For Immediate Release
September 16, 2021
Contacts:
Arianna Rosales, National Immigration Project, arianna@nipnlg.org
Washington, DC - As Congress begins to return from summer recess and the Biden administration enters the final quarter of its first year in office, the National Immigration Project released a new policy brief, Transforming the Immigration System: The National Immigration Project's Priorities for Executive and Legislative Action.
The brief provides concrete steps the Biden administration and Congress should take immediately to address deep-rooted problems in the US immigration system. While immigration advocates continue to push for the inclusion of immigration provisions in a moving budget reconciliation bill, it is clear that much more is needed to make the vision of a humane and compassionate immigration system a reality. The brief segments the priorities into 5 major categories, urging Congress and the Biden administration to:
- Disentangle state and local law enforcement from immigration
- End the criminalization of migrants
- End immigration detention
- Create a right to return home
- Address the punitive and unjust immigration court system
"For 50 years, the National Immigration Project has fought to protect the rights of all people, including those most targeted by our immigration and criminal laws," said Sirine Shebaya, Executive Director of the National Immigration Project. "With members and partners across the country, we are committed to advocating for policies that will not only undo the harms of previous administrations, but also create a bold new way forward for immigrant communities.
"This policy brief outlines clear first steps the Biden administration and Congress should take immediately to begin a fundamental transformation of our immigration system from one that is focused on criminalization and oppression to one that is rooted in values of compassion and humanity."
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The National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) is a national non-profit organization that provides technical assistance and support to community-based immigrant organizations, legal practitioners, and all advocates seeking and working to advance the rights of noncitizens. NIPNLG utilizes impact litigation, advocacy, and public education to pursue its mission. Learn more at nipnlg.org. Follow NIPNLG on social media: National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild on Facebook, @NIPNLG on Twitter and Instagram.