Immigration and Immigrant Rights
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John F. Kelly signed a memorandum on Thursday, June 15, revoking a program that would have offered a pathway to citizenship for immigrant parents of U.S. legal permanent residents or citizens.
The program — called the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) — was introduced by former President Barack Obama in 2014 after the success of his landmark Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which provided benefits for undocumented youth.
Organizations Applaud U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Naturalization Case
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WASHINGTON, DC – Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (Advancing Justice | AAJC) and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund applaud the unanimous decision of the U.S. Supreme Court today in Maslenjak v. United States. The Court acted to protect the rights of naturalized U.S. citizens and those who are pursuing citizenship status, ruling that a non-material misstatement in an applicant’s naturalization process cannot be the basis for denaturalization.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Warns of Divisive Tactics in Recent Attacks on Muslims
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Washington, D.C. — Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), an affiliation of five civil rights organizations, is deeply disturbed over the latest attacks on Muslims and attempts to use the incidents to divide communities of color and further contribute to the criminalization of immigrants.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Strengthens Hate Tracking Initiative on 35th Anniversary of Vincent Chin Attack
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Washington, D.C. – Today, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), an affiliation of five civil rights organizations, begins a week-long awareness campaign to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Vincent Chin’s murder.
Administration Revokes Memo That Would Protect Immigrant Parents
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WASHINGTON, D.C.– Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security rescinded an Obama administration memo that would have protected the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents program, known as DAPA, and Expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (expanded DACA) program. The administration also seemed to affirm that the original DACA program will remain in place. Today, the Administration walked back the affirmation and stated that the future of the DACA program is still under consideration.
President Donald Trump and his administration faced yet another defeat in the federal courts this week over his controversial executive order that bans travel from six predominantly Muslim nations.
On Monday, June 12, the San Francisco-based United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the president was overstepping his authority with this ban, which would suspend U.S. entry more than 180 million nationals and 110,000 to 50,000 refugees from the six countries.
Undocumented children and the children of undocumented parents in schools have the right to an education. Download the fact sheet for more information, and read our blog to learn more about the history of Asian Americans in the fight to desegregate schools in the United States.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Opposes the Nomination of Lee Francis Cissna as USCIS Director
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Washington, DC – In April, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Lee Francis Cissna to head the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency that oversees immigration to the U.S. After Cissna’s confirmation hearings in late May, major concerns loom over his abilities to lead such an essential government agency.
In response, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), a national affiliation of five civil rights organizations, releases the following statement:
Block On Muslim Ban Stands
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Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco affirmed the injunction on President Trump's "Muslim Ban 2.0" executive order. Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), an affiliation of five civil rights organizations, applauds this decision and remains vigilant on this case.