What’s New?
This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling allowing the administration to revoke the legal status of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans – all who were allowed to enter, live, and work in the United States under humanitarian parole as they wait for their immigration cases (Svitlana Doe v. Noem).
It is the second time this month that the High Court has allowed the administration to revoke the legal status of people seeking safety and protection. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court allowed the administration to revoke temporary protected status (TPS) for Venezuelans.
These rulings come on the heels of the administration terminating legal status for Haitians, Afghans, and Cameroonians, which are also being challenged in the courts (Haitian Evangelical Clergy Association v. Trump; CASA v. Noem).
The impact of the termination of legal status is two-fold for communities across the country: first, family, friends, and neighbors will lose protection from deportation, and secondly, there will be devastating social and economic impacts of losing hundreds of thousands of community members.
What else?
House Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill
On a narrow but largely party-line vote of 215-214, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget reconciliation bill that would extend tax cuts, scale back social service programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, implement new fees for immigration services, while increasing funding for immigration enforcement, the military, and border security.
Also, in the 1,116-page bill are changes that would “dismantle bipartisan safeguards that will endanger unaccompanied children seeking protection,” writes Jenn Podkul, Chief of Global Advocacy for Kids in Need of Defense.
LSSNCA joined the Immigration Interfaith Coalition in urging the Senate to reject this proposal.
“This bill abandons the American legacy of being a sanctuary for the persecuted and a home for the hopeful, paving the way for the mass deportation of our neighbors without due process. As people of faith and conscience, we urge our senators to reject this bill and instead stand in solidarity with keeping families together and building a healthy, thriving community rooted in our nation’s legacy of welcome,” said Kristyn Peck, LSSNCA, CEO
Case of Unlawfully Deported Maryland Dad
Last week, U.S. Representative Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04) traveled to El Salvador to conduct a wellness check on Kilmar Abrego Garcia – a Maryland dad and constituent of the Congressman, who was unlawfully removed to a notorious prison in El Salvador in March. Despite formal requests, the Congressman was denied access to meet with Abrego Garcia.
Abrego Garcia remains imprisoned in El Salvador despite the Supreme Court ordering the administration to facilitate his return in April. Our friends at CASA have created a social media toolkit to continue to put pressure on the administration to #BringKilmarHome.
What You Can Do:
At this time when the news feels heavy and overwhelming, it is vital to be in community and show solidarity with one another. To that effect, we invite you to join LSSNCA for two meaningful conversations to reflect on the strength and courage of refugees and recommit to our shared legacy of welcome. The events are free to attend, and we look forward to seeing you there.
