Latest news with #RAICES
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump administration sued for arresting people at immigration courts
Twelve immigrants and their legal advocates filed a class action lawsuit on Wednesday against the Trump administration, alleging that the justice department and the Department of Homeland Security colluded to arrest and deport potentially thousands of people at their immigration hearings. A coalition of immigrant advocacy groups – including the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Legal Education and Services (RAICES), National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), Democracy Forward and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCRSF) – filed the suit on behalf of 12 plaintiffs, the majority of whom were seeking protection in the US from anti-LGBTQ+ violence or female genital mutilation. In May, federal authorities began arresting people at US immigration courts from New York and Arizona to Washington state in what appeared to be a coordinated operation. The following month, New York City comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested while attending immigration court with one migrant. Since then, the supreme court has granted the Trump administration permission to deport migrants to countries they are not from, including to conflict-ridden places such as South Sudan. 'The Trump administration has cast an unconscionably wide net to ensnare people and families who attend immigration court hearings in compliance with their legal obligations, only to face life-threatening imprisonment, swift removal and the prospect of indefinite family separation,' said Faisal Al-Juburi, chief external affairs officer at RAICES. 'The egregious and unprecedented coordination amongst government agencies that we are witnessing not only inflicts irreparable harm upon infants and adults alike for seeking refuge in the US, but also establishes a chilling precedent in which law and order are abandoned in favor of stoking widespread panic and fear – leaving the entire American public at risk, regardless of immigration status.' The lawsuit asserts that the Trump administration 'stripped people of basic due process rights afforded under US immigration law and the fifth amendment in order to place them in expedited removal proceedings and deport them without hearings', the plaintiffs said in a press release. All twelve of the plaintiffs were arrested at immigration hearings where they were requesting asylum or other legal protection to remain in the US. All but two remain in detention. One was already deported to Ecuador where he is now living in hiding due to his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Some of the plaintiffs had lived in the US for years, and have been separated from US citizen family members. Their legal advocates say that homeland security and the justice department are pivoting away from a longstanding tradition of limiting arrests in immigration courts that could discourage people from appearing at their hearings. 'These directives forsake any notion of immigration courts as a neutral forum, weaponizing them into a trap for immigrants who show up in reliance on the American promise of a fair process before a judge, only to be met instead with handcuffs and shunted into a fast-track deportation process controlled by Ice agents,' said Jordan Wells, senior staff attorney at LCCRSF. The case was filed in US district court in the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs ask the judge to declare Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and immigration court guidance 'arbitrary and capricious' and vacate those guidelines.
The Guardian
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Trump administration sued for arresting people at immigration courts
Twelve immigrants and their legal advocates filed a class action lawsuit on Wednesday against the Trump administration, alleging that the justice department and the Department of Homeland Security colluded to arrest and deport potentially thousands of people at their immigration hearings. A coalition of immigrant advocacy groups – including the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Legal Education and Services (RAICES), National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), Democracy Forward and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCRSF) – filed the suit on behalf of 12 plaintiffs, the majority of whom were seeking protection in the US from anti-LGBTQ+ violence or female genital mutilation. In May, federal authorities began arresting people at US immigration courts from New York and Arizona to Washington state in what appeared to be a coordinated operation. The following month, New York City comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested while attending immigration court with one migrant. Since then, the supreme court has granted the Trump administration permission to deport migrants to countries they are not from, including to conflict-ridden places such as South Sudan. 'The Trump administration has cast an unconscionably wide net to ensnare people and families who attend immigration court hearings in compliance with their legal obligations, only to face life-threatening imprisonment, swift removal and the prospect of indefinite family separation,' said Faisal Al-Juburi, chief external affairs officer at RAICES. 'The egregious and unprecedented coordination amongst government agencies that we are witnessing not only inflicts irreparable harm upon infants and adults alike for seeking refuge in the US, but also establishes a chilling precedent in which law and order are abandoned in favor of stoking widespread panic and fear – leaving the entire American public at risk, regardless of immigration status.' The lawsuit asserts that the Trump administration 'stripped people of basic due process rights afforded under US immigration law and the fifth amendment in order to place them in expedited removal proceedings and deport them without hearings', the plaintiffs said in a press release. All twelve of the plaintiffs were arrested at immigration hearings where they were requesting asylum or other legal protection to remain in the US. All but two remain in detention. One was already deported to Ecuador where he is now living in hiding due to his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Some of the plaintiffs had lived in the US for years, and have been separated from US citizen family members. Their legal advocates say that homeland security and the justice department are pivoting away from a longstanding tradition of limiting arrests in immigration courts that could discourage people from appearing at their hearings. 'These directives forsake any notion of immigration courts as a neutral forum, weaponizing them into a trap for immigrants who show up in reliance on the American promise of a fair process before a judge, only to be met instead with handcuffs and shunted into a fast-track deportation process controlled by Ice agents,' said Jordan Wells, senior staff attorney at LCCRSF. The case was filed in US district court in the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs ask the judge to declare Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and immigration court guidance 'arbitrary and capricious' and vacate those guidelines.
The Guardian
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Trump administration sued for arresting people at immigration courts
Twelve immigrants and their legal advocates filed a class action lawsuit on Wednesday against the Trump administration, alleging that the justice department and the Department of Homeland Security colluded to arrest and deport potentially thousands of people at their immigration hearings. A coalition of immigrant advocacy groups – including the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Legal Education and Services (RAICES), National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), Democracy Forward and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCRSF) – filed the suit on behalf of 12 plaintiffs, the majority of whom were seeking protection in the US from anti-LGBTQ+ violence or female genital mutilation. In May, federal authorities began arresting people at US immigration courts from New York and Arizona to Washington state in what appeared to be a coordinated operation. The following month, New York City comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested while attending immigration court with one migrant. Since then, the supreme court has granted the Trump administration permission to deport migrants to countries they are not from, including to conflict-ridden places such as South Sudan. 'The Trump administration has cast an unconscionably wide net to ensnare people and families who attend immigration court hearings in compliance with their legal obligations, only to face life-threatening imprisonment, swift removal and the prospect of indefinite family separation,' said Faisal Al-Juburi, chief external affairs officer at RAICES. 'The egregious and unprecedented coordination amongst government agencies that we are witnessing not only inflicts irreparable harm upon infants and adults alike for seeking refuge in the US, but also establishes a chilling precedent in which law and order are abandoned in favor of stoking widespread panic and fear – leaving the entire American public at risk, regardless of immigration status.' The lawsuit asserts that the Trump administration 'stripped people of basic due process rights afforded under US immigration law and the fifth amendment in order to place them in expedited removal proceedings and deport them without hearings', the plaintiffs said in a press release. All twelve of the plaintiffs were arrested at immigration hearings where they were requesting asylum or other legal protection to remain in the US. All but two remain in detention. One was already deported to Ecuador where he is now living in hiding due to his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Some of the plaintiffs had lived in the US for years, and have been separated from US citizen family members. Their legal advocates say that homeland security and the justice department are pivoting away from a longstanding tradition of limiting arrests in immigration courts that could discourage people from appearing at their hearings. 'These directives forsake any notion of immigration courts as a neutral forum, weaponizing them into a trap for immigrants who show up in reliance on the American promise of a fair process before a judge, only to be met instead with handcuffs and shunted into a fast-track deportation process controlled by Ice agents,' said Jordan Wells, senior staff attorney at LCCRSF. The case was filed in US district court in the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs ask the judge to declare Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and immigration court guidance 'arbitrary and capricious' and vacate those guidelines.
Associated Press
24-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
RAICES Adopts NewOrg to Strengthen Social Services for Immigrants and Refugees Nationwide
Leading immigrant rights and refugee resettlement agency partners with NewOrg to launch a customized case management system that streamlines client services and improves compliance and support. Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - June 24, 2025) - NewOrg Management System, Inc., a leading provider of customizable, cloud-based data management solutions for nonprofits and local governments, announced today that RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) has selected and implemented NewOrg's platform to coordinate and enhance its nationwide delivery of social services for immigrants and refugees. Founded in 1986 in San Antonio, RAICES began as a grassroots effort to support Central American refugees. Today, it is one of the largest immigration legal services providers in Texas, with a growing national presence. Rooted in the values of justice, compassion, and community, RAICES offers free and low-cost legal services, holistic case management, and social services for individuals and families navigating the complex U.S. immigration system. In addition to direct service, RAICES plays a leading role in advocacy, impact litigation, and narrative change, working to shift culture and policy toward a more equitable and welcoming society. The organization believes that no one should face detention, deportation, or asylum proceedings without due process and access to support systems. 'RAICES turned to NewOrg for more than just software,' said Marisol Girela, Senior Director of Refugee Client Services. 'We needed a true partner to bring together the many moving parts of our services into one coordinated system, so that we could enhance our service delivery model rooted in dignity and care.' With programs spanning housing, employment, wellness, and support services, RAICES needed a platform capable of managing complex workflows, meeting regulatory compliance, and simplifying reporting. NewOrg delivered a flexible, user-friendly solution that centralizes data, streamlines tasks like financial requisitions and referrals, and allows staff to focus more on the people they serve. To support RAICES's needs, NewOrg implemented a tailored suite of tools, including: About RAICES: Marisol B. Girela, LCSW Senior Director, Refugee Client Services +1 (210) 960-4029 [email protected] 131 Interpark Dr. San Antonio, TX 78216 RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Texas with a national reach. The organization promotes migrant justice by providing legal and social services, case management, and advocacy for immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking individuals and families. Learn more at About NewOrg Management System, Inc. NewOrg Management System, Inc. provides an integrated, cloud-based data management platform for nonprofits and government agencies, with more than 50,000 users across the U.S. and Canada since 2006. NewOrg's fully customizable solution supports case management, service tracking, grant compliance, and more-helping partners increase efficiency, transparency, and sustainability. Media Contact: Sotiris Koutsoyannis Marketing/Communication Specialist NewOrg Management System, Inc. 866-843-2835 x3 [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Boston Globe
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
New insight into Texas family detention reveals adults fighting kids for clean water
'At a time when Congress is considering funding the indefinite detention of children and families, defending the Flores Settlement is more urgent than ever,' Mishan Wroe, a senior immigration attorney at the National Center for Youth Law, said in a statement Friday. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Advocates with the center, as well as the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, RAICES and Children's Rights contacted or visited children and their families held in two Texas family detention centers in Dilley and Karnes, which reopened earlier this year. Advertisement The conditions of the family detention facilities were undisclosed until immigration attorneys filed an opposing motion before a California federal court. The oversight of the detention facilities was possible because of the settlement, and the visits help ensure standards compliance and transparency, said Sergio Perez, the executive director of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law. Without the settlement, those overseeing the facilities would lose access to them and could not document what is happening inside. Advertisement Out of 90 families who spoke to RAICES since March, 40 expressed medical concerns, according to the court documents. Several testimonies expressed concern over water quantity and quality. Emails seeking comment were sent to the Office of Attorney General Pam Bondi and to CoreCivic and Geo Group, which operate the detention facilities in Dilley and Karnes, Texas, respectively. There was no response from either Bondi's office or Geo Group by midday Saturday. CoreCivic referred questions to ICE. One mother was told she would have to use tap water for formula for her 9-month-old, who had diarrhea for three days after, and a 16-year-old girl described people scrambling over each other for water. 'We don't get enough water. They put out a little case of water, and everyone has to run for it,' said the declaration from the girl held with her mother and two younger siblings at the Karnes County Immigration Processing Center. 'An adult here even pushed my little sister out of the way to get to the water first.' Faisal Al-Juburi, chief external affairs officer for RAICES, said Friday in a statement that the conditions 'only serve to reinforce the vital need for transparent and enforceable standards and accountability measures,' citing an 'unconscionable obstruction of medical care for those with acute, chronic, and terminal illnesses.' One family with a young boy with cancer said he missed his doctor's appointment after the family was arrested following their attendance to an immigration court hearing. He is now experiencing relapse symptoms, according to the motion. Another family said their 9-month old lost over 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) while in detention for a month. Advertisement Children spoke openly about their trauma during visits with legal monitors, including a 12-year-old boy with a blood condition. He reported his feet became too inflamed to walk, and even though he saw a doctor, he was denied further testing. Now, he stays mostly off his feet. 'It hurts when I walk,' he said in a court declaration. Detained immigrant children lined up in the cafeteria at the Karnes County Residential Center, a detention center in Karnes City, Texas. Eric Gay/Associated Press Arrests have left psychological trauma. A mother of a 3-year-old boy who saw agents go inside his babysitter's home with guns started acting differently after detention. She said he now throws himself on the ground, bruises himself and refuses to eat most days. Growing concerns as ICE ramps up operations Many of the the families in detention were already living in the U.S. which reflects the recent shift from immigration arrests at the border to internal operations. Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff and main architect of Trump's immigration policies, said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers would target Leecia Welch, the deputy legal director at Children's Rights said that as bad as facility conditions are, they will only get worse as more immigrants are brought in. 'As of early June, the census at Dilley was around 300 and only two of its five areas were open,' Welch said of her visits. 'With a capacity of around 2,400, it's hard to imagine what it would be like with 2,000 more people.' Pediatricians like Dr. Marsha Griffin with the American Academy of Pediatrics Council said they are concerned and are advocating across the country to allow pediatric monitors with child welfare experts inside the facilities. Advertisement Future of detention without Flores agreement The Trump's legislation approved by the House also proposes setting aside $45 billion in funding, a threefold spending increase, over the next four years to expand ICE detention of adults and families. The Senate is now considering that legislation. Under these increased efforts to add more detention space, GeoGroup, the same corporation operating the detention facility in Karnes, will soon be opening an infamous prison — which housed gangsters Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly — for migrant detention in Leavenworth, Kansas. Immigration advocates argue that if the settlement were terminated, the government would need to create regulations that conform to the agreement's terms. 'Plaintiffs did not settle for policy making— they settled for rulemaking," the motion read. The federal government will have a chance to submit a reply brief. A court hearing is later scheduled for mid-July.
