The American Immigration Council does not endorse or oppose candidates for elected office. We aim to provide an analysis of the election’s impact on the U.S. immigration system.
States and local communities are at the forefront of shaping the lives of immigrants. While some governments promote harmful policies, other state and local governments support efforts to protect newcomers and enable them to fully participate in their communities.
As we look to 2025 and the uncertainty surrounding federal immigration policy, it will become increasingly important for state and local governments to protect the safety and well-being of their immigrant populations. To achieve this, we must enact policies that protect the rights of immigrants, ensure fair access to services, and prioritize public safety over unnecessary enforcement of federal immigration enforcement duties.
Here are some examples that communities can use as starting points to advance immigrant protection and inclusion.
Data privacy:
Policies that limit the collection and sharing of information by state and local governments protect the privacy of all community members, including protecting vulnerable immigrants from potential risks such as discrimination, harassment, and even deportation. essential to protect. Policies can include restrictions on information collected by government agencies. This includes prohibiting the sharing of certain information with federal authorities, such as your immigration status unless required by law or program eligibility requirements.
Funding for immigration legal services:
Individuals in immigration proceedings or appearing in immigration court do not have access to government-funded attorneys. This means that many people face complex legal proceedings alone, and the outcome is directly related to whether they have access to representation. Policies that fund immigration legal services increase the ability of communities to provide pro bono representation. Increasing access to legal support increases the likelihood that immigrants, including those in deportation proceedings, will receive fair and just processing.
Limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities:
Limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies, such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), helps protect immigrant communities and mixed-status families. This fosters trust between immigrants and local law enforcement and strengthens community safety. Policy options range from limiting or terminating existing 287(g) agreements, where local police deputize immigration officials, to fulfilling detainer requests.
Protection and funding of refugee resettlement services:
With the potential reductions or stalling of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and other programs, community-based organizations that serve refugees and other populations, such as special immigrant visa recipients, will have to help people rebuild their lives and create new They may not have access to funding to continue services that support their integration into the community.
State or local funding for refugee resettlement services can help offset losses in federal funding or augment existing funding to ensure the continuation of programs serving individuals already in the United States.
States may protect or codify participation in U.S. refugee admission programs to prevent administrative authorities from unilaterally eliminating national coordination of refugee resettlement services.
Create a new American office:
A state or local New Americans office specializing in immigrant and refugee inclusion supports the successful integration of newcomers and helps promote inclusive communities. It also serves as a focal point for work and policy related to the economic, social and civic inclusion of immigrants. Offices may be created by executive order, budget amendment, or by ordinance or law. We have more than 40 regional offices across the country and in 22 states with offices or senior policy staff dedicated to this issue.
Workforce protection and inclusion:
Protect migrant workers and create fair opportunities for all community members to contribute their skills to the local workforce or build new skills to meet industry needs. helps states and localities promote economic success and growth. Policies range from expanding access to occupational licenses by eliminating immigration status requirements and funding employment training programs and immigrant entrepreneurship support programs to limiting the use of E-Verify to prevent discrimination in employment practices.
These are just some of the ways state and local governments can support and protect members of immigrant communities. Other policies range from standardizing the U Visa verification process and expanding healthcare access for undocumented immigrants to allowing individuals to obtain driver’s licenses regardless of their immigration status.
Application: 287(g), Immigration Law
