News
Philadelphia 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Read MoreGranados-Benitez v. Wilkinson (1st Cir) (unpublished- Jan. 28, 2021)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
Read MoreASISTA’ s Virtual Training: “From RFE to Federal Court: Latest Strategies in Defending Survivors During the Time of COVID”
Recordings Now Available! For those of you who missed our online training, “From RFE to Federal Court: Latest Strategies in Defending Survivors During the Time of COVID,” the recordings are now available for purchase. Because we ran the online training twice, you will receive two versions of the training, whether you buy all sessions, or…
Read MoreNew Report by ASISTA and ILRC – In Harm’s Way: The Impact of President Trump’s Actions on Immigrant Survivors of Gender Based Violence
Check out this report from ASISTA and Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) examining Trump’s harmful immigration policies and the impacts they are having on survivors of gender-based violence.
Read MoreUpdated COVID-19 Practice Pointer: Filing Deadlines for RFEs, NOIDs, NOIRs and I-290Bs (Current as of May 18, 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 the meeting deadlines during this national emergency. We encourage you to also visit our partners pages on COVID-19, CLINIC and CAST. To download the advisory in Word version,…
Read MoreASISTA Press Release: ASISTA Files FOIA Lawsuit Demanding Information about USCIS’s Use of Discretion in Green Card Applications for Crime Victims
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19 2020 Contact: Ahlam Moussa On Thursday, April 30, ASISTA and the Immigration Center for Women and Children (ICWC) filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of California demanding that USCIS and DHS disclose information requested related to their exercise of discretion in adjudicating adjustment of status (green card) applications by crime victims…
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?
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