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…

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…

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…

Even as both candidates intensify outreach to Latino voters, immigrant advocates are demanding specific details about how the candidates will enact humane reform. At a recent national Latino conference, ICIRR President Juan Salgado asked John McCain whether he was still committed to comprehensive immigration reform bill. Bloggers from the Sanctuary recently sent surveys about specific immigration policy to both candidates- see CNN coverage. Read more…

The questionable trials that followed last May's massive raid in Postville, Iowa, were brought to light today by long-time interpreter Erik Camayd-Freixas. Professor Freixas detailed the injustices that took place in Postville  in a 14-page essay about the proceedings (in which nearly 400 workers were railroaded through hasty trials at a local cattle grounds). The essay showed that many of the Guatemalan immigrants he translated for did not understand their rights or the severity of the charges they faced. Read more…

Just yesterday, the Illinois Review attacked New Americans Democracy Day with bogus statements that demonize all immigrants in this country.  Their outrageous claims about "non-citizens stealing elections" are a sad but frequent fear-tactic used by too many in the immigration debate. Immigrant communities are mobilizing to fight these attacks by becoming citizens, registering those who already are citizens, and turning out their communities on election day.   Read more…

Join Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and hundreds of immigrants rights leaders from around the country for New Americans Democracy Day!, a national celebration of Immigrant Voting Power! Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is confirmed to attend. Read more…

The National Rights Working Group Campaign to Hold Homeland Security will launch Thursday, June 19th, as ICIRR and dozens of other groups around the country will conduct “The Night of 1,000 Conversations,” an evening of discussion, education and action about how Department of Homeland Security is undermining the civil liberties and human rights of people living in the United States. Read more…

Today the New Americans Policy Council sent a final set of recommendations to the State of Illinois aimed at assisting immigrants and refugees to fully integrate into the social and economic fabric of the state. These recommendations cap off a two-year process launched by Governor Blagojevich's landmark New Americans Executive Order. Read more…

The new, emerging community organization, Voz de Justicia y Progreso (Voice of Justice and Progress), hosted their first community dinner in Joliet on June 10th! Over 80 attendees joined the pictured event organizers, and many organizations and businesses signed up to support Voz de Justicia's mission! Read more…