August 4 Updates
Federal
USCIS has re-established the screening process and interview criteria for people seeking asylum in the US. Read more from their website here.
Most VISA renewals have also had the interview requirement re-instated as well. Previously, those renewing certain kinds of Visas would be able to waive the interview requirement.
From Detention Watch Network: Trump’s multi-layered expansion plan (see our new expansion map) has proliferated ICE operations into other government agencies, including the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Defense, using military bases as deportation hubs and growing ICE partnerships with local sheriffs and county jails.
On July 18, the Trump administration conducted a prisoner swap with Venezuela, exchanging 10 U.S. citizens for 252 Venezuelan men who had been deported to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 and held at the notorious CECOT maximum-security prison for four months.
The men held at CECOT have begun to tell their stories.
More from the TX Tribune here.
TPS for Hondurans, Nicaraguans, and Nepalese people was set to end on Sept 8, but a federal judge has blocked the termination.
On Friday, July 18, the Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that women can no longer seek asylum based solely on their sex or sex and nationality
More from Mother Jones here
The ruling specifically stated that gender-based violence does not fit under the five existing categories for asylum protection: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, and membership in a particular social group. The decision was regarding a Salvadorian woman fleeing gang violence which the police refused to protect her from – read more about the case here.
Human Rights First’s Innovation Lab announced the launch of ReadyNow!, a free and secure mobile app designed to help immigrants prepare for possible detention and act quickly in moments of crisis
Key features of the app include:
One-click emergency alerts via SMS to pre-selected contacts
Personalized emergency plans for childcare, medical needs, legal support, and more
Option to share key information with National Immigration Legal Response Alliance (NILRA) if faced with arrest, a national network of pro bono immigration attorneys
Currently available in six languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Haitian Kreyol, and French
NIJC just published their new Explainer of all the new immigration related fees that are now applicable after the passage of HR-1
The PDF of this explainer and the chart of all fees has been uploaded to our Legal Resources Folder as well
Chicago
Inside the inhumane conditions at the Broadview ICE Processing Center – read the article from the Tribune for free here.
A statement from Bishop Clark, of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, after meeting with the Sanctuary Committee, can be found here.
A call from Arise Chicago to faith leaders to stand with striking workers from Mauser who are calling for protections and to stop intimidation based on immigration status. Please sign on to the letter here.