National Immigrant Justice Center

05/18/2026

Our community made history by spurring Congress to end the partial government shutdown without giving more money to ICE and CBP.

But now, Congress is trying to push a new round of funding through with $72 BILLION going to ICE and Border Patrol's cruelty.

Congress is negotiating the funding this week, so you need to ACT NOW! Tell Congress: Not one more dollar for detention, family separation, and violence ➡️ immigrantjustice.org/StopICE

05/18/2026

“Hopefully this case and others will be a check against the most aggressive and reckless forms of (immigration) enforcement.” - NIJC's Mark Fleming

Nightmares, panic attacks, and loss of income are just some of the lasting impacts that South Shore residents described to ProPublica after being targeted in last fall's unlawful, military-style raid.

Read how these raids have impacted our community members: https://www.propublica.org/article/chicago-immigration-raid-ice-dhs-fbi-federal-tort-claims

We're proud to represent some of these community members in their legal claims seeking accountability and justice. See more: https://immigrantjustice.org/press-release/18-chicago-residents-brutalized-by-federal-agents-during-a-military-style-immigration-raid-file-legal-claims-seeking-accountability-and-justice/

New accounts from 17 men, women and children taken in a midnight raid paint a violent, terrifying portrait of the federal agents’ alleged actions. These descriptions form the basis of claims filed this week against DHS and other federal agencies.

05/16/2026

Together, we achieved something historic: communities across the country organized to block new ICE and CBP funding during the latest appropriations fight.

Now, on May 20, NIJC and partner organizations are uniting once again for a march and rally event to demand that elected officials invest in care and critical community services, not more detention and cruelty.

TAKE ACTION | Join us at the rally and meet directly with elected leaders to demand NO MORE funding for ICE and CBP: https://www.mobilize.us/cpda/event/940959/?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=nijc

Shoutout to our partners Popular Democracy, National Immigration Law Center, Fair Immigration Reform Movement, Families Over Billionaires, Detention Watch Network, CWS, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, Indivisible Guide, CASA in Action, SPACEs In Action, and others!

Republicans are choosing to spend $70 billion on ICE and Border Patrol instead of helping families afford health care, groceries, gas and utilities. ICE is a death machine — and this bill is yet another blank check for ICE to unleash terror in our communities. Since Trump took office, at least 48 ...

05/15/2026

Local law enforcement still has a choice- they DO NOT have to do the bidding of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign.

Another model: In Illinois, we've shown that another path is possible when trust and community needs are prioritized over programs like 287(g).

Watch NIJC's Azadeh Erfani break down why it's vital to keep local law enforcement from colluding with federal immigration agencies.

Thank you Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Congressman Chuy García, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, and other elected officials for convening this shadow hearing.

05/15/2026

WATCH: NIJC's Azadeh Erfani testifies at shadow hearing by Congresswoman Delia Ramirez about the dangers of local police colluding with ICE to target and harm our community members.

05/14/2026

For many children seeking safety, navigating immigration court alone or representing themselves is nearly impossible.

NIJC’s Hillary Richardson shares how funding for Illinois Access to Justice's statewide network helps NIJC provide free legal representation to vulnerable youth and families across Illinois, and why our communities need this support now more than ever.

TAKE ACTION | Watch to learn more and sign the petition to tell the Illinois General Assembly to fund Access to Justice: bit.ly/A2JAction

05/14/2026

05/13/2026

BREAKING: NIJC and our partners Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, The University of Chicago Immigrants' Rights Clinic, and The MacArthur Justice Center filed claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act seeking compensation on behalf of 18 people brutalized and traumatized by federal agents during a military-style raid on their apartment building in Chicago.

“The U.S. government has no right to inflict this level of emotional distress and property damage and then just walk away," said NIJC Senior Litigation Attorney Allena Martin in a statement. "Seeking compensatory damages is a necessary step toward righting the wrong these members of our communities, including families with young children, experienced that night.”

The 18 people have filed their complaints collectively to pursue remedies for their individual harms and to hold the entire system accountable. Together, they bring these actions to demand that no government agency acts with such blatant disregard for civil and human rights again.

Read more:

The claims against the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies detail the shocking experiences of residents at the hands of federal agents who stormed the building, broke down doors without warrants, and rounded up adults and children alike at gunpoint in the middle of the night.

05/12/2026

TAKE ACTION: Tell your Senators and Representatives to reject any new funding for ICE and Border Patrol and demand real accountability for these agencies. Not one more dollar: immigrantjustice.org/StopICE

Because of community pressure, Congress ended the DHS shutdown without giving new funding to ICE or Border Patrol. We have to keep the pressure on! Now, Congress is trying to push a new $72 billion funding package for these agencies and we can't let this happen. Your members of Congress need to hear from you right now!

Right now, Congress has the power to stop ICE and Border Patrol’s unlawful sweeping raids and detention expansion. Tell your members of Congress to stop enabling ICE and Border Patrol’s cruelty and instead invest in our communities.

05/11/2026

NIJC's annual team potluck is one of our favorite traditions! Staff brought a wide array of home-cooked dishes, cultural favorites, and traditional staples to share with one another. It was a wonderful time celebrating community together. 🍲🥘

05/11/2026

Helping the community, where it matters most 💗: NIJC recently partnered with Apna Ghar, Inc. (Our Home) to host an intake day.

Several NIJC staff members were able to meet directly with community members to help them take the first step towards getting trusted immigration legal services.

Check out some of the best highlights from the event!