State and Local

Protected No More – How States Are Responding to Immigration Enforcement in Sensitive Locations
For almost 15 years, immigrants in the United States were able to seek medical care, attend school, and access other critical services without much worry of encountering immigration enforcement in these locations. This all changed on the first day of the new Trump administration, when the Department of Homeland Security… Read More

The Fight for Immigrant Students’ Education: Policies, Barriers, and What’s at Stake
By: Jojo Tompkins, State and Local Fellow, American Immigration Council For generations, the United States has upheld education as the foundation for better opportunities. But the fraught politics of immigration are creating new barriers for immigrant children and families in accessing both K-12 schooling and higher education. These… Read More

Ahead of Tax Day, Fear of Filing Taxes Rises Among Undocumented Immigrants
Tax Day is approaching, but the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts may make many undocumented immigrants hesitant to file taxes. Some worry that providing personal information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) could be used against them. Undocumented immigrants pay billions in taxes every year. However, the Trump administration’s… Read More

With Liberty and Justice for All: The Importance of “Know Your Rights” Education
In a country built on the principles of freedom and justice, certain fundamental rights for every individual—regardless of their immigration status—are protected under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws. However, recent attacks by politicians and government leaders have sought to distort the meaning of these… Read More

States with Healthcare Shortages Turn to Foreign-Trained Doctors, Showing Bipartisan Immigration Policies Benefit All
At a time when immigration policy remains one of the most divisive issues in American politics, an area of bipartisan agreement has emerged: expanding licensure pathways for international medical graduates (IMGs). IMGs are physicians who received their training outside of the United States. Communities across the country recognize the urgent… Read More

Texas Dream Act: Protecting Undocumented Students’ Access to Higher Education Is Economic, Educational Imperative
In 2001, Texas set a precedent by enacting House Bill 1403, commonly known as the Texas Dream Act, which grants eligible undocumented students access to in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. This landmark legislation—the first of its kind in the nation—has… Read More

Communities Continue to Stand by Immigrants Amidst Fear, Heightened Enforcement
The first few weeks of President Trump’s second term in office have instilled a heightened level of fear, as longtime neighbors, residents, and tightly knit communities have encountered increased federal immigration enforcement, elimination of safeguards like sensitive locations, and significant shifts in immigration policies. Nevertheless, many communities continue to show… Read More

Policy Options: Protecting Immigrant Communities at the State and Local Level
State and local communities are at the forefront of shaping the lives of immigrants. While some have advanced harmful policies, other state and local governments championed efforts to protect newcomers and enable their full participation in their communities. As we look ahead to 2025 and the uncertainty around federal immigration… Read More

Immigration Was on the Ballot in Multiple States on Election Day – Here’s What Happened
On Election Day, voters gathered in various cities and states across the country to cast ballots on immigrant-related issues, like immigration protections, integration, and noncitizen voting. Here are the results of some key ballot measures. Arizona’s Proposition 314 In Arizona, the passage of Proposition 314, also known as the… Read More
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