The Golden Door: April 2022
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CALL TO ACTION: Protect Asylum Seekers' Due Process Rights
The public comment period is open for a proposed rule that would change how asylum claims are processed. The rule proposes that people seeking refuge at the U.S. border have claims decided by asylum officers in a fast-tracked process.
Speeding up the asylum process within such a broken system jeopardizes the due process rights of asylum seekers. Human Rights First and University of Maine School of Law student attorneys explain why this rule is problematic in light of the Lives in Limbo report ILAP and our partners released last month.
Tell the Biden Administration: Asylum seekers deserve a fair chance. Rushing cases through a broken system does not result in justice! Public comments will be accepted until May 31, 2022.
Inhumane Border Policies Continue to Cause Damage Amid Political Battle
Earlier this month, the Biden administration announced plans to finally end expulsions under the racist and inhumane Title 42 policy. However, plans to wind down the policy were temporarily blocked this week by a Trump-appointed federal judge.
Another Trump-era border policy, commonly known as “Remain in Mexico,” was the focus of a case before the Supreme Court this week. The Supreme Court is unlikely to issue a decision until late June and additional legal battles are expected.
In the meantime, these policies are actively restricting the legal right to claim asylum and putting asylum seekers in danger. Beyond being political debates, court cases, and newspaper headlines, these policies life-or-death consequences for immigrant families seeking refuge and freedom from violence. ILAP will continue advocating for a definitive end to both destructive policies.
New ICE Memo Focuses on Dismissing “Non-Priority” Cases
Earlier this month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a memo that directs ICE prosecutors to begin dismissing so-called “non-priority” cases from immigration court. The memo went into effect earlier this week and is an attempt by the Biden administration to reduce the over 1.7 million case backlog.
A welcome reminder that ICE prosecutors can and should exercise discretion, the memo requires prosecutors to differentiate between priority and non-priority cases. However, the memo instructs ICE prosecutors to make decisions based on enforcement guidelines which are problematic and unnecessarily rely on the criminalization of immigrants.
The dismissal of non-priority cases will be beneficial for some, including those eligible for certain humanitarian protections such as immigrant youth who have been abused or abandoned and certain victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. At the same time, the Biden administration must change course on enforcement and move away from its flawed framework that relies on criminalizing immigrants and disproportionately harms immigrants of color.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroon
The Biden administration announced the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroon on April 15. TPS is a critical tool for keeping people safe when natural disaster, conflict or unrest has made a country unsafe for return. Learn more about eligibility for Cameroon TPS here.
ILAP applauds this overdue designation, which is a testament to years-long advocacy by Black immigrant leaders and organizations, such as the Cameroon Advocacy Network, Haitian Bridge Alliance, and others.
ILAP is here to help! Anyone who believes they may be eligible for TPS and wants more information is welcome to reach out to ILAP. Visit ilapmaine.org/get-legal-help for information on how to schedule an intake appointment.
ILAP Wraps Up Mendez Rojas Project, Helping Hundreds of Asylum Seekers
This month was the deadline for asylum seekers to apply for relief under the class action lawsuit Mendez Rojas v. Wolf. This lawsuit provided the rare opportunity for a filing extension for those who were not notified of the important one-year asylum filing deadline by the federal government when entering the U.S.
ILAP launched our Mendez Rojas Project shortly after the settlement was announced in 2020 to help immigrants in Maine take advantage of this opportunity. The initiative, spearheaded by Karen Fox, helped identify immigrants in Maine who were eligible and provided assistance in their immigration cases. ILAP is proud to announce that we were able to help file asylum applications and notices of class membership on behalf of hundreds of Maine immigrants who otherwise would have been barred from seeking asylum.
Resource Roundup: Know Your Rights & Marijuana
Maine (and many other states) have legalized medical marijuana and legalized recreational marijuana possession, use, growing and sales, but marijuana is still illegal under federal immigration law.
If you are not a U.S citizen and are found to have used marijuana, worked in a marijuana business, grown marijuana, or helped another person use marijuana, you can face serious immigration problems.
ILAP has resources in many languages to help noncitizens in Maine stay safe. Click here to learn more!
ILAP Meets with Maine's Congressional Delegation on National Day of Action
ILAP's Managing Attorney Melissa Brennan and Senior Staff Attorney Kate Chesney attended the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) National Day of Action earlier this week.
Melissa and Kate joined other immigration attorneys and advocates from Maine in meetings with our state's Congressional delegation to advocate for a more fair and just immigration system, including protections for refugees and asylum seekers and immigration court reform.
They are pictured here in a virtual meeting with Senator King's office (photo credit: Maiona Immigration Twitter).
ILAP in the News
The Lives in Limbo report co-authored by ILAP was cited in a Human Rights First article and Portland Press Herald op-ed to highlight concerns about the Biden administration's new proposed asylum rule.
An interview with ILAP Board member Arnie Macdonald was featured in Portland Stage's PlayNotes for their production last month of Last Ship to Proxima Centauri. Arnie spoke about ILAP's work, his experience as a pro bono panel member, and Maine's immigrant communities.
ILAP signed onto a letter with more than 75 other organizations calling on the Biden administration to do more to undo the legacy of the Muslim refugee ban.
The Penobscot Bay Pilot reported on recent grants from the Satellite of West Bay Rotary to Maine non-profits, including ILAP. Thanks, Satellite of West Bay Rotary!
Read more on our Press Mentions page!
Local Event Spotlight: Palaver Strings Welcome Here
Palaver Strings is hosting a series called "Welcome Here: Music and Stories of Welcome in Maine" during the first week of May in towns across the state. The performances celebrate the vitality of Maine’s indigenous and immigrant communities through music and storytelling.
Palaver Strings wowed the crowd at ILAP's CeleSoirée 2019 and their new series features long-time ILAP friends Adele Ngoy and Blanca Santiago.
ILAP Celebrates our Community of Supporters
ILAP’s strength comes from our community, and we are so grateful for everyone who works together to make our direct legal services, community education, and systemic advocacy possible.
This month, ILAP hosted a film screening and panel discussion of the film Five Years North to celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month, share gratitude for our community, and come together to discuss how the immigration system impacts children and youth.
Thanks to everyone who joined us! You can check out more about the event here.
Our panel discussion was moderated by Immigrant Children’s Project Attorney Maggie Loeffelholz and featured Teen Services Caseworker Jerome Muhirwa from Preble Street and ILAP attorney Melissa Brennan, who discussed the themes of Five Years North in the Maine context.
2021 Volunteer & Partnership Awards
We are proud to announce our 2021 Volunteer & Partnership Awards! Please join us in congratulating the awardees. Plus, follow along on Facebook this week and next as we share award spotlights.
Business Partner Award:
Noel Paul Stookey and Neworld Multimedia
Community Partners Award:
Catholic Charities of Maine Refugee and Immigration Services
University of Maine School of Law Refugee and Human Rights Clinic
Language Volunteer Award:
Melissa Albert
Anne-Marie Wolf
Development Volunteer of the Year:
Maura Melley
Learning & Engagement Partner Award:
Seth Goldstein with Atlantic Black Box
Outstanding Advocate Award:
Mufalo Chitam
Pro BonoAttorneys of the Year:
Rich Bayer
Robyn March
Supporting Immigrant Youth Award:
Tori Stenbak
Elyse Segovias
Congratulations to the awardees and thank you to everyone who supports our work!