The Golden Door: March 2024
In Solidarity with Immigrant Communities, Partners, and Allies in Texas
As SB4 – Texas state legislation that would give state and local law enforcement authority to detain immigrants and local judges authority to deport immigrants – continues to wind its way through the courts, ILAP sends a message of solidarity to Texas immigrant communities, partners, and allies:
SB4 is racist, clearly unconstitutional, and deeply dangerous and if allowed to go into effect would be an agent of terror in vulnerable immigrant communities in Texas.
ILAP is in solidarity with Texas immigrant communities, partner organizations, and other allies. We continue to work towards a system and society where such blatant hate, ignorance, and cruelty has no place. We affirm the right of all people to have safety, security, resources, and to live free from persecution.
Texas immigrant rights organizations you can support:
New Immigration Court for Mainers Opening Next Month
All immigrants living in Maine who currently have a case at the Boston Immigration Court will have their case moved to the new Lowell Immigration Court. The Lowell Immigration Court is expected to open April 2024.
ILAP strongly recommends that people with cases in immigration court check the immigration court's website every week to see if their case has been moved. Case details can change at any time.
→ Immigration Court website: https://acis.eoir.justice.gov/en/
Attention: You may also receive notices or information by mail. It is very important the court has your updated address.
Informational Flyers:
Lowell Immigration Court PDF [English]
Le Tribunal de l'immigration de Lowell PDF [Français]
Tribunal ya immigration ya Lowell PDF [Lingala]
O Tribunal de Imigração de Lowell PDF [Português]
El Tribunal de Inmigración de Lowell PDF [Español]
ILAP will continue to share information as the Immigration Court provides more details.
ILAP Calls for Broad Use of Temporary Protected Status
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provides access to work permits and crucial blanket protection from deportation for people already in the United States when safe return to home countries is impossible.
The Department of Homeland Security must not delay in newly designating countries for TPS. Urgent new designations and redesignations are needed for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, and other countries.
Check out the Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure Administrative Advocacy Coalition to keep up to date on the movement to expand the use of TPS, a readily available tool to protect human life, keep families together, and boost the economy.
Access to Justice Day and Continuing Advocacy
ILAP joined fellow civil legal aid providers at the State House last month for Access to Justice Day. This annual day of advocacy shines a light on the need for Maine's investment in civil legal aid.
Read more about the importance and impact of civil legal aid in this week's powerful Bangor Daily News op-ed by Pine Tree Legal Assistance's Executive Director and his father, retired Maine Superior Court justice. "Unrepresented people often leave court alienated, cynical and convinced that the benefit of the law — justice — exists only for the affluent and the privileged," they write. "As a state, we must make the promise of justice a reality for all."
CALL TO ACTION:
There’s still time for you to join ILAP in making justice for all a priority in Maine!
Use this easy tool to send a letter to your legislators: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/support-civil-legal-aid-2
Access to Justice is one day, but Maine's civil legal aid providers work year-round to advance access to justice for all Mainers. To our partners in Maine’s Justice Action Group - thanks for all you do!
Tax Resources for Immigrant Communities
The last day to file taxes in Maine this year is April 17! Everyone in the U.S. must file taxes. This includes people who are in the U.S. without legal status.
You should file your taxes to avoid penalties that can be imposed for not filing them. And in many situations, you may get a tax refund or qualify for tax credits.
Check out our multilingual videos with tips about taxes for non-citizens:
Election Year Reminders
ILAP thanks our partners across Maine working on voter registration and getting out the vote this election year.
As you engage in this important work, ILAP reminds partners of the extreme consequences that noncitizens face for registering to vote or voting, including deportation. While everyone is required to file taxes, ONLY U.S. citizens may register to vote and vote in U.S. elections.
Thank you for helping keep immigrant communities safe this election year!
Evento con ILAP y las Escuelas Públicas de Portland
¿Es usted padre o cuidador de un estudiante de las Escuelas Públicas en Portland? Únete a nosotros para un evento en español el 10 de abril.
Habrá abogados de inmigración disponibles para responder preguntas. ¡Se proporcionará cena y cuidado de niños!
¿CUÁNDO?
Miércoles 10 de abril
6:30 – 8:30 PM
¿DÓNDE?
Reiche Elementary
166 Brackett Street, Portland
Event with ILAP & Portland Public Schools
Are you a parent or caregiver of a student at Portland Public Schools? Join us for an event in Spanish on April 10th.
ILAP immigration attorneys will be available to answer questions. Dinner and childcare will be provided!
WHEN:
Wednesday, April 10
6:30 – 8:30 PM
WHERE:
Reiche Elementary
166 Brackett Street, Portland
