecting immigrant workers is key to furthering President Biden’s historic commitment to support worker empowerment. This momentous victory is the result of years of activism from workers and advocates and will be critical to supporting collective organizing and making worksites across the country safer and more equitable for everyone.

“All working people, regardless of immigration status, deserve to work in a safe environment, with a living wage, and the ability to speak up about labor violations without fear of retaliation. Providing temporary protections to immigrant workers that allow them to organize and safely fight back against injustices in the workplace will bolster all workers’ rights. We will continue working collaboratively with the Biden administration to create more just and inclusive protections for all working people, including immigrants, so that everyone can do their jobs safely and with dignity.”

While DHS has previously made these protections available to some workers, this newly released policy guidance clarifies and streamlines the process by which workers involved in labor disputes can seek temporary immigration protections from DHS. NILC’s statement on the corresponding Department of Labor guidance released in July is available here.

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NILC Statement on President Biden’s Speech Announcing Expansion of Title 42 Expulsions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2023

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Madison Allman, 202-384-1279
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458

NILC Statement on President Biden’s Speech Announcing Expansion of Title 42 Expulsions

WASHINGTON — Lisa Graybill, vice president of law and policy at the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s announcement of several initiatives at the U.S.-Mexico border, which include planned expansion of Title 42 expulsions, increased use and expansion of expedited removal, the revival of a Trump-era-like transit ban previously struck down by two federal courts, a cost-prohibitive and inadequate parole program for those fleeing from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, and other harmful policies:

“For nearly three years, presidents of both parties have used the false pretext of public health to essentially cut off access to asylum in the United States under Title 42. While the recent Supreme Court ruling has temporarily forced the continuation of Title 42 expulsions, the Biden administration is choosing to expand Title 42 to Nicaraguans, Cubans, and Haitians, and introduce additional policies that further erode the legal right to seek asylum. The expanded expulsion policy is paired with new parole programs that will provide needed temporary relief to a small number of people. However, this relief should not come at the expense of more people being subjected to this cruel relic of the Trump administration that has immeasurably harmed thousands of people.

“With Republicans continuing to block any chance of Congressional action that would improve our outdated and broken immigration system, it is imperative that the Biden administration not embrace right-wing talking points by doubling down on failed deterrence practices. Instead, we urge the administration to follow through on its campaign promise to end Trump’s detrimental policies, commit to respecting our asylum laws, and build a 21st century immigration system that recognizes the dignity and humanity inherent in us all.”

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NILC Statement on Congress’ Failure to Pass a Pathway to Citizenship for Immigrant Youth 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2022

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Madison Allman, 202-384-1279
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458

NILC Statement on Congress’ Failure to Pass a Pathway to Citizenship for Immigrant Youth

WASHINGTON — Lisa Graybill, vice president of law and policy at the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement in response to Congress’ failure to include provisions for a pathway to citizenship in the end of year spending package:  

This year’s omnibus spending bill was a critical opportunity to provide long-awaited stability for millions of DACA recipients and immigrant youth who call the U.S. home. With the writing on the wall that DACA may be nearing the end, it is unacceptable that once again Congress has failed to meet the urgency of the moment.  

“NILC proudly worked alongside the hundreds of immigrant youth and allies who traveled to Washington from all over the country to share their hopes and dreams with their elected representatives and convey their experiences living amid constant uncertainty. While we are disappointed by Congress’ failure to act, we continue to be inspired by our communities’ undeniable power and resilience. We remain as committed as ever to fighting for a permanent solution for immigrant youth and all who come to this country seeking safety and opportunity so that all of us, no matter where we were born or how much money we have, have the freedom to thrive.”  

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NILC Welcomes New Board Member

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2022

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Madison Allman, 202-384-1279
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458

NILC Welcomes New Board Member 

WASHINGTON — The National Immigration Law Center today announced the addition of Jennifer M. Chacón, the Bruce Tyson Mitchell Professor of Law at Stanford Law School, to the NILC board of directors. 

“NILC’s board welcomes Jennifer M. Chacón, whose breadth of experience at the intersection of immigration, criminal, and constitutional law will be a tremendous asset to us as we continue working toward remedying longstanding injustices and inequities in our immigration system,” said Sara K. Gould, NILC’s interim executive director. “Professor Chacón brings decades of legal expertise that will further ground our work in racial equity and justice. I’m excited and honored to work together with her to advance racial justice and civil rights so that all of us, regardless of immigration status, have the freedom to thrive.” 

“Throughout my professional career, I have admired the efforts of the brilliant and dedicated staff of NILC, which has worked tirelessly toward equity and dignity for all people, regardless of immigration or citizenship status,” said Professor Chacón. “I am honored to join the NILC board, and I look forward to working with this amazing team.” 

Jennifer M. Chacón is the Bruce Tyson Mitchell Professor of Law at Stanford Law School. Her research focuses on the nexus of immigration law, constitutional law, and criminal law and procedure. Her writings elucidate how immigration and criminal law shape individual and collective understandings of racial and ethnic identity, citizenship, civic engagement, and social belonging. She has written dozens of articles, book chapters, and essays on immigration, criminal law, constitutional law, and citizenship issues.  

Professor Chacón is a past Chair of the American Association of Law School’s Section on Immigration, and a member of the American Law Institute. She is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (ABF) and currently serves on the ABF Board of Directors. She has served on the Advisory Committee of the American Bar Foundation’s “Future of Latinos in the U.S.” project and on the University of Oxford Border Criminologies Advisory Group, and as the chair of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Rules Committee. She was a co-convenor of the Immigration Policy Advisory Committee to then-Senator Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign, and an outside advisor to the Immigration Transition Team of President-Elect Barack Obama from November 2008 through January 2009.  

Professor Chacόn was an associate at the New York law firm of Davis Polk and Wardwell after clerking for the Honorable Sidney R. Thomas of the Ninth Circuit (1998-1999). She has also held appointments as a Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, the UCLA School of Law, and the UC Davis King Hall School of Law, and as a Chancellor’s Professor of Law and Senior Associate Dean for Administration at the University of California, Irvine, School of Law. She was a Visiting Professor of Law at Stanford Law School (2015-2016) and Harvard Law School (2014-2015).  

She holds a J.D. from Yale Law School and an A.B. in International Relations from Stanford University.  

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NILC Statement on Potential Bipartisan Deal for Immigrant Youth Protections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2022

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Madison Allman, 202-384-1279
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458

NILC Statement on Potential Bipartisan Deal for Immigrant Youth Protections

WASHINGTON — Raha Wala, vice president of strategic partnerships and advocacy at the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement in response to reports that senators are working on a bipartisan immigration proposal: 

“While we are encouraged to see members of Congress from both parties coming together to discuss passing a long-overdue pathway to citizenship for immigrant youth, this reported deal falls woefully short of meeting the needs and urgency of this moment. 

“Over the past ten years, the Republican list of border demands has become more extreme, while the fraction of people in need who would gain protections shrinks. This reported deal would accelerate that trend and could gravely compromise our future ability to welcome people seeking safety and opportunity in our country. We urge Democrats to step up their demands and lead courageously as negotiations continue. 

“With a limited and critically important window for progress in the lame duck, we urge lawmakers engaged in good-faith discussion to pass a pathway to citizenship for immigrant youth by the end of the year.” 

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NILC Statement on the Extension and Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2022

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458

NILC Statement on the Extension and Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for Haiti

WASHINGTON — Raha Wala, vice president of strategic partnerships and advocacy, issued the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s extension and redesignation of temporary protected status (TPS) for Haiti:

“We celebrate the extension and redesignation of TPS for Haiti, which provides a measure of relief for Haitians in the U.S and helps ensure families and communities can remain together as they continue to build meaningful lives in this country. This victory is a testament to the sustained advocacy of Black immigrant leaders and communities, and we commend the Biden administration for listening to their leadership.

“We know there is more to be done. Following this extension and redesignation, the U.S. must stop the deportation of Haitians seeking safety. Black immigrants continue to face pervasive anti-Black discrimination in our immigration policies, and the Biden administration must address these disparities as part of the work of building a fair and humane immigration system.”

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