The prison industrial complex is a highly adaptive mechanism that is constantly shifting to sustain itself. In recent years, the movement against mass incarceration has gained traction in reducing penal incarceration in the United States. In this report in collaboration with the Detention Watch Network, we detail select case examples of jails and prisons that closed for one purpose, only to cage a different group of people. The case studies demonstrate the importance of looking ahead to strategies which ensure that cages remain closed for all carceral uses, once and for all.

Rep. Judy Chu, UCLA Professor Gerald López, and Black Alliance for Just Immigration Honored at 2023 Burton Awards

(San Francisco, CA)—Rep. Judy Chu, UCLA Professor Gerald López, and Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) were honored on May 18, 2023 at the 2023 Phillip Burton Immigration & Civil Rights Awards for their exemplary commitment and work to significantly advance the civil rights of all immigrants. Named after the late Congressman Phillip Burton, U.S. Representative from California (1964-1983), the awards recognize those who carry on Congressman Burton’s legacy in support of immigrant and human rights.  

Kate Mahoney

Kate joined the ILRC as a Senior Staff Attorney in 2023 after over a decade of experience fighting deportation in a variety of roles.  Kate believes that the movement for immigrants’ liberation must be led by those most impacted, and she is humbled and constantly learning from the courageous clients and advocates whom she supports.  Kate specializes in complex removal defense on behalf of detained and non-detained clients, including challenging removability, motions to suppress, applications for relief before USCIS and the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and federal court

This practice advisory addresses FAQs related to current public charge policy including definitions and applicability of the new 2022 rule, use of benefits and other government programs, exemptions, affidavit of support and sponsor questions, and bond.

Open Statement to the Biden Administration: Do Not Place More Asylum Seekers Behind Bars as Title 42 Lifts

The undersigned 233 organizations call on the Biden administration to live up to its promise of creating a more humane immigration system by ensuring asylum seekers and other migrants are not placed behind bars in immigration detention as Title 42 is lifted.

On April 19, 2023, the ILRC sent a letter to USCIS commending the agency on several changes to the USCIS Policy Manual and practices. The letter acknowledges the agency’s updates to civil surgeon signatures on Form I-693, the inclusion of additional gender markers on forms, clarifications on filing deadlines, and the flexibility for special immigrant juvenile applicants to file Form I-360 in person if they are in danger of aging out of eligibility. These changes are welcome improvements to existing guidance and practices and the ILRC encourage USCIS to continue to make further changes to improve the applicant experience and efficient use of agency resources.
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