No One Should Face the Immigration System Alone: The American Immigration Council Highlights the Critical Need for Access to an Attorney for #GivingTuesday Campaign

WASHINGTON — The American Immigration Council announced today that it will focus on the critical need for access to an attorney when navigating the immigration system during its #GivingTuesday and year-end fundraising campaign starting November 27.

“Our immigration system is complex, and, thanks to the Trump administration’s far-reaching attacks on immigration, it becomes more unwieldy and unpredictable every day. Navigating this system, when one’s future, livelihood, and life are on the line, can result in dire and permanent consequences,” said Beth Werlin, executive director of the American Immigration Council. “No one should face the immigration system alone, and we are raising funds to help ensure everyone has access a fair day in court.”

Every day, mothers, fathers, children, and grandparents are forced to appear before immigration judges and immigration officers without a lawyer beside them. Yet studies have shown that those who do have legal representation fare significantly better at every stage of the court process.

The Council has a long record of advocating for a fair immigration process, by ensuring that those who face the immigration system do so with an attorney by their side, and by challenging unlawful immigration practices and misinterpretation of the law.

The Council provides access to legal representation through the Immigration Justice Campaign, tracks and reports abuses in detention, and brings lawsuits to challenge cruel conditions of short-term detention and bond hearing delays.

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage philanthropy and celebrate generosity worldwide. In 2017, during the sixth annual Giving Tuesday event, an estimated $274 million was raised online in the United States to benefit a broad range of organizations.

Those who are interested in joining the American Immigration Council’s Giving Tuesday initiative, and for information on how to get involved, visit the Council’s website or Facebook page, or follow @immcouncil on Twitter.

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For more information, contact:

Maria Frausto at the American Immigration Council, [email protected] or 202-507-7526.