Fight for Humane Detention Bill

HB 2747 would remedy the fact that immigrant detainees and asylum seekers in Illinois can't see their priests or imams while awaiting trial...

Immigration blogs

Shouldn't Immigrants Pay Taxes, Too?

Fact: Undocumented immigrants do pay taxes. They pump $7 billion per year into our social security system at a time when baby boomers are getting ready to retire and birth rates are going down. Learn more...

Behind the Veil: Video Portrays Anti-immigrant Extremism

Behind The Veil: America’s Anti-Immigration Network

"What if all the leading anti-immigration groups were founded by the same man, funded by the same organization, and had ties to White supremacy?” asks the expose video, “Behind the Veil: America's Anti-Immigrant Network," released today. Read more…

By Joshua Hoyt

Romney Points Out His Problem

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Republican Candidate for President Mitt Romney ran for the White House attacking Mike Huckabee, John McCain, and Rudy Guiliani for their alleged "support of illegal immigrants." So guess who was caught not once, but twice, employing undocumented immigrants to cut the grass at his estate?

Yep... Mitt Romney!

Read more…

The Latest

Wall Street Journal: ICIRR Leads Way on Integration

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This week's Wall Street Journal shows how ICIRR became a leader in the movement to press for innovative policies that help to integrate immigrants into their new communities. "The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, a nonprofit advocacy group that worked with Gov. Blagojevich to craft the executive order, has played a lead role in fostering integration initiatives in other states." We have indeed worked with leaders in states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Washington, where new, proactive approaches in the Illinois model will help to transform many nationalities into one nation. It’s exciting to see the movement take root! Read more…

"Please Deport Me Plan" Fails First Day

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Instead of making strides to repair an ailing immigration system, or ensuring humane detention conditions for those in its custody, Immigration, Customs, and Enforcement has introduced a plan so absurd, even its die-hard fans are stumped. ICE to immigrants: "Please Deport Yourselves." Today marked the first full day of the pilot program in Chicago, yet (surprise, surprise) not a single person volunteered for deportation. Read more…

“A Hidden System” and the Human Cost of Detention

Americans of all stripes are coming together to shine light on the federal government’s failure to uphold basic human rights and due process for immigrants being held in detention. “A Hidden System” is a short video that ICIRR teamed up on to give a face and a voice to what’s wrong with our ballooning detention industry. Read more…

Breaking News

New Americans Vote 2008

Goal: Register 20,000 New American voters in Illinois. Mobilize 50,000 immigrants to the polls in 20 target areas. Train 20 new leaders in local organizing to build power for their communities. Empower immigrant communities to stand up for our shared ideals.

What you can do?

Get involved today!

© 2008 Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights