Author Archives: monica

Unemployment Extension Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2014

CONTACT
Adela de la Torre, [email protected], 213-400-7822, or
Gebe Martinez, [email protected], 703-731-9505

NILC Protests Senate Conservatives’ Attacks on Poor Children

On 50th anniversary of the War on Poverty, senators cynically pit unemployed and veterans against kids

WASHINGTON — In a cynical political ploy, conservative senators are pitting millions of children and their families against the unemployed and retired veterans by proposing to reduce the number of people eligible for the refundable Child Tax Credit (CTC) in order to pay for extending unemployment benefits and repealing military pension cuts that were part of the recent budget deal.

“This is a tragic irony—that the senators would commemorate the 50th anniversary of the War on Poverty by creating this false choice and waging war against millions of children in hardworking, taxpaying families,” said Don Lyster, director of the Washington, DC, office of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC).

“Congress should do everything it can to ensure that people who are out of work, our courageous veterans, and the children who are our future are afforded the opportunity to live with basic dignity. Pitting these groups against each other is not a solution but an unscrupulous exploitation of the most vulnerable in our society,” Lyster added.

The extension of unemployment insurance benefits has traditionally been considered an emergency item that does not require a budgetary offset. However, conservatives intent on waging war against the poor and immigrants are proposing changing eligibility requirements and removing benefits even from those who are compelled to pay income and payroll taxes.

NILC estimates, based on a report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, that more than two million working families would be disqualified if these changes occur, compromising our economic recovery.

“This would be a horrible betrayal of the working poor, children, and the Latino community, which would be hardest hit,” Lyster said. “For our national good, this cynical political gamesmanship must stop.”

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Mayorkas Confirmed as DHS Deputy Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2013

CONTACT
Adela de la Torre, [email protected], 213-400-7822

Mayorkas Is the Right Person at the Right Time

NILC Applauds Senate Confirmation of Mayorkas as DHS Deputy Secretary

WASHINGTON — The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) applauds the Senate’s confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). His approval by the Senate, along with the confirmation earlier this week of DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, brings stability and strong management to a department that has lacked permanent leadership at its highest levels.

Mayorkas already has a solid record of accomplishment at DHS, having served the last four years as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which service was praised in a letterNILC delivered to senators on behalf of 29 organizations. Mayorkas is a former U.S. attorney in California. He was born in Havana, Cuba, and immigrated to the U.S. when he was one year old. The following is a statement from NILC DC Director Don Lyster:

“Alejandro Mayorkas is the right person for the job at exactly the right time. Absent final congressional action this year on commonsense immigration reform, DHS must fill the legislative void by administering laws and regulations in a manner that ensures fairness and justice for aspiring citizens. That is a critical priority for NILC and other immigration advocates who are concerned about the countless families being separated each year because of extreme deportation practices.

“Mayorkas brings a solid managerial record to the second-highest post at DHS: Given only 60 days to implement the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Mayorkas pulled in all key stakeholders to ensure the program’s success. As a result, more than half a million young immigrants can live without the fear deportation and have the work authorization they need to contribute fully to their communities.

“During a time when critics of government are on the lookout for inefficiency and incompetence, Mayorkas made DACA a model of government efficiency and seamless execution. He showed his keen understanding of complicated immigration law and significantly engaged with academics, attorneys, advocates, and immigrant community members as the program was being established, publicly answering stakeholder questions and addressing key concerns.

“We’re also pleased to learn that USCIS will not be leaderless for long: Leon Rodriguez, who currently serves as director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has been nominated to become the next director of this important component of DHS. We look forward to continuing to work with Mayorkas in his new position, and we urge the Senate to approve Rodriguez’s nomination without delay.”

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ICE Deportation Numbers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2013

CONTACT
Gebe Martinez, 703-731-9505, [email protected]

Drop in Deportations Not Enough

NILC Urges Obama Administration to Stop Senseless Deportations

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has announced that it deported 368,644 immigrants in fiscal year 2013. ICE removals this year bring the total deportations during the five years of the Obama administration to almost 2 million, surpassing the number of deportations during the eight years of the George W. Bush presidency.

The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) has long demanded that the Obama administration rein in its detention and deportation machine and stop targeting workers who pose no threat to national security or community safety. These deportations needlessly separate millions of families each year.

The following is a statement from Don Lyster, director of NILC’s Washington, DC, office:

“Today’s news only underscores that the administration has much more work to do. The 368,644 removals by ICE includes a huge number of actions against parents and family members of U.S. citizens, and does not include cases handled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“The Obama administration has the legal and moral authority to mitigate the damage our broken immigration system causes. It must use its existing authority to stop deporting aspiring citizens every day and leaving a separated and heartbroken family in each deportation’s wake.

“Notably, the moderate drop in deportations has not been matched by a drop in spending on detentions and deportations of future citizens. This year, the federal government is spending $18 billion on efforts to find, detain, and deport immigrants, resources that could be better spent on educating our children or restoring access to safety-net programs.

“Until Congress acts on commonsense immigration reform, the administration must work harder to end the cycle of fear caused by its deportation policies.”

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Jeh Johnson Confirmed as DHS Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2013

CONTACT
Adela de la Torre, 213-674-2832, [email protected]

Johnson Confirmation Restores Stability to Dept. of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON — Jeh Johnson was confirmed Monday to succeed Janet Napolitano as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), an agency that has been without a leader since Secretary Napolitano departed in August. Johnson, a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP, previously served in the public interest sector as general counsel of the Department of Defense and as general counsel of the Department of the Air Force. Johnson was the first African American partner of Paul, Weiss and also is the first African American secretary of Homeland Security. Below is a statement from Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center:

“Despite being one of the largest and most complex departments in the federal government, DHS has languished for months without a permanent leader. We’re pleased that the Senate has filled this void by confirming Jeh Johnson to this important post. Johnson’s role — both in overseeing immigration policy in effect today and in implementing immigration reform in the future — will be of paramount importance over the next three years.

“We are heartened to see that Secretary Johnson, like other colleagues of his within the Obama administration, is an ardent supporter of immigration reform. He rightly recognizes that his team must have the resources they need to ensure that any future changes to immigration policies are successful. However, he cannot do it alone. We call upon the Senate to quickly confirm deputy secretary nominee Alejandro Mayorkas to help fill the leadership vacuum at DHS. Mayorkas’s in-depth immigration expertise will make him an indespensible component of Secretary Johnson’s team.

“Finally, the National Immigration Law Center looks forward to working with Secretary Johnson to ensure he makes full use of the tools DHS has at its disposal to prevent the deportation of immigrants simply for having been previously ordered deported or for reentering the U.S. desperately seeking to be reunited with their families, many of whom are U.S. citizen children. During the time that it took for the Senate to confirm Secretary Johnson, another 66,000 aspiring citizens were torn from their loved ones and deported to countries they may not even remember. This is unacceptable.

Current policies and guidelines could prevent unnecessary deportations of the same people who would benefit from the immigration reform legislation passed by the Senate earlier this year. The National Immigration Law Center urges Secretary Johnson to stop deporting aspiring citizens who, due to political gridlock, are blocked from the road to citizenship.”

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Mayorkas’s Confirmation Urged

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2013

CONTACT
Adela de la Torre, [email protected], 213-400-7822

Immigration Groups Urge Swift Approval of Mayorkas at Homeland Security

WASHINGTON — National and local immigration and civil rights advocacy groups are urging the Senate to swiftly confirm Alejandro Mayorkas, who currently serves as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), to become the next deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“Alejandro Mayorkas is a proven leader whose depth of knowledge about the nation’s immigration system has already served DHS well,” said Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center. “Along with Jeh Johnson, the DHS secretary nominee, Mayorkas will provide the stability and managerial skills necessary to provide some security to a department that for too long has lacked permanent leadership at its highest levels.”

In a letter signed by 29 groups, Mayorkas is praised for his “extraordinary leadership” in carrying out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, a 2012 humanitarian initiative that grants permission to certain young immigrants who came to the U.S. as children to temporarily live and work here.

Given only 60 days to operationalize the program that began August 15, 2012, Mayorkas made DACA a proven success. As of August 31, 2013, almost 589,000 individuals have applied for DACA and more than 455,000 have been approved.

“DACA is a model of government efficiency. Its seamless execution has involved numerous critical factors, including a keen understanding of complex immigration laws, interagency coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Department of Education, and significant engagement with stakeholders,” the letter states.

The immigration advocacy groups laud Mayorkas for having been “fully transparent about the program’s implementation, regularly meeting with academics, attorneys, advocates, and community members to share information about the program and to respond to questions and concerns.”

In his current position as director of USCIS, Mayorkas oversees the largest immigration system in the world and has advanced technology improvements to improve its service and the public’s access to the agency.

In addition to the National Immigration Law Center, the signatories on the letter to the Senate include American Immigration Council, National Council of La Raza, National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), Arab American Institute, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Washington and Los Angeles offices), United We Dream, Bridge Project, Center for Community Change, and American Federation of Teachers.

The letter can be downloaded from www.nilc.org/document.html?id=1038.

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Fast for Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2013

CONTACT
Adela de la Torre, [email protected], 213-400-7822

Congress Must Find Its Moral Compass on Immigration Reform

NILC Praises Immigration Leaders on 22nd Day of Fast for Families

WASHINGTON — Today marks the twenty-second day of the national Fast for Families led by four immigrants’ rights leaders — SEIU’s Eliseo Medina, NAKASEC’s Dae Joong (“DJ”) Yoon, Mi Famila Vota’s Cristian Avila (a DREAMer), and Sojourners’ Lisa Sharon Harper — to show that their sacrifice of food pales in comparison to the suffering of families who have been separated or who fear being torn apart under the inhumane immigration system.

As members of the House of Representatives return to Washington, DC, this week, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) urges them to look outside their windows to the tent on the National Mall where immigrants’ rights advocates have been fasting and consider the consequences of congressional inaction on immigration reform.

NILC Executive Director Marielena Hincapié is fasting for 24 hours today as part of the National Days to Act, Fast and Pray — her second fasting period. In a show of solidarity, NILC staff fasted on November 20and visited with the fasters at their tent on the National Mall. Hincapié issued the following statement:

“Throughout our battle for commonsense immigration reform, we have sought legislation that reflects our nation’s values. The House’s failure to act quickly on critical immigration legislation leaves us wondering whether our national leaders have a moral compass.

“Generations of Americans, regardless of our country of origin, have shared and nurtured fundamental beliefs in what is right, good, and just. Almost instinctively, we know good from bad, just from unjust. We need leaders who have the integrity and courage to be compassionate and treat all Americans equally and with fairness and respect.

“These long-held values are difficult to find in a Congress that refuses to do what is both morally right and in the country’s economic interest. Instead, certain policymakers have chosen to follow the bad politics of a small minority who oppose fair treatment of immigrants and a better future for us all.

“Meanwhile, as Congress fails to do its job, 1,100 people are deported daily under the Obama administration’s deportation machine. This injustice must stop.

“Congress should act quickly to pass an immigration measure that reflects our nation’s values.

“Eliseo, DJ, Cristian, and Lisa have bravely reminded us of our national values, as they have given up so much for the 11 million aspiring citizens without documents. We pray for them and for those who take over the leadership of the fast as we continue to fight for justice.”

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NILC Responds to House Speaker Boehner Regarding IR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2013

CONTACT
Adela de la Torre, National Immigration Law Center, (213) 400-7822, [email protected]

NILC Responds to House Speaker John Boehner Regarding Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON — Speaker John Boehner, R-OH, told reporters today that the House of Representatives would not negotiate with the Senate on bipartisan immigration reform legislation approved by the Senate in June. “We have no intention of ever going to conference on the Senate bill,” Boehner said.

The National Immigration Law Center (NILC), which is deeply involved in the development of commonsense immigration reform legislation, urges Speaker Boehner to reconsider his position. The following is a statement from Marielena Hincapié, executive director of NILC:

“Nothing Speaker Boehner has said gets our nation closer to resolving the moral crisis related to the broken immigration system. Instead of offering a solution, the House has stepped back from its responsibility to legislate on this critical issue.

“The last time we checked, Congress was made up of two chambers. The House must work with the Senate to repair an immigration system that separates millions of families and stymies our economy.

“Instead of leading and trying to address this critical issue, Mr. Boehner’s statement suggests more of the same political gamesmanship that has overrun Congress.

“Negligently brushed aside are the families that have waited too long for immigration reform.

“The immigration legislative debate is not over until needed reforms are enacted. It’s time for Mr. Boehner and the House to lead on this critical issue and offer a solution instead of digging deeper into the hole of destructive politics and inaction that hurts our economy and our nation.”

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HICA v. Bentley Settlement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2013

CONTACT
Adela de la Torre, National Immigration Law Center, (213) 400-7822, [email protected]
Apreill Hartsfield, Southern Poverty Law Center, (334) 782-6624, [email protected]
Isabel Alegria, American Civil Liberties Union, (415) 343-0785 or (646) 438-4146, [email protected]
Larry Gonzalez, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, (202) 466-0879,[email protected]

Civil Rights Coalition Victorious in Suit Against Alabama’s Anti-Immigrant Law

Agreement Permanently Blocks Most of the Law’s Worst Provisions, Strictly Limits Racial Profiling Provision

MONTGOMERY, AL — The coalition of civil rights groups that challenged Alabama’s anti-immigrant law, HB 56, announced today an agreement that permanently blocks key provisions of the law and significantly limits racial profiling under sections 12 and 18, the “show me your papers” provisions. A similar agreement is being entered in a case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice and also in one brought by church leaders. Both agreements are pending final approval by the court.

Under the agreement, the provisions currently temporarily blocked by the courts will be permanently blocked. The state will also pay the coalition attorneys’ fees and costs, as required under federal law. Alabama joins Arizona, South Carolina, Georgia, and other states whose anti-immigrant laws have been blocked by the courts.

“Today’s settlement should remind legislators in both Montgomery and Washington that a person’s constitutional rights may not be legislated away,” said Linton Joaquin, general counsel of the National Immigration Law Center. “Supporters of attempts to nationalize racial profiling policies such as Alabama’s HB 56 should be warned: We will fight these efforts at the Capitol, and, if necessary, in the courtroom.”

“We warned the legislature when they were debating HB 56 that if they passed this draconian law, we would sue in court and win,” said Kristi Graunke, senior staff supervising attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center. “That we have done. Now it is time for our state lawmakers to repeal the remnants of HB 56 and for our congressional delegation to support meaningful immigration reform that will fix our broken system.”

The state also agrees that local police may not hold someone during a traffic stop solely to check the person’s immigration status. This is a significant victory because many departments across the state have interpreted the “show me your papers” provisions to authorize detaining people just to check their immigration status. The coalition will remain vigilant to ensure these abuses do not continue.

“I am thankful that most of the law has been permanently blocked and that tranquility has been restored to the Hispanic community,” said Maria D. Ceja Zamora, a plaintiff in the lawsuit. “I am glad to see there are still organizations like those that brought the lawsuit to help stop discriminatory laws like HB 56. God bless, and keep up the good work.”

“This court order gives firm assurance that all Alabamians are on equal footing, regardless of their immigration status,” said Cecillia Wang, director of the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project. “Law enforcement agencies throughout Alabama are on notice — if they detain anyone based on suspicions about immigration status, they will be violating the U.S. Constitution and we will take swift action to protect people’s civil rights against such violations.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), National Immigration Law Center (NILC), American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU), Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), and other civil rights groups filed the class action suit, HICA v. Bentley,in July 2011. The suit challenged provisions of the law that chilled children’s access to public schools, authorized police to demand “papers” during traffic stops, and criminalized Alabamians for everyday interactions with undocumented individuals.

The following key provisions of the law have now been permanently blocked by the courts as a result of this lawsuit:

Section 10, which criminalized failing to register one’s immigration status, was initially blocked by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and now has been permanently blocked.
Section 28, which required schools to verify the immigration status of newly enrolled K-12 students, was initially blocked by the 11th Circuit and now has been permanently blocked.
Section 13, which criminalized giving a ride or renting to someone who is undocumented, was initially blocked by the U.S. District Court in Birmingham and now has been permanently blocked.
Section 11(a), which criminalized the solicitation of work by unauthorized immigrants, was initially blocked by the District Court in Birmingham and now has been permanently blocked.
Sections 11(f) and (g), which criminalized day laborers’ First Amendment right to solicit work, was initially blocked by the District Court in Birmingham and now have been permanently blocked.
Section 27, which infringed on the ability of individuals to contract with someone who was undocumented, was initially blocked by the 11th Circuit and now has been permanently blocked.

“The heart of Alabama’s unconstitutional anti-immigrant law will be blocked permanently with this agreement, an historic victory for everyone living in the state,” said Victor Viramontes, National Senior Counsel, MALDEF. “Other states and localities that consider targeting day laborers, immigrant school children, or immigrant workers should learn from Alabama’s costly mistakes.”

The state agreed to pay $350,000 in legal fees and costs to the coalition lawyers.

“During the long two years since HB 56 was implemented in our state, we have witnessed its harmful effects on our community members and on the reputation of our state,” said Isabel Rubio, executive director for Hispanic Interest Coalition for Alabama (HICA), a plaintiff in the lawsuit. “We are thankful that state and local officials have worked with the courts and our legal partners to resolve the destructive issues brought about by this unjust law. We will continue to work toward building a future in which Alabama is known as a place where immigrants are welcomed and recognized for their valuable contributions.”

“We advised the legislature that HB56 would not pass constitutional muster and warned against a state policy that pitted neighbors against one another,” said Shay Farley, legal director for Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Inc., a plaintiff in the lawsuit. “Today, we celebrate this victory with our co-plaintiffs and counsel, thankful that the mean-spirited prohibitions and sanctions unlawfully imposed by HB56 are now history and are permanently enjoined.”

More information about the case and settlement can be found atwww.nilc.org/hb56hvb.html.

Attorneys in the case include Joaquin, Karen C. Tumlin, Tanya Broder, Shiu-Ming Cheer, and Melissa S. Keaney of the National Immigration Law Center; Graunke, Sam Brooke, Mary Bauer, Andrew Turner, Michelle LaPointe, Dan Werner, and Naomi Tsu of the Southern Poverty Law Center; Wang, Justin B. Cox, Katherine Desormeau, Kenneth J. Sugarman, Andre Segura, Elora Mukherjee, Omar C. Jadwat, Lee Gelernt and Michael K. T. Tan of the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project; Victor Viramontes, Martha L. Gomez, Nina Perales, and Amy Pedersen of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund; Foster S. Maer, Ghita Schwarz and Diana S. Sen of LatinoJustice/PRLDEF; Chris Newman and Jessica Karp of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network; Sin Yen Ling of the Asian Law Caucus; Erin E. Oshiro of the Asian American Justice Center; Allison Neal and Freddy Rubio (cooperating counsel) of the ACLU Foundation of Alabama; G. Brian Spears, Ben Bruner, Herman Watson, Jr., Eric J. Artrip and Rebekah Keith McKinney.

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Momentum Grows for Immigration Reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2013

CONTACT
Adela de la Torre, 213-400-7822, [email protected]

Denham Support Brings More Momentum for Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON — Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA) has announced that he will cosponsor H.R. 15, the recently introduced commonsense immigration reform proposal in the House of Representatives. Denham is the first Republican to support the measure, which is based upon the bipartisan immigration bill passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee in May and the border security bill that was unanimously approved by the House Homeland Security Committee earlier this year. Below is a statement from Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center:

“We applaud Rep. Denham for doing what’s best for his district, California, and our country by supporting H.R. 15. Immigration may, at the moment, be painted as partisan, but for decades, members of both parties have led the fight for an immigration system that meets our economic and societal needs.

“As Rep. Denham has shown, actions speak louder than words. The more than two dozen other members of his party who have expressed support for immigration reform can and should follow in Denham’s lead. Furthermore, House leaders should recognize that Denham’s stance isn’t just a matter of sound public policy — it’s also good politics. We urge House leaders to move away from the anti-immigrant, divisive politics of the recent past and join Denham in doing what the American people elect members of Congress to do: legislate effectively.”

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ICE Issues Important Clarification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
October 25, 2013 / 25 de octubre, 2013

CONTACT
Adela de la Torre, [email protected], 213-400-7822

***ENGLISH VERSION BELOW***

El Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) disminuye las preocupaciones de inmigrantes que soliciten seguro médico bajo la Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio

ICE aclara que la información incluida en las solicitudes de seguro de salud no será utilizada para propósitos de control migratorio.

WASHINGTON — El Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE por sus siglas en inglés) confirmó hoy que padres de familias inmigrantes pueden inscribir a sus hijos y a otros miembros de la familia que sean elegibles en los programas de cobertura de salud sin preocuparse de consecuencias por su estatus migratorio. La Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio (ACA por sus siglas en inglés) prohíbe a inmigrantes indocumentados y a las personas que se les ha concedido acción diferida a través del programa de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA por sus siglas en inglés) comprar seguro médico a través de los mercados de seguros de salud (también conocidos como intercambios), pero permite que sus familiares elegibles — incluyendo a niños ciudadanos estadounidenses — puedan aplicar. A continuación se muestra una declaración de Marielena Hincapié, directora ejecutiva del Centro Nacional de Leyes Migratorias (NILC por sus siglas en inglés):

“El miedo de ser deportado nunca debe impedirle a un padre inmigrante que compre cuidado de salud a bajo precio para sus hijos. Desafortunadamente, defensores de derechos alrededor del país han informado que este miedo es un gran obstáculo para inscribir a niños ciudadanos bajo la Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio (también conocida como Obamacare). La clarificación publicada hoy, debe brindar calma a las familias de inmigrantes que pueden haber sido renuentes a inscribir a familiares elegibles al seguro médico.

“Además, los inmigrantes indocumentados deben recordar que cuando apliquen en nombre de los miembros elegibles de su familia, no serán obligados a proporcionar información sobre su estatus migratorio o un número de seguro social si no lo tienen.

“Para ser una sociedad productiva, todas las personas deben tener acceso a atención médica de calidad y a bajo precio. Esperamos que esta clarificación elimine algunos de estos temores, pero también seguiremos luchando para asegurar que todos aquellos que viven y trabajan en los Estados Unidos puedan comprar un seguro médico accesible que necesitan para protegerse a sí mismos y a sus familias.”

La “Aclaración de las prácticas existentes en relación con cierta información de cuidado de salud” del ICE está disponible enwww.ice.gov/doclib/ero-outreach/pdf/ice-aca-memo.pdf.

Una publicación titulada “¿Qué necesitan saber las familias inmigrantes sobre el mercado [de cuidado de salud]?” también está disponible en el sitio web de Obamacare del gobierno federal, enhttps://www.healthcare.gov/what-do-immigrant-families-need-to-know/.

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ICE Alleviates Immigrants’ Concerns about Applying for Obamacare

ICE clarifies that information on health insurance applications will not be used for immigration enforcement.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today confirmed that immigrant parents can enroll their children and other eligible family members in health care coverage programs without triggering immigration enforcement activity. The Affordable Care Act bars undocumented immigrants and individuals granted deferred action through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program from buying insurance through the health insurance marketplaces (also called “exchanges”) but allows their eligible family members — including U.S. citizen children — to apply. Below is a statement from Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center:

“Fear about deportation should never prevent an immigrant parent from purchasing affordable health care for his or her children. Unfortunately, advocates across the country have reported that this fear is a major barrier to enrolling citizen children in Obamacare. The clarification published today should provide sorely needed reassurance to immigrant families who may have been reluctant to sign up eligible family members for health insurance.

“Also, immigrants without documents should remember that when they apply on behalf of eligible family members, they will not be required to provide information about their own immigration status or to provide a Social Security number if they do not have one.

“In order to have a productive society, all individuals should have access to affordable, quality health care. While we hope this clarification will allay some of these fears, we will also continue to fight to ensure that all those living and working in the United States can purchase the affordable health insurance they need to protect themselves and their families.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Clarification of Existing Practices Related to Certain Health Care Information” is available at www.ice.gov/doclib/ero-outreach/pdf/ice-aca-memo.pdf.

An online publication titled “What do immigrant families need to know about the Marketplace?” also is available on the federal government’s Obamacare website, at https://www.healthcare.gov/what-do-immigrant-families-need-to-know/.

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