News & Updates

ASISTA Job Opportunities

By Ahlam Moussa | Nov 21, 2024 |

Position: Development & Communications Manager (Part-Time, 15 hours/week). Application due date: Accepting applications now; position is open until filled. Click here to learn more! Position: Finance & Operations Manager (Part-Time, 20 hours/week) Application due date: Accepting applications now; position is open until filled. Click here to learn more!

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ASISTA, AILA, & ICWC Amicus Brief 2024: Proper Analysis for ‘Qualifying Criminal Activity’

By Maria Lazzarino | Nov 18, 2024 |

On Monday, Oct. 28, AILA, ASISTA, and ICWC submitted a joint amicus brief to the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida, regarding the proper analysis USCIS should use to assess whether a crime underlying a U visa petition is “qualifying criminal activity.” The complainant in the case had been the victim of…

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We Are Here—And We Are Not Backing Down

By Ahlam Moussa | Nov 6, 2024 |

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…

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As VAWA Turns 30, Dangerous Political Rhetoric Continues to Threaten Immigrant Survivors

By Ahlam Moussa | Nov 1, 2024 |

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…

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Top Ten Things Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocates Should Know About Immigrant Survivors

By Maria Lazzarino | Sep 26, 2024 |

ASISTA’s Top Ten List for domestic violence & sexual assault advocates aims to inform advocates about key concepts and barriers impacting immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, while providing resources to help overcome them. (Original, Dec. 2023; Re-designed: Sept. 2024) This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-21-GK-02240-MUMU & 15JOVW-23-GK-05161-MUMU awarded by the Office on Violence Against…

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T visa rule changes could help survivors of human trafficking seeking immigration status

By Ahlam Moussa | Sep 16, 2024 |

On Wed., Sep. 11, the Arizona Capitol Times published an article describing the recent changes to regulations on T visas for human trafficking survivors, for which ASISTA attorney Rebecca Eissenova was interviewed. “Our organization very much applauds USCIS for doing this because it provides durability and predictability for survivors in the face of any kind…

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ASISTA Speaks With Voz De America about New Parole in Place Program

By Ahlam Moussa | Sep 14, 2024 |

On August 26th, ASISTA Staff Attorney Lia Ocasio spoke with Voz De America about the controversy on the New Parole in Place Program which is meant to provide  Immigration Relief for US spouses. Click here to view.

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Register Now for our Upcoming Events!

By Maria Lazzarino | Sep 12, 2024 |
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ASISTA Practice Pointer: Age-Out Protections in U Nonimmigrant Status (Aug. 2024)

By Maria Lazzarino | Sep 4, 2024 |

ASISTA is pleased to release this Practice Pointer on the age-out protections for U Nonimmigrants. The age-out statute provides critical protections to U principals and derivatives, but the protections are limited in scope and often misunderstood. This Practice Pointer clarifies the scope of these age-out protections and provides practice tips for practitioners to avoid age-out for clients…

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ASISTA Welcomes New Board Members

By Ahlam Moussa | Aug 29, 2024 |

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.

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ASISTA Notes: USCIS Stakeholder Engagement on the T Visa Final Rule (Aug. 15, 2024)

By Maria Lazzarino | Aug 29, 2024 |

On August 15, 2024, USCIS held a stakeholder engagement on the T Visa Final Rule, which is in effect as of August 28, 2024. These are our notes from that engagement. USCIS will also post a transcript to their electronic reading room. ASISTA will monitor the implementation of and compliance with these changes. If your clients experience…

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ASISTA Practice Alert: New DOJ Regs. and Immigrant Survivors (Aug. 19, 2024)

By Maria Lazzarino | Aug 20, 2024 |

This Practice Alert reviews the EOIR regulations effective July 29, 2024, and the potential impact of the regulations on immigrant survivors and their derivative beneficiaries who are seeking administrative closure or the termination of removal proceedings. As the regulations are implemented and more information becomes available, ASISTA will update this guidance.

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ASISTA Practice Advisory: Addressing Late-Breaking Inadmissibility Grounds for U Visa Beneficiaries (Aug. 8, 2024)

By Maria Lazzarino | Aug 14, 2024 |

When a U applicant or recipient fails to waive an applicable inadmissibility ground at any stage, for any reason, it puts their current and future statuses at risk. Yet there do exist strategies to address these “late-breaking” inadmissibility grounds, depending on when they come into being and when you learn of them. This practice advisory…

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ASISTA Federal Policy Update (June 2024)

By Maria Lazzarino | Jul 24, 2024 |

On July 2nd, ASISTA published our Federal Policy Update for June 2024, containing a summary of our federal policy activities over the last six months, including legislative and regulatory advocacy, stakeholder meeting notes, and some potential regulatory changes hopefully coming our way.

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Amicus brief in Bouarfa v. Mayorkas (Supreme Court, July 2024), on importance of judicial review for survivor-based relief revocations

By Maria Lazzarino | Jul 19, 2024 |

In July 2024, ASISTA and partners joined an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in the case of Bouarfa v. Mayorkas. The case centers on the judicial reviewability of DHS’s revocation authority in the family-based immigration context, and the brief aims to highlight how any decision on such reviewability could also impact justice for survivors…

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LGBTQ+ Immigrant Survivors at Greater Risk 

By Ahlam Moussa | Jun 28, 2024 |

LGBTQ+ Immigrant Survivors at Greater Risk At ASISTA, we see all too often how LGBTQ+ immigrant survivors of violence are subject to increased vulnerability on the path to safety and justice in the US. Homophobia and transphobia, whether “casual” or institutionalized, result in additional barriers to services, decreased access to justice, and a greater risk…

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ASISTA Welcomes New Board Member Valarie Williams

By Ahlam Moussa | Jun 25, 2024 |

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.

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ASISTA Denounces President Biden’s Dangerous Border Proclamation

By Ahlam Moussa | Jun 5, 2024 |

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…

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Press Release: ASISTA Welcomes New Board Member Dr. Ulrike Buchwald

By Ahlam Moussa | May 15, 2024 |

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.

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Request for USCIS to Accept Prior Edition of I-918 Forms Through March 31, 2025 (April 18, 2024)

By Maria Lazzarino | Apr 30, 2024 |

In conjunction with the new fee rule that went into effect on April 1, 2024, USCIS updated immigration forms, including the I-918 and related forms. Starting June 3, 2024, USCIS will only accept the new version of the form. This short grace period will create significant hardships and hurdles for those who have sought or…

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