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Call to Action: Support Dreamers and Pass the Dream Act of 2021
UPDATE: On July 16, 2021, a federal judge ruled that accepting new DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) applications is illegal. While this does not change the status of current DACA recipients, it does bar new applicants, emphasizing the need for legislative action. The House passed the Dream Act, but the bill is currently held up in the Senate. We need to continue to encourage our senators to work together to find a legislative solution to ensure Dreamers are protected from deportation and are provided a reasonable pathway to permanent status. The American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 is a bipartisan bill that would provide permanent protection and a…
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Mormon Women for Ethical Government’s Immigration Priorities Statement
A new year and a new presidential administration bring hope for ethical changes to immigration. The last four years both highlighted long-time issues and brought about many new challenges. We are hopeful that the work of MWEG members and many other organizations will lead the way to positive immigration reform. MWEG’s evolution since its inception in 2017 has prepared Shoulder to Shoulder, MWEG’s immigration initiative, to make a tangible difference in the coming year and thereafter. Our priorities for immigration reform are as follows: Change the tone. Reverse the current anti-immigration tone to demonstrate respect, compassion, and dignity for every human being. Support refugees. Increase the presidential determination on refugee…
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Call to Action: Investigate Whistleblower Complaint on Unwanted Hysterectomies Performed in ICE Detention Centers
A former nurse at an ICE detention center has filed a whistleblower complaint about both insufficient prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and the number of women in custody receiving hysterectomies. The complaint identifies concerns with the frequency, lack of sufficient consent, and questionable necessity of the gynecological procedure performed by one doctor in particular. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed an investigation will proceed. To do: Contact your members of Congress to let them know you are both aware of and concerned about the troubling allegations noted in the whistleblower complaint and that an independent investigation must proceed. In less than five minutes, you can submit a letter via our…
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Miranda v. Barr — and What It May Mean for Future Immigration Hearings
Picture a courtroom TV drama where a judge decides if a person accused of committing a crime is going to have bail set and for how much. The government lawyer argues for a million dollars or some other outrageous amount and offers reasons in support of the high amount; the defense attorney assures the judge the person is an upstanding member of society and would never flee. The government’s burden is to convince the court the bail is necessary, and if the reason is not convincing enough, the government’s request fails. The court’s job is to consider the person’s ability to pay and whether requiring money is necessary to reduce…
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MWEG Town Hall Recap: Immigration Updates on DACA and Asylum Proposals
Mormon Women for Ethical Government hosted a Town Hall on July 7 to update members on asylum and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) changes in U.S. immigration law. Panelist Nefi Oliva, president of the Immigration Law Forum at Brigham Young University, explained that recently proposed changes to immigration regulations are a codification of the recent practices of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security, and the immigration courts. The purpose of the regulations and policies under President Trump seems to be cruelty and to make it harder and harder to get into the U.S., said Kif Augustine-Adams, professor of law…
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Call to Action: Oppose ICE Changes to Student and Exchange Visitor Program
July 14 Update: Federal immigration officials rescinded the new guidelines for the Student Exchange Visitor Program, reverting back to guidance from March 2020 that allows exceptions to in-person class requirements due to the pandemic. On July 6, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced they will be modifying the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which allows international students to study in the United States on F-1 and M-1 visas. As a result of the changes, students who have these visas will be required to leave the U.S. if their college or university is not offering in-person classes. In-person classwork has always been a requirement for these visas, but in…
