Update as of September 11, 2024: In June 2024, the Biden administration announced a new Parole in Place (PIP) process for undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. The goal of this process is to allow eligible applicants to adjust their status (get a green card) without having to the leave the United States and risk being separated from their families. The process went into effect on August 19, 2024, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) started approving applications right away. However, on August 23, 2024, the state of Texas along with 15 other states filed a lawsuit to stop the process.  On August 26, 2024, a federal court in Texas ordered USCIS to stop approving applications while the Court decides several issues in the case.

Prop 47 (2014) reclassified six felony offenses to misdemeanors, including shoplifting and simple drug possession, and funneled costs savings into safety measures like drug and mental health treatment and victim services centers. Proposed Prop 36 (November 2024) would roll back those reforms and add new criminal penalties and sentencing enhancements. Prop 36 will also impose severe immigration consequences on immigrants and their families. It will result in more Californians being deported and more families being separated. This resource provides some of the specific examples of the ways in which Proposition 36 will harm immigrants if passed.

Texas' SB 4 - 88(4) is not only unconstitutional and illegal, it is bad law. Currently, this law is being challenged in federal court and it has not been allowed to go into effect because of these constitutional concerns while the litigation is pending. This memo breaks down the legal arguments against it and the impact the policy has had on the community.

ILRC comments on Texas House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety Testimony on SB 602.

This toolkit is for advocates looking for guidance on how to engage in legislative advocacy, also known as lobbying. Legislative advocacy is building support for an issue or cause that you believe in through engaging legislators and advocating for or against certain legislation, or proposed laws. The aim of legislative advocacy is to influence the outcome of a legislator’s vote on a proposed legislation or a bill. This type of advocacy can also be for the purpose of building a legislative champion and public voice on the issue you care about.

On August 12, ILRC provided feedback to USCIS on recent changes made to the acquisition of citizenship portion of the USCIS policy manual. ILRC commended the agency for providing clarity in some of the sections and provided suggested language that should be incorporated into the policy manual to ensure that all eligible applicants – including those who were previously denied and are now eligible due to changes to USCIS policy – are able to access the process now and obtain proof of their acquired citizenship.

On August 12, 2024, ILRC provided comments to USCIS on proposed changes to the application forms for T Nonimmigrant status. The comment urged USCIS to make additional changes to the form including removing the requirement for disclosure of juvenile adjudications and vacated criminal records and implementing uniform confidentiality and privacy language on the forms to ensure that the applicant’s sensitive information is protected.
Tags: U Visa/T Visa/VAWA

UPDATE: On August 26, a federal court in Texas temporarily halted the Parole in Place (PIP) process for undocumented spouses and stepchildren of US citizens, also known as the Keeping Families Together program.

For a 14-day period (and possibly longer), USCIS will NOT be able to approve applications, even though applicants can still file their request for PIP. The filing fee of $580 is due at the time of filing and applicants may lose out on that fee, if they decide to apply and USCIS continues to be restricted from processing requests. As always, it will be crucial to speak with a qualified immigration legal services provider before anyone decides to file.