This Week in Immigration Reform — Week Ending November 18

Week Ending November 18

Post-Election Updates: NCLR responds to election results; Resources to share with community members regarding immigration; NCLR responds to nomination of Senator Sessions for Attorney General.

NCLR responds to election outcome: Following the election results last week, NCLR President and CEO, Janet Murguía stated, “It is fair to say that the whole country, including the Latino community, was surprised by the outcome in this presidential election. We cherish the democratic process, acknowledge the results of this election, and are open to hearing from the president-elect about his plans. But Donald Trump’s harsh and divisive rhetoric, his extreme proposals, and the fact that his outreach to our community during his campaign was nonexistent, have fostered legitimate and significant concerns about the future, for our community and for our nation.” Read NCLR’s full statement here.

NCLR has joined more than 120 national organizations in calling on President-elect Trump to denounce hate acts and ideology that is driving them.

Tools you can use: Below are resources that NCLR has shared with its Affiliates and allies. We want to reassure our community and our fellow Americans that we will continue to stand up and defend the 58 million Latinos in this country, along with the values our nation holds dear: tolerance and inclusion. Below are resources for individuals who may be asking what steps they can take to protect themselves if there are immigration policy changes in the future.

See a qualified immigration legal service provider for an immigration screening to see if there are any immigration options that you may already be eligible for. You can find a nonprofit immigration legal service provider near you by visiting www.immigrationlawhelp.org

• Avoid immigration scams and only seek immigration advice from an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Board of Immigration Appeals-recognized organization.

• Know your rights. Everyone has certain rights protected by the constitution. For example, law enforcement officials have to show warrant with your name on it to enter your house. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to call an attorney.

• Legal services providers are recommending against filing initial DACA applications because it is unlikely that the applications would be processed and adjudicated before the end of the Obama administration.

News you can use: A new analysis from the Center for American Progress outlines what would happen if DACA were to end and recipients no longer had work permits. The analysis shows that it would have a devastating effect on the economy, wiping away $433.4 billion in cumulative GDP over a decade. We already know that DACA has had a tremendous impact on the lives of the more than 741,000 individuals who have received DACA, as well as on their communities, and this analysis shows that any negative change would be bad for the economy.

NCLR opposes nomination of Senator Jeff Session as U.S. Attorney General: On Friday, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he is nominating Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as the next Attorney General. NCLR President and CEO, Janet Murguía stated, “We believe that any president should have broad latitude in appointments within their administration. However, the combination of the pivotal role the attorney general has over so many issues of concern for our community and Sen. Jeff Sessions’ egregious track record on those issues makes it impossible for us to support this nomination.” See NCLR’s full statement here.