"What was once the concern of a few voices in the wilderness is now starting to translate into a more systematic effort to hold DHS [Department of Homeland Security] accountable.

Senator Menendez [D-NJ] delivered a major speech on the Senate Floor last week raising grave concerns about the rights being violated during raids and the implications for our national identity. In the speech, he announced that he will be introducing a new bill to prevent ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] from running roughshod over the rights of individuals it sweeps up during raids.

Senator Menendez also is an original co-sponsor of a bill seeking to ensure adequate medical treatment and humane conditions of confinement for immigration detainees. Chairwoman Lofgren, who is the author of companion legislation in the House (H.R. 5950), continues to keep the Immigration Subcommittee’s focus trained on these issues. In addition to holding a series of hearings on the need for more family-based and employment-based green cards, she held a second hearing last week on the deficiencies in our detention system with respect to providing adequate medical care. Finally, in another signal of Congressional frustration with the agency, Senators Lieberman (ID-CT), Brownback (R-KS), Kennedy (D-MA), and Hagel (R-NE) have introduced another bill that AILA strongly supports: the Safe and Secure Detention Act."

Congressional hearing on immigration detention standards
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008--A congressional hearing was conducted today regarding detention standards for immigrants held in immigration custody. The hearing focused on a number of incidents in which detained immigrants were not granted access to timely and adequate medical treatment, in some cases resulting in death. Although ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention standards do provide for access to medical treatment, an overwhelming majority of immigrants are held in contracted facilities not managed by ICE, where the non-binding detention standards are not always followed.

There is also growing concern among immigrant advocates for the lack of due process in immigration detention cases, an issue thrown into relief by the recent unprecedented legal maneuvers conducted by the federal government to hastily prosecute immigrants detained in the Postville, IA raid. ILCM and other area immigration service providers have shared their concerns and testimony with Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), a member of the committee.

Links

In 2007 Michele Garnett McKenzie gave testimony regarding her client's experiences with medical treatment in MN detention facilities. Michele is the Refugee and Immigrant Program Director at the Advocates for Human Rights in Minneapolis.
Read the testimony...

Here is a letter from the American Immigration Lawyers Association regarding lack of due process in Postville, IA prosecution. Read the letter...

Recent media coverage on insufficient access to medical treatment in dentition:

"Careless Detention: Medical Care in Immigrant Prisons", Washington Post Read the article...

"In-Custody Deaths", New York Time Read the article...

"Detention In America: 60 Minutes And The Washington Post Report On Detainee Medical Care" Read the article...

Local film and stage productions highlight immigration's complexity, need for reform
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008-- Two events in the Twin Cities provide a chance to explore the complexity of immigration policy and how it impacts the lives of Latino and Liberian immigrants.

From April 24 through May 4 Border Crossing will be staged at the Ritz Theater. It is about a young girl's journey from Mexico into the southwestern United States. ILCM Director John Keller will participate in a panel discussing the play on May 2nd. Learn more...

On Tuesday, April 29th the film Liberia: America's Stepchild will be screened, which highlights the inseparable history of the U.S. and Liberia, and the need to secure a path to permanent residency for the many Liberians who have made the U.S. their home after the breakout of a civil war in 1991 prevented them from returning. This free event will be held at the Minneapolis Urban League, 2100, Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN. A pre-film social hour will be from 5-6 PM, with a film showing and discussion from 6-8PM.

ILCM is proud to be a member of the Coalition for Permanent Residency, an alliance of groups working together for the immediate extension of permanent resident status to Liberians living under temporary protected status in the US

Minnesota members of Congress commend Citizenship Day efforts
Friday, April 18th, 2008-- ILCM is proud to share the following messages from Minnesota members of Congress regarding Citizenship Day. For more information about the event, please see the posting below.

"America is a nation of immigrants, and there is no journey more sacred and honored than the path to becoming a United States citizen. Every year, people from nations all around the world commit their time and effort to take the steps necessary to legal citizenship, and I commend them for that. Citizenship Day offers a unique opportunity for Minnesotans to embrace our nation's time honored principles and traditions by taking the first step towards citizenship. The events on this momentous day will be cherished forever, as family, friends, and neighbors come together to encourage who we hope will become Minnesota 's newest Americans." ~Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-6th District

"Through Citizenship Day we welcome and celebrate the inclusion of today's New Americans and New Minnesotans into the fabric of so many of our communities throughout Minnesota. Citizenship represents the final step for many of what is often a long journey to find 'home.' All of us are renewed, strengthened and inspired by those who pledge their Oath of Citizenship to the U.S., to Minnesota, to us as neighbors in our communities, in our places of worship, and in our network of families."~Rep. Keith Ellison, D-5th District

"I'm proud to support Citizenship Day in Minnesota. I join with my fellow Minnesotans in welcoming all who want to immigrate to the United States legally and become American citizens. I appreciate the work the American Immigration Lawyers Association is doing to assist those who want to make America their new adoptive home." ~Rep. Tim Walz, D-1st District

“Our rural communities have been welcoming immigrant populations for many years and I’m pleased to see the Immigrant Law Center and the American Immigration Lawyers Association provide these services to residents who are ready to go through the citizenship process." ~Rep. Colin Peterson, D-7th District

"My ancestors were immigrants from Europe, and many Americans trace their origins to other parts of the world. Now we are here together as Americans and brothers and sisters. I am very proud of the contributions of new Americans who have played a vital part in the fabric of our society. Citizenship Day is an opportunity for many new Americans to take pride in becoming US citizens.
“As a member of Congress, I am proud to serve our state in Washington, D.C. Regardless of our origins, our future is linked and we need to work together right here in Minnesota for good schools, quality healthcare and good jobs. I want to make sure your lives and the lives of your children are filled with hope and opportunity and success here in Minnesota. We are Americans, we are neighbors, and we need to work together for a better future for this country.”~Rep. Betty McCollum, D-4th District

2008 AILA Citizenship Day will be held on Saturday, April 19th
Monday, March 24, 2008-- The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is pleased to be a partner organization of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association's (AILA) Citizenship Day. This event, which will be held in nine locations throughout the state, provides legal assistance at little ($20) or no cost for individuals who need help applying for U.S. Citizenship. The site locations for this year include Minneapolis, St. Paul, Burnsville, Rochester, Willmar, Worthington, Mankato, St. Cloud, and Bloomington. No preregistration is required. Individuals will be seen on a first come, first served basis.

Working Group on Ethnic Heritage and New Americans convenes
Friday, February 15, 2008-- The Working Group on Ethnic Heritage and New Americans convenes today, February 15th at 10 AM at the State Capitol. The ten-member group of four legislators and six public members was established in 2007 to identify the strengths of the immigrant community in Minnesota. Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller nominated ILCM Executive Director John Keller to the commission in Fall 2007. Mr. Keller, who testified in support of the Working Group last year, stated that it provides the only real opportunity to make practical immigration recommendations to state leaders in a reasonable, bipartisan and nonpartisan fashion. Noting the recent flurry of political immigration statements by Minnesota's politicians Keller said, "The Working Group has to be given a chance to succeed, and this is exactly what this reasonable, smart state needs right now." Read the press release...

ILCM Executive Director John Keller recognized as one of Minnesota's "Attorneys of the Year" for 2007
Tuesday, January 8, 2007-- The weekly legal magazine 'Minnesota Lawyer' has named ILCM Executive Director John Keller as one of its "Attorneys of the Year" for 2007. The award recognizes fifteen Minnesotan attorneys who have been practicing for at least ten years and have shown exemplary work in areas such as public service and leadership. The award recognizes Mr. Keller's work during the past year as he "advocated zealously on behalf of immigrants following raids in southwestern Minnesota." His service will be highlighted during an awards ceremony in February in Minneapolis.

New report documents impact of immigration raids on US children
Friday, December 21, 2007-- The Urban Institute and the National Council of La Raza have released a report documenting the impact of work-site immigration raids on US children. Using raids in Colorado, Nebraska, and Massachusetts as case studies, the study found significant hardship among US citizen children whose parents were detained and/or deported by immigration authorities. View the report in its entirety...

One year anniversary of USICE raid in Worthington, Minnesota
Wednesday, December 12, 2007-- Today marks the one year anniversary of the USICE raid on the Swift and Co. plant in Worthington, Minnesota. The raid impacted hundreds of immigrants from southwest Minnesota and has become a emblem of both the complexity of immigration policy in the United States and the urgent need for policy reform.