News & Updates
On August 8, 2019 the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a second opportunity for notice and comment on the new USCIS Tip Form to collect information from the public regarding purported immigration fraud. At ASISTA, we are concerned about the USCIS Tip Form as it represents another tool for abusers and perpetrators of…
Read More“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…
Read MoreSurvivors 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.
Read More
ASISTA with support from the Alliance for Immigrant Survivors (AIS) has released an advocacy toolkit to help those who work with survivors engage in advocacy efforts with their member of Congress. The toolkit contains sample social media messaging as well as tips to engage your Members of Congress while they are in District. We will…
Read More
At the request of Las Americas, which is coordinating support for El Paso shooting survivors, ASISTA is helping to bring together mental health, social work, faith-based, local political, and legal communities to work with the hundreds of immigrants harmed in the shooting. For more info on Las Americas work with shooting survivors, click here. How…
Read MoreLate last Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a new fact sheet outlining when they will grant “stays” of deportation to crime victims who have cooperated with law enforcement investigations applying for a U visa. This new guidance will create enormous barriers for survivors of violence; it eliminates critical procedural safeguards and will lead…
Read MoreIt is beyond overwhelming to track the myriad ways, large and small, in which DHS’ policy is eroding access to critical immigration protections, including those designed to protect immigrant crime survivors. Sometimes these policy changes don’t grab headlines, but they all contribute to DHS’ calculated and callous plan to weaken existing paths to immigration benefits.…
Read More
Stop the Fear. Stop the Deportations. Stop the Abuse. – Order Today! Immigrant victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault are exceedingly vulnerable in the U.S. today, too terrified to tell anyone they need help. As our government significantly ramps up deportation, ASISTA continues it’s fight for immigrant victims’ rights, and it’s support of the…
Read More
For Immediate Release: July 25, 2019 – Expansion of Expedited Removal Erodes Due Process and Creates Increased Barriers for Vulnerable Survivors ASISTA denounces the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) plan to expand its ability to fast-track deportation procedures that would leave thousands, including immigrant survivors of crime, vulnerable to deportation without critical due process protections.
Read More
ASISTA and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) recently published a new in-depth practice advisory that contains updates in policy and survivor-based advocacy strategies for U visa applicants at different stages of removal proceedings. This includes strategies for helping U visa applicants with final or prior orders of removal, those currently in removal proceedings, and…
Read More