Podcasts about National Immigrant Justice Center

Evolution just loves a nice pair of oversized canines, especially on mammalian predators. Saber-toothed animals have shown up over and over again – we even have some today – but despite their similarities, not all of these toothy species were using their canines the same way. This episode, we explore the various shapes of functions of saber teeth and the disparate lineages that have sported them. In the news: The Fossil Keeper's Treasure, the size of megalodon, and vulture feathers. Time markers: Intro & Announcements: 00:00:00 News: 00:07:00 Main discussion, Part 1: 00:44:30 Main discussion, Part 2: 01:28:30 Patron question: 02:27:30 Check out our website for this episode's blog post and more: http://commondescentpodcast.com/ Join us on Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast The Fossil Keeper's Treasure: https://www.edelweiss.plus/#sku=1917044267&g=4400 Find Amy online at @MaryAnningsRevenge Support links: National Immigrant Justice Center: https://immigrantjustice.org Researcher Support Consortium: https://researchersupport.org/ Got a topic you want to hear about? Submit your episode request here: https://commondescentpodcast.com/request-a-topic/ Lots more ways to connect with us: https://linktr.ee/common_descent The Intro and Outro music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org Musical Interludes are "Professor Umlaut" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Mr. Homan makes a false claim that nine out of ten people who claim asylum never get relief.  (“Chicago to be ground zero for mass deportations, Trump border czar tells Illinois Republicans,” Tina Sfondeles, December 9, 2024, Chicago Sun Times:   https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/donald-trump/2024/12/09/border-czar-tom-homan-donald-trump-chicago-pritzker-brandon-johnson-immigration?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12102024%20Morning%20Edition&utm_content=12102024%20Morning%20Edition+CID_9e386f999f41eb3cc9b8411a2058045c&utm_source=cst_campaign_monitor&utm_term=Chicago%20will%20be%20ground%20zero%20for%20mass%20deportations%20Trump%20border%20czar%20tells%20Illinois%20Republicans&tpcc=cst_cm    First, it is unclear what asylum seekers he is discussing.  Many who claim asylum at the border have their cases heard in immigration courts around the nation.  The TRAC report on “Asylum Decision” which is calculated through October 2024 demonstrates that at many courts, those asylum seekers with representation obtain relief.  If the case remains at the border, the number obtaining relief even with representation falls.  This, however, proves the point that those seeking mass deportation seek to deny the bona fide asylum seekers a fair chance to present their cases when pressure to move cases through the system are expedited at the border.  Compare, for example, Chicago immigration courts with the court in El Paso:   TRAC: “Asylum Decisions” (through October 2024): https://trac.syr.edu/phptools/immigration/asylum/    TRAC also reveals the ongoing difficulties to obtain representation: “Too Few Immigration Attorneys: Average Representation Rates Fall from 65% To 30%,” https://trac.syr.edu/reports/736/    The National Immigrant Justice Center's “Snapshot of ICE Detention: Inhumane Conditions and Alarming Expansion, IMMIGRATION DETENTION AT A GLANCE, September 2024” can be found at:    https://immigrantjustice.org/sites/default/files/content-type/research-item/documents/2024-09/ICE-Detention-Snapshot_September-2024.pdf    Information on the numbers of undocumented workers in the national workforce can be found at:  April Rubin, “The industries that could be hardest hit by Trump's immigration crackdown,”  https://www.axios.com/2024/11/19/undocumented-workers-immigration-deportation-trump    For a discussion of Harold Washington and his Executive Order and the Chicago history of rebutting the Fugitive Slave Act requirements, see, Craig B. Mousin, “A Clear View from the Prairie: Harold Washington and the People of Illinois Respond to Federal Encroachment of Human Rights”:  https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2997657      ACTION STEP    Join the 198 advocacy organizations that called on the Biden Administration to close immigration detention facilities and reduce detention.  (See: Billal Rahman, November 19, 2024, “Biden Urged To Close Detention Centers Before Trump's Mass Deportations,”   https://www.newsweek.com/biden-detention-centers-trump-mass-deportation-1988212?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=7337d344-cc24-43c8-8239-5deddae494dd )    You can send an email to your elected members of Congress through the American Immigration Council's Immigration Justice Campaign:  https://immigrationjustice.quorum.us/campaign/biden-last-requests/    Please share this podcast and this link with others to join in this advocacy.   

Tom Homan, president-elect Trump's pick to lead border security, said this week that he wants to start the Trump administration's planned deportations here in Chicago. Speaking at a holiday party in Portage Park, he said he would prosecute Mayor Brandon Johnson if he does not cooperate. Reset discusses how Homan's plans could affect undocumented immigrants and the greater Chicago community with Mark Fleming of the National Immigrant Justice Center, Xanat Sobrevilla from Organized Communities Against Deportations and Beatriz Ponce De León, Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Littler attorneys Colette Kopon and August Johannsen join Pro Bono Committee Member Lavanga Wijekoon in discussing their participation in Littler's pro bono clinic, held in collaboration with the National Immigrant Justice Center, focused on assisting migrant families seeking asylum in the U.S. As part of the annual National Celebration of Pro Bono hosted by the American Bar Association, Littler is highlighting various pro bono efforts from around the firm. Our attorneys and professional staff demonstrate their commitment to pro bono by providing significant efforts to organizations in their communities.

Immigrant detention has doubled during Biden, which now wants to expand it more. But not if rights groups can help it, explains the senior policy analyst for the National Immigrant Justice Center. Since Joe Biden's inauguration in January 2021, there have been alarming trends in detentions and deportations undertaken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC). For instance, the daily number of people detained has gone up 140 percent. Now there are 37,000 people locked up every day, up from 15,000 in 2021. And 90 percent of those people have been held in detention centers operated by private, for-profit companies in more than 190 prisons across the United States (a number that went up considerably during the Trump years). According to the Snapshot of ICE Detention: Inhumane Conditions and Alarming Expansion, an NIJC briefing released last week, these facilities are notoriously abusive. Since 2021, 23 people have died in ICE custody, and there has been a 50 percent increase in solitary confinement. Now the Biden administration has requested proposals from private industry to further increase detention space. This is why today The Border Chronicle is talking with the NIJC's senior policy analyst, Jesse Franzblau. He conducts investigative research on rights abuses in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands for the organization's Transparency and Human Rights Project. Franzblau and the NIJC were part of a large coalition of rights organizations, accompanied by past detainees, who converged on Washington on September 23 for a national day of action and advocacy. The coalition called for the Biden administration to halt its plans to open new detention prisons and expand deportations, to close down detention centers known for rampant abuse, and to release incarcerated people and allow them to navigate their cases outside the prison walls. Franzblau talks about all this, and much more, on today's podcast. He said the immigration detention and deportation apparatus “hasn't always been this way. It was in the '80s when it started to take shape during the Reagan administration, then during the '90s it grew even further, and it grew directly parallel to the growth of the mass-incarceration system.” And now federal funding for ICE detention is five times what it was two decades ago. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/border-chronicle/support

In this episode, DLA Piper's Rich Klawiter and Dominique Gonzales are joined by Mary Meg McCarthy, executive director of the National Immigrant Justice Center, to discuss the US immigration system and the firm's pro bono work with immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 4, the Biden administration signed an executive order that will severely restrict people's legal right to seek asylum, no matter how strong their claims. Among the measures announced, the administration will effectively shut off asylum for the overwhelming majority of people arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border once the average number of encounters reaches 2,500 between ports of entry, a threshold which has already been met.  The order is the most restrictive border policy instituted by President Biden and echoes an effort in 2018 by former President Trump to cut off migration, which the ACLU and other immigrant rights advocates successfully challenged.  Under any president, lawful, harmful policies that eliminate crucial lifelines for people seeking safety will be taken to task. Joining us to discuss Biden's executive order and our lawsuit to fight against it are Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU's Immigrant Rights Project and Keren Zwick, director of litigation at the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago.

Today we talk about the election Interference / hush money case and the 34 felony counts against a former president.   Here are the articles referenced:  Trump Guilty on All Counts in Hush-Money Case - The New York Times May 31, 2024 - by Heather Cox Richardson  This obscure N.Y. election law is at the heart of Trump's hush money trial Posts misrepresent New York judge's instructions to jury in Trump hush money trial | AP News   We urge you to comment on the proposed rule that would permit the federal government to make decisions about potential bars to asylum eligibility in the credible fear interview during the initial meetings with an asylum seeker.  You can comment regardless of your background or experience.  Even if you have not worked with asylum-seekers, your background, your family history, or your faith or personal convictions may provide evidence of why this proposed rule should be rescinded.      This link will permit you to follow the template to comment.  Personalize it and send it in before June 12.  We have also provided some additional resources that you can cite to make your comment unique to your argument.  You may also cite our earlier podcast with its arguments as part of your argument.    The template from the Immigrant Justice campaign can be found at:  https://immigrationjustice.quorum.us/campaign/asylum-bars/    The proposed federal rule can be found at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/13/2024-10390/application-of-certain-mandatory-bars-in-fear-screenings    The National Immigrant Justice Center's statement on the proposed rule:   https://immigrantjustice.org/press-releases/nijc-denounces-new-biden-rule-adding-restrictions-already-compromised-asylum-system    HIAS opposes new policies that restrict asylum:  https://hias.org/statements/hias-opposes-new-policies-restrict-asylum/    Lawful Assembly podcast opposing the proposed federal rule:  https://www.lawfulpod.com/restrictions-to-an-already-compromised-asylum-system/ 

Littler's Lavanga Wijekoon speaks with Ellen Miller of the National Immigrant Justice Center, Jodi Ziesemer of the New York Legal Assistance Group and Laura Lunn of the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network about the work being done across the country to help immigrants and their families who are in desperate need of immigration protections.

For more information on antebellum state migration laws, see, "The myth of ‘open borders.' Even before the U.S. government regulated migration, states did. Here's why" by Anna O. Law, the Herbert Kurz Chair in Constitutional Rights and associate professor of political science at CUNY Brooklyn College. (September 21, 2021), The Washington Post Heidi Altman, the Director of  Policy at the National Immigrant Justice Center (https://immigrantjustice.org/ ) presents ten points of humane border solutions.  They can be found at:  https://immigrantjustice.org/staff/blog/humane-solutions-work-10-ways-biden-administration-should-reshape-immigration-policy Read Steve Vladeck's blog post: https://stevevladeck.substack.com/p/72-30-hours-of-sb4-whiplash

Today we talk about 10 points to reshape and improve immigration policy in the USA. We used the National Immigrant Justice Center's 10 points as a backdrop for our discussion: https://immigrantjustice.org/staff/blog/humane-solutions-work-10-ways-biden-administration-should-reshape-immigration-policy https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-02-29/immigration-crisis-border-migrants-united-states-mexico-election-biden-trump    

Both Craig and Cecil are religious separationists, meaning religion should have no role in government, Here they discuss several topics and cover some groundwork on the subject.    Craig directed the Midwest Immigrant Rights Center for six years, the pro bono program that later  became the National Immigrant Justice Center:  https://immigrantjustice.org/ .   If you would like more information on Craig's work at MIRC, check out his digital story at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9VTkjhzIcI  

ADM and Skadden formed a pro bono partnership in 2019 to create a series of pro bono days of service, including clinics hosted in Skadden's office. Since then, they have provided pro bono legal assistance to an array of clients – and over the years the partnership has averaged in assisting 12 to 40 individuals during each clinic. ADM and Skadden have worked most recently with the National Immigrant Justice Center to assist immigrants who had obtained asylee or refugee status in filing their green card applications. Find out more about this impactful project.

To learn more about job search strategy for F-1 international students, visit https://www.icaway.com/ I received an email from an F-1 international student whom I had been mentoring, and my heart sank as soon as I read the subject line: "Didn't get selected for H-1B." I could feel their disappointment and frustration. They had been hoping to stay in the US and work at their dream job, but now that opportunity seemed to have slipped away. I reminded them that they still had their STEM OPT and could try again next year. I also suggested that they speak with an immigration attorney to learn more about other visa options. I hope to share this story and encourage others to advocate for international students and propose changes to the H-1B system. We need to create a fair system that recognizes the valuable contributions that international students make to our society and the American economy. It's time to recognize their contributions and create a system that values them for the incredible assets they are. There are several ways to advocate for international students with immigration policy such as writing petitions to raise awareness about issues that impact international students and encourage policy changes that support them. Please check out the list of organizations that regularly provide channels for you to write such petitions. NAFSA (Association of International Educators): https://www.nafsa.org/ American Immigration Council: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/ National Immigration Law Center: https://www.nilc.org/ Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project: https://ilapmaine.org/ National Immigrant Justice Center: https://immigrantjustice.org/ United We Dream: https://unitedwedream.org/ Asian Americans Advancing Justice: https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/ National Council of La Raza: https://www.unidosus.org/ Center for American Progress: https://www.americanprogress.org/ Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/ American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): https://www.aclu.org/ National Immigration Forum: https://immigrationforum.org/ The Dream US: https://thedream.us/ Immigrants' Rights Project: https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-project Migration Policy Institute: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/ National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights: https://www.nnirr.org/ The current H-1B visa system does not fully leverage the potential of international students, and we need to change that. International students bring a wealth of knowledge, diverse perspectives, and critical skills that are essential to American businesses, especially in a post-pandemic world where innovation and adaptability are crucial. It's time to recognize their contributions and create a system that values them for the incredible assets they are. Think Big & Live Your Dream! Coach Kwan --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/icaway/support

In this interview, Rev. Craig B. Mousin, an Adjunct Faculty member of DePaul University's College of Law, Refugee and Forced Migration Studies Program, and the Grace School of Applied Diplomacy urges listeners to file comments opposing the Biden administration's proposed asylum rule by 11:59 EDT, Monday, March 27, 2023.ACTION STEPS 1.      Prepare a comment and invite friends and family to also file a comment opposing the proposed rule that will undermine refugee protection.A.      Attorneys may use this template which also includes the diagram on the process discussed in the podcast. B.      Organizations or community groups may want to use this template. 2.      You can also email the White House and your Senators and Representative stating your opposition to this proposed rule emphasizing the need for a humanitarian border policy. Please find your individual link for your Senators or Representatives and urge them to oppose the Biden rule.RESOURCESSolutions for a Humane Border Policy, January 17, 2023. NIJC's Policy Director Heidi Altman discuss some of the many problems with the proposed rule in her interview. Javier Zamora's book is Solito, A Memoir, (Hogarth, N.Y. 2022).  Mr. Zamora will be speaking at the NIJC's Human Rights Award Luncheon on June 6, 2023; click here for information. That only 10% of visas that were available were provided in the war years came from Paul Johnson, A History of the Jews, (Harper & Row, N.Y., 1987), 503.Melissa del  Bosque describes some of the problems with the CBP One mobile app, in “From Education to Everything Else,” The Border Chronicle, March 14, 2023. Craig Mousin volunteers with the National Immigrant Justice Center. We welcome your inquiries or suggestions for future podcasts.  If you would like to ask more questions about our podcasts or comment, email us at: mission.depaul@gmail.com  

In this interview, Rev. Craig B. Mousin, an Adjunct Faculty member of DePaul University's College of Law, Refugee and Forced Migration Studies Program, and the Grace School of Applied Diplomacy interviews Heidi Altman, the Policy Director of the National Immigrant Justice Center (www.immigrantjustice.org).  Ms. Altman discusses a proposed rule that will effectively preclude most asylum-seekers from safely and effectively applying for asylum in the United States. She advocates for humanitarian asylum welcome.  She previously served as the legal director for the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition and was a Teaching Fellow in the immigration clinic at Georgetown University Law School.  ACTION STEPS 1.       Invite friends and family to learn how the proposed rule will undermine refugee protection and encourage them to respond to their elected representatives and the Biden administration urging withdrawal of the proposed rule.2.      The Sanctuary Working Group of the Chicago Religious Leadership Network currently serves and advocates alongside newly arrived asylum seekers in the Chicagoland area.  There are many impactful ways you can help asylum seekers, from providing sponsorship and temporary housing to covering legal fees and advocating for policy change.  Interested individuals, faith communities, or organizations may contact CRLN staff/consultant David Fraccaro at davidfraccaro99@gmail.com to talk about ways to partner together in supporting and protecting our newest neighbors.  RESOURCES“Solutions for a Humane Border Policy,” National Immigrant Justice Center, January 17, 2023: https://immigrantjustice.org/staff/blog/solutions-humane-border-policy“Proposed Ban on Asylum Violates US Law and Catholic Social Teaching,” Catholic Legal Immigration Network, February 22, 2023: https://www.cliniclegal.org/press-releases/proposed-ban-asylum-violates-us-law-and-catholic-social-teaching “Biden Asylum Ban Will Endanger Refugees, Center for Gender and Refugee Rights, February 21, 2023: https://cgrs.uchastings.edu/news/biden-asylum-ban-will-endanger-refugeesThe proposed rule is scheduled for publication on February 23, 2023:  https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-03718.pdf Craig Mousin volunteers with the National Immigrant Justice Center. We welcome your inquiries or suggestions for future podcasts.  If you would like to ask more questions about our podcasts or comment, email us at: mission.depaul@gmail.com  

Jeronimo Simonovis and Lavanga Wijekoon discuss an asylum case before U.S. immigration authorities that Jeronimo won involving a woman and her 8-year-old son. Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

Mark Feldman is a Senior Litigation Attorney at the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) in Washington, D.C. Prior to his time at NIJC, he was both a Staff Attorney and Senior Attorney at the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition, also in Washington, D.C., and a Law Fellow through the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama. Mark clerked on both the United States District Court for the Central District of California and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. He is a 2014 graduate of Stanford Law School and a 2007 graduate of the University of Michigan. Connect with Mark on LinkedInFind us online at https://www.personaljxpod.comOn Twitter @PersonalJxPodPersonal Jurisdiction is powered and distributed with Simplecast. Our logos were designed by Lizzie L. O'Connor.Personal Jurisdiction is edited by Scott Donnell at Run and Drum Media https://www.runanddrummedia.comOur Theme Song is Pleasant Porridge by Kevin MacLeod.Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7614-pleasant-porridgeLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Air Date 9/30/2022 Today, we take a look at the attention-grabbing stunt of transporting asylum seekers from Texas to Martha's Vineyard and other politically-liberal destinations and the White supremacist inspirations for this policy. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com  Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content) Join our Discord community! OUR AFFILIATE LINKS: ExpressVPN.com/BestOfTheLeft GET INTERNET PRIVACY WITH EXPRESS VPN! BestOfTheLeft.com/Libro SUPPORT INDIE BOOKSHOPS, GET YOUR AUDIOBOOK FROM LIBRO! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: DeSantis, Fox News, and the Martha's Vineyard 'Stunt' - On the Media - Air Date 9-23-22 Philip Bump [@pbump], national correspondent The Washington Post, on the manipulative plan for 48 Venuzulean migrants sent to Martha's Vineyard. Ch. 2: DeSantis' kidnapping 'stunt' - The BradCast - Air Date 9-19-22 New documents show that the asylum-seekers were lured onto the flights with false promises, providing hard documentary evidence that DeSantis' obscene political stunt may have violated the law. Ch. 3: The GOP's Martha's Vineyard Stunt Backfired And Then They Just Lied About It – SOME MORE NEWS - Air Date 9-28-22 This week, we're taking a look at the cruelty and shamelessness of when Ron DeSantis human trafficked a bunch of migrants to Martha's Vineyard. This did not go how the GOP thought it would, so they spent the last few weeks lying and pretending it did. Ch. 4: Latest Border Updates, Martha's Vineyard Lib Owning - REDIRECT Immigration Law and Perspectives - Air Date 9-17-22 Taylor Levy talks about the situation on the border as one of the most knowledgable attorneys when it comes to what is actually happening on the U.S./Mexico border. Ch. 5: Reverse Freedom Rides Flying Migrants North, Florida Gov. Steals Page from Segregationists Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-20-22 Professor Mwalim Peters, recounts the little-known story of the Reverse Freedom Rides and says the strategy to humiliate liberals is "basically identical to what's happening now in Martha's Vineyard". Ch. 6: Immigration Defining Us and Them - Now & Then - Air Date 9-27-22 Heather and Joanne discuss the politics and prejudices surrounding the two 1790s Naturalization Laws, the Immigration Act of 1924, the 1965 Hart-Celler Act, and the current Republican rhetoric about migrants at the Southern border. Ch. 7: Reverse Freedom Rides Flying Migrants North, Florida Gov. Steals Page from Segregationists Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 9-20-22 Professor Mwalim Peters, recounts the little-known story of the Reverse Freedom Rides and says the strategy to humiliate liberals is "basically identical to what's happening now in Martha's Vineyard". MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 8: Immigration Defining Us and Them Part 2 - Now & Then - Air Date 9-27-22 FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 9: Final comments on how laws are used to manipulate our sense of justice to support injustice TAKE ACTION! National Immigrant Justice Center (specific call for donations to help those being trafficked) National Immigration Law Center  Immigration Equality  Chicago: City of Chicago "Donation and Volunteer Support for New Arrivals from Texas" New York: South Bronx Mutual Aid (Seeking lawyers, mental health professionals, etc. for migrants) Washington, DC: Sanctuary DMV's "Texas Migrant Solidarity Donation and Volunteer Links" Inside The Local Mutual Aid Effort Supporting The Migrants Texas Bused To D.C. (DCist, May 2022) Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman  MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions) SHOW IMAGE: Description: The words “The Cruelty is the Point” are overlayed on a black and white image of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' face in a black vignette. Credit: “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis” by Matt Johnson, Flickr | License CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Black and white, black vignette, text overlay

Tara Tidwell Cullen, the Director of Communications for the National Immigrant Justice Center, joins Jon Hansen (filling-in for Lisa Dent) on Chicago’s Afternoon News to talk about how you can help the 75 migrants that were bused to Chicago from Texas by Governor Greg Abbott. Follow Your Favorite Chicago’s Afternoon News Personalities on Twitter:Follow @SteveBertrand […]

SHOW NOTESThis is an interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin, an Adjunct Faculty member of the DePaul University's College of Law, Refugee and Forced Migrations Studies Program and the Grace School of Applied Diplomacy. The podcast examines new attempts to codify the harmful effects of Title 42 through amending the Fiscal Year 2023 spending bills currently before Congress. Please email or call your elected representative and oppose all of these amendments. ACTION STEP1.       Email your Senators and Representative to oppose these amendments.  The National Immigrant Justice Center provides information and a simple link to register your voice:  https://immigrantjustice.org/staff/blog/5-facts-about-title-42-why-congress-should-not-codify-trump-era-expulsion-policy2.       You can call your elected representatives with this helpful script and background information provided by the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies:  https://cgrs.uchastings.edu/our-work/action-center-tell-congress-reject-anti-asylum-amendmentsResources: Our previous podcast on Title 42's bad science and bad law, Episode 25 “Stop the Pretense That It Is Just About Public Health,” can be found at:  https://lawfulassembly.buzzsprout.com/1744949/10595081-episode-25-stop-the-pretense-that-it-is-just-about-public-healthThe source of Yogi Berra's “It's déjà vu all over again” can be found at:  https://yogiberramuseum.org/about-yogi/yogisms/The National Immigrant Justice Center webpage includes additional background information and resources at:  www.immigrantjustice.orgWe welcome your inquiries or suggestions for future podcasts.  If you would like to ask more questions about our podcasts or comment, email us at: mission.depaul@gmail.com   

QUESTION PRESENTED Whether 8 U.S.C. § 1225 requires the Department of Homeland Security to continue implementing the Migrant Protection Protocols, a former policy under which certain noncitizens arriving at the southwest border were returned to Mexico during their immigration proceedings; and  whether the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit erred by concluding that the secretary of homeland security's new decision terminating MPP had no legal effect. Date Proceedings and OrdersDec 29 2021 | Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due January 28, 2022)Jan 18 2022 | Motion to extend the time to file a response from January 28, 2022 to February 28, 2022, submitted to The Clerk.Jan 19 2022 | Response to motion to extend the time to file a response filed.Jan 19 2022 | Motion to extend the time to file a response DENIED.Jan 28 2022 | Waiver of the 14-day waiting period for distribution of the petition for a writ of certiorari pursuant to Rule 15.5 filed.Jan 28 2022 | Brief of respondents Texas, et al. in opposition filed.Feb 02 2022 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/18/2022.Feb 02 2022 | Reply of petitioners Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, et al. filed. (Distributed)Feb 18 2022 | Petition GRANTED. The case will be set for argument in the second week of the April 2022 argument session. Petitioners' brief on the merits is to be filed on or before Monday, March 14, 2022. Respondents' brief on the merits is to be filed on or before Thursday, April 7, 2022. The reply brief is to be filed with the Clerk and served upon opposing counsel on or before 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 20, 2022.Mar 08 2022 | Blanket Consent filed by Petitioner, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, et al.Mar 14 2022 | Blanket Consent filed by Respondent, TexasMar 14 2022 | Brief of petitioners Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, et al. filed.Mar 14 2022 | Joint appendix filed.Mar 15 2022 | ARGUMENT SET FOR Tuesday, April 26, 2022.Mar 16 2022 | Record requested from the U.S.C.A. 5th Circuit.Mar 18 2022 | Brief amicus curiae of Public Citizen filed.Mar 18 2022 | Brief amicus curiae of Professor Benjamin Eidelson filed.Mar 21 2022 | Brief amici curiae of Bipartisan Former Officials of the Department of Homeland Security and the Immigration and Naturalization Service filed.Mar 21 2022 | Brief amici curiae of Former DHS Secretary Jeh C. Johnson and Former Ambassador to Mexico Roberta S. Jacobson filed.Mar 21 2022 | Brief amici curiae of State of Illinois, et al. filed.Mar 21 2022 | Brief amicus curiae of Center for Immigration Law and Policy, UCLA School of Law filed.Mar 21 2022 | Brief amici curiae of The Border Project and the National Immigrant Justice Center filed.Mar 21 2022 | Brief amici curiae of Administrative Law Professors filed.Mar 21 2022 | Brief amici curiae of 61 Immigration Advocacy and Legal Service Organizations filed.Mar 21 2022 | Brief amici curiae of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, et al. filed.Mar 21 2022 | Brief amici curiae of 25 Cities and Counties filed.Mar 23 2022 | Record from the U.S.C.A. 5th Circuit is electronic and located on PACER.Mar 23 2022 | Record received from the U.S.D.C. Northern District of Texas (Amarillo) has been electronically filed.Mar 23 2022 | CIRCULATEDApr 07 2022 | Brief of respondent Texas filed. (Distributed)Apr 14 2022 | Brief amicus curiae of Center for Immigration Studies filed. (Distributed)Apr 14 2022 | Brief amici curiae of Indiana, et al. filed. (Distributed)Apr 14 2022 | Brief amicus curiae of Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime filed. (Distributed)Apr 14 2022 | Brief amicus curiae of Landmark Legal Foundation filed. (Distributed)Apr 14 2022 | Brief amicus curiae of America First Legal Foundation filed. (Distributed)Apr 14 2022 | Brief amicus curiae of Immigration Reform Law Institute filed. (Distributed)Apr 14 2022 | Brief amicus curiae of Advancing American Freedom filed. (Distributed)Apr 19 2022 | Reply of petitioner Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, et al. filed. (Distributed)Apr 25 2022 | Letter from the Solicitor General noting statistical corrections to reports cited in their petition filed. (Distributed)Apr 26 2022 | Argued. For petitioners: Elizabeth B. Prelogar, Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. For respondents: Judd E. Stone, II, Solicitor General, Austin, Tex.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This is an interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin, an Adjunct Faculty member of the DePaul University's College of Law, Refugee and Forced Migrations Studies Program and the Grace School of Applied Diplomacy. The podcast responds to questions raised by our listeners about the importance of responding to proposed federal regulations.  In five of our previous podcasts we invited you to file responses to proposed regulations or federal rules impacting how our nation treats asylum seekers and refugees.  We have been asked why engage in submitting comments and what else can one do to expand hospitality within our nation?If you are seeking additional immigration on asylum issues such as limiting asylum applications or restricting admissions based on public health considerations, visit the National Immigrant Justice Center's resource page at:  https://immigrantjustice.org/issues/asylum-seekers-refugeesIf you would like more information on the work of the DePaul College of Law Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic, visit:  https://law.depaul.edu/academics/experiential-learning/legal-clinics/asylum-immigration/Pages/default.aspxIf you would like more information on refugee resettlement programs, re-visit Podcast 10, “Rebuild Refugee Resettlement,” where you will also find information about Chicago-area refugee resettlement programs: The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago Refugee Resettlement ProgramEthiopian Community Association of ChicagoRefugeeOneWorld Relief Chicagoland Refugee ResettlementHeartland Human Care ServicesWe welcome your inquiries or suggestions for future podcasts.  If you would like to ask more questions about our podcasts or comment, email us at: mission.depaul@gmail.com  

This is an interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin, an Adjunct Faculty member of the DePaul University's College of Law, Refugee and Forced Migrations Studies Program and the Grace School of Applied Diplomacy. The podcast requests that you send comments to the federal government before midnight eastern standard time on Tuesday, January 25 providing ideas to end the policies that have led to family separation and lengthy detention of asylum seekers.  The Biden administration has recognized the human tragedy caused by these policies and has requested your ideas to ensure the United States never engages in such policies and practices again. ACTION STEPYou can use either of these links to send your ideas to the Task Force.  The National Immigrant Justice Center has provided the direct link to the request for comments:https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/12/10/2021-26691/identifying-recommendations-to-support-the-work-of-the-interagency-task-force-on-the-reunificationA coalition of groups has put together this link for Immigrant Justice at:  https://immigrationjustice.us/advocacy/take-action/ensure-family-separation-never-reimplemented/?utm_source=fbt&utm_medium=ptnr&utm_campaign=famsep#/112/You can use any resources or background material you find persuasive, but please make sure your comments uniquely represent your views.  Do not simply copy and paste someone else's comments unless you add why you find them persuasive.  You can add your personal experience or why you believe the United States should end family separation and detention of asylum seekers.To see the rest of the notes please visit: https://blogs.depaul.edu/dmm/2022/01/21/lawful-assembly-podcast-episode-22-suffer-the-little-children/

David Haase and Lavanga Wijekoon talk about cases referred from the National Immigrant Justice Center and Lavanga's work representing asylum seekers in the United States. Littler attorneys provide pro bono services in a variety of areas, depending on the interests of individual attorneys. The firm values and encourages the community-minded and pro bono efforts of our lawyers and staff.

This is an interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin, an Adjunct Faculty member of the DePaul University College of Law and the Grace School of Applied Diplomacy.  The podcast contends that United States discrimination against Haitians over the last two centuries has created a moral obligation to Haiti and its residents.  Most recently, efforts to swiftly deport Haitians, contrary to the Refugee Act's non-return requirement, reveals how efforts to restrict Haitian asylum-seekers over the last forty years has contributed to the continual denigration of asylum protections under the Refuge Act of 1980.ACTION STEP:  The United Church of Christ offers you a way to promptly inform your representatives that deportations to Haiti must cease at:  https://p2a.co/MnT2c4mA petition to stop Haitian deportations:https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-the-petition-demand-that-the-biden-administration-halt-all-deportations-to-haiti?source=2021EndDeportationstoHaiti_NIJC&referrer=group-national-immigrant-justice-center&eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=daa3e06b-7fb9-41d5-90db-1f488e4d0344&sl_tc=buttonFor additional information on the history of United States responses to Haiti and Haitian asylum seekers, Azadeh Erfani of  the National Immigrant Justice Center's writes:  “President Biden, It is Past Time to Protect Haitian Asylum Seekers, at:  https://immigrantjustice.org/staff/blog/president-biden-it-past-time-protect-haitian-asylum-seekersAn American Immigration Council report on Haiti can be found at: Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, “Del Rio Migrant Camp Shows How Biden Administration Is Not Living Up to Its Promises” at:https://immigrationimpact.com/2021/09/21/haitian-migrant-camp-biden-promises/#.YVSS8S1h1fESee also, Raymond Joseph, former envoy of Haiti to Washington, “Haiti Cries Out: Where is President Biden, as My Countrymen Swelter Under a Bridge in Texas,” https://www.nysun.com/foreign/haiti-cries-out-where-is-president-biden-as-my/91660/Former Justice Harry A. Blackmun's quote from his dissent is at page 208 in Sale v. Haitian Centers Council, 509 U.S. 155, (1993).  His other quotes in the podcast are from his law review article, “The Supreme Court and the Law of Nations,” 104 Yale L.J. 39, 44 (1994). (https://www.jstor.org/stable/796983).Professor Peniel Joseph's quote can be found at: “This Is the Story of Haiti That Matters Most,” (August 20, 2021) at: https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/20/opinions/haiti-earthquake-flooding-assassination-revolution-joseph/index.htmlProfessor Annette Gordon-Reed's quote can be found at:  “We Owe Haiti A Debt We Can't Repay,” (July 21, 2021) at:  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/21/opinion/haiti-us-history.html

TAKE A SEAT, PUT YOUR NAPKIN ON YOUR LAP, AND UNDO YOUR BELT – YOU'RE IN FOR A VERITABLE BANQUET OF MOVIES ABOUT FOOD! Prepare yourself for the most mouthwatering, scrumptious, toothsome, and downright yummy episode of Genre Grinder yet. Gabe and returning guest/his significant other/food buddy, Kristine Fisher – who knows a thing or two about cooking – chow down on six courses of food-themed movies that mostly fit the concept of magical realism, including Jûzô Itami's Tampopo (1985), Gabriel Axel's Babette's Feast (Danish: Babettes gæstebud, 1987), Peter Greenaway's The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989), Alfonso Aráu's Like Water for Chocolate (Spanish: Como agua para chocolate, 1992), Stephen Chow's The God of Cookery (1996), and Stanley Tucci & Campbell Scott's Big Night (1996). Please be aware that we recorded with two mics and it caused some weird crackly (thankfully not too loud) feedback to crop up every once in a while. I've done my best to mitigate the problem where I could and apologize for not fixing it during recording. 00:00 – Intro, food documentaries, classic food scenes 11:33 – Tampopo 23:37 – Babette's Feast 36:19 – The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover 59:19 – Like Water for Chocolate 1:12:30 – The God of Cookery 1:28:05 – Big Night 1:43:20 – Outro Please consider donating to the following charities/fundraisers if you have any spare cash: Second Harvest Heartland (MN food bank): https://secure.2harvest.org National Immigrant Justice Center: https://immigrantjustice.org/ Immigration Justice Campaign: https://immigrationjustice.us/ UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) Gaza Crisis Appeal: https://donate.unrwa.org/gaza/

This is an interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin, an Adjunct Faculty member of the DePaul University College of Law and the Grace School of Applied Diplomacy.  This podcast links the loss of homes felt by many of the freed slaves after the Civil War, including George Floyd's great-great grandfather, with the loss of home many refugees face when forced to flee their nations due to state sanctioned violence and the consequences of the breakdown of the rule of law.  We face challenges both at our borders, but also when we contribute to the conditions that force families to flee their homes.  We need to address ways to provide the rule of law and justice for all.  The story of George Floyd's family history and the loss of his great-great grandfather's 500 acres comes from Toluse Olorunnipa and Griff Witte, “Born with two strikes, How systemic racism shaped Floyd's life and hobbled his ambition,” https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/george-floyd-america/systemic-racism/ Senn High School, located in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago, is one of the most diverse high schools in the nation.  Its students and their families speak over 80 languages and claim over 60 nations as their birth homes.  Congratulate its graduates and learn more about our neighborhood high school at:  https://www.sennhs.org Frederick Douglass' call for simple justice comes from David W. Blight, Frederick Douglass Prophet of Freedom, (N.Y., 2018), 558-59. Rev. Garrison   Frazier and the black leaders' activism in Savannah, Georgia comes from Eric Foner, Reconstruction, America's Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877, (N.Y., 1988), 70. Action Steps: Information about the Community Renewal Society's Juneteenth film screening of “Crawford: The Man the South Forgot,” can be found at:   https://www.communityrenewalsociety.org/events/juneteenth-film-amp-discussion   You can find some of the current programs CRS sponsors to seek simple justice toda at: https://www.communityrenewalsociety.org/platform?sectionscroll=just-economy Information on the National Immigrant Justice Center and the “We Are Home” campaign,  can be found at:  https://immigrantjustice.org/press-releases/civil-rights-groups-send-letter-dhs-secretary-calling-meaningful-opportunity-return Information of the proposed Berta Caceres Human Rights Act of 2021can be found at:https://soaw.org/BertaAct2021    

This is a podcast interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin, Adjunct Faculty member at DePaul University's College of Law and The Grace School of Applied Diplomacy.  The podcast encourages us to respond to our shared values of living under the rule of law as the US seeks to reform its immigration law.  When our debate focuses on naming individuals as illegals prior to adjudication, it leads to gridlock.  By focusing on why the U.S. established a refugee law and the importance of fair and just procedures, we may instead build upon those shared values.  The podcast also explains how criminal and civil law addresses those who seek to cross the border without authorization.  For information on the Border Patrol budget, see “The Cost of Immigration Enforcement and Border Security,” provided by the American Immigration Council at:  https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/the-cost-of-immigration-enforcement-and-border-security  (January 21, 2021).For information on ways to address refugees at the border without simply relying on detention, see the report by the National Immigrant Justice Center, “A Better Way: Community-Based Programming As An Alternative To Immigrant Incarceration” at https://immigrantjustice.org/research-items/report-better-way-community-based-programming-alternative-immigrant-incarceration  (April 22,2019).For more information and sources on the impact of the Title 42 regulation closing much of our border allegedly on public health concerns, see “Health Inequity and Tent Court Injustice,” at:  https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3777549  Human Rights First has coordinated a Title 42 Action Week and produced a tool kit with more information explaining the need to cease excluding refugees based on Title 42: Title 42 Week of Action toolkit

This episode is an interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin, founder and former Executive Director of the Midwest Immigrant Rights Center which later became the National Immigrant Justice Center (www.immigrantjustice.org), and an Adjunct Faculty member at DePaul University's College of Law and The Grace School of Applied Diplomacy. He responds to the federal government's proposed regulations that would limit the discretion of Immigration Judges and change the procedure for appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals. These proposed rules will hinder the ability of individuals to pursue cases without lawyers and increase the difficulty of pro bono representation by volunteer lawyers. Cumulatively, if implemented, they will harm our communities and undermine our system of justice. We encourage you to file your own comments opposing part or all of the proposed procedures and asking the government to withdraw the entire proposed rule. To assist you in obtaining a link to the proposed procedures or in filing your comment, you may incorporate your remarks into one of the templates provided by the following:Our colleagues at the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. have provided sample comments and a link to file comments at: cliniclegal.org/resources/federal…oir-proposed-ruleYou may also find the American Immigration Lawyers Association's template at:www.aila.org/takeaction#/88Both websites provide additional information on how the proposed regulations restrict access to the courts and prevent bona fide applicants from litigating and their cases. To be accepted by the government, please ensure your comments are filed on or before 11:59 p.m. EDT, Friday, September 25, 2020.The critical point remains that you choose at least one element of the proposed rules that you believe is incompatible with our nation's commitment to fair process to achieve justice and make your voice heard.Justice Ginsburg's law review article, “In Pursuit of the Public Good: Access to Justice in the United States,” 7 Washington University Journal of Law & Policy 1, 8 (2001) can be found at: openscholarship.wustl.edu/cgi/viewcont…l_law_policyThe Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals case can be found at page 8 of Meza Morales v. Barr, 2020 WL 5268986, (7th Cir.).The TRAC Immigration report from Syracuse University on “The Life and Death of Administrative Closure” can be found at: trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/623/ (September 10, 2020).Please share this podcast and links with members of your community or faith organizations, family members and friends. Encourage them to file comments to help ensure that our nation continues its commitment to a fair process and access to justice. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Can It Be Fair Process Without a Fair Process to File an Asylum Application?This episode is an interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin, an Adjunct Faculty member at DePaul University's College of Law and The Grace School of Applied Diplomacy. He responds to the federal government's proposed regulations that would change the time limit for filing an asylum application before an Immigration Judge. These proposed rules will hinder the ability of individuals to pursue cases without lawyers and increase the difficulty of pro bono representation by volunteer lawyers. We encourage you to file your own comments opposing part or all of the proposed procedures and asking the government to withdraw the entire proposed rule. To assist you in obtaining a link to the proposed procedures or in filing your comment, you may incorporate your remarks into one of the templates provided by the following:Our colleagues at the National Immigrant Justice Center have provided sample comments and a link to file comments at: immigrantjustice.salsalabs.org/protectas…70008cc18You may also find the American Immigration Lawyers Association's template at: www.aila.org/takeaction#/89Both websites provide additional information on how the proposed regulations prevent bona fide applicants from litigating their cases. To be accepted by the government, please ensure your comments are filed on or before 11:59 p.m. EDT, Friday, October 23, 2020.The critical point remains that you choose at least one element of the proposed rules that you believe is incompatible with our nation's commitment to fair process to achieve justice and make your voice heard.If you are curious about the details necessary to file a complete asylum application, you can view the ten-page form and the instructions at: www.uscis.gov/i-589Please note, American Baptist Churches v. Thornburgh, 760 F.Supp. 796 (N.D. Ca. 1991), was actually settled on January 31, 1991 instead of 1990 as stated in the podcast.

This is a podcast interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin founder and former Executive Director of the Midwest Immigrant Rights Center and an Adjunct Faculty member at DePaul University's College of Law and The Grace School of Applied Diplomacy. He talks about responding to the federal government's proposed regulations that would make asylum seekers ineligible for asylum and related remedies based on purported public health considerations. We encourage you to file your own comments opposing part or all of the proposed procedures and asking the government to withdraw the entire proposed rule. To assist you in obtaining a link to the proposed procedures or in filing your comment, you may incorporate your remarks into one of the templates provided by the following:The National Immigrant Justice Center's template is at:immigrantjustice.salsalabs.org/asylumreg…ndex.htmlIf you are concerned about unaccompanied minors or children refugee issues, you can find the Young Center's template at:www.theyoungcenter.org/stand-with-asylum-seekersBoth websites provide additional information on how the proposed regulations restrict access to the courts and prevent bona fide applicants from presenting their cases for asylum. To be accepted by the government, please make sure your comments are filed on or before 11:59 p.m. EDT, Monday, August 10 2020.For additional information on the pretext of the public health need for these proposals, see: www.humanrightsfirst.org/resource/new…-many-asylumPlease share this podcast and links with members of your community or faith organizations, family members and friends. Encourage them to file comments to help ensure that our nation continues to offer shelter for refugees in need. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Last month President Joe Biden instructed the Department of Justice to end contract renewals with private prisons as a first step to end racial disparities and pave the way to fair sentencing. But Biden, who ran on promises to make sweeping changes to immigration policy, left private immigration detention untouched, allowing the Department of Homeland Security to continue renewing contracts with these private facilities. For years, immigrants in detention and advocacy groups have documented a lack of oversight and physical and mental abuse at the facilities. Today, about 80% of immigrants in detention centers are in private detention, according to an American Civil Liberties Union report. Advocates say that ending the migrant detention system is one more piece of the puzzle in achieving racial justice and ending migrant abuse. In 2020, 170,000 people cycled through detention, which is an unusually low number compared to other years. The pandemic, along with former President Donald Trump's tough policies on immigration contributed to those lower numbers. Policies like the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as “Remain in Mexico,” kept asylum-seekers on the Mexican side of the US-Mexico border. Related: Reuniting families after Trump's zero-tolerance immigration policy Still, detention continues to be a lucrative business.The US government used to oversee immigration detention. But that changed after 9/11 with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Immigration detention expanded after that, and US officials turned to private prison companies to manage this work. The companies jumped right in. “They [companies] started seeing the federal government as a place to have these more lucrative contracts,” said Silky Shah, executive director of the Detention Watch Network, an immigration detention advocacy group.The group has tracked the increasing privatization of the detention system during the Trump administration, with more multimillion-dollar contracts signed by key companies such as CoreCivic Inc and GEO Group. Related: The winding journey to reunite families separated at the US borderDuring the pandemic, many immigration detention centers have also become COVID-19 hot spots. These private companies say they take safety seriously, especially during the pandemic. Immigrants are given face masks and medical attention, they say. But addressing abuse and neglect is only the beginning of a much larger detention problem, Shah said.It's also about racial justice.“What we know about these systems [is] that [they] disproportionately target people of color and Black people, and we're seeing that even now, in the context of who is currently in detention and who is being deported."Silky Shah, executive director, Detention Watch Network“What we know about these systems [is] that [they] disproportionately target people of color and Black people, and we're seeing that even now, in the context of who is currently in detention and who is being deported,” she said. Biden said he wants to address racial inequity inside detention centers, too. But unwinding these contracts might be more of a battle. Last August, the Trump administration renewed contracts with GEO Group and CoreCivic, Inc., in Texas, to run two facilities for an additional 10 years. Any steps Biden takes now need clear deadlines to phase out these and other private contracts, said Jesse Franzblau, a policy analyst with the National Immigrant Justice Center, which provides direct legal services to immigrants. Franzblau said giving these companies a two-year deadline is reasonable, and the federal government has the authority to do so. “But they need direction from above to start carrying that out,” he said. Advocates also stress the fact that nearly one-third of immigrants held in detention centers don't have a criminal record. And many others have minor nonviolent offenses. Shah points to other options. “There are models that include GPS monitoring that are just alternative forms of detention. And so, I think the alternatives that do work are, one, people should just be with their families,” she said. GPS monitoring involves ankle bracelets to track people while their immigration cases go through the courts. States like California and Florida do this more than other states, although the practice has also come under scrutiny. Shah said it's possible that Biden could be holding back on dealing with immigration detention as a way to leverage his other immigration goals. But with Alejandro Mayorkas' recent appointment to secretary of Homeland Security, along with Biden's recent executive orders addressing deportations and travel bans, Shah said there could be some shifts in how the agency operates around detention. Still, advocates like Shah and Franzblau say ending contracts with private detention centers is only a fractional part of a larger, problematic system. There are other aspects to address — like county jails. An executive order phasing out private contracts might not apply to county jails that also contract with the federal government to detain immigrants.  Johannes Favi is an immigration rights activist.  Credit: David Volden This impacts people such as Johannes Favi, 33, from Benin. “It's just horrible to live in detention, you know, you just want to give up on everything."Johannes Favi, former migrant detainee“It's just horrible to live in detention, you know, you just want to give up on everything,” he said. Favi overstayed a 2013 visitor visa and was in the process of applying for a green card, which his wife, a US citizen, sponsored. During a court hearing for a previous financial crime he pled guilty to, immigration officials arrested him. He spent 10 months in a county jail, 60 miles south of Chicago. He was released in 2020, right as the coronavirus pandemic began to spread inside that facility. Favi is now living in Indianapolis, Indiana, and continues to advocate for detained immigrants. For him, detention — privatized or not — is the same. “So, I really wish the Biden administration can break the whole system down, you know, detention for profit, you know, private detention, county jail.”For now, immigrants like Favi and those working to dismantle the detention system altogether will wait to see how — and when — Biden might change it. 

Can It Be Fair Process Without a Fair Process to File an Asylum Application? This episode is an interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin, an Adjunct Faculty member at DePaul University’s College of Law and The Grace School of Applied Diplomacy. He responds to the federal government’s proposed regulations that would change the time limit for filing an asylum application before an Immigration Judge. These proposed rules will hinder the ability of individuals to pursue cases without lawyers and increase the difficulty of pro bono representation by volunteer lawyers. We encourage you to file your own comments opposing part or all of the proposed procedures and asking the government to withdraw the entire proposed rule. To assist you in obtaining a link to the proposed procedures or in filing your comment, you may incorporate your remarks into one of the templates provided by the following: Our colleagues at the National Immigrant Justice Center have provided sample comments and a link to file comments at: https://immigrantjustice.salsalabs.org/protectasylum/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=4dcbbfd7-b673-4263-9b92-abc70008cc18 You may also find the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s template at: https://www.aila.org/takeaction#/89 Both websites provide additional information on how the proposed regulations prevent bona fide applicants from litigating their cases. To be accepted by the government, please ensure your comments are filed on or before 11:59 p.m. EDT, Friday, October 23, 2020. The critical point remains that you choose at least one element of the proposed rules that you believe is incompatible with our nation’s commitment to fair process to achieve justice and make your voice heard. If you are curious about the details necessary to file a complete asylum application, you can view the ten-page form and the instructions at: https://www.uscis.gov/i-589 Please note, American Baptist Churches v. Thornburgh, 760 F.Supp. 796 (N.D. Ca. 1991), was actually settled on January 31, 1991 instead of 1990 as stated in the podcast.

This episode is an interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin, founder and former Executive Director of the Midwest Immigrant Rights Center which later became the National Immigrant Justice Center (www.immigrantjustice.org), and an Adjunct Faculty member at DePaul University’s College of Law and The Grace School of Applied Diplomacy. He responds to the federal government’s proposed regulations that would limit the discretion of Immigration Judges and change the procedure for appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals. These proposed rules will hinder the ability of individuals to pursue cases without lawyers and increase the difficulty of pro bono representation by volunteer lawyers. Cumulatively, if implemented, they will harm our communities and undermine our system of justice. We encourage you to file your own comments opposing part or all of the proposed procedures and asking the government to withdraw the entire proposed rule. To assist you in obtaining a link to the proposed procedures or in filing your comment, you may incorporate your remarks into one of the templates provided by the following: Our colleagues at the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. have provided sample comments and a link to file comments at: https://cliniclegal.org/resources/federal-administrative-advocacy/clinic-template-comment-eoir-proposed-rule You may also find the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s template at: https://www.aila.org/takeaction#/88 Both websites provide additional information on how the proposed regulations restrict access to the courts and prevent bona fide applicants from litigating and their cases. To be accepted by the government, please ensure your comments are filed on or before 11:59 p.m. EDT, Friday, September 25, 2020. The critical point remains that you choose at least one element of the proposed rules that you believe is incompatible with our nation’s commitment to fair process to achieve justice and make your voice heard. Justice Ginsburg’s law review article, “In Pursuit of the Public Good: Access to Justice in the United States,” 7 Washington University Journal of Law & Policy 1, 8 (2001) can be found at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1534&context=law_journal_law_policy The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals case can be found at page 8 of Meza Morales v. Barr, 2020 WL 5268986, (7th Cir.). The TRAC Immigration report from Syracuse University on “The Life and Death of Administrative Closure” can be found at: https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/623/ (September 10, 2020). Please share this podcast and links with members of your community or faith organizations, family members and friends. Encourage them to file comments to help ensure that our nation continues its commitment to a fair process and access to justice. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

This is a podcast interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin founder and former Executive Director of the Midwest Immigrant Rights Center and an Adjunct Faculty member at DePaul University’s College of Law and The Grace School of Applied Diplomacy. He talks about responding to the federal government’s proposed regulations that would make asylum seekers ineligible for asylum and related remedies based on purported public health considerations. We encourage you to file your own comments opposing part or all of the proposed procedures and asking the government to withdraw the entire proposed rule. To assist you in obtaining a link to the proposed procedures or in filing your comment, you may incorporate your remarks into one of the templates provided by the following: The National Immigrant Justice Center’s template is at: https://immigrantjustice.salsalabs.org/asylumregsphcomment/index.html If you are concerned about unaccompanied minors or children refugee issues, you can find the Young Center’s template at: https://www.theyoungcenter.org/stand-with-asylum-seekers Both websites provide additional information on how the proposed regulations restrict access to the courts and prevent bona fide applicants from presenting their cases for asylum. To be accepted by the government, please make sure your comments are filed on or before 11:59 p.m. EDT, Monday, August 10 2020. For additional information on the pretext of the public health need for these proposals, see: https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/resource/new-asylum-ban-recycled-pretext-proposed-rule-would-illegally-unjustly-bar-many-asylum Please share this podcast and links with members of your community or faith organizations, family members and friends. Encourage them to file comments to help ensure that our nation continues to offer shelter for refugees in need. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

This is a podcast interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin founder and former Executive Director of the Midwest Immigrant Rights Center and an Adjunct Faculty member at DePaul University’s College of Law and The Grace School of Applied Diplomacy. He talks about responding to the federal government’s proposed regulations entitled “Procedures for Asylum and Withholding of Removal; Credible Fear and Reasonable Fear Review.” We encourage you to file your own comments opposing part or all of the proposed procedures and asking the government to withdraw the entire proposed rule. To assist you in obtaining a link to the proposed procedures or in filing your comment, you may incorporate your remarks into one of the templates provided by the following: The National Immigrant Justice Center offers this template for any community member concerned about access to asylum: https://immigrantjustice.salsalabs.org/asylumcomment-community/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=d78349f2-cad4-443c-a2bf-e8477db23171 If you are concerned about unaccompanied minors or children refugee issues, you might find the template of the Young Center helpful: https://www.theyoungcenter.org/defend-asylum Both websites provide additional information on how the proposed regulations restrict access to the courts and prevent bona fide applicants from presenting their cases for asylum. Please make sure your comments are filed on or before 11:59 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Please share this podcast and links with members of your community or faith organizations, family members and friends. Encourage them to file comments to help ensure that our nation continues to offer shelter for refugees in need. Thank you for your consideration of this request. If you would like more information about the documentary, “Brightness of Noon, the Intersect of Faith, Refugees and Immigrants, Part II,” see: https://www.divacommunications.com/documentaries/brightness-of-noon-2/

Rev. Craig B. Mousin founder and former Executive Director of the Midwest Immigrant Rights Center and an Adjunct Faculty member at DePaul University’s College of Law talks about the June, 2020 18, DACA ruling by the United States Supreme Court and what DACA means for the Vincentian Community and DePaul Students. For more information visit: National Immigrant Justice Center: https://immigrantjustice.org/issues/daca-and-dreamers We reference this previous episode in this podcast: https://soundcloud.com/bcicirel/it-is-more-than-just-the-dreamers?in=bcicirel/sets/vincentian-heritage-podcast

Today, host Amy Guth talks with Crain’s Chicago Business law and manufacturing reporter Claire Bushey about the increasingly high demand for legal services at the National Immigrant Justice Center, which led to an increase in staff and volunteers—and the importance of self-care in the workplace. The two also talk about what goes into reporting on business topics that are underscored by politically contentious issues. Plus: Northwestern Memorial and the University of Chicago Medical Center top the latest list of the best Illinois hospitals, Chicago's job market is outpacing the nation's, the Moody Bible Institute is selling 10 acres of prime downtown land, Halal Guys shutters its downtown Chicago locations amid a legal battle, and parents are giving up custody of their kids to get college financial aid. Find host @AmyGuth on Twitter and continue the conversation with hashtag #CrainsDailyGist.

As an added bonus to our 10th episode, we recorded an audience Q & A with Mary Meg McCarthy, Executive Director of the National Immigrant Justice Center.

TALKING LIBERTIES celebrates its 10th episode with a live taping at the brand new Hoxton Hotel in Chicago. In front of a live audience, we welcome our guest Mary Meg McCarthy - Executive Director of the National Immigrant Justice Center, one of the nation’s foremost immigrant and human rights advocacy organizations - to discuss the long road to immigration reform and the White House's cruel policies along the Southern border.

As many organizations can relate, Julia Toepfer knows that it can be hard to generate the amount of content needed to tell your story when you have a small team. Julia, marketing and online engagement manager at National Immigrant Justice Center, joins this session to share how NIJC found inspiration for content from an unexpected source: its own staff. Julia shares how she and her team encourage staff members to contribute to telling NIJC's stories in ways they're comfortable with, whether it's writing a post, making a video, or even being featured in the story themselves. They explore maintaining messaging for staff members who are not in marketing, how to avoid hurting feelings or egos in new situations, and more.

Jeremy is a filmmaker and comedian. He was the creative director of The iO Comedy Network in Chicago. He has improvised on house teams at the UCB and iO Chicago. He and Lilliana Winkworth make up the sketch duo “Todd’s Friend Todd,” And his freelance clients include Nickelodeon, The Jim Henson Company, BuzzFeed, Cards Against Humanity, A&E, and the National Immigrant Justice Center. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’s How » Join the I’m Not Joking community today: petermcgraw,.org Peter McGraw Twitter Peter McGraw LinkedIn

Sajjad Haiderali: Sajjad is a network engineer with over six years of experience specializing in packet-optical transport platform. He is currently employed with Juniper Networks working as a technical support engineer, assisting vendors globally with everyday tasks such as implementing and scaling optical networks, and troubleshooting issues that subsequently arise. The unique position of working as a support engineer affords him the ability to work with clients and engineering teams, pursuing his passion of mentoring clients and being mentored by industry veterans. Sajjad attended Western University for Software Engineering and has been working in the networking industry ever since. Heena Musabji: The first person to volunteer with Pro Bono Network and one of the individuals most responsible for its growth, Heena took on the role of PBN Board President prior to coming on as staff. She is simultaneously the Principal Attorney at the Musabji Law Offices, focusing on immigration and nationality law. Previously, Ms. Musabji was a partner at Amal Law Group heading the immigration department. She was CAIR-Chicago's first Staff Attorney, counseling its constituency on civil rights and immigration. During and after law school, Heena served as the Director of the Sex Trafficking Opposition and Prevention Project with the International Human Rights Law Institute were she worked on legislation and advocacy of minors forced into sex tourism in Costa Rica. She worked with the National Immigrant Justice Center throughout law school, and continues with the organization as a volunteer. She recently served as Vice President of the Board for the Muslim Civil Liberties Union, and is also on the board at her mosque. Heena has been on the board at West Suburban Montessori School and at the Terraces of Oak Park. She holds B.S. in Finance from Siena College and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.

A new policy change by the Trump administration on May 7th has resulted in thousands of children being separated from their want-to-be-immigrant parents who crossed the U.S. southern border in the wrong location. In this episode, hear from officials in every branch of government involved to learn why this is happening, why it's proving to be so difficult to return the children to their parents, and what we can do to help this situation. Please Support Congressional Dish - Quick Links Click here to contribute a lump sum or set up a monthly contribution via PayPal Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North Number 4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Letter to Representative/Senators Jen's letter that she sent to her members of Congress. You are welcome to use this as you wish!  Additional Reading Report: Trump administration: Migrant families can be detained for more than 20 days by Tanya Ballard Brown, NPR, June 29, 2018. Article: Federal judge enjoins separation of migrant children, orders family reunification by Devlin Barrett, Mike DeBonis, Nick Miroff and Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Washington Post, June 27, 2018. Article: Trump aims to dismantle protections for immigrant kids and radically expand the family detention system by Ryan Devereaux, The Intercept, June 26, 2018. Article: With prosecutions of parents suspended the status quo returns at the border, The Washington Post, June 25, 2018. Article: Separated immigrant children are all over the U.S. now, far from parents who don't know where they are by Maria Sacchetti, Kevin Sieff and Marc Fisher, The Washington Post, June 24, 2018. Article: U.S. officials separated him from his child then he was deported to El Salvador, The Washington Post, June 23, 2018. Article: Yes, Obama separated families at the border, too by Franco Ordonez and Anita Kumar, McClatchy, Jue 21, 2018. Report: Governor orders probe of abuse claims by immigrant children by Michael Bisecker, Jake Pearson and Garance Burke, AP News, June 21, 2018. Report: Migrant children at the border - the facts by Graham Kates, CBS News, June 20, 2018. Report: The facilities that are housing children separated from their parents by Andy Uhler and David Brancaccio, Marketplace, June 20, 2018. Article: How private contractors enable Trump's cruelties at the border by David Dayen, The Nation, June 20, 2018. Article: Separating migrant families is barbaric. It's also what the U.S. has been doing to people of color for hundreds of years. by Shaun King, The Intercept, June 20, 2018. Report: Trump's executive order on family separation: What it does and doesn't do by Richard Gonzales, NPR, June 20, 2018. Report: U.S. announces its withdrawal from U.N. Human Rights Council by Colin Dwyer, NPR, June 19, 2018. Article: Detainees in Oregon say they followed asylum process and were arrested by Conrad Wilson, OPB, June 19, 2018. Report: Fact-checking family separation by Amrit Cheng, ACLU, June 19, 2018. Article: The U.S. has taken more than 3,700 children from their parents - and has no plan for returning them by Ryan Devereaux, The Intercept, June 19, 2018. Article: Exclusive: US officials lost track of nearly 6,000 unaccompanied migrant kids by Franco Ordonez and Anita Kumar, McClatchy, June 19, 2018. Article: The government has no plan for reuniting the immigrant families it is tearing apart by Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, June 18, 2018. Report: U.N. rights chief tells U.S. to stop taking migrant children from parents by Nick Cumming-Bruce, The New York Times, June 18, 2018. Article: Taking migrant children from parents is illegal, U.N. tells U.S. by Nick Cumming-Bruce, The New York Times, June 5, 2018. Article: Parents, children ensnared in 'zero-tolerance' border prosecutions by Curt Prendergast and Perla Trevizo, Arizona Daily Star, May 28, 2018. Statement: By HHS Deputy Secretary on unaccompanied alien children program, HHS Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan, HHS, May 28, 2018. Report: Trump administration using contractors accused of abuse to detain undocumented children by TYT Investigates, TYT Network, May 28, 2018. Testimony: Ronald D. Vitiello on Stopping the daily border caravan: Time to build a policy wall, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, May 22, 2018. Report: ICE has already missed two detention reporting deadlines set by Congress in March, National Immigrant Justice Center, May 17, 2018. Article: As Gaza death toll rises, Israeli tactics face scrutiny by Josef Federman, The Seattle Times, May 15, 2018. News Report: Attorney General Sessions delivers remarks discussing the immigration enforcement actions of the Trump administration, Department of Justice, May 7, 2018. Statement: Steven Wagner of Administration for Children and Families U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, April 26, 2018. Article: Hundreds of immigrant children have been taken from parents at U.S. border by Caitlin Dickerson, The New York Times, April 20, 2018. Article: Trump's first year has been the private prison industry's best by Lauren-Brooke "L.B" Eisen, Brennan Center for Justice, January 15, 2018. Article: Private-prison giant, resurgent in Trump era, gathers at president's resort by Amy Brittain and Drew Harwell, The Washington Post, October 25, 2017. Report: Trump administration warns that U.S. may pull out of U.N. Human Rights Council by Merrit Kennedy, NPR, June 6, 2017. Article: Private prisons were thriving even before Trump was elected by Alice Speri, The Intercept, November 28, 2016. Article: Mexican migrant kids swiftly sent back by Sandra Dibble, San Diego Union Tribune, July 12, 2014. Article: Immigrant surge rooted in law to curb child trafficking by Carl Hulse, The New York Times, July 7, 2014. Resources Agency Details: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services GovTrack: H.R. 4760: Securing America's Future Act of 2018 GovTrack: H.R. 7311 (110th): William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 Human Rights First: The Flores Settlement Publication: Betraying Family Values: How Immigration Policy at the United States Border is Separating Families Snopes.com: Did the U.S. government lose track of 1,475 migrant children? U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Organizational Chart U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Southwest Border Migration FY2018 Sound Clip Sources Hearing: Prescription Drug Supply and Cost, Senate Finance Committee, C-SPAN, June 26, 2018. Witness: - Alex Azar - Health and Human Services Secretary 27:50 Senator Ron Wyden (OR): How many kids who were in your custody because of the zero-tolerance policy have been reunified with a parent or a relative? Alex Azar: So, I believe we have had a high of over 2,300 children that were separated from their parents as a result of the enforcement policy. We now have 2,047. Sen. Wyden: How many have been reunified? Azar: So, they would be unified with either parents or other relatives under our policy, so, of course if the parent remains in detention, unfortunately under rules that are set by Congress and the courts, they can’t be reunified while they’re in detention. Sen. Wyden: So is the answer zero? I mean, you have— Azar: No, no. No, we’ve had hundreds of children who had been separated who are now with—for instance, if there was a parent— Sen. Wyden: I want an— Azar: —parent who’s here in the country, they’d be with that parent. Sen. Wyden: I want to know about the children in your department’s custody. Azar: Yeah. Sen. Wyden: How many of them have been reunified? Azar: Well, that’s exactly what I’m saying. They had been placed with a parent or other relative who’s— Sen. Wyden: How many? Azar: —here in the United States. Sen. Wyden: How many? Azar: Several hundred. Sen. Wyden: Of the 2— Azar: Of the 2,300-plus that— Sen. Wyden: Okay. Azar: —came into our care. Sen. Wyden: How many— Azar: Probably of 2,047. 49:20 Senator Ben Nelson (FL): So, what is the plan to reunite 2,300 children? Alex Azar: Absolutely. So, the first thing we need to do is, for any of the parents, we have to confirm parentage. So that’s part of the process. With any child in our care, we have to ensure—there are traffickers; there are smugglers; there’re, frankly, just some bad people occasionally—we have to ensure that the parentage is confirmed. We have to vet those parents to ensure there’s no criminality or violent history on them. That’s part of the regular process for any placement with an individual. At that point, they’ll be ready to be reconnected to their parents. This is where our very broken immigration laws come into play. We’re not allowed to have a child be with the parent who is in custody of the Department of Homeland Security for more than 20 days, and so until we can get Congress to change that law to—the forcible separation there of the family units—we’ll hold them or place them with another family relative in the United States. But we are working to get all these kids ready to be placed back with their parents, get that all cleared up, as soon as—if Congress passes a change or if those parents complete their immigration proceedings, we can then reunify. 1:11:52 Alex Azar: If Congress doesn’t change the 20-day limit on family unification, then it depends on—the process for any individual parent going through their immigration proceedings, as long as they’re in detention, they can’t be together for more than 20 days—absurdly, but it is the case. 2:03:31 Senator Ron Wyden (OR): You told me a little bit ago that the Department has 2,047 kids in its custody, so— Alex Azar: That are separated. We’ve got about 12,000 unaccompanied minors in our program. Hearing: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program, C-SPAN, June 19, 2018. Witnesses: Lee Francis Cissna - Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security   17:17 Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA): Citizenship should not be for sale like a commodity on the stock exchange. There are millions—in fact, 4 million—of individuals who are waiting in line to immigrate lawfully to the United States. They have paid their required fees, they are in line, they wait patiently for a day that a visa becomes available, so they can be reunited with their families here in this country. However, because they don’t have a half a million dollars to buy their way in, they will continue to wait, some as long as 24 years. Yet, under the EB-5 system, the wealthy can cut to the front of the line. 49:45 Lee Francis Cissna: I did not play any role in deciding whether there was going to be a zero-tolerance initiative. What I recommended was, since there is one, what we need to do is decide which cases to refer in fulfillment of the zero-tolerance initiative directed by the attorney general, and I suggested that—I and the other officials who were involved in these discussions suggested that we refer all cases. Senator Dick Durbin: All cases. Cissna: Yes. Anybody who violates 8 U.S.C. 1325(a) will be prosecuted. Sen. Durbin: Which is—simply presenting themselves illegally at the border, without legal authorization at our border. Is that what you’re saying? Cissna: Between ports of entry, yes. Sen. Durbin: And you’re not just limiting this to those who may have committed some other crime, involved in some activity dangerous to the United States, but merely presenting themselves at these places is enough for you to believe this administration should treat them as criminals and remove their children. Cissna: I believe anyone crossing the border illegally who is apprehended doing so, whether they’re presenting themselves or not presenting themselves or trying to evade capture, if they are apprehended, they’re violating the law and should be prosecuted. Sen. Durbin: But if a person came to this border, seeking asylum— Cissna: Mm-hmm. Sen. Durbin: —is that person per se a criminal? Cissna: If they cross illegally, yes. Sen. Durbin: The premise was they presented themselves. Cissna: If they present themselves at the port of entry, no. 57:58 Senator Mazie Hirono (HI): So there are two ways that 1325 violations can proceed: either as a civil matter, which is what was happening with the Obama administration, that did not require separating children from their parents; or you can go the criminal route, and this administration have chosen the criminal route. Isn’t that correct? Lee Francis Cissna: Well, I would have to defer to DOJ on the appropriate interpretation of 1325, but as I read it, it looks like a misdemeanor to me, and, therefore, would be a criminal— Sen. Hirono: Well, I’m reading the statute right here, and it says that it can be considered as a civil penalty’s provision; under civil, not criminal. That’s what the plain meaning of that section says to me that I’m reading right now. So, this administration has chosen to follow the criminal route, and that is the excuse, or that is the rationale, being given for why children have to be separated at the border. Now, you did not have to go that route, and in fact, from your testimony, you sound really proud that this administration has a zero-tolerance policy that is resulting in children being separated from their parents. Am I reading you wrong? You think that this is a perfectly—humane route to go to implement Section 1325? Cissna: It’s the law. I’m proud of it, yeah. Sen. Hirono: No, the law, this law allows for a civil process, and you are attributing _____(01:27). Cissna: I’m not sure that interpretation is correct, and I would, again, defer to DOJ for the final answer. 1:10:30 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: So, asylum seekers. They’re often refugees, correct? Lee Francis Cissna: Asylum seekers fall into the same definition of refugee at 101(a) (42), yeah. Sen. Whitehouse: Yep. And they often have very little in the way of resources, they’re often frightened, correct? Cissna: Yes. Sen. Whitehouse: Very few have legal degrees or are familiar with the United States’ immigration law, correct? Cissna: Yes. Sen. Whitehouse: And so if you’re a lost and frightened refugee and you see the U.S. border and you think, ah, this is my chance to get across to safety—which has long been something that our country’s been associated with—there could be a perfectly innocent reason for crossing the border in that location. And in that circumstance, would it not be perfectly reasonable for immigration officials who intercept them to say, “Ah, you seem to be a legitimate asylum seeker; you’re just in the wrong place. We’ll take you to the port of entry, and you can join the other asylum seekers at the port of entry”? But to arrest them and separate them from their children is a different choice, correct? Cissna: Well, I think if the person is already at that point where they’re apprehended and making their asylum case known, they’ve already crossed into the country illegally. If they’ve already crossed the border and made their asylum claim, they’ve already violated the law. They violated 1325. They’re here illegally. Sen. Whitehouse: Because they crossed in the wrong place. Cissna: Correct. Sen. Whitehouse: And they may not know that it’s illegal to cross in the wrong place, correct? They may simply be coming here because they’re poor and frightened and seeking safety, and for a long time, that’s what the United States has been a symbol of, has it not? Cissna: I cannot get into the minds of the people that are crossing the border illegally, but it seems to be— Sen. Whitehouse: But it is a clear possibility that there could be an innocent explanation for crossing the border as an asylum seeker at a place other than an established port of entry. Cissna: There might be. *Sen. Whitehouse: Okay. There you go. Cissna: Maybe. 1:36:13 Senator Chuck Grassley (IA): Do you think the administration would support repeal of Flores? Lee Francis Cissna: That is indeed one of the things that Secretary Nielsen spoke about yesterday, repeal Flores, but also you need to give ICE enough funds to be able to hold the family units once you’ve repealed Flores. Briefing: White House Daily Briefing, Immigration Official on Border Security and Migrant Family Separation, C-SPAN, June 18, 2018. Hearing: Central American Immigrants and Border Security, House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, C-SPAN, May 22, 2018. Witnesses: Ronald Vitiello - Acting Deputy Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection Lee Francis Cissna - Director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services Thomas Homan - Acting Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement   15:10 Ronald Vitiello: In accordance with the Department of Justice zero-tolerance policy, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen has directed CBP to refer all illegal border crossers for criminal prosecution. CBP will enforce immigration laws set forth by Congress. No classes or categories of aliens are exempt from enforcement. 15:48 Ronald Vitiello: The effort and hours used to detain, process, care for, hold UACs and family units distracts our law-enforcement-officer deployments, shrinks our capability to control the border, and make the arrest of smugglers and drug traffickers and criminals much more difficult. 37:40 Ronald Vitiello: Between the ports, we’re now referring anybody that crosses the border illegally—so, Border Patrol’s referring 100% of the people that cross the border illegally—to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution. At the ports, that’s not an illegal act if they come under the same conditions, but the verification of family relationships is essentially the same in both instances. Representative Filemon Vela (TX): So, with this new policy in place, at the point that you’re in a situation where you decide to separate the families, where do the minors go? Vitiello: The decision is to prosecute 100%. If that happens to be a family member, then HHS would then take care of the minor as an unaccompanied child. 39:58 Thomas Homan: As far as the detention capacity, we’re well aware of that. We’re working with U.S. marshals and DOJ on identifying available detention space. I got my staff working on that, along with the department and DOJ, so I think it’ll be addressed. We want to make sure we don’t get back to catch and release, so we’re identifying available beds throughout the country that we can use. As far as the question on HHS, under the Homeland Security Act 2002, we’re required, both the Border Patrol and ICE, to release unaccompanied children to HHS within 72 hours. So, we simply—once they identify within that 72 hours a bed someplace in the country, our job is to get that child to that bed. Then HHS, their responsibility is to reunite that child sometime with a parent and make sure that child gets released to a sponsor that’s being vetted. 41:33 Thomas Homan: If they show up at a port of entry made through asylum claims, they won’t be prosecuted, and they won’t be separated. The department has no policy just to separate families for a deterrence issue. I mean, they’re separating families for two reasons. Number one, they can’t prove the relationship—and we’ve had many cases where children had been trafficked by people that weren’t their parents, and we’re concerned about the child. The other issues are when they’re prosecuted, then they’re separated. 1:39:44 Representative Martha McSally (AZ): To summarize, some of those loopholes that we have been working together with you to close, the first is to raise the standard of the initial asylum interview that happens at the border, which is so low that nearly everybody can make it through. The second is to hold individuals as long as it takes for them to have due process in order to process their claim. The third is to make it inadmissible in our country if you are a serious criminal or gang or a gang member or a terrorist, which I cannot believe isn’t a part of the law, but we actually have to change that law. The fourth is to have a swift removal of you if you are denied in your claim. The fifth is to terminate your asylum, if you were to get it, if you return back to your country without any material change in the conditions there. Clearly, if you’re afraid for your life but you go back to visit, then something’s not right there, so your asylum should be considered for termination. The sixth is that there could be an expeditious return of unaccompanied minors to non-contiguous countries so that we can swiftly return them just like we can to Mexico. And the last is to increase the penalties for false asylum claims in order to deter and hold people accountable if they file for those. Is that a good summary of many of the loopholes we’re talking about today? Ronald Vitiello: Agree. Yes. Rep. McSally: Thank you. These all are in our bill, the Secure America’s Future Act. These are common-sense reforms that will keep our country safe and keep our communities safe, and I just want to encourage—don’t have any members left here—all members on both sides of the aisle, look at our bill, read our bill, study our bill. Hearing: Stopping the Daily Border Caravan: Time to Build a Policy Wall, Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee, Homeland Security Committee, May 22, 2018. Hearing: Homeland Security and Immigration, C-SPAN, May 15, 2018. Witness: Kirstjen Nielsen - Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security   14:00 Kirstjen Nielsen: If you try to enter our country without authorization, you’ve broken the law. The attorney general has declared that we will have zero tolerance for all illegal border crossings, and I stand by that. Anyone crossing the border illegally or filing a fraudulent asylum claim will be detained, referred for criminal prosecution, and removed from the United States, as appropriate. 36:45 Senator John Hoeven (ND): You know, when you do detain, apprehend, unaccompanied children coming across the border, as well as others, what are you doing to try to address the adjudication process, which is such a bottleneck in terms of trying to address this issue? You know, I know you’re short there. What can you do and what are you doing to try to adjudicate these individuals? Kirstjen Nielsen: So, as I continue to find out every day, our immigration process is very complex, as you well know, and involves many, many departments. What we’ve tried to do is look at it from an end-to-end approach. So in the example you just gave, there’s actually about three or four different processes that those groups would undertake. So in some cases we need additional immigration judges—DOJ’s working on that. In some cases we need additional processes and agreements with other parts of the interagency family—we’ve done that, for example, with HHS to make sure that we’re appropriately taking care of UACs in their custody. And then there’s other parts who, depending on if they’re referred for prosecution, we hand them over to the marshals—we want to make sure that that’s a process that works. And then in some cases we use alternates to detention. As you know, rather than detaining them, we will have check-ins; in some cases, ankle bracelets; but other ways to make sure that we have them detained while they’re awaiting their removal proceedings. Sen. Hoeven: Is that working? Nielsen: It does work. It does work. It’s a good combination. We do it on a case-by-case basis. There’s lots of criteria that we look at to determine when that’s appropriate and when that’s not appropriate. But, again, I think it’s some of the opening remarks perhaps the chairman made, if you look at UACs, 66% of those who receive final orders, receive the final orders purely because they never showed up for court. And we find that we’re only able to remove 3.5% of those who should be removed, who a judge has said has a final. So, if we can track them, it’s a much more efficient process while we wait for the final adjudication. 55:58 Senator Kamala Harris (CA): I also asked that I be provided with what training and procedures are being given to CBP officers as it relates to how they are instructed to carry out family separation. I’ve not received that information. Do you have that today? Kirstjen Nielsen: No. You have not asked me for it, so I do not have it, but— Sen. Harris: No, I asked you for it. Nielsen: —I’m happy to give it to you. Sen. Harris: Okay. So, again, by the end of next week, please. Nielsen: Can you explain a little more what you’re looking for? Sen. Harris: Sure. So, your agency will be separating children from their parents, and I would assume— Nielsen: No. What we’ll be doing is prosecuting parents who’ve broken the law, just as we do every day in the United States of America. Sen. Harris: I can appreciate that, but if that parent has a four-year-old child, what do you plan on doing with that child? Nielsen: The child, under law, goes to HHS for care and custody. Sen. Harris: They will be separated from their parent. Answer my question. Nielsen: Just like we do in the United States every day. Sen. Harris: So, they will be separated from their parent. And my question, then, is, when you are separating children from their parents, do you have a protocol in place about how that should be done? And are you training the people who will actually remove a child from their parent on how to do that in the least-traumatic way? I would hope you do train on how to do that. And so the question is, and the request has been, to give us the information about how you are training and what the protocols are for separating a child from their parent. Nielsen: I’m happy to provide you with the training information. Sen. Harris: Thank you. 57:25 Senator Kamala Harris (CA): And what steps are being taken, if you can tell me, to ensure that once separated, parent and child, that there will be an opportunity to at least sustain communication between the parent and their child? Kirstjen Nielsen: The children are at HHS, but I’m happy to work with HHS to get you an answer for that. 1:57:50 Senator Kamala Harris (CA): Regarding detention conditions. Secretary, are you aware that multiple federal oversight bodies, such as the OIG and the GAO, have documented medical negligence of immigrants in the detention system, in particular that ICE has reported 170 deaths in their custody since 2003? Are you familiar with that? Kirstjen Nielsen: No, ma’am. Sen. Harris: Are you aware that they also found that pregnant women in particular receive insufficient medical attention while in custody, resulting in dehydration and even miscarriages? Nielsen: I do not believe that is a current assessment of our detention facilities. Sen. Harris: Okay. Can you please submit to this committee a current assessment? Nielsen: Yeah, I’m happy to. Sen. Harris: On that point? Nielsen: So, we provide neonatal care. We do pregnancy screening from ages 15 to 56. We provide outside specialists should you seek it. We do not detain any women past their third trimester. Once they enter their third trimester, we provide them separate housing. So, yes, we’re happy to detail all of the things we do to take good care of them. Sen. Harris: And did you submit that to the OIG in response to their findings? Nielsen: We have been in—yes, of course—working in conjunction with the OIG. I’m not sure exactly what the date is of the OIG report that you’re referencing, but I will look into it after this. Sen. Harris: Okay. And then also, between fiscal year ’12 and March of 2018, it’s our understanding—before I go on—the OIG report is from December of this past year, 2017. So it’s very recent. Five months ago? Also between FY ’12 and March 2018, ICE received, according to these reports, 1,448 allegations of sexual abuse in detention facilities, and only a small percent of these claims have been investigated by DHS, OIG. Are you familiar with that? Nielsen: I’m not familiar with that number, no. News Report: Raw Video: Sessions Says 'Zero Tolerance' for Illegal Border Crossings, CBS Local San Francisco, May 7, 2018. Attorney General Jeff Sessions Today we are here to send a message to the world: we are not going to let this country be overwhelmed. People are not going to caravan or otherwise stampede our border. We need legality and integrity in the system. That’s why the Department of Homeland Security is now referring 100 percent of illegal Southwest Border crossings to the Department of Justice for prosecution. And the Department of Justice will take up those cases. I have put in place a “zero tolerance” policy for illegal entry on our Southwest border. If you cross this border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. It’s that simple. Attorney General Jeff Sessions - In order to carry out these important new enforcement policies, I have sent 35 prosecutors to the Southwest and moved 18 immigration judges to the border. These are supervisory judges that don’t have existing caseloads and will be able to function full time on moving these cases. That will be about a 50 percent increase in the number of immigration judges who will be handling the asylum claims." Hearing: Oversight of HHS and DHS Efforts to Protect Unaccompanied Alien Children from Human Trafficking and Abuse, U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, April 26, 2018. Witnesses:  James McCament - Deputy Under Secretary of the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans at the Dept. of Homeland Security Steven Wagner - Acting Assistant Secratary for Administration for Children and Facilities at the Dept. of Health and Human Services Kathryn Larin - Director of Education, Workforce, and Income Security Team at the U.S. Government Accountability Office   15:47 Senator Rob Portman (OH): In 2015, I learned the story of eight unaccompanied minors from Guatemala who crossed our southern border. A ring of human traffickers had lured them to the United States. They’d actually gone to Guatemala and told their parents that they would provide them education in America and to pay for the children’s smuggling debt. The parents actually gave the traffickers the deeds to their homes. And the traffickers retained those until the children could work off that debt, because they weren’t interested in giving them education, it turned out; they were interested in trafficking them. When the children crossed our border, their status, as defined by federal immigration law, was that of an unaccompanied alien child, or a UAC, so you hear the term UAC used today. The Department of Homeland Security picked them up, and following protocol, transferred them to Department of Health and Human Services. HHS was then supposed to place these children with sponsors who would keep them safe until they could go through the appropriate immigration legal proceedings. That’s practice. That didn’t happen. What did happen is that HHS released these children back into the custody of those human traffickers without vetting them. Let me repeat. HHS actually placed these children back in the hands the traffickers. The traffickers then took them to an egg farm in Marion, Ohio, where these children lived in squalid conditions and were forced to work 12 hours a day, six, seven days a week, for more than a year. The traffickers threatened the children and their families with physical harm and even death if the children didn’t perform these long hours. This subcommittee investigated. We found HHS didn’t do background checks on the sponsors. HHS didn’t respond to red flags that should have alerted them to problems with the sponsors. For example, HHS missed that a group of sponsors were collecting multiple UACs, not just one child but multiple children. HHS didn’t do anything when a social worker provided help for one of those children, or tried to at least, and the sponsor turned the social worker away. During the investigation, we held a hearing in January 2016—so this goes back a couple years—where HHS committed to do better, understanding that this was a major problem. 2016, of course that was during the Obama administration, so this has gone on through two administrations now. HHS committed to clarifying the Department of Homeland Security and HHS responsibilities for protecting these children. HHS and DHS entered into a three-page memorandum of agreement, which said that the agencies recognized they should ensure that these unaccompanied alien children weren’t abused or trafficked. The agreement said the agencies would enter into a detailed joint concept of operations—so an agreement that’d actually lay out their responsibilities—that would spell out what the agencies would do to fix the problems. HHS and DHS gave themselves a deadline of February 2017 to have this joint concept of operations pulled together. That seemed like plenty of time to do it, but it wasn’t done, and that was over a year ago, February 2017. It’s now April 2018. We don’t have that joint concept of operations—so-called JCO—and despite repeated questions from Senator Carper and from me as well as our staffs over the past year, we don’t have any answers about why we don’t have the joint concept of operations. In fact, at a recent meeting a DHS official asked our investigators why we even cared about a JCO, why. And let me be clear: we care about the JCO because we care that we have a plan in place to protect these kids when they are in government custody. We care because the Government Accountability Office has said that DHS has sent children to the wrong facility because of miscommunications with HHS, and because of other concerns. We care because the agencies themselves thought it was important enough to set a deadline for the JCO but then blew past that date. We care because these kids, regardless of immigration status, deserve to be properly treated, not abused or trafficked. We learned at 4 p.m. yesterday that 13 days ago there was an additional memorandum of agreement reached between the two agencies. We requested and finally received a copy of that new agreement at midnight last night. It’s not the JCO that we’ve been waiting for, but it is a more general statement of how information will be shared between the two agencies. Frankly, we had assumed this information was already being shared and maybe it was, and it’s positive that we have this additional memorandum—that’s great. It’s nice that this hearing motivated that to happen, but it’s not the JCO we’ve all been waiting for. 45:05 Kathryn Larin: In 2015, we reported that the interagency process to refer unaccompanied children from DHS to ORR shelters was inefficient and vulnerable to error. We recommended that DHS and HHS develop a joint collaborative process for the referral and placement of unaccompanied children. In response, the agencies recently developed a memorandum of agreement that provides a framework for coordinating responsibilities. However, it is still under review and has not yet been implemented. 1:27:34 Senator Heidi Heitkamp (ND): It’s HHS. This is not a new problem. We’ve been at this a long time. Where are these kids, why don’t we know where they are, and how come after months of investigation by this committee we don’t seem to be getting any better answers, Mr. Wagner? Steven Wagner: The answer to your question depends on what sort of timeframe you’re talking about. If you’re talking about the 30 days after release to a sponsor that we have determined to be qualified to provide for the care and safety and wellbeing of the kid, I think in the vast majority, I think we’re getting pretty close to 100% of those cases we know where they are. When you’re talking about as time goes on, things change. Yes, kids run away. No, we do not have a capacity for tracking down runaway UACs who leave their sponsors. Sen. Heitkamp: What do you think would happen in the IV-E program—the IV-E program is a federally sponsored funding for foster care that the states access to pay for foster-care kids. That’s IV-E. In order to get that money, you have to be a responsible state and know. What would happen, do you think, with IV-E dollars in a state that said, you know, we know where they are. We turned them over to a foster parent. We didn’t do any—I mean, as we know, not a lot of home visits, not a lot of followup. And if they ran away, we don’t know. What do you think you guys would do with the IV-E program in a state that had that kind of response? Wagner: Senator, you’re constructing an additional legal responsibility, which, in our view, does not currently exist with the UAC program. Our legal responsibility is to place these children in suitable households. In the IV-E program— Sen. Heitkamp: And then forget about. Wagner: —it would be a crisis. And there is—every state has a child-protective service agency to deal with those situations. We don’t have that apparatus. Sen. Heitkamp: And so if they—and you have no intention of creating that apparatus. You have no intention of having a database—I do need to understand where you think your lines of jurisdiction are. So you have no intention of ever trying to solve the problem of, here we gave the kid to the guy who said he was her uncle. We gave them to the uncle, and we found that was okay. And now we told the state maybe, or we didn’t tell the state, and good luck to that 15-year-old who went to her uncle. Wagner: I don’t agree with your characterization of the decision-making process. However, you know, this is an expensive program. Our duty is to execute the will of Congress and the president, which we will do faithfully. Sen. Heitkamp: Well, I think our duty is— Wagner: If you tell us you want us to track down— Sen. Heitkamp: I think our duty is a little more humanitarian than that, but can you tell me that in every case you notify the state agency that you have placed a minor in the custody of a suitable sponsor? Wagner: No, Senator. Sen. Heitkamp: Yeah. Wagner: It’s not our procedure to place state— Sen. Heitkamp: But you’re telling me that the backdrop—you’re telling me that the backdrop, the protection for that kid now falls on the state, even though you don’t even give the state the courtesy of telling them where they are. 1:51:28 Senator Rob Portman (OH): Let me back up for a second if I could and talk about what I said at the outset which is this hearing is an opportunity for us to try to get more accountability in the system and to tighten up the loose ends, and we’ve heard so many today, the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing. And, of course, the focus has been on this joint concept of operations. Because of that, we’ve been working on this with you all for 26 months, over two years. And, again, you promised in your own memorandum of agreement that you would have that completed over a year ago, and still, as of today, it’s not completed. I appreciate that Mr. Wagner said that—and true, at midnight last night we received this additional memorandum of agreement, and I do think information sharing is a good thing, but what we’re looking for is what I thought you were looking for, which is an understanding of how this is actually going to operate and who’s accountable. Because we don’t know who’s responsible and accountable and what the plans are, it’s impossible for us to do our oversight and for us in the end of the day to be sure that this system is working properly for the kids but also for immigration system. So I would ask you today, it’s been 14 months since you promised it, do you have it with you today? Yes or no. Mr. McCament? James McCament: I do not have it with me, ______(01:11). Sen. Portman: Mr. Wagner. Steven Wagner: No, sir. Sen. Portman: Okay. What’s your commitment to getting this done now? So we’re 26 months into it. We’ve over a year past your previous commitment. What’s your commitment you’re going to make to us today as to when this joint concept of operations agreement will be completed? Mr. McCament. McCament: Mr. Chairman, when—being apprised and learning about the significant amount of time, we will be ready as partnership with HHS. As soon as we look at, receive the draft back, we’ll work as expeditiously as possible. I know that that is not to the extent of a time line, but I will tell you that we are ready, and we want to partner actively. You are correct that the MOA is part of that commitment—it is not all. The JCO memorializes our procedures that we already do, but it does not have them collated in one place. Work as expeditiously as possible _____(02:07). Sen. Portman: You make it sound so simple, and you’re also pointing the finger at your colleague here, which has been our problem. McCament: _____(02:15) Sen. Portman: Mr. Wagner, give me a timeframe. Wagner: Sir, we have to incorporate the new MOA in the draft JCO. Honestly, we are months away, but I promise to work diligently to bring it to a conclusion. 1:57:15 Senator Rob Portman (OH): Okay, we learned this morning that about half, maybe up to 58%, of these kids who are being placed with sponsors don’t show up at the immigration hearings. I mean, they just aren’t showing up. So when a sponsor signs the sponsorship agreement, my understanding is they commit to getting these children to their court proceedings. Is that accurate, Mr. Wagner? Steven Wagner: That is accurate. And in addition, they go through the orientation on responsibilities of custodians. Sen. Portman: So, when a child does not show up, HHS has an agreement with the sponsor that has been violated, and HHS, my understanding, is not even notified if the child fails to show up to the proceedings. Is that accurate? Wagner: That is accurate, Senator. Sen. Portman: So you have an agreement with the sponsor. They have to provide this agreement with you, HHS. The child doesn’t show up, and you’re not even notified. So I would ask you, how could you possibly enforce the commitment that you have, the agreement that you have, with the sponsor if you don’t have that information? Wagner: I think you’re right. We have no mechanism for enforcing the agreement if they fail to show up for the hearing. Hearing: Immigration Court System, Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security, C-SPAN, April 18, 2018. Hearing: Strengthening and Reforming America's Immigration Court System, Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration, April 18, 2018. Witnesses: James McHenry - Director of the Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review   2:42 Senator John Cornyn (TX): Earlier administrations, both Republican and Democrat, have struggled with how to reduce the case backlogs in the immigration courts. And, unfortunately, Congress has never provided the full extent of immigration judges and support staff truly needed to eliminate the backlogs. As a result, backlogs continue to grow, from 129,000 cases in fiscal 1998 to a staggering 684,000 as of February 2018. 3:27 Senator John Cornyn (TX): Aliens in removal proceedings sometimes wait for years before they ever appear before an immigration judge. For example, as of February 2018 courts in Colorado have the longest time for cases sitting on their docket more than 1,000 days—almost three years. In my home state of Texas, the current wait is 884 days—almost two and a half years. 7:06 Senator Dick Durbin (IL): The Fifth Amendment to the Bill of Rights contains the Constitution’s due-process clause. Let me quote it. “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.” This language about due process actually dates its lineage to the Magna Carta. Please note: the due-process clause extends these critical protections to a “person,” not to a citizen. And the Supreme Court has consistently held that its protection—due-process protection—extends to all persons in the United States. The Court said expressly in Plyler v. Doe, “Aliens, even aliens whose presence in this country is unlawful, have long been recognized as ‘persons’ guaranteed due process of law by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.” 9:23 Senator Dick Durbin (IL): Today, 334 immigration judges face 680,000 pending cases. This backlog has grown by 145,000 cases just since President Trump was sworn into office. 28:45 James McHenry: A typical immigration court proceeding has two stages, or two parts. The first is the determination of removability. The Department of Homeland Security brings charges and allegations that an alien has violated the immigration laws. The judge—the immigration judge—first has to determine whether that charge is sustained, and that will be based on the factual allegations that are brought, so the judge will make determinations on that. If there is a finding that the alien is removable, then the case proceeds to a second phase. If the judge finds the alien is not removable, then the case is terminated. At the second phase, the immigration judge gives the alien an opportunity to apply for any protection or relief from removal that he or she may be eligible for under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This will involve the setting of a separate hearing at which the respondent may present evidence, they may present witnesses, they have the right to cross-examine witnesses brought by the department, and they will bring up whatever factual bases there is for their claim of relief or protection. At the end of that hearing, the immigration judge will assess the evidence, will asses the testimony, will look at the law, and will render a decision. The judge may either grant the application, in which case the respondent will get to remain in the United States. The judge may deny the application but give the respondent an opportunity to voluntarily depart at their own expense and sometimes after paying a bond, or the immigration judge may order the alien removed. 41:50 Senator Mike Lee (UT): I believe you recently testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee that it would take about 700 immigration judges in order to be able to address the backlog and address the current case load. Is that correct? James McHenry: Yeah, last fall the president proposed adding additional immigration judges, up to a number of 700. If we can get 700 on board, especially with our performance measures, we could complete over 450,000 cases a year. That would eviscerate the backlog. Sen. Lee: So, 700 would do it. McHenry: Based on the current numbers, it would certainly go a very long way toward eliminating it, yes. Sen. Lee: How many do you have right now? McHenry: We have 334 on board. Currently, we’re authorized, based on the recent omnibus spending bill, for up to 484. Even getting to that number would allow us to begin completing more cases than new receipts that we have in. Sen. Lee: How long does that normally take? My understanding is that between 2011 and 2016 it was taking about two years to hire a typical immigration judge. Is that still the case? McHenry: No. We have reduced that average. The attorney general issued a new hiring process memo to streamline the process last April. In using that process, we’ve put out five advertisements since the end of June for up to 84 positions in total. The first of those advertisements closed at the end of June last year. We expect to bring on the first judges from that advertisement in May, which will be right at approximately 10 months, and we anticipate bringing on the rest of them in July, which will be right at one year. And we think we can get to a stage where we are bringing on judges in eight months, 10 months, 12 months—a year at the most. Community Suggestions See more Community Suggestions HERE. Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)  

The ACLU of Illinois speaks with Ashley Huebner, the Managing Attorney for the National Immigrant Justice Center’s Asylum Project, for updates on the ongoing immigration crisis. Then we chat with Kelly and Miguel Cervantes - Kelly is active on the Executive Committee of the ACLU of Illinois Next Generation Society and Miguel currently plays Alexander Hamilton in HAMILTON in Chicago.

This week issa season finale! We’re taking a much needed break to regroup and come back betta than eva! Stay tuned for updates and we’ll be back with new episodes mid-August! In the meantime for “Currento Eventos” this week we’re talking about the murder of Lesandro Guzman Feliz here in the Bronx, the continuing violence of family separation at the border, the firing of political cartoonist from a Pittsburg newspaper, and the anniversary of the Charleston mass shooting. For “What’s Your Baggage” we’re discussing the death of XXXtentacion and the complete disregard for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in our society. In “Put It In Your Bag” Lina talks about Queen Sugar and the Claremont Documentary Project and Estephanie talks about the crying she did while watching Queer Eye Season 2! Finally for our last #PRIDE rotating theme we talk about the songs we loooove to hear at the queer function! We wrap up with an affirmation for summer! Use #UnpackBG to let us know what your summer goals are!! SEND US YOUR SELFIES! We wanna celebrate everyone’s selfies as revolutionary so send us your selfies to be featured on our instagram along with your name, and why selfies are revolutionary to you! As always thank you for listening and you can find all our links below! Comment, subscribe, leave an Itunes review, and tell a friend! You can listen to us on soundcloud, Itunes, and Googleplay! Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/bgladies Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bgladiez/id1073190648?mt=2 Google Play:http://bit.ly/2D7bSJ5 You can Follow us @: Twitter: Bag_Ladiez Tumblr: bgladiez.tumblr.com Instagram: BgLadiez Gmail: bgladiez@gmail.com #JusticeForJunior: https://7ny.tv/2MWVaS1 Trauma of separating families: http://bit.ly/2lvPYI6 Cartoonist Fired: http://bit.ly/2KjaJle Remembering the Charleston 9: http://bit.ly/2K5Avgy XxxTentacion’s death: http://bit.ly/2tvh4nb Organizations raising money to support families and people at the border: Raices: https://www.raicestexas.org/ Pueblo Sin Frontera: http://www.pueblosinfronteras.org/ Together Rising: https://togetherrising.org/ Al Otro Lado: https://alotrolado.org/ The Florence Project: https://firrp.org/ Texas Civil Rights Project: http://texascivilrightsproject.org/ Border Angels: https://www.borderangels.org/ Neta: https://netargv.com/ Fronteriza Fianza Fund: https://www.fianzafund.org/ National Immigrant Justice Center: http://www.immigrantjustice.org/ Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center: http://las-americas.org/

Season 2, Episode 41 - Kate Melloy Goettel, JD Dan Sterenchuk and Tommy Estlund are honored to have as our guest, Kate Melloy Goettel, JD. Kate is a senior litigation attorney at the National Immigrant Justice Center, and is wife to Bryan, and mother to Adelaide (5) and Rowan (3). She resides in the Chicago suburbs where she enjoys playing a smattering of musical instruments (none very well), ruminating on the Supreme Court (nerd alert!), playing competitive UNO with her husband and kids, half listening to her husband go on and on about his love of the Cubs (sorry, hon!), and much more attentively listening to NPR. Kate grew up in Iowa and went to college there before being drawn to the balmy climate of the Federated States of Micronesia, where she was a Peace Corps Volunteer. After her stint in Micronesia, she went to law school at the University of Iowa. Before joining the National Immigrant Justice Center in 2017, Kate spent almost eight years at the Department of Justice's Office of Immigration Litigation, where she practiced in nearly 40 federal district courts, seven courts of appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Note: guests write their own podcast bios. Visit website of the National Immigrant Justice Center here: http://www.immigrantjustice.org The Curiosity Hour Podcast is hosted and produced by Dan Sterenchuk and Tommy Estlund. Please join our Facebook Group, The Curiosity Hour Podcast, to continue the discussion about this episode online: www.facebook.com/groups/thecuriosityhourpodcast/ If you have any guest suggestions, comments, or feedback, please email us at guestsuggestions@thecuriosityhourpodcast.com. Disclaimers: The Curiosity Hour Podcast may contain content not suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion advised. The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are solely those of the guest(s). These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of The Curiosity Hour Podcast. This podcast may contain explicit language. Notes: The brief music at the beginning and end of the podcast is the track, "Trail" on the album "Trail EP" by Nobara Hayakawa. We are using under creative commons license. The artist/publisher does not endorse or approve any of the content of this podcast. freemusicarchive.org/music/Nobara_Hayakawa/