January 6 Updates
National
Biden Admin announces Final Rule that will restrict access to asylum by allowing bars during initial fear screenings (via article from NIJC)
The rule will insert assessments for complex barriers to asylum into the initial asylum screening process. Individuals seeking protection have virtually no access to the outside world or legal representation before or during these screenings, which can occur as few as four hours after a person's entry into the United States. These changes will take effect on January 17, 2025, layering atop existing regulations that already have effectively ended access to asylum at the border for the vast majority of people seeking protection.
“This rule violates current U.S. and international laws and will endanger the lives of individuals by returning them to the violence that they are fleeing. The United States should be a model of protecting people’s rights. Consequently, NIJC, in collaboration with Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Human Rights First, and other asylum and refugee rights organizations, is challenging this anti-asylum regulation in court as we have prior anti-asylum rules.”
- Keren Zwick, NIJC’s litigation director
Local
Dashboard Numbers are no longer being tracked. Please click HERE to access the city’s resource guide for newly arrived migrants. They have made it available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese.
The new Central Access Point (they are calling it "SPARC" - Shelter Placement And Resource Connection) has officially opened in Pilsen at the site of the old Halsted Shelter (2241 S. Halsted St). This location is designed for singles. Families should still use 311 or go to the Salvation Army Center (EHARC) for placement. For detailed information about Central Access Points for the new One System Initiative, please see the guide from the city here.
Tons of rapid response teams are being revamped and reinvigorated to protect our communities from what is coming. If you are a part of a rapid response team already, great! If you are not already a part of a rapid response team and would like to either be connected to one that already exists, or start one in your neighborhood, please contact OCAD/ICIRR.