NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER

LAW AND POLICY: DURING THIS PERIOD, THE NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER'S (NILC) LAW AND POLICY TEAM CHALLENGED UNJUST LAWS JEOPARDIZING THE RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES AND ADVOCATED FOR POLICY SOLUTIONS. AFTER IMMIGRATION-RELATED EXECUTIVE ORDERS ISSUED IN JANUARY 2025, NILC STAFF PRODUCED AND DISSEMINATED EXPLAINERS AND KNOW-YOUR-RIGHTS (KYR) MATERIALS TO INFORM ADVOCATES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF POLICY CHANGES AND WAYS TO RESPOND. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KEY ALLIES, NILC HIGHLIGHTED THE HARMS OF A FEDERAL SPENDING PROPOSAL DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MASS DEPORTATION EFFORTS WHILE SLASHING CRITICAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS. NILC'S LITIGATION TEAM FILED SEVERAL LAWSUITS, INCLUDING ONE TO CHALLENGE A NEW REGISTRATION RULE REQUIRING UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO DID NOT ENTER THE COUNTRY WITH A VISA TO REGISTER WITH THE GOVERNMENT OR FACE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. THE TEAM HELPED ADVOCATES PREPARE FOR THE 5TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS HEARING IN THE TEXAS CASE CHALLENGING THE LEGALITY OF THE DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVAL PROGRAM. STAFF CONTINUED PROMOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF A PERMANENT POLICY SOLUTION FOR YOUNG IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE AMERICAN IN EVERY WAY BUT ON PAPER. NILC WAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF RESPONDING TO THE RESCISSION OF A LONG-STANDING POLICY PREVENTING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IN "PROTECTED AREAS LIKE HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS, AND CHURCHES. AND AFTER MIGRANTS WERE REMOVED FROM THE U.S. AND SENT TO EL SALVADOR'S NOTORIOUS CECOT PRISON, THE TEAM CREATED A LEGAL EXPLAINER FOR FAMILIES, PRODUCED A MULTI-LINGUAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE ON LOCATING A LOVED ONE, AND PROVIDED TECHNICAL INFORMATION TO POLICYMAKERS SEEKING TO ADDRESS DETERIORATING CONDITIONS IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION FACILITIES.

OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO NARRATIVE CHANGE, THE IMMIGRANT MOVEMENT VISIONING PROJECT, AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS. NARRATIVE CHANGE WORKS TO SHIFT HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH ART, STORYTELLING, AND CULTURE TO ADVANCE A JUST AND EQUITABLE SOCIETY. THE IMMIGRANT MOVEMENT VISIONING PROJECT ENGAGES DIVERSE IMMIGRANT JUSTICE LEADERS TO PLAN AND ARTICULATE A LONG-TERM VISION FOR THE IMMIGRANT MOVEMENT. THE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ADVANCES STRATEGIC PRIORITIES WITH COMPELLING MESSAGES THAT REACH THEIR INTENDED AUDIENCES.