Immigrant Rights
AALDEF’s Immigrant Rights Program involves legal representation, litigation, policy advocacy, community education, and organizing to support Asian immigrants of all backgrounds. We are committed to advocating alongside directly affected immigrant communities for humane and dynamic immigration laws and policies, where the dignity of all migrants is realized. AALDEF is an active voice on immigrants’ rights issues on both the national and local level and is among the few groups that provides legal representation and community education to marginalized Asian immigrants, including undocumented individuals and those with criminal convictions.
Highlights:
- In 1993, we represented Chinese immigrants seeking political asylum following the Golden Venture freighter that ran aground in Far Rockaway, Queens, NY.
- In 1994, we launched the Asian American Citizenship Project in response to anti-immigrant sentiments, assisting thousands of permanent residents to become U.S. citizens.
- Following 9/11, AALDEF met an overwhelming need for legal assistance and information among immigrant communities targeted by each eave of the Department of Homeland Security’s National Security Entry-Exit Registration Program. We have provided legal advice and representation to thousands of individuals affected by post 9/11 immigration policy and educated tens of thousands through major “Know Your Rights” campaigns.
- In 2005, we launched the Asian Anti-Trafficking Initiative, to provide legal representation to Asian women and girls trafficked to the U.S., including domestic workers and restaurant employees.
- After the Obama administration announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012, AALDEF hosted a series of legal clinics to provide legal advice and representation to individuals who qualify for the program and supported the launch of the first undocumented Asian youth group on the East Coast.
- In 2013, AALDEF, the Muslim American Civil Liberties Coalition, and Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) released a groundbreaking report: Mapping Muslims: NYPD Spying and Its Impact on American Muslims.
Program Priorities:
- Providing a combination of legal representation and community education to Asian immigrants through regular immigration clinics established through collaborations with our community partners.
- Working with community groups, through litigation and policy work, to advocate for Southeast Asian immigrants facing deportation as a result of criminal convictions.
- Advocating for just and humane immigration policies for undocumented immigrants in partnership with our community partner, Revolutionizing Asian American Immigrant Stories on the East Coast (RAISE).
- Creating materials and compiling resources, with our community partners, for recently arrived migrants who face obstacles navigating bureaucratic processes in the U.S. immigration system.
- Hosting Know Your Rights trainings and other informational workshops regarding immigration policies to grassroots organizations and low-wage workers.
Related
- What Are My Rights as a Worker?
What Are My Rights as a Worker?
- Immigration Rights and Post-9/11 Civil Liberties
Publication
- AALDEF Will Continue to Fight For the Voting Rights of Immigrants Despite "Our City Our Vote" Law Ruling
- After 10 Years of DACA, AALDEF Joins with Undocumented Asian American Youth to Call for Citizenship for All
- New York City Welcomes “Naturalize 2 Million by 2022” Tour
- AALDEF urges Senator Schumer to disregard Senate parliamentarian’s latest opinion on immigration plan in Build Back Better Act
- November 23: Free virtual immigration clinic
- October 28: Free virtual immigration clinic
- AALDEF: Biden Must Ensure Safe Evacuation of At-Risk Afghans
- 300+ Organizations Call on President Biden to Support Afghan Refugees
- July 29: Free virtual immigration clinic
- Despite setback in Texas court ruling on DACA, the fight for path to citizenship for immigrant youth and undocumented individuals will continue
- Dec. 21 - AALDEF immigration/DACA clinic
- AALDEF hails New York federal court order restoring DACA
- Nov. 19 - AALDEF immigration/DACA renewal clinic
- AALDEF hails Supreme Court DACA decision as a victory for immigrant youth
- AALDEF urges immigrants to stay informed after Supreme Court allows USCIS public charge rule change to go forward
- AALDEF opposes USCIS fee schedule changes affecting low-income immigrants
- AALDEF stands with DACA recipients in historic Supreme Court case
- Supreme Court hears oral arguments in DACA cases
- Philadelphia Settles Discrimination Lawsuit with Chinese Restaurant Owners for $265,000; Formally Agrees Not to Enforce Disputed City Ordinance
- AALDEF, Advancing Justice | AAJC, and NWLC file amicus briefs opposing DHS public charge rule
- Public charge rule would have negative impacts on low-income immigrants and family-based immigration
- July 24: AALDEF free immigration clinic
- AALDEF opposes changes to fee waiver eligibility for immigrants
- New York State Passes Historic Bill to Restore Access to Driver's Licenses to All Access
- AALDEF urges House to pass clean Dream Act and American Promise Act
- AALDEF condemns DHS budget agreement and Trump's national emergency declaration
- AALDEF Update: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) - Jan. 2019
- Jan. 31: Free DACA Renewal Clinic
- AALDEF applauds passage of New York State Dream Act
- Supreme Court Declines to Hear DACA Cases; AALDEF Calls on Congress to Reject White House Proposal to End Government Shutdown In Exchange For Limited DACA and TPS Protections
- AALDEF and other Asian American groups announce 2019 NYS immigration legislative priorities
- AALDEF opposes public charge rule change
- AALDEF denounces White House plan to redefine "public charge" for immigrants seeking green cards
Press Release
- Asian Fortune: Congress Seen As Solution
- News India Times: Legal advocacy organization declares fight for DACA youth will continue in court
- BuzzFeed News: Muslim Groups Are Bracing For Trump To Stop Muslim Immigration
News
- Post 9/11 Civil Liberties
- Immigrant Rights