News
It’s Time for a #MeToo Reckoning in Immigration (April 26, 2021)
ASISTA Senior Policy Counsel Amy Cheung in Ms. More Than A Magazine, A Movement, weighting in the article “Abuse exists across many industries and institutions, and low-income people of color are particularly vulnerable. This is especially true in the context of immigration”. Read here the full article.
Read MoreWMC News & Features: Will Biden Create More Humane Immigration Policies? (April 9, 2021)
Cruel immigration policies were a hallmark of the Trump presidency. From the “Muslim ban” in his earliest days in office to family separation, the Trump administration made over 1,000 immigration policy changes, creating a largely hostile and unwelcoming reception for refugees and asylum seekers fleeing danger and economic hardship and instilling fear in immigrants residing…
Read MoreASISTA Denounces Racism, Misogyny, and Violence
In the wake of the killing of eight people in Georgia earlier this week, we at ASISTA are heartbroken and determined as ever to fight the toxic combination of white supremacy and misogyny that fuels this violence. Eight lives were tragically and violently taken, of whom seven were women and six were of Asian descent.…
Read MoreSafe Horizon and ASISTA File Lawsuit Against USCIS and DHS
Safe Horizon and ASISTA File Lawsuit Against USCIS and DHS, Seeking Information on Policy Change Making it More Difficult for Victims of Serious Crime to Obtain Relief Under the U-Visa Program
Read MoreICYMI: Important Policy & ASISTA Updates
As usual, there have been several policy updates over the last few weeks, from the rescission of the immigrant travel ban impacting family, employment and diversity visas to the Supreme Court’s decision to take up the public charge rule. Here are some other important policy updates and news from ASISTA. U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 & Its Impact on…
Read MorePhiladelphia Inquirer Article on the U Visa Backlog
ASISTA’s own Amy Cheung weighing in on the heavy backlog with the U Visa program which Congress created to strengthen the ability of police agencies to investigate and prosecute violent crimes like domestic & sexual assault. “Biden’s plan to raise the cap to 30,000 is a promising start but given the immense backlog, there is still more…
Read MoreICYMI: Important Policy & ASISTA Updates
As usual, there have been many immigration policy updates this past week. Please see below for a brief summary of a few of those updates, as well as some upcoming ASISTA events. Flexibility in Deadline Extension Challenges to Enforcement Executive Order New Circuit Decisions ASISTA joins Important Amicus Efforts New ASISTA Training! Flexibility in Deadline Extension Last…
Read MoreGranados-Benitez v. Wilkinson (1st Cir) (unpublished- Jan. 28, 2021)
The 1st Circuit found that the BIA had abused its discretion in failing to follow Matter of Sanchez-Sosa in adjudicating the U visa petitioner’s Motion to Reopen and ordered remand. Click on the links to access the Amicus Brief and the Decision.
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 MoreICYMI (In Case You Missed It): Sharing Important Policy Updates
A lot has happened in the past week! We’ve compiled a short list of important updates to help you keep track. Expansion of Filing Flexibility Important Update on Blank Space Policy Litigation Policy Manual Changes EOIR Comment Opportunities-deadlines December 28th Issuance of Final Regulations on Asylum, Admin Closure, and more 1. Expansion of Filing Flexibility: On December 18, USCIS…
Read MoreImmigration Attorney & ASISTA Board Member Leta Sanchez: The importance of the work we do together.
(Please know the video does discuss an episode of violence.)
Read MorePost-Election Greetings from our New Executive Director
Greetings from ASISTA’s new Executive Director Kirsten Rambo!
Read MoreIn Harm’s Way
In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are re-releasing our report, co-authored by Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) “In Harm’s Way,” that details how current federal policies are not protecting immigrants suffering from domestic violence. We can, and must, do better to give immigrants full protection from domestic violence. Read our report here ->…
Read MoreASISTA Announces New Executive Director
The Board of Directors of ASISTA Immigration Assistance is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Kirsten Rambo as Executive Director, effective October 5, 2020. See statement here!
Read MoreASISTA statement on Medical Abuse and Neglect in Immigration Detention
ASISTA, like you, is horrified at the allegations of medical abuse and neglect inflicted on women in immigration custody. As we support our partners in ensuring that these atrocities are investigated immediately, we are grateful for the relentless work of these organizations on the ground: Project South, Georgia Detention Watch, Georgia Latino Alliance for Human…
Read MoreASISTA Practice Pointer: DHS Freedom of Information Act Requests (August 31, 2020)
We are happy to share ASISTA’s new practice pointer: DHS Freedom of Information Act Requests. This practice pointer includes a breakdown of each DHS agency’s record keeping, sample FOIA language, and information on administrative appeals of FOIA results. For additional helpful tips, take a look at our recent webinar, FOIA Requests to DHS in Survivor-Based Cases.
Read MoreEl Diario de El Paso Article on the sexual assault of immigrant victims and harassment by guards at an ICE detention facility in El Paso.
We stand with ASISTA member organization, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, as they advocate for immigrant victims of sexual assault and harassment by guards at an ICE detention facility in El Paso. Laura Flores Bachman, Senior Legal Counsel with ASISTA, was quoted in this article about these heinous acts, “We believe sexual assaults in ICE facilities…
Read MoreNewsy Article on how USCIS is Rejecting Applications with Blank Spaces
ASISTA Policy Director Cecelia Friedman Levin weighing in, “We’re calling for a way that when these sorts of policy changes occur, that people are informed [and that] any changes in these processes don’t impact due process”. See article here.
Read MoreALERT: Upcoming Changes to USCIS I-765 & I-765WS Forms
In an effort to help our members avoid filing rejections for work authorization applications, we want to make sure everyone is aware of the upcoming changes to the I-765 and I-765WS forms. USCIS has updated Forms I-765 and I-765WS. The new editions of the Application for Employment Authorization and Worksheet will go into effect on August 25, 2020. The new I-765 and I-765WS will go…
Read MoreWaPo Article on USCIS’ Harmful Policy of Rejecting Applications for Blank Fields
ASISTA Policy Director Cecelia Friedman Levin weighs in on this harmful processing policy and how USCIS is egregiously limiting immigration relief for vulnerable applicants through needless red tape. See article here
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