Category Archives: Immigration

Statement on President Trump’s Proposed Executive Order Suspending Immigration

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Highland Park, IL – April 21, 2020 – The North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (the Clinic) stands in support of the immigrant community and has issued the following statement with regard to the recent proposed Presidential executive order related to immigration policy:

“We are disappointed to learn about President Trump’s proposed executive order to halt immigration during the COVID-19 crisis. An estimated* 6 million immigrant workers (a figure that does not take into account legal status) are in jobs on the front lines of coronavirus response, while another 6 million are in industries hardest hit by the pandemic. In normal times, undocumented labor is a pillar of the U.S. economy. These are our essential workers and our neighbors.

It is unclear how the White House will suspend immigration, how long a suspension could last, or how this will impact individuals who already hold green cards and are in the process of becoming U.S. citizens. The North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic will continue to monitor the situation and do whatever we can to assist individuals and families in need of legal assistance during this already difficult time.”

Healthcare Proclamation

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Beginning November 3, 2019, individuals seeking immigrant visas abroad will be denied if they do not have health insurance or cannot prove that they will be able to pay for health insurance in the United States within 30 days of entry. This proclamation, which was announced on October 3, 2019, will impact both individuals who have lived in the U.S. but must attend their immigrant visa interview abroad (for consular processing) and individuals who have never entered the United States. This new restriction is separate from the public charge rule (see this page for information and updates on the public charge rule).

Certain immigrants are exempt from this new healthcare proclamation, including: anyone issued a visa prior to the effective date (Nov. 3, 2019), Lawful Permanent Residents returning after a long absence, unmarried children and adoptees of U.S. citizens, people seeking Iraq/Afghani Special Immigrant visas, children under age 18, (unless accompanying parents subject to the new healthcare proclamation), people whose entry would advance law enforcement objectives or would be in the national interest, and parents of adult U.S. citizens if they can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the consular officer that their health care will not impose a substantial burden on the U.S. health care system.

Please contact the Clinic with any questions regarding this healthcare proclamation or any questions about applying for an immigrant visa.

Below are the Clinic’s flyers about changes to public charge and what they mean for you (created 10/1/2019).

Federal courts temporarily block the new public charge rule

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UPDATE: On October 11, 2019, federal courts temporarily blocked the new public charge rule described here. The future of the new public charge rule is up to the courts— in the coming months, there will be further legal action to determine whether the new rule will take effect.

We will continue to update this page as we learn more information about the future of the new public charge rule. Please keep in mind that currently, immigration officials may still consider cash assistance (SSI, TANF) and/or long-term care to determine public charge.

Please remember, certain public benefits such as WIC, AllKids, Moms and Babies and benefits for children are EXCLUDED in the public charge rule. Please seek assistance from the Clinic before dropping or joining any benefits in the near future.

Below are the Clinic’s flyers about changes to public charge and what they mean for you (created 10/1/2019).

VAWA Will Be On The US Senate Floor This Month

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The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was signed 25 years ago. The law changed the conversation about domestic violence as millions of Americans took gender-based violence seriously. It is also is credited for a dramatic decrease in the rate of domestic violence in the United States.

In April, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1585, the bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. Now it is time for the U.S. Senate to vote. They need to hear from you. Please tell them to VOTE YES.

This bill continues the critical programs that have helped reduce domestic violence and sexual assault over the last 25 years, and adds new programs focused on preventing violence, helping children and youth exposed to violence, and doing more to help victims from vulnerable communities impacted by these crimes. Reauthorization is critical especially with a new provision that is aimed at curbing sexual violence by expanding law enforcement’s ability to strip domestic abusers of their guns. This new language is especially important, even if it saves one life.

At the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, we provide access to justice to women who live in fear and danger. VAWA gives them crucial legal protections that they deserve. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is just around the corner in October. The timing is right for the U.S. Senate to follow the U.S. House’s lead and reauthorize VAWA with critical enhancements and no rollbacks.

Illinois Immigrant Tenant Protection Act

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On August 21, 2019, the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act was signed into Illinois state law. This act is aimed to protect tenants from the fear that their landlord may disclose their immigration status if they voice the concerns needed to maintain adequate living conditions. The Immigrant Tenant Protection Act explicitly prohibits landlords from disclosing or threatening to disclose the immigration status of a tenant with the intent of harassment, intimidation, or retaliation. The act also prevents landlords from making irrelevant inquiries about a tenant’s immigration status in civil court disputes over housing rights.

Illinois is the second state (after California) to enact legislation protecting immigrant tenant’s rights in this way. The passage of this act marks and important step in ensuring that all Illinois tenants, regardless of their immigration status, can exercise their housing rights.