Category Archives: Press Releases

Major Immigrant & Civil Rights Organizations Call for Summer of Non-Compliance Against Hate Legislation (SB4) in Texas #BastaTexas #OrganizeTX

The passage of Senate Bill 4 in Texas has set a new precedent for the prohibition of sanctuary cities and will open the door to the systematic targeting, profiling, and harassment of all Texans by Trump-inspired law enforcement. Since its passage, organizations and advocacy groups from around the country have been ramping up efforts to challenge its constitutional standing and prepare local communities from around the state for increased enforcement and to defend themselves from violations of their rights. On Monday, seasoned activists from the fight against Arizona’s SB1070 joined Texas community leaders and organizations to launch the “Summer of Resistance” against SB4. 

Community Calls on City Attorney and Court to Vacate Unjust Conviction of Immigrant Father Imprisoned by ICE Since February Arrest Outside of Elementary School

Family and community leaders will gather outside of LA Superior Court Friday morning to support Romulo Avelica, the father of 4 US citizen daughters in ICE custody since February 28. His arrest while dropping his daughters off at school has garnered international outrage. Mr. Avelica is asking a court to vacate a minor decades-old conviction.

Trump Attempts Sweeping Changes to Immigration Law Through Obscure Budget Provision

On Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a press statement acknowledging that they detained more than 160 individuals during immigrations on Thursday February 9th 2017. This statement comes as ICE agents repeatedly attempted to counter claims made by immigration advocates and lawyers regarding the arrests of “over 100 immigrants” through home raids in several cities in southern California.

Over 100 Law Professors Tell Gov. Jerry Brown: The California Values Act is Good Law and Good Policy

On Wednesday, over 100 law professors from across the United States, including Dean Chemerinsky of UC Irvine and Dean Johnson of UC Davis, sent a letter to California Governor Jerry Brown and members of the California legislature affirming that California has full legal authority to adopt Senate Bill 54, the California Values Act, which would limit use of state and local resources to assist Trump’s deportation force. As sanctuary policies gain steam across the nation, the letter affirms that SB 54 will “ensure compliance with the constitution.”

Immigrant Worker Advocates Call for Greater Protections on “Workers’ Memorial Day”

Worker advocates held a press conference Friday morning at the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor to highlight worker health and safety and the need to protect immigrant workers’ ability to speak up about dangerous working conditions.

NDLON Responds to DHS Creation of VOICE

On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the opening of Victims of Immigrant Crime Engagement (VOICE).

NDLON Reaction to District Court Order Enjoining President Trump’s plan to defund “Sanctuary” jurisdictions.

On Tuesday, Judge William H. Orrick issued an injunction blocking President Donald Trump’s threatened plan to take federal funding away from so-called sanctuary cities. Judge Orrick ruled, “[Trump’s] Order cannot constitutionally place new conditions on federal funds.”

NDLON Message for May Day 2017

NDLON Message for May Day 2017 1) We support the call for a national general strike.   We are not here to ask for dignity, we are already dignified.   And we – immigrants in the US – already subsidize the U.S. economy.   We are here to demand the full equality that we are owed, and business as…

NDLON Responds to DOJ letter to 8 Jurisdictions On Sanctuary City Policies

On Friday, the Department of Justice sent letters to eight jurisdictions asking for proof that they collaborate with immigration enforcement. According to the the LA Times, “the letters went to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as well as officials in Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Miami, Milwaukee and New York City.” In the statement, the Department of Justice says that american cities are “crumbling under the weight of illegal immigration and violent crime.”

NDLON: Initiative Meant to Bully Local Officials Has Opposite Effect

On Monday, the New York Times reported that the Trump administration will temporarily stop the publication of a weekly report of localities that have declined participating in federal immigration enforcement programs.  The NY Times cites a series of inconsistencies in which several localities are incorrectly named in the report and contains “misleading information” that has prompted both “confusion” and “defiance” throughout several law enforcement agencies.