COVID-19

COVID-19 has drastically affected the lives of people across the country and immigrant communities are some of the hardest hit during this crisis. HIRC continues to work on cases and push forward with policy advocacy and litigation efforts that protect the rights of immigrants during these unprecedented times.

If you have questions about health care, food security, or other COVID-19-related issues, please view our resource list here.

Litigation

J-B-B-C- v. Wolf (620/20)
This brief challenges the Trump administration’s restriction of asylum procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Habeas petition (4/2020)
HIRC collaborated with the Southern Poverty Law Center on this petition, filed on behalf of thirteen immigrants detained in Georgia.

Habeas petition (4/2020)
HIRC at GBLS joined the ACLU of New Hampshire in filing this petition which demands an immediate bond hearing for their client, an asylum-seeker from Guatemala.

Policy Advocacy

Letter on Naturalization Oath Ceremonies (6/2020)
Our program, in partnership with Project Citizenship, submitted a letter to the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts urging them to resume naturalization oath ceremonies for aspiring Americans.

Testimony in Support of Senate 2659 and House 4726 (5/2020)
We submitted testimony in support of Senate 2659 and House 4726, which would provide stimulus checks to immigrants and their families who were excluded from the CARES Act.

Comments on CDC Rule (4/2020)
We submitted comments on a proposed rule by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) which would restrict the entry of individuals from certain foreign countries into the US.

Letter to ICE and Local Sheriffs (3/2020)
Our program co-signed this letter urging ICE and local county sheriffs/wardens of the jails that contract with ICE to release immigrants in ICE custody in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Letter to EOIR (3/2020)
Our program’s Director and Managing Attorney signed on to this letter to EOIR, which calls on EOIR to develop and enact policies that address the COVID-19 crisis.

Recent News

Denial of Justice report cover page
In 2021, the Biden administration established fast-tracked removal proceedings, known as the Dedicated Docket, targeting asylum-seeking families who recently arrived
The Biden administration’s new rule, which took effect yesterday and has already been challenged in court, will unjustly prevent refugees
  Advocates from the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN), Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts (PLSMA), Massachusetts Law Reform Institute,
Join us in welcoming back Andrew Leon Hanna (HLS alum, Forbes 30 Under 30 social entrepreneur, Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholar) for a special lunchtime book