Center for Law and Social Policy’s Post

We are standing at the precipice of one of the most consequential presidential elections in recent history, and one of the most troubling themes has been the rhetoric around mass deportation. This isn’t just rhetoric; it is a dangerous idea with the potential to tear apart families, disrupt communities, and inflict lasting trauma. That is why, yesterday, I joined with community leaders to reject calls for mass deportations altogether. The words “mass deportation” invoke dread and horror for many immigrant communities, especially those with personal or familial memories of forced removal and violence. These words, if left unchallenged, can become actions that lead to torn families and broken communities. We are a nation built by immigrants. We must all stand together united to reject mass deportation in word and deed. Antonio Lopez , El Concilio of San Mateo County, Redwood City Together, Ayudando Latinos A Soñar, Casa Círculo Cultural, #sb537 #caleg https://lnkd.in/gTbnnJp6

"Though final details have not been decided, officials are reviewing an existing legal authority known as 'parole in place' that would shield select undocumented immigrants from deportation and allow them to work legally in the country as they seek citizenship." https://lnkd.in/ectmXCd2 While #ParoleforSpouses could be a life-altering program for many American families, there has NOT been any official program or eligibility requirements announced as of now. Learn more about this potential program and how to protect your family from false promises here: https://lnkd.in/g8VET7z4

Immigrant women face 3x higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) than the national average. On top of that, 65% of immigrants experiencing IPV also report some form of immigrant-related abuse from their partners, such as preventing legal immigration papers from being filed Barriers to accessing support services are compounded by legal status and deportation fears. That’s why Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC)’s Domestic Violence Project provides tailored, Spanish-language services for immigrant New Yorkers. With the support of the Criminal Justice Investment Initiative, they’ve expanded their clinical support staff, community outreach team, and economic empowerment services that are inclusively geared to immigrant survivors. Learn more about their work: https://bit.ly/3Hk592e #DomesticViolenceAwareness

I will never stop being a broken record. People in deportation proceedings face incarceration and permanent removal from the United States. In criminal proceedings where there is the threat of jail time a public defender is given and in immigration proceedings the penalty is arguably worse or could actually equal incarceration far longer than many criminal sentences. Also, immigrants as a group tend to be one that do not speak English as their first language but need to go through complicated, document-heavy proceedings in English where they only get an interpreter during court but not for their documents. Proceedings are extremely complex. Even seasoned attorneys who don’t do removal defense struggle in court. How can someone who doesn’t know anything about the legal system, who often do not speak English, actually have a chance at representing themselves? They can’t.

President-elect Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and the proposed Project 2025 agenda directly threaten millions of #NewYork families. The state must act boldly and without hesitation: Pass the New York for All Act! Last night, we rallied with more than 100 activists, immigrant New Yorkers, allies, and the New York Immigration coalition to fight back against the president-elect's deportation agenda. In the face of difficult times and as our communities will be among the first to feel the impact of Donald Trump’s far-reaching policy changes, it is essential that #NewYorkState invest in strong, stable, and safe immigrant communities. https://lnkd.in/erq7EpYR

📢 ICYMI: National advocacy leaders have thrown their weight behind the push to provide affirmative relief for long-term undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers, spouses of U.S. citizens, and individuals from countries eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). With widespread public support and the potential to bolster the economy, executive action would make significant progress toward addressing long standing immigration challenges. #ImmigrationReform #Dreamers #TPS Check out our round-up here: https://bit.ly/3Uvi0EU

I was there, in the trenches, getting in "good trouble," and I am proud to have been born in a small town, in a small farm, because I learned how to wrestle a pig! In that day, right after my speech, the Northampton City Council voted, "YES," unanimously they made Northampton a Sanctuary City. ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽Freedom is not to be begged for, freedom must be: demanded! ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽 What does it mean to be a sanctuary city? As the term sanctuary city buzzes around the nation, one undocumented Mexican immigrant studying constitutional law at Hampshire College takes issue with the designation. Eduardo Samaniego said the declaration makes it seem as if municipalities like Amherst and Northampton are offering safe haven for immigrants like himself. But really, he said, all they’re doing is upholding the Constitution.“They should be named Fourth Amendment cities,” he said, referencing the section of the U.S. constitution that prohibits searches, seizures and arrests without a warrant.Sanctuary cities are generally defined as places where local police decline to cooperate with federal officials to deport undocumented immigrants who have otherwise not committed a crime. Samaniego and other proponents of so-called sanctuary cities take aim at a recent push to rope local police officers into immigration enforcement, especially to federally-issued administrative detainer requests, which many argue violate due process.“When local jails have people held longer without a warrant then they are violating the Constitution and the Fourth Amendment,” Samaniego said. "I as an undocumented immigrant don’t feel any safer (in a sanctuary city), but at least I know my Fourth Amendment rights are being upheld.” #Democrats #Democrat #Kamala #KamalaHarris #Harris #Republicans #Trump #Texas #Dallas #notgoingback #Republican

In her previous testimony before the House Committee on the Judiciary last week, Patty Morin stated, "It's because of these open borders-and I realize some of you are disinterested in this because you think it's just a partisan thing, but these are American people, these are American families, these are our children and pretty soon they will be our grandchildren Click here for the full story from CBS News: https://lnkd.in/gUNF8T-H #RationalMiddleImmigration #StoneyCreekPublishing #RachelMorin #ImmigrationReform

New protections for some noncitizen spouses and Dreamers have been announced, but it is NOT possible to apply for these programs yet. Learn more from American Immigration Lawyers Association President Kelli Stump and talk to a qualified immigration attorney if you have questions: https://lnkd.in/ggrm2fi4 #immigrationlaw #DACA #paroleinplace  

We remembered to snap this photo when we realized we are the only people left after the event (Navigating the Intersection of Immigration Law and Criminal Law: Canadian and US Implications, April 30, 2024). It might be last-minute, but it carries a powerful message for our professional community. In the networking session that followed the main event, Dr. Sajjad A. Malik [MBBS, MBA, MA, LLB, LLM, Bar-at-Law] (Chair), Carrie Wright (Past Chair), Leslie H. Morley (Regional Coordinator and the Chair of the event), Max Chaudhary (Secretary, missing in the photo) and I had many interesting conversations about our current societal plagues. When Carrie recommended the movie Civil War, it sparked a deep analytical discussion. We, being the #lawyers that we are, began reverse-engineering the title: from uninformed violent conflict to blind hatred of the other, to a polarized society, political division, incompetent #leaders, and broken #democracy —all rooted in isolation. The growing isolation in our society is the most potent threat to our democracy. If we don’t remain connected outside of our screens, we create fertile ground for opportunistic self-centered populism. Civil societies like the Ontario Bar Association play a crucial role not only in serving their members but also in safeguarding civil participation—a pillar of democracy. At times like these, the responsibility of CSOs is greater than ever before. At the Citizenship & Immigration Law section of the OBA, we recognize this and are focused on maximizing member #participation by organizing events that encourage and facilitate real-world connections among professionals. Thank you to all the #volunteers across all industries who are dedicating their time to civil societies and helping prevent the erosion of our democracy! #BetterImmigrationPolicy #CivilSociety #Democracy #Networking