RMIAN Statement on DACA Ruling

RMIAN Stands with Immigrant Youth. A Texas Judge’s Ruling Striking Down DACA is Just the Latest Move in a Political Game That Callously Disregards the Very Real Consequences on the Lives of People Impacted.

Yesterday, a judge for the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas struck down the most recent iteration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and called to terminate the program. While the Court’s ruling will not change the current status quo – DACA recipients remain eligible to renew their status – it does not allow for any new applicants to qualify for legal protections through the program.

This isn’t the end of the road for this case. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which previously upheld Judge Hanen’s ruling about the DACA rulemaking process, will review the lower court’s decision. After that, the case would be on a pathway to the Supreme Court.

RMIAN’s Children’s Program Managing Attorney, Ashley Harrington, shared her frustration: RMIAN strongly disagrees with the Texas court decision and will continue to stand in solidarity with Dreamers. It is imperative that Congress act to provide meaningful, long-term protections for Dreamers and for immigrant youth left out of DACA so they can stop living in fear of the next political decision that could tear their families apart. 

Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund Annual Report

RMIAN Staff Members Will Share Their Expertise at American Bar Association Pro Bono Symposium on September 14 & 15, 2023

When the American Bar Association (ABA) Children’s Immigration Law Academy (CILA) & Commission on Immigration (COI) decided to hold its first ever Pro Bono Symposium, it asked RMIAN staff members Emily Brock and Kirsten Hoaby to share their perspectives. The Pro Bono Symposium, which will be held on September 14 & 15, 2023, will facilitate learning about pro bono program management and feature advocates from across the nation. Presenters will share their experience and expertise in pro bono programs working with volunteers and/or pro bono attorneys. This will be a virtual event, via Zoom, spread over two half days.

Kirsten Hoaby is RMIAN’s Pro Bono Volunteer Coordinator and will be featured on the panel entitled, “Utilizing Volunteer Translators and Interpreters to Support Pro Bono Cases” on Thursday, September 14, 2023 from 2:45-3:45 pm, MST. Emily Brock, RMIAN’s Children’s Program Deputy Managing Attorney will share her expertise during the panel, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me: Enhancing Pro Bono Placement Through Friend of the Court Practice,” which will take place on Friday, September 15, 2023 from 9:15-10:15 am, MST.

Interested in participating? You can register to join the Pro Bono Symposium here.

Join RMIAN and Co-Host, Colorado Bar Association, at Upcoming In-Person Immigration Law Training on September 29, 2023

Complaint Seeks Investigation of Misuse and Overuse of Solitary Confinement at the Aurora ICE Contract Detention Facility

Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN), the American Immigration Council, and the National Immigration Project (NIPNLG), filed an administrative complaint with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Professional Responsibility—demanding immediate investigation into the increased use and misuse of solitary confinement at the Aurora Contract Detention Center. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detains hundreds of people in a private prison owned and operated by GEO Group, Inc., located in Aurora, Colorado.

“The endemic dehumanizing culture within the Aurora facility is heartless, abusive, and dangerous. The people—mothers, brothers, grandchildren—featured in this complaint demonstrate immeasurable bravery by stepping forward to share their experiences and provide examples of systemic mistreatment that time and again violate ICE’s own policies as well as federal disability rights law. They deserve better,” said Laura Lunn, Director of Advocacy & Litigation at RMIAN. “It is also important to highlight that this is happening in the state of Colorado, a place that works diligently to provide a welcoming and hospitable refuge to immigrants, migrants, and refugees. This complaint underscores that our local and state governments cannot prevent this type of harmful treatment as long as ICE operates in our communities.”

Read The Denver Post’s coverage here.

Read the Complaint in PDF form here and below.

RMIAN Social Worker Featured in TALKS mini-documentary series, "Home Away from Home: Immigration Across the Border and Disability"

Katherine Valentin, RMIAN Social Worker, added her perspective regarding the intersection of disability and immigration justice in a mini-documentary series produced by THINK+change. You can watch or listen to these important conversations where you can hear from Alfredo Bonilla-Flores and Jose Torres Vega, who were both directly impacted by the immigration system as well as advocates seeking systemic reforms to better accommodate the needs of immigrants and migrants with disabilities. Keep reading for more information.

Deciding to immigrate to the United States is never an easy choice, especially for people with disabilities. In the TALKS mini-documentary series, Home Away from Home: Immigration Across the Border and Disability, we highlight the intersection of immigration and disability justice. Through the perspectives of a legal expert, a social worker, and two lived experiences, this series delves into the challenges faced by people with developmental and other disabilities, as they navigate the cultural experience and immigration system in the United States.

Why you should watch

• -Learn about the high prevalence of disability-related immigration and the various reasons people with disabilities choose to immigrate;

• -Gain insight into the major barriers people with disabilities face in navigating the immigration system;

• -Discover the ways in which the immigration process can exacerbate trauma for people with disabilities; and

• -Learn about the significant need for advocacy, accommodations, and policy reform in the immigration systems in the United States.

Who should watch

• -Advocates and activists, passionate about the intersection of disability and immigrant rights;

• -Disability professionals, interested in insights into the unique needs and challenges faced by immigrants with disabilities;

• -Legal and criminal justice professionals, working to understand disability accommodations in courts and detention centers;

• -Policy-makers, exploring the need for change in our immigration systems;

• -Community members, examining a more empathetic understanding of the experiences of immigrants with disabilities; and

• -Immigration service providers and social workers.

RMIAN Collaborates with Denver's Immigrant and Refugee Commission to Educate Our Community About Immigration Basics

Interested in learning more about immigration law? Join RMIAN Senior Staff Attorney, Conor Gleason, and Social Worker, Cindy Schlosser, who will be speaking on June 29, 2023 from 5:30-6:30 pm about what benefits are available for people both recently arriving in our community as well as those who have lengthier ties to the United States and are seeking immigration benefits. They will also discuss who qualifies for work authorization and how to apply. In addition, Conor and Cindy will provide updates on the latest changes to U.S. policy and litigation impacting noncitizens navigating the exceedingly complicated U.S. immigration system. The event is taking place at McGlone Academy, Confluence Media Center located at 4500 Crown Blvd., Denver, CO 80239.

RMIAN Educates the Community About What Constitutes Human Trafficking with a Focus on the Legal Recourses a Survivor Can Take to Pursue Justice

On June 30, 2023, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is partnering with the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking and working in collaboration with the Larimer County Department of Human Services to provide a training on how labor trafficking presents among youth in Larimer County and impacts their families. Labor trafficking exists in both the formal and informal economy in industries that are prevalent in Colorado. Because both people directly impacted by human trafficking and their communities are often unaware of the crime, we often miss it even when it's happening right in front of us. The way in which the U.S. economy forces immigrants and refugees to work in unregulated spaces, they are disproportionately vulnerable to potential labor or sexual exploitation, which can include wage theft and human trafficking. Immigration status is often used as a form of coercion to elicit compliance and fraudulent promises of work are often used to recruit individuals into an exploitative situation. People who are targets of human trafficking may not fully understand their rights, may have their identification confiscated, and may not feel safe to report. This presentation will cover the complexities of disclosure for systems involved youth, including immigrant communities, as well as the legal recourse a survivor can take to pursue justice. RMAIN attorneys, Caleb Stewart and Christine Dutko, will be sharing their expertise from 10 am - 12 pm at the West Oak Building Hearing Room, 200 West Oak, Fort Collins, Colorado.

With no magic wand yet, next best thing supporting Denver’s immigrants receives more funding

Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund receives more money to help a community in desperate need

Free Webinar: Representing Asylum-Seekers at the Aurora Immigration Court

It is our pleasure to invite you to a free webinar on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. MST hosted by RMIAN and the Immigration Justice Campaign:

Detention Trends, Fear-Based Relief, and Practical Tips for Representation before the Aurora Immigration Court

With changes to border policy, more and more people are being detained by the Biden Administration upon arrival in the United States. Given the increase in detained asylum seekers, there is an ever-growing need for pro bono representation of people who fear persecution and torture in their countries of origin and who are ineligible for release from detention. Join us on March 30th for a free webinar to learn more about detention trends and how you can help. There will be a review of withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture, as well as practical tips for in-person and remote representation before the Aurora Immigration Court.

1 general CLE credit pending. Register here.

Please take a moment to share with your networks and consider a detained pro bono case through RMIAN! Limited scope matters available! People detained in Aurora need pro bono representation for bond, parole, merits (including limited scope matters like I589 assistance), and BIA appeals. As a reminder, RMIAN and the Immigration Justice Campaign provide expert mentorship, document review, and sample filings.

RMIAN Social Services Project Director Promotes Value of Immigration Case Management

For well over a decade, Megan Hope has provided social services to immigrants who require assistance navigating the challenges of being detained in Colorado, resettling in a new community, and finding stability after a period of significant flux. Megan has advocated on behalf of countless individuals and is an expert in her field. Now, she uses her unique lens to lift up the need for a system change that includes wrap-around social services for migrants rather than continuing down the path of detaining people in dehumanizing and abusive facilities. Read the full piece on Colorado Newsline.

Summer 2023 Legal Internships

RMIAN is offering two full-time, paid summer internships for current law students during Summer 2023. Interns will:

• Gain practical, hands-on knowledge about the immigration legal system and its intersection of other legal fields

• Work closely with staff in the Children’s Program or Detention Program

• Observe and/or participate in hearings before the Denver or Aurora Immigration Courts

• Experience the work environment in a nonprofit legal services organization

Location: Westminster, Colorado

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)

Duration: at least 10 weeks between May and August

Compensation: $5,000 stipend (subject to withholding)

RMIAN is committed to providing educational opportunities for law students interested in pursuing professions in the field of immigration advocacy.

For more information about legal internship opportunities at RMIAN, including how to apply, click here.

RMIAN Featured in Denver Gazette/Colorado Politics Town Hall on Immigration

RMIAN’s Director of Advocacy & Litigation, Laura Lunn, spoke to members of the greater Denver community during a Town Hall on Immigration on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. She appeared alongside University of Colorado Law professor, Violet Chapin, the Director of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Office for Human Rights & Community Partnerships’ (HRCP) at the City of Denver, Atim Otii, and Denver Gazette reporter Nico Brambila. The convening was organized in response the the recent influx of migrants to the Denver area and drilled down on the push and pull factors drawing people to the region.

Throughout the conversation Laura emphasized RMIAN’s commitment to creating a welcoming space for the community it serves and highlighted the importance of legal representation. “An estimated 70% of those in immigration proceedings do not have an attorney, Lunn said, adding individuals with a lawyer are 10 times more likely to win their immigration case.” RMIAN is committed to serving people in need of legal guidance and representation, recognizing that in addition to the increased chance of success, RMIAN’s staff members provide people with respect, dignity, and hope.

Click here to read the full story and watch the Town Hall.

Shaleen Morales, RMIAN Universal Representation Staff Attorney Speaking at American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Conference in Colorado

RMIAN’s expertise in the realm of immigration detention will be front and center at the AILA Colorado Chapter Annual Conference, “Resistance to Subsistence: Policy Updates from Trump to Biden & How We Can Advocate for Meaningful Reform,” taking place on Friday, February 10, 2023 at University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. Click here for more information on how to register.

RMIAN's Social Services Project works with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) to educate community members on how to support and welcome newly arriving migrants

Join RMIAN and AFSC to learn how to support people detained in immigration custody, assist them with planning their release, and accompany them as they settle into our community. RMIAN’s Social Services Project Director, Megan Hope, and Social Worker, Cindy Schlosser, will be leading the training, which will take place on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 from 6-7:30pm MST. Register here.

Rocky Mountain PBS Highlights RMIAN's Impact

RMIAN’s Emily Brock, Children’s Program Deputy Managing Attorney, and Conor Gleason, Detention Program Senior Staff Attorney, speak to Rocky Mountain PBS about the challenges migrants face when they stare at a legal system stacked against them and the difference attorneys can make in overcoming such barriers.

RMIAN Staff Members Speak Out About the Value and Importance of Universal Representation for Noncitizens in Removal Proceedings

Check out what Shaleen Morales, Universal Representation Staff Attorney and Carly Howenstein, Legal Advocate, had to say when they appeared on Hear, Allà, Presente. Use the QR code below to listen!

Deputy Managing Attorney of RMIAN's Children's Program Speaks Out Against the Treatment of Asylum Seekers in the Denverite

Emily Brock, the Deputy Managing Attorney of RMIAN’s Children’s Program, spoke to Kevin Beaty from the Denverite about her experience serving families subjected to the Dedicated Docket. RMIAN stands in stark opposition of this policy, which fast tracks immigration cases of families from around the world, with the exception of Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, with completion goals of 300 days after their initial hearings. This expedient timeline is a barrier to accessing legal counsel, and as a result, families on the Dedicated Docket have much lower success rates than other asylum seekers even though many of them have strong legal claims for asylum.

RMIAN is Honored to Receive the Professional Resource of the Year (IVLP) Award from WorldDenver

RMIAN was honored to receive the Professional Resource of the Year (IVLP) Award from WorldDenver for the impact our work makes on our community.

WorldDenver is a nonprofit community organization that promotes a greater understanding of world affairs and cultures throughout the Denver Metro area, creating and implementing unique programs that connect Coloradans with experts, leaders, and ideas from across the globe. In honor of WorldDenver’s 10 year anniversary, it honored 10 community partners this year who have made a significant impact on WorldDenver and its ability to build global understanding and cross-cultural ties.

"The highly qualified and impressive participants from around the world posed challenging questions that fostered deep thinking about how to address injustices of human trafficking and prison/detention conditions locally and globally."

- Caleb Stewart, Senior Staff Attorney, Anti-Human Trafficking Project