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

Rainbow background with the outline of a family walking and holding hands. Text reads: June is Pride Month and Immigrant History Month
June is Pride Month and Immigrant Heritage Month. This June, it is important to recognize that there is much work
Over the past few years, the Crimmigration Clinic at our Program has greatly expanded, and more and more students have
We are pleased to introduce the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program Summer 2022 interns. Over the next few months,
Our client spoke with reporter Sarah Betancourt about her experience trying to enter the US with a valid J-1 visa,