The Golden Door: July 2023
Save the Date: ILAP Celebrates 30 Years!
For three decades, ILAP has been working to build a world where systems are rooted in justice and where everyone belongs and thrives. And this year, we are proud to be closing out our first ever “impact campaign” because people across Maine and beyond believe access to justice shouldn’t depend on where you were born or how much money you have.
On October 19 at Innovation Hall on the University of New England’s Portland campus, we’ll mark this important milestone and look to the future with “Journey Toward Justice: Celebrating 30 Years.” Together we’ll connect with our history, recognize our shared accomplishments, and commit to the journey ahead while we enjoy globally inspired food and a high-energy musical performance.
More details to come, but for now please save the date. We hope you can join us for ILAP’s 30th anniversary!
Biden Asylum Ban Halted by the Courts
On July 25, a federal court struck down Biden’s asylum ban in the case East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Biden. The court found that the ban violates U.S. law, which allows people to apply for asylum no matter how they reach the border and no matter where they cross.
The court also affirmed that the countries many pass through on their way to the U.S. border are not safe for people seeking asylum – including Mexico, where, under the ban, people are forced to wait for an inaccessible "CBP One" appointment.
At the time of this newsletter, the ruling is on hold for 14 days at the request of the Biden administration, which is mounting an appeal and continuing efforts to block life-saving access to asylum on the southern border.
ILAP released this statement:
Lisa Parisio, ILAP’s Policy Director, said: “The court’s ruling that the Biden asylum ban violates the law is not at all surprising – U.S. asylum law is clear that people have the right to seek and be eligible for asylum no matter how they have been forced to journey to the U.S. and no matter how they cross U.S. borders. The administration’s policies of deterrence and extreme cruelty are deadly and faulty."
"We know that gutting access to asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border does not have any impact whatsoever on the conditions that force people to leave their homes in search of safety, security, and a better life. The administration should be spending its resources on creating a humane and just asylum system – including properly resourcing welcoming communities like Maine – not on litigating clearly unlawful and deadly policies.”
You can read ILAP’s analysis and argument against the Biden asylum ban here.
PLEASE NOTE: This section discusses proposed changes to federal law. There is no change in the law or process right now. If any proposals are passed into law, look to ILAP's website and social media, MIRC, and other reliable sources of information in Maine.
Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador
The U.S. government announced that it is extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador for 18 months. You must re-register for TPS between July 12, 2023 and September 10, 2023. If you live in Maine and want to re-register for El Salvador TPS, ILAP can help!
Learn more: https://ilapmaine.org/ilap-news/2023/tps-el-salvador
El gobierno de los EE. UU. anunció que extenderá el Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS) para El Salvador por 18 meses. Debe volver a registrarse para TPS entre el 12 de julio de 2023 y el 10 de septiembre de 2023. Si vive en Maine y desea volver a registrarse para el TPS de El Salvador, ILAP puede ayudar!
Más ayuda: https://ilapmaine.org/ilap-news/2023/tps-el-salvador-spanish
Executive Director Sue Roche testifies on Access to Justice Day in March.
ILAP Thanks State Senator Carney for her Leadership in Improving Access to Justice in Maine
In July, Governor Mills signed Maine’s biennial budget, which included $4 million for civil legal aid in Maine. This funding was championed by Senator Anne Carney and will be used to help ensure access to crucial and life-transforming civil legal services. Having a civil legal aid attorney by your side can help keep people housed, escape from domestic violence situations, secure life-saving immigration protections, and much more.
As we express our gratitude for funding for civil legal aid organizations in Maine, we know the work continues to secure both additional and regular funding to ensure that all Maine people have access to justice.
Local Event Spotlight
Join ILAP's Executive Director Sue Roche and Stephanie Cotsirilos on August 16th at Print: A Bookstore for a discussion about Stephanie's novella, My Xanthi. The novella follows the story of a Greek immigrant woman whose wartime secrets teach a criminal defense lawyer about love’s triumph over injustice.
Admission is free! Learn more and RSVP here.
ILAP in the News
Representative Pingree announced the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement of her Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, which ILAP and other state and national immigration groups say will address the senseless work permit wait time for asylum seekers.
Senior Asylum Program Attorney Michelle Gentry presented "Understanding Immigration Law Challenges that Affect Multilingual Learners and Immigrants" at Maine Department of Education's recent Summer Institute.
The Muskie Fund for Legal Services honored the people who provide access to legal aid at the annual Access to Justice Award Ceremony, including ILAP. This year's Hon. Edmund S. Muskie Access to Justice Award was presented to Steve Rowe for his leadership in the community and impact furthering access to justice.
ICYMI: Campaign for Justice Releases 2022 Annual Report
Established in 2004, the Campaign for Justice is a collaborative fundraising effort for members of the Maine Bar in support of civil legal aid in Maine. Today the Campaign helps fund six organizations in our state: ILAP, Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, Legal Services for the Elderly, Maine Equal Justice, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, and the Volunteer Lawyers Project.
The six organizations that the Campaign for Justice supports provide legal aid to an average of 30,000 adults and children annually. Members of the Maine Bar can support the campaign here.