American Bar Association Commission on Immigration

Listen to the immigration episode in the NPR Illinois podcast series “the Un-Debates: Engaging Civil Discussions on Hot Political Topics” featuring COI’s Chair Michelle Jacobson! The NPR series is designed to foster rational conversations on critical issues in this election season bringing together journalists, scholars and community members to discuss key topics affecting the presidential election. This initiative reflects the partners' commitment to promoting informed and civil discourse in an increasingly polarized political climate. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/enVBnRjq

For over a century, the Supreme Court has interpreted the Fourteenth Amendment such that anyone born on U.S. soil is automatically a U.S. citizen. But anti-immigrant factions are attempting to deny this right. This American Immigration Council factsheet explains birthright citizenship: https://lnkd.in/eSr_TSH6

Here is a comparison of the two candidates' views on immigration, from The Hill: https://lnkd.in/eTF6KKZW “Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are having intense battles on the campaign trail related to their stances on immigration and border issues. Trump has made sweeping calls for the National Guard and local police to conduct mass deportations. He also has made false claims about immigrants, including that Haitian migrants are eating other people's pets. Harris supports certain restrictions at the border that previously were eschewed by Democrats. She stresses the need to maintain limits on asylum while calling for a pathway to citizenship for some immigrants.”

The COI's Alicia de la O participated in the Intercultural Human Rights Law Review and St. Thomas University symposium, "Crossing the Line: Migration and Human Rights in the U.S.-Mexican Boundary." The symposium identified and discussed the core issues related to the experiences of refugees at the U.S.-Mexican border, including examining the legal, humanitarian, and social challenges that refugees face, as well as exploring potential solutions to these critical issues.

Congratulations to former ABA Commission on Immigration member Mary Giovagnoli for her new role as the first Unaccompanied Children Ombuds for HHS. Ms. Giovagnoli brings nearly 30 years of experience as an immigration attorney, advocate, and senior manager to her position as the Ombuds and has served in a variety of positions in government, in Congress, and in the non-profit sector. She has also served several terms with the Commission on Immigration where she has contributed significantly and has written extensively about immigration for numerous publications. The ABA supported the creation of the Office of the Ombuds for the UC Program in comments to the ORR Foundational Rule for the Unaccompanied Children Program. We look forward to continuing to work with Mary in her new role.   https://lnkd.in/gJJ35keN

The COI’s Laura E. Flores is presenting at the UT Law CLE's Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law today! The conference includes in-depth discussion on issues at the forefront of #immigration practice. Laura is moderating a panel on trends in U and T visas for survivors of human trafficking and other serious crimes. 

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, arrivals at the southwest border have decreased by over 55% since the implementation of the Interim Final Rule - a policy that has greatly limited access to asylum. A delegation from the ABA Commission on Immigration is in San Diego this week and visited one of the areas used as an open-air detention site, which is currently empty. The delegation then visited the Otay Mesa Detention Center where the ABA Immigration Justice Project provides critical legal services including the Legal Orientation Program (LOP) to migrants in detention from all over the world. Thank you to the American Friends Service Committee for sharing your perspective and work on the border, and to colleagues from IJP for your dedication to providing reliable legal information and representation to those facing removal.   https://lnkd.in/gEV23C6V

Today is #ABAGivingDay! If you are looking to support a cause that matters, consider donating to the Commission on Immigration. We support migrants and legal service providers through the development of free resources, clinics, pro bono trips, and legislative advocacy. Our programs serve thousands of people in need every year which is why every dollar counts! Visit our donation site to support the work of the Commission on Immigration here: https://lnkd.in/ejwtd9yc

#ABAGivingDay is tomorrow! Every dollar you give will go towards serving migrant communities through our various programs. If you want to learn more about the specific pro bono work the Commission has conducted using donations like yours, check out the newest edition of our Pro Bono Spotlight here: https://lnkd.in/gE78jAwc To donate for Giving Day, visit our website here: https://lnkd.in/ejwtd9yc

Check out the latest special edition of our Pro Bono Spotlight celebrating Pro Bono Week and featuring highlights from all of our pro bono projects this year! Follow the link below to see more! #probonoweek https://lnkd.in/eM_TrzNV