Greetings,

As we bear witness to the violence and atrocities occurring in Ukraine, we are reminded once again that borders are inherently violent, and that Black and brown people are disproportionately impacted by this violence.
 
At the National Immigration Project, these cruel truths fuel our work and push us to ensure that the fight for immigrant rights is one and the same with the fight for racial justice. Through our ongoing litigation, advocacy, and education, we strive to create a world where every person is treated with dignity and able to live and move freely. Read on for some highlights of our recent work.
Calling on DOJ to Investigate Operation Lone Star
On Wednesday, February 23rd, the National Immigration Project joined a coalition of Texas and national organizations to submit a supplemental Title VI discrimination complaint urging the U.S. Department of Justice to take immediate action in light of Operation Lone Star's recent expansion. The National Immigration Project also participated in a digital action to raise awareness about the supplemental complaint and the racist and unlawful program.
Register Now! Spring 2022 CLE: Hot Topics in Removal Defense and Asylum Law
Join us on Tuesday, March 22 and Wednesday, March 23 for a virtual seminar on hot topics in removal defense and asylum law. Groups of 5 to 10 are eligible for a 10% discount and groups of 11 or more are eligible for a 15% discount. The last day to register is Monday, March 21st!

Now Hiring: Legal Interns
We are now accepting applications for legal interns! Legal interns are exposed to a wide range of legal research and writing projects, including amicus briefs, pleadings in affirmative lawsuits, client declarations, practice advisories, legislative analysis, legal memoranda, advocacy letters, FOIA requests, and comments on proposed immigration regulations. Interns also assist with outreach and advocacy work.
National Immigration Project Merchandise is Here!
Visit our new swag shop to find NIPNLG branded merchandise, such as sweaters, water bottles, mugs, and more! For a limited time, items featuring the beautiful NIPNLG illustration by Violeta Rotstein are also available!
A Monumental Decision in Santos Garcia Litigation:
In the summer of 2020, almost everyone detained at the Farmville Detention Center in Virginia became infected with COVID-19 after ICE recklessly transferred 74 people from detention centers in Florida and Arizona into Farmville. Following the outbreak, NIPNLG, Legal Aid Justice Center, and Gibson Dunn sued ICE and the facility. After winning an injunction preventing ICE from bringing new people into the facility, several rounds of health inspections, and a settlement with the local Farmville defendants, the federal government filed a motion to dismiss the case. After a hearing on February 25, the judge denied the motion to dismiss, allowing most of our clients’ claims to move forward. This monumental decision allows us to continue to litigate the case against ICE with the injunction barring any new transfers into the facility fully in place.

Preventing the Removal of a Maryland Community Member:
In the summer of 2021, Maryland resident Carlo* and his son Juan* discovered that Carlo had been ordered removed by a judge in Colorado. They sought legal help, and after reviewing Carlo’s file, it became clear that the government had made astonishing errors in processing Carlo and his son during the removal proceedings. Under the mentorship of our new Director of Legal Resources & Training Michelle Mendez, a pro bono attorney filed a motion to rescind and reopen his case. In January 2022, the judge granted the motion, stopping Carlo's immediate removal. We are delighted for Carlo and his family, and our staff are continuing to provide mentorship and support to the attorneys working on their asylum immigration applications.

Stopping DHS from Misapplying Res Judicata:
In 2018, NIPNLG filed an amicus brief urging the Sixth Circuit to vacate Matter of Jasso Arangure, 27 I&N Dec. 178 (BIA 2017), which held that res judicata does not apply in removal proceedings involving non-citizens charged with aggravated felony grounds of removability. The Sixth Circuit rejected the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) approach and held that res judicata is always applicable in removal proceedings. On remand, the BIA again misapplied res judicata in Mr. Jasso's case. In June 2020, NIPNLG filed another amicus brief before the Sixth Circuit asking the court to again reject the BIA's holding with respect to Mr. Jasso. The decision violates the fundamental due process rights of non-citizens like Mr. Jasso by effectively allowing DHS to repeatedly bring removal charges against non-citizens even after the agency loses in immigration court. On February 23, 2022, the Sixth Circuit again chastised the Board of Immigration Appeals for allowing DHS to misapply res judicata in Mr. Jasso Arangure's case. The petitioner was represented by the Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic at the University of Minnesota's Law and Russell Abrutyn of Abrutyn Law, PLLC.
March 22-23, 2022: Spring 2022 CLE - Hot Topics in Removal Defense and Asylum Law

May 6-13, 2022: NITA-NIPNLG "Advocacy in Immigration Matters" Training
National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild
2201 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 200 • Washington, DC 20007
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