ASISTA in the News

ASISTA Press Release: ASISTA Files FOIA Lawsuit Demanding Information about USCIS’s Use of Discretion in Green Card Applications for Crime Victims

By Ahlam Moussa | May 18, 2020

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…

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Safe Horizon and ASISTA File FOIA Request Seeking Immigration Policy Data Related to U-Visa Adjudications

By Maria Lazzarino | Feb 25, 2020

(New York, February 25, 2020) – Safe Horizon and ASISTA have filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for immigration policy data on the adjudication of U-visa petitions and adjustment of status (permanent residence) applications for those granted U visa status.   U visas were created…

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ASISTA Press Release: ASISTA Files Lawsuit Challenging Harmful ICE Policies Which Put Victims of Crime at Higher Risk of Removal

By Ahlam Moussa | Feb 13, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2020 Contact: Ahlam Moussa, ahlam@asistahelp.org Changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy were announced August 2, 2019 that create significant additional barriers for victims of crime who cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of their crimes. ASISTA, represented by Protect Democracy and the Constitutional Accountability Center, filed suit today…

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ALERT: ASISTA submits Amicus on Erosion of Continuances and Admin Closure for Survivors of Violence

By Maria Lazzarino | Feb 12, 2020

Yesterday, ASISTA, along with our partners, submitted an amicus brief challenging EOIR’s erosion of docketing tools like continuances and administrative closures. This errosion results in limiting access to critical immigration relief for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other serious crimes.  ASISTA was joined in this brief by American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV), National Immigrant Justice…

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Immigrant Survivors are being scared into silence

By Ahlam Moussa | Nov 27, 2019

“I’ve been working in immigration rights since the 1980s and I’ve never seen this level of antagonism toward immigrants and women.” In this article, ASISTA Executive Director, Gail Pendleton talks about how immigrant survivors are being scared into silence, and how to find help before you need it. https://www.domesticshelters.org/articles/in-the-news/when-fighting-abuse-could-lead-to-deportation

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A Northern Virginia Mother Was A Victim Of Domestic Violence. She Was Deported.

By Ahlam Moussa | Sep 11, 2019
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The Hill: ICE rule change on U visas sparks outrage

By Admin | Aug 30, 2019

“The Trump administration has quietly altered its handling of visas granted to immigrants who cooperate with criminal investigations, allowing people to be deported even while they are waiting for their visas.” ASISTA’s Cecelia Friedman Levin describes the impact of these changes and how they will diminish access to critical protection to immigrant survivors. Read more…

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Buzzfeed News: An Asylum-Seeking Mom Who Applied For A Special Visa For Victims Of Violence Is About To Be Deported Anyway

By Admin | Aug 30, 2019

Survivors of domestic violence must have access to critical immigration protections without fearing they may be deported before their cases are decided. ASISTA’s Cecelia Friedman Levin weighs in on a new ICE policy that creates barriers for immigrant survivors of violence. Read more here.

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Undocumented in the Hudson Valley: The Luis Martinez Story

By neonadmin | Mar 26, 2019

He’s an employer, father, husband, and community member. Why is ICE threatening to deport this man? Read more here.

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