More than 160 immigrant rights supporters joined together on #GivingTuesday, donating enough to provide legal representation through the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) to more than 20 asylum seekers.
We are incredibly grateful for your generosity because of the tremendous impact these donations will have for asylum seekers.
Right now, people who have fled their native countries to save their lives are being blocked from seeking asylum at the border, they are still being forcibly separated from their children, and they are being needlessly locked up in immigration jail just for asking for protection. The asylum process is incredibly confusing and difficult to navigate, but with a lawyer by their side, people have a real chance to establish safe lives for themselves and their families in the United States.
Immigrants with lawyers are five times more likely to win their cases than immigrants without representation. For an asylum seeker, a lawyer can literally make the difference between life and death.
If you gave yesterday, THANK YOU, and if you didn't get a chance to donate yesterday, there's still time! You can still give to ensure a safe future for an asylum seeker.
If you're still feeling energized, you can do more to help asylum seekers by taking action to #FreeKelly:
Kelly is a 23-year-old transgender asylum seeker who has been suffering in immigration jail for more than two years, where she has experienced medical neglect and was locked in solitary confinement for four months straight because of her gender identity. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has the power to release her immediately but refuses to let her go. Kelly’s NIJC lawyer has filed petitions for her release and we've joined with Amnesty International and TransLatin@ Coalition to fight for her freedom. We need you to amp up the public pressure on ICE. Sign the petition to #FreeKelly now!
Thank you and happy #GivingTuesday--let's keep the advocacy, compassion, and generosity going through the next year!
Julia Toepfer is NIJC's Senior Marketing & Digital Engagement Strategist.