From the creation of immigration legal defense funds taking us closer to our goal of universal representation for all people in removal proceedings to the morally reprehensible suspension of the DACA program, this month has been a mixed bag of steps in the right direction and leaps backward. As July comes to an end, we are grateful to the donors, volunteers, activists, collaborators, and allies who continue to support RMIAN and fight for equal access to justice for immigrants in removal proceedings.
Register for This Year’s Immigrant Liberty Awards!
Donate $50 or more at registration and receive a Shine On! Bag with treats from Azucar Bakery, Ohana Treats, and Cerveceria Colorado.*
Ernesto’s Story
Ernesto has lived in the United States for most of his life, but it was only in this past month that he became a lawful permanent resident. Brought to the U.S. as a baby, Ernesto was undocumented for many years, at risk for deportation if discovered. But in 2017, at the age of 18, Ernesto applied for and was granted DACA status, providing temporary relief from deportation and the opportunity to live, work, and go to school in the United States. With RMIAN’s help, Ernesto was also able to pursue Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), a form of relief based on abuse, neglect, or abandonment by a parent and one that put Ernesto on his pathway to becoming a permanent resident. Ernesto is extremely excited to finally be a permanent resident. He hopes to pursue higher education and contribute to his community as a firefighter. At RMIAN, we offer our sincerest congratulations to Ernesto and are so excited to see where his future takes him. Congratulations, Ernesto!
Statement on DACA
On July 16, a U.S. District Court Judge from the Southern District of Texas ruled that DACA was unlawful, thereby blocking new applicants to the program. Existing DACA recipients continue to maintain their status and are still eligible to renew their status every two years. RMIAN reaffirms its commitment to making our immigration system more just and equitable for Dreamers and all immigrants in Colorado. RMIAN adamantly opposes this new ruling, which is both morally reprehensible and wrong on the law. Dreamers and their families are a vital part of our community and deserve to live in peace with hope for the future.
Immigration Legal Defense Fund Picnic & Legal Clinic
This past weekend, RMIAN made its way to Durango, CO, for Durango’s Picnic at the Park: A celebration of culture, community, and legal defense for all, an event celebrating the passing of HB21-1194 for an Immigration Legal Defense Fund. Organizations and community members throughout the state, including RMIAN, collaborated to pass this historic legislation, taking us one step closer to RMIAN’s goal of universal representation for everyone in removal proceedings.
The celebration featured speakers who have worked on the bill, many of whom have been impacted by the broken U.S. immigration system, and know how important an Immigration Legal Defense Fund is for immigrant adults, children, and families in removal proceedings. Also featured were local musicians and traditional dancing. As part of the celebration, RMIAN and other Colorado immigration attorneys volunteered at a legal clinic in Durango for immigrants in the community in need of legal advice. RMIAN staff attorneys Shaleen Morales (pictured left), Jenn Nelson (pictured to the right of sign), Sabrina Sameshima (not pictured), and others provided free legal services to 23 individuals.
"In celebrating the passing of HB21-1194, it was only right to provide a free legal clinic this weekend,” says Nelson, RMIAN’s Legal Orientation Program Supervisory Attorney. “Access to counsel is vital to ensuring access to justice, and that's what this event was all about. Not only did we sing and dance, but we provided free legal information to the community to celebrate the empowerment that comes with knowing your rights and knowing you are not alone in this fight."
Fort Collins Creates a Legal Defense Fund!
Over a year ago, RMIAN joined forces with CIRC, Alianza NORCO, Fuerza Latina, ISAAC, La Cocina, CO ACLU, and other community members and organizations to come together and address the pressing civil rights issue that is the lack of immigration legal services and its resulting barrier to due process for immigrant communities. Together, this alliance of immigrant-rights advocates and organizations fought for the creation of a City Legal Defense Fund. This month, the Fort Collins City Council approved a pilot program of the fund in a 5-2 vote, agreeing to allocate $150,000 for the legal defense of immigrants residing in Fort Collins. The fund is aimed at providing free legal services for immigrant adults in detention, unaccompanied children pursuing Special Immigrant Juvenile cases, and affirmative cases for people eligible to pursue naturalization or lawful permanent residency.
“The creation of the fund in Fort Collins is a historic moment in time. In passing Ordinance NO. 064, 2021, City Council solidified that the community must take care of our own before one more loved one is expelled from Colorado solely due to a lack of legal counsel,” says RMIAN Universal Representation Staff Attorney, Shaleen Morales.
RMIAN is honored to be a member of this incredible alliance and urges Coloradans across the state and in each of their local communities to continue to advocate for the rights of immigrant community members.
Free Children’s Immigration Law Training
RMIAN and the Colorado Lawyers Committee (CLC) are hosting a two-part free legal training series on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). This training will convene a group of firms and solo attorneys to create cohorts to provide pro bono representation for children. The training dates are August 25, 2021, and September 10, 2021. Additional information is available here. Help us spread the word!