SOCIAL JUSTICE BLOG
Read and share the extraordinary stories from the frontlines of social change
Nationwide Class Action Affirms Immigrants’ Rights to their A-Files
This litigation has yielded an unprecedented victory. On December 17, 2020, Judge Orrick issued an order vindicating immigrants’ right to timely receive their A-Files. Finding an “unmistakable history of failing to make timely determinations on A-File FOIA requests,” the court granted declaratory relief that USCIS, ICE, and DHS have a pattern or practice of violating FOIA’s statutory deadlines. This violation, the court wrote, “undermines the fairness of immigration proceedings, particularly for the vast number of noncitizens who navigate our immigration system without assistance of counsel.” Recognizing the need for enforceable and longstanding relief, the court permanently enjoined USCIS, ICE, and DHS from further violations, and ordered defendants to reduce the backlog of A-File FOIA requests within sixty days and release quarterly compliance reports.
Don't Despair: Litigate! The Legal Community’s Response to the Family Separation Crisis & How You Can Take Action.
The response of civil and human rights advocates has been strategic litigation to remind those in power that they cannot do that, that there is a rule of law, and that it will be enforced.
Jeff Sessions Just Drew a Line Between Parent & Child, but What About You?
Jeff Sessions stood behind a podium—the welcoming blue of the Pacific glittering behind him, a gentle breeze ruffling his hair—and vowed to separate children from their parents. Directing his words to families immigrating across the southern border of the United States, he said, “If you are smuggling a child then we will prosecute you, and that child will be separated from you.” Separating children from their parents—unless absolutely necessary as in the case of abuse—is an immoral act.
Isabel's Story: Justice In The Face of Wage Theft
After a few weeks, all of us working on the night cleaning shift realized there were problems. The man who hired us stopped coming to work and did not pay us on time. When we tried to contact him, he refused to answer our calls. A supervisor from another company came and told us to keep working, promising that we would be paid. We were all eager to keep working and earning money, but the pay checks weren’t coming...
Border Patrol "Ice-Boxes" Are Inhumane
Landmark Settlement for Asylum Seeker Detained by Customs and Border Protection paves way for changes to system
“I was forced to leave my home country after receiving threats from a man who had held me hostage and assaulted me. I was sure he would kill me. I had a stable career but knew the only place I could be safe was the US. I walked through the desert for two days. I was desperate to get to a hospital because I am diabetic and have heart problems.
Immigrant Injustice: It Started as a Normal Day at Work...
It started as a normal day at work. I was a cashier at Lam’s Supermarket. One minute, I was ringing up someone’s purchases; the next I looked up and there were Sheriff’s deputies everywhere. I didn’t know what was going on but I could tell something was wrong and texted my mom to tell her that the police were there. The deputies came over to handcuff me, take my phone and my purse away. I couldn’t stop crying and no one would explain to me what was happening.
Their Day in Court: Obtaining Justice for New Mexico’s Poorest Workers
Robert was attacked by a bull while working at the dairy where he had been employed for seven years. His injuries left him permanently disabled. He had no health insurance and no workers’ compensation. In almost constant pain, he could not work. Although his wife began working three jobs, they still lost their home. Two years later, the strain broke up their family. Robert became homeless and estranged from his children.