LFAA Resources

Resource Guide for Undocumented Survivors

Network Victim Recovery of DC works with survivors of all types of crime who are undocumented. The attached memo serves as a resource guide for survivors who are navigating this challenge alongside their victimization. The resource guide contains recommended immigration statuses and resources that are available to undocumented survivors. ...Read more

Challenging the Department of Homeland Security Guard Interdictions and Pushbacks

The research memos focus on the US's policy of denying access to asylum protections for migrants apprehended at sea and its policy of denying Trafficking Victims Protections Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) protections to unaccompanied children apprehended at sea. These policies have led to the unjust denial of access to asylum to many Haitian migrants and their forced return to danger and persecution. This research memo focuses on whether there is a strong legal basis for challenging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Guard interdictions and pushbacks, without providing inspections, and the right to apply for asylum, of noncitizens who have reached U.S. waters....Read more

Racism in Immigration Law: Chapter 6 - Discriminatory Treatment of Refugees of Color

This chapter discusses the discriminatory treatment of refugees of color as they navigate the United States’ refugee resettlement process. The highly discretionary nature of the selection process can often lead to arbitrary results, disproportionately disadvantaging refugees of color. Beyond the risk of arbitrary decision-making, certain policies implemented by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) place more-stringent screening standards on certain refugees of color, bringing discriminatory practices within the formal scheme of the selection process. Given the increasing numbers of refugees around the world, stakeholders should be aware of the discriminatory tendencies of such practices and take measures to limit their adverse impact on refugees of color. Moreover, policymakers should consider implementing measures to limit adverse impacts on refugees of color, including placing more guardrails around the government’s discretion in adjudicating refugee applications; allowing refugee applicants access to counsel during all phases of the application process, including interviews; and ensuring that security-screening procedures are applied appropriately and fairly to all refugees....Read more