ASISTA updates
VAWA Practice Advisory: VAWA Self-Petition Policy Updates (June 2022)
ASISTA, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (“ILRC”), and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (“CLINIC”) co-authored the VAWA Practice Advisory: VAWA Self-Petition Policy Updates. Click here to access the Executive Summary: VAWA Self-Petition Policy Updates (June 2022), and here to download the practice advisory in Word version. This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-21-GK-02240-MUMU awarded…
Read MoreASISTA’s comment on the I-751 (April 20, 2022)
On April 20, 2022, ASISTA submitted this comment in response to the “Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without a Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Petition To Remove the Conditions on Residence,” initially published in the Federal Register on October 15, 20211 and reopened for 30 days for additional public comments on March 21, 2022.
Read MoreComment on 3 USCIS-PM D, Violence Against Women Act (March 10, 2022)
Click here to access ASISTA’s full comment on USCIS Policy Manual Changes: Volume 3: Humanitarian Protection and Parole, Part D, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Read MoreAmicus Brief in V.U.C., et al. v. USCIS (1st Circuit)(Dec. 8, 2021)
ASISTA and other amici filed this brief regarding USCIS’s unreasonable delay in adjudicating U visa work authorization requests. Amici were represented pro bono by Nathan Warecki, Brianna Nassif, Lauren Maynard, and Myra Benjamin from Nixon Peabody. Click here to access the amicus brief.
Read MoreASISTA this past year!
Check out ASISTA’s impact this past year. So much to celebrate!
Read MoreIT IS THE TIME …
In Case You Missed It (ICYMI): August 24, 2021
As usual, there have been several important policy and practice updates over the last few weeks. From a new ICE directive on victim-centered approaches, to litigation updates, new calls for examples and stakeholder engagements. Read more about some of these updates in our latest edition of ICYMI here.
Read MoreASISTA Job Opportunity
Position Description: Legal & Policy Director (Full-Time)
Read MoreNotes from Listening Session with USCIS
On April 6, 2021, ASISTA hosted a listening session with USCIS representatives regarding recent trends and issues with fee waiver adjudications related to survivor-based protections including VAWA self-petitions, U and T visa relief. The notes from that listening session can be found below. If you continue to face additional problems with fee waiver adjudications, please…
Read MoreICYMI: Legislative and Administrative Updates
Dear partners, The Biden-Harris Administration has already introduced important immigration policy reforms, including efforts that enhance protections for immigrant survivors. ASISTA welcomes these efforts, and we will be there each step of the way to help ensure a safer and more just America for survivors and for all immigrants. We are committed, as always, to keeping you informed…
Read MoreImportant Policy & Practice Updates
There have been many policy and practice updates over the last few weeks. We’ve compiled a short list of a few important updates to help you keep track. Upcoming Closures USCIS temporarily suspends in-person services. USCIS announced Friday afternoon that it will temporarily suspend in-person services next Tuesday and Wednesday. USCIS issued the following notice: “U.S. Citizenship…
Read MoreNew Practice Advisory: Requesting Congressional Liaison Assistance
When case issues arise with DHS and your inquiries go unanswered, Congressional liaisons may be able to help. This advisory contains helpful tips for making effective Congressional liaison assistance requests.
Read MoreACTION ALERT: Organizing Local Allies
COVID-19 is exacerbating the already tremendous barriers survivors face in accessing safety and secure status. Although we are pushing Congress to change its policies to recognize COVID’s impact on survivors and their ability to file paper, get work authorization extensions, etc., we need your help educating your Members of Congress. What can you do?
Read MoreNew ASISTA COVID-19 Practice Pointer (Current as of April 10, 2020)
While we continue to advocate and await further guidance, we have prepared this Practice Pointer, Filing Deadlines for RFEs, NOIDs, NOIRs and I-290Bs, to assist you in meeting deadlines during this national emergency. We encourage you to also visit ASISTA’s COVID-19 Resource Page and that of our partners, CLINIC and CAST.
Read MoreASISTA calls on USCIS to Ensure Survivors have Continued Access to Immigration Benefits.
On behalf of ASISTA organizational and individual members nationwide, ASISTA expressed our concerns regarding the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on USCIS’ survivor-based benefits operations. ASISTA called on USCIS to adopt measures that address the additional limitations faced by immigrant survivors’ of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other serious crimes. Read…
Read MoreCurrent Job Opportunity: Executive Director
ASISTA (https://asistahelp.org) is looking for a new Executive Director following the retirement of its co-founder and Executive Director, Gail Pendleton, in the fall of 2020. ASISTA’s mission is to advance the dignity, rights, and liberty of immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The Executive Director will report to ASISTA’s 7-member Board of Directors. ASISTA…
Read MoreASISTA Practice Pointer: What If You Do Not Received an RFE or Denial Notice? (March 2020)
In this practice pointer, ASISTA addresses what to do if your case was denied as abandoned because you did not respond to an RFE that was never received. In the Appendix, we include a sample keystroke FOIA request and redacted keystroke FOIA response. Click here to download the document in Word version.
Read MoreNew Advocacy Tool: Tell Congress to Stand with Immigrant Survivors
ASISTA with support from the Alliance for Immigrant Survivors (AIS) has released an advocacy toolkit to help those who work with survivors engage in advocacy efforts with their member of Congress. The toolkit contains sample social media messaging as well as tips to engage your Members of Congress while they are in District. We will…
Read MorePolicy Update: DHS Publishes Harmful New U Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide
It is beyond overwhelming to track the myriad ways, large and small, in which DHS’ policy is eroding access to critical immigration protections, including those designed to protect immigrant crime survivors. Sometimes these policy changes don’t grab headlines, but they all contribute to DHS’ calculated and callous plan to weaken existing paths to immigration benefits.…
Read MoreSupporting Immigrants and ASISTA – Get your t-shirt or sweatshirt today!
Help Support ASISTA by wearing this INCREDIBLE t-shirt or sweatshirt that shows our solidarity and your support of immigrants! Buy one for yourself, your family, friends, and colleagues. Campaign ends May 31st so make sure to order one here as soon as you can.
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