The Golden Door: February 2022
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Join Us for Access to Justice Day
Join us tomorrow, March 1st, for Access to Justice Day to advocate for Maine’s investment in civil legal aid!
Civil legal aid refers to the work ILAP does everyday along with the other incredible legal aid providers around the state.
Maine currently has fewer than 2 legal aid attorneys per 10,000 low-income people, which falls far short of the Justice Index goal of 10 per 10,000. Now is the time to invest in civil legal aid so more people can get the legal help they need to thrive! Read more about the impact and importance of civil legal aid.
CALL TO ACTION:
Maine legislators are considering legislation (LD 1326) that would help bridge the justice gap in Maine by investing in our state’s civil legal aid services. Contact your state representatives to let them know you support civil legal aid and justice for all!
Federal Judge Rules Against Two Trump-era Work Permit Rules
ILAP is thrilled about a federal judge’s ruling this month that eliminates two senseless Trump-era rules that had been delaying and blocking access to work permits for people seeking asylum since 2020. These rules included a mandated wait time of 365 days before asylum applicants could file for a work permit and also resulted in unnecessary work permit denials.
In AsylumWorks v. Mayorkas, a federal judge ruled that at the time the rules were issued, then-Secretary Chad Wolf of the Department of Health & Human Service (DHS) was not lawfully appointed and therefore the rules are unlawful and should not remain in effect. This comes as the latest in a series of overturned rules under Secretary Wolf’s illegal tenure.
We are grateful to the brave people seeking asylum who shared their stories to advance this lawsuit and to the organizations who fought to right these wrongs.
What this Ruling Means for Asylum Seekers:
Asylum applicants can once again apply for an initial work permit after their asylum application has been pending for 150 days. There is no longer a biometrics fee and the work permit application should be processed within 30 days.
This ruling alone cannot fix a systemically backlogged system. Because it may take some time for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to incorporate the necessary changes to the work permit process, it is still recommended that asylum seekers apply for Asylum Seekers Advocacy Project (ASAP) Membership and submit their membership card with their work permit application.
For help completing work authorization forms, contact Hope Acts to make an appointment!
Maine Representatives Push to Speed Up Work Permits for Asylum Seekers
This month’s ruling was a critical and necessary step toward restoring asylum seekers’ right to work, but barriers and delays still remain.
Asylum seekers are eager to work, but for too many, our country’s backlogged and unjust immigration system keeps them from accessing work authorization for months and sometimes years after arriving. Our communities cannot reach their full potential when families are not given the opportunity to provide for themselves and engage in meaningful work.
ILAP is encouraged by the recent bills that have been introduced by Maine's Rep. Chellie Pingree and Senators Angus King and Susan Collins to speed up the work permit process for asylum seekers. Remember, these are only proposed bills that may not become law. We will continue advocating for the right to access stable, safe, and meaningful work for all immigrants!
Future of Public Charge
Last March, the Biden administration dropped its defense of Trump’s cruel public charge regulations, ending the policy. This month, the Biden administration introduced a new proposal that seeks to restore the historical definition of public charge, ensuring noncash public benefits do not negatively impact immigrants applying for a family-based green card or certain visas.
Reminder: It is currently SAFE for immigrants and their families to use health, nutrition, and housing programs they qualify for.
The Biden administration’s proposal is a step toward ensuring immigrant families feel safe accessing the public support they need to thrive and preventing further weaponization of the public charge rule. However, the proposal falls short in re-imagining public charge determinations to clearly exclude other forms of vital local and state support.
The new proposal came shortly before the Supreme Court heard arguments from a group of Republican-led states in a last-ditch effort to defend the former president’s anti-immigrant public charge rule.
Public comment on this new rule is open until April 25. Click here to submit a comment!
ILAP Resources for New Arrivals
The immigration system is difficult to navigate and many recently arrived families in Maine are facing further difficulties because of a new fast-track immigration process called the "dedicated docket." As predicted, this process has resulted in due process violations for immigrants and undue strain for legal aid providers.
ILAP is working to provide information and resources to ensure individuals and families seeking safety in Maine have the resources they need to begin their immigration processes.
We have a resource page on our website currently available in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Lingala. On this page, we have information about:
Checking in with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
First Immigration Court Hearing (Master Calendar)
Dedicated Docket Information
Additional Resources
Local Event Spotlight: UUCB Concerts for a Cause
The UU Church of Brunswick (UUCB) is continuing their Concerts for a Cause series to benefit ILAP and Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program. UUCB's next concert is March 12 at 7:30pm, featuring Pretty Girls Sing Soprano.
UUCB will be limiting ticket sales, providing distanced seating, and asking that all concert goers be masked and fully vaccinated.
Thanks, UUCB, for keeping our communities safe while sharing music and supporting ILAP’s mission! Click here to reserve your tickets or call (207) 729-8515!
ILAP in the News
Senior Project Attorney Jennifer Bailey joined other local leaders on Maine Public Radio’s Maine Calling program to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the many newly arrived families in Maine who are pursuing asylum.
Jennifer Bailey explained the local impact of the immigration back log on Maine Public News Connect, available in French, Spanish, Somali, and Portuguese. You can listen to more translated news here!
ILAP signed on to a letter advocating for the creation of an Afghan Parole Program for Afghans in need of immediate protection and reunification with family.
Read more on our Press Mentions page!
Last Chance to Apply!
ILAP is hiring for two positions:
We will begin reviewing applications today for the Staff Attorney/Accredited Representative and review of applications will begin March 4 for the Policy and Outreach position.
We look forward to reading your applications and growing our team of immigrant advocates! Find a full list of positions and details for applying on our website: https://ilapmaine.org/employment.