Press Release

Here at ASISTA, we share your sadness, outrage, and deep concern about what the future holds. We have also been preparing for this possible outcome.  While we process the elections results and continue to strategize, here are some things we know for sure: Alongside you and many across the country, we are continuing to breathe…

By Cristina Velez, Veronica Sainz, and Kirsten Rambo Thirty years ago, the landmark Violence Against Women Act was signed into law, marking a giant leap forward in the struggle to end gender-based violence (GBV). Today, as we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we do so in the midst of an election season unfortunately marked by dangerous…

ASISTA Immigration Assistance is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors: Ms. Salima Dembri and Ms. Sheelu Verma. Learn more about our newest board members in our press release here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2024 Contact: Kirsten Rambo, kirsten@asistahelp.org ASISTA Welcomes New Board Member Valarie Williams! ASISTA Immigration Assistance is pleased to announce the addition of Valarie Williams to its Board of Directors. Learn more about our newest board member in our press release here.

ASISTA Denounces President Biden’s Dangerous Border Proclamation Today, President Biden issued a proclamation to “secure the border” between the US and Mexico, to take effect at midnight tonight. This action, unfortunately, will accomplish just the opposite, sowing chaos and further compounding the trauma of those who arrive here urgently seeking safety. Deterrence policies like these…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2024 Contact: Kirsten Rambo, kirsten@asistahelp.org ASISTA Welcomes New Board Member Ulrike Buchwald ASISTA Immigration Assistance is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Ulrike Buchwald to its Board of Directors. Learn more about our newest board member in our press release here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 6, 2024 Contact: Cristina Velez, cristina@asistahelp.org ASISTA Urges Senators to Reject Border Deal that Exposes Immigrant Survivors to Further Trauma, Hardship, and Violence After months of opaque negotiations, a small group of senators released a bill on Sunday, February 4, 2024 that would eviscerate access to asylum, create a dangerous new…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2023 Contact: Kirsten Rambo, kirsten@asistahelp.org ASISTA Welcomes New Board Members ASISTA Immigration Assistance is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors: Melissa Desgrottes and Derek Foran. Learn more about our new board members in our press release here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 2023 Contact:  Cristina Velez, cristina@asistahelp.org Yasmine Farhang, yasmine@immdefense.org Advocates for Immigrant Survivors of Violence Urge Governor Hochul to Sign Fair Courts for Immigrant New Yorkers Bill Into Law ALBANY, N.Y.— Over two dozen national and New York-based advocates for immigrant survivors of violence today called on Governor Hochul to sign…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 19, 2023 Contact: Kirsten Rambo, kirsten@asistahelp.org ASISTA Condemns Horrific, Inhumane Treatment of Migrants in Texas As documented by the Houston Chronicle and other outlets such as The Guardian and CNN, a trooper-medic with the Texas Department of Public Safety expressed concern to his supervisor earlier this month about the inhumane ways…

Click here to access release in PDF format. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 25, 2023 Contact: Kirsten Rambo, kirsten@asistahelp.org ASISTA Celebrates the Launch of US’s First-Ever National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV) ASISTA is pleased to be at the White House complex today to witness the historic launch of the first-ever National Action Plan…

ASISTA is pleased to announce that Legal & Policy Director Cristina Velez was awarded the2023 NGO Lawyer of the Year Award at the Federal Bar Association (FBA) Immigration LawConference last week in Arlington, VA. Read here for more details!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 3, 2023 Contact: Kirsten Rambo, kirsten@asistahelp.org ASISTA Welcomes New Board Members ASISTA Immigration Assistance is pleased to announce the addition of new members to its Board of Directors: Barbara Camacho, Daniel Garcia, Kerri-Ann Griggs, Helen Hwang, & Kelley Torrey. Learn more about our new board members in our press release here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2023 Contacts:Kirsten Rambo, kirsten@asistahelp.orgCristina Velez, cristina@asistahelp.org  ASISTA Statement on USCIS’s Opening of Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions, and Travel Documents (HART) Service Center In a major announcement, USCIS has revealed the opening of the Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions, and Travel Documents (HART) Service Center, a brand-new addition to its Service Center…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2023 Contacts:Kirsten Rambo, kirsten@asistahelp.orgCristina Velez, cristina@asistahelp.org  ASISTA Calls on Biden Administration to Reject Reinstating Detention of Migrant Families The New York Times has reported that the Biden administration is now considering reinstating the detaining of migrant families, a callous, destructive policy that has been widely condemned–including, previously, by the President himself.  In response to this news,…

New Blueprint Analyzes Year-One Actions and Outlines Critical, Immediate 2022 Measures to Fulfill Administration’s Promises for a Fair and Humane Immigration System. See ASISTA’s full statement here. 

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.…

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

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…