The Golden Door: January 2022
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Looking Back on the Biden Administration’s First Year
The Biden administration’s one-year anniversary this month is marked by broken promises and disappointments for many immigrant families and advocates. We are still waiting for the bold immigration changes promised along the campaign trail. Despite immediate positive actions last January, the administration has struggled to follow through, leaving immigrant communities without the protections, rights, and freedoms they deserve.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) recently released a report, Still Striving – The First Year of the Biden Administration, that analyzes the “promises kept, and those left unfulfilled” throughout the administration’s first year in office. Following Biden’s inauguration last January, ILAP also compiled a list of policy priorities and have been tracking progress toward these goals ever since.
ILAP believes a better immigration system is possible. And through the power of collective action, we know we can re-imagine and re-build it together. The Biden administration must re-double their efforts to live up to their promises and embrace bold and inventive change to the immigration system.
How You Can Be a Part of this Year's Legislative Session
The Maine Legislature (like many of us) is working in a hybrid manner this session. The full Legislature has been meeting in-person about once per month with committee work happening remotely.
Your voice and participation are integral to this process! Committee hearings are on the full calendar on the Maine State Legislature website (this will show you each event by the day), or you can go to the committee calendar to find hearings by issue area.
To submit testimony on a bill in writing or in person via zoom, the testimony portal is available. You can also watch the committee hearings live or catch up on them later here on YouTube. Lawmakers need to hear from their constituents to craft good policy and remote advocacy means you can skip the drive to Augusta.
CALL TO ACTION: Advocate for Healthcare for All
Last year, Maine legislators secured healthcare for immigrants under 21 and those who are pregnant. This year, we need our representatives to restore MaineCare to ALL our noncitizen neighbors, friends, and community members through LD 718, An Act To Improve the Health of Maine Residents by Closing Coverage Gaps in the MaineCare Program and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Learn more about this important bill HERE and how you can help pass a bill that will ensure that immigrants who call Maine home will gain access to long-overdue, life-saving health coverage. Then contact your state senators and representatives to let them know you support healthcare for everyone in our state.
Newly Updated ILAP Resource
ILAP released an updated self-help guide to help individuals in immigration court find important information about their case. The guide provides simple, step-by-step instructions to find the date of your next immigration court hearing and other case details.
The guide explains how to:
Call the Immigration Court Hotline (1-800-898-7180)
The guide is currently available in English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish.
In English: How to Find Information About Your Immigration Court Case Self-Help Guide
Em Português: Como Encontrar Informações Sobre Seu Caso No Tribunal De Imigração
En Français: Comment Obtenir Des Informations Au Sujet De Votre Dossier Devant La Cout
En Español: Cómo Encontrar Información Sobre Su Caso En La Corte De Inmigración
ILAP is always working to update guides and add new resources. You can find lots more self-help guides on our website!
Taxes & Immigration
It is tax time! ILAP will again be teaming up with Pine Tree Legal to host a Facebook Live information session about Taxes and Immigration.
Learn the common mistakes that can hurt your immigration status, immigration applications for family members, or your finances. The session will also cover what's new this year, including new tax credits and stimulus payments, plus new language support from the IRS.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details about this upcoming online information session!
Remembering Fierce Legal Advocate and Pine Tree Legal Director Nan Heald
ILAP mourns the passing of Nan Heald, long-time Executive Director of Pine Tree Legal Assistance, fierce advocate for access to justice, and respected leader in civil legal aid. Nan helped thousands of people throughout her career, and was always a dedicated partner in ILAP’s work and steadfast supporter of Maine’s immigrant communities.
While we try to come to terms with this tremendous loss, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her loved ones, colleagues, and friends. Follow Pine Tree's work to learn how you can support their organization in honor of Nan's memory.
Local Event Spotlight: My Xanthi Book Launch
Join us for a virtual Literary Lunch on February 16th from 12-1pm!
ILAP’s Executive Director Sue Roche will interview friend of ILAP, Stephanie Cotsirilos, about her debut novella, My Xanthi. Stephanie’s novella follows the story of a Greek immigrant woman whose wartime secrets teach a criminal defense lawyer about love’s triumph over injustice. Journalist Carol Smith described My Xanthi as "a fearless look at law and justice and the difference between them." Grab your lunch and join Sue and Stephanie in February to learn more!
Thanks to the Portland Public Library and Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance for hosting this event!
ILAP in the News
Afghanistan Project Attorney Catherine Lindgren wrote a powerful op-ed in the Portland Press Herald detailing how the U.S. government has failed to protect Afghan allies and what immediate action is needed to provide immigration options for those still facing danger in Afghanistan. ILAP signed on to a joint letter urging the Biden Administration to act, and we will continue our collective advocacy efforts alongside Maine’s Afghan community and other partners.
Read more on our Press Mentions page!