National Immigrant Justice Center
@immigrantjustice.bsky.social
The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) is a legal aid organization that advocates for human rights and humane immigration laws.
NIJC's free DACA renewal clinic is two weeks away! Take this chance to get step-by-step guidance from expert NIJC staff & pro bono attorneys, as DACA's future remains uncertain. Register by the Aug 11 deadline here: https://immigrantjustice.salsalabs.org/daca-renewal-clinic08192026/index.html
📰 READ @blockclubchi.bsky.social's coverage on how Chicago city-funded legal counsel helped one of our clients successfully navigate their case. We and other advocates are urging @mayorofchicago.bsky.social to continue city funding for legal services for immigrants in our communities.
Advocates Urge City To Keep Funding For Free Legal Services For Immigrants
With federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act sunsetting, advocates are calling on the city to include the Chicago Legal Protection Fund in next year's budget.
blockclubchicago.org
WATCH: NIJC's Jennifer Babaie testify at the @judiciarydems.senate.gov spotlight forum on inhumane ICE detention.
Senate Judiciary Democrats 🇺🇸@judiciarydems.senate.gov · 6d agoImmigration attorney: We’ve represented people detained in 18 states. Daily, we are forced to witness the abuse of power endemic to ICE’s mass detention campaign. We’ve represented 500+ people trapped in detention. Every single one of them has a story to share.
In a year, DHS detained 500 pregnant, nursing, or postpartum people. While detained, they are not given proper medical care, as evidenced by horrific recent experience of an NIJC client. Read her story in @19thnews.org: https://19thnews.org/2026/07/ice-detention-miscarriage-lawmakers-kentucky/
🚨 The fight over ICE & Border Patrol funding isn't over, Congress could still approve $30 billion MORE. That would mean more violence, surveillance & abuse of our communities. ACT NOW | Tell Congress to not add another dollar to ICE & CBP funding in the FY27 budget: immigrantjustice.org/StopICE
Learn about "mega-master" court hearings & how they are violating due process in this @wbez.org article: https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2026/07/24/chaotic-crowded-chicago-immigration-mega-court-hearings-are-fueling-record-deportation-orders
Our communities are better because of our refugee neighbors. But the Trump admin. still has the refugee ban in place. On this day of advocacy, we join @rcusa.bsky.social in urging Congress to show support for refugees by ensuring we welcome those most at risk. #WeWillWelcome #RCUSAAdvocacyDays
A new investigation by @ctinsider.bsky.social found that some immigrant children have spent up to 500 days in federal custody as officials add extra requirements to stall families from reuniting. Read the full investigative coverage by @joshuaeaton.bsky.social @jrabethomas.bsky.social
Six immigrant children spent as long as 505 days in federal custody as their families waited
During the months CT Insider spent reporting this story, more than two dozen immigrant children sat in federal custody in Connecticut.
ctinsider.com
I’m at the Campbell County Detention Center in Kentucky today with @ramirez.house.gov and @repmcgarvey.bsky.social conducting congressional oversight following reports of inhumane conditions and inadequate medical care of people in custody.
I am heading into Campbell County Detention Center in Kentucky with @repgwenmoore.bsky.social @repmcgarvey.bsky.social to provide oversight of the facility consistent with congressional oversight authority and duties.
Save The Date 📆: Don't miss NIJC's free DACA renewal clinic in downtown Chicago on August 19! If you or someone you know needs to renew their DACA, our team of experts will guide you through the entire process. RSVP here: https://immigrantjustice.salsalabs.org/daca-renewal-clinic08192026/index.html
“It’s much more efficient for the government to deport people without even having to ... schedule hundreds of people, actually listen to their claims, and afford them due process.” -NIJC's Stephenie Spiro about "mega-master" hearings Read the full WBEZ Chicago article here: https://bit.ly/4fi1vGN
Chaotic, crowded Chicago immigration mega court hearings are fueling record deportation orders
New “mega master” hearings that began in Chicago in May are calling as many as 185 immigrants to a single small courtroom. Many immigrants, fearful and unable to find a lawyer on short notice, are mis...
wbez.org
Instead of fixing immigration court's shortcomings, DHS wants to fine some immigrants up to $18K for missing court hearings they may not even know about. But it fails to address egregious barriers people face like not having a lawyer. WATCH NIJC's Bairavi Sundaram unpack the proposal:
Watch NIJC's Jesse Franzblau testify about the invasive tech behind ICE & Border Patrol & the need to divest from these agencies at shadow hearing w/ @ramirez.house.gov Full hearing: https://immigrantjustice.org/blog/nijcs-jesse-franzblau-testifies-at-shadow-hearing-on-the-harmful-tech-behind-ice/
Children shouldn't be alone in courtrooms. Unaccompanied children are our neighbors and friends. Yet thousands are at risk of losing access to legal representation because the Trump admin refuses to pay their attorneys. Tell Congress to protect children ➡️ tinyurl.com/protect-kids
Thank you to @jayapal.house.gov for introducing Orlin's Law, in memory of Orlin Hernandez Reyes, who died after ICE deported his mom. This bill would stop ICE from detaining or deporting immigrant parents, helping families stay united. More by @washingtonpost.com:
New bill would prohibit ICE from separating parents from children
The proposal is named for a 3-year-old Florida boy who was killed after ICE deported his mother.
washingtonpost.com
⚖️ As reports of increased ICE activity continue across the Chicagoland area, you don't have to navigate this stressful time alone. Watch NIJC's Laura Cholula Chang explain 3 vital steps you can take today to prepare for immigration check-ins and protect your family: immigrantjustice.org/kyr
“It feels like we're normalizing it,” said Rep. Delia Ramirez, who expressed disappointment with her colleagues’ lack of action on ICE. interc.pt/4b1upZg
LAST CHANCE: Today at noon, NIJC's litigation team will brief the community on how the Supreme Court's recent decisions will impact our community members and what we expect to see in the future. Don't miss your chance to join, RSVP here: immigrantjustice.org/SCOTUSbriefing
Congress is considering giving $30 billion more to ICE & Border Patrol, even as they kill with impunity and mass detain community members. Not one more dollar should go to fueling violence against our communities. Tell Congress to reject new funding: immigrantjustice.org/StopICE
3-year-old Orlin was murdered after ICE separated him from his mother, Wendy. This can never happen again. Today, I’m introducing Orlin’s Law to stop family separation and prohibit ICE from detaining or deporting immigrant parents unless they pose a public safety threat.
New bill would prohibit ICE from separating parents from children
The proposal is named for a 3-year-old Florida boy who was killed after ICE deported his mother.
wapo.st
ICE is responsible for the murder of Orlin Hernandez Reyes. While we can’t bring him back, we can honor him by passing my new bill, Orlin’s Law, to stop ICE from separating parents from their children. Families belong together.
In one week ICE shot & killed two people in broad daylight. Congress must stop this deadly pattern & reclaim billions of taxpayer dollars funding ICE. https://immigrantjustice.org/press-release/nijc-renews-calls-to-rescind-ice-funding-and-pursue-accountability-for-its-growing-deadly-record/
NIJC renews calls to rescind ICE funding and pursue accountability for its growing deadly record - National Immigrant Justice Center
In one week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has shot and killed two people in broad daylight on U.S. streets.
immigrantjustice.org
This Friday, join NIJC's litigation experts for a briefing on how the Supreme Court's latest decisions affect our community members and what may come in the Court's next term. Learn more and register today: immigrantjustice.org/SCOTUSbriefing
Join NIJC next week for a community briefing on how the Supreme Court's latest decisions are affecting immigrants in our communities and what they mean for: ✅ birthright citizenship, ✅ asylum access, and ✅ Temporary Protected Status (TPS) RSVP: immigrantjustice.org/SCOTUSbriefing
LAST CHANCE 📆: Tomorrow is the deadline to sign up for NIJC's free DACA renewal clinic in downtown Chicago! Don't miss your chance to get step-by-step guidance from NIJC expert staff & attorneys. Secure your spot before registration closes: immigrantjustice.org/dacaclinics
⚖️ ICYMI: In 'Mullin v. Al Otro Lado', the Supreme Court ruled that the gov. may turn back, or "meter," asylum seekers. In an op-ed in @time.com, Elizabeth Holtzman (co-author of the Refugee Act of 1980) offers a vital historical perspective. 📖 Read more:
I Helped Write the Refugee Act. Trump is Trampling It
“Trump shows utter disdain for the Refugee Convention and for the Refugee Act of 1980,” writes former Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman.
time.com
Some new furry friends recently stopped by our office! 🐶 Thank you to our wellness committee and Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry for helping our staff members take a well-deserved moment to recharge. We look forward to the next visit!
NIJC joined 120 organizations to call on states to uphold their obligations under the Convention Against Torture, protect survivors, and end torture across the world. We thank Center for Victims of Torture, @amnesty-usa.bsky.social and others for their advocacy. Read more:
Civil Society Statement on International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we stand in solidarity with survivors worldwide and sound the alarm about policies and actions that threaten the legal protections and weake...
cvt.org
