Legislative Advocacy
The Legislative Advocacy Working Group educates and builds relationships with members of Congress, pushes for a legislative solution to the backlog, and shows that there is real political power behind the call to end the SIJS backlog in order to shift the political calculus and build a Congress that will end the SIJS backlog and provide permanent protection for SIJS youth.
Accomplishments of the Legislative Advocacy Working Group:
In-person and virtual advocacy on the Hill with impacted youth.
Introduction of the Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act in the House of Representatives by Representatives Espaillat, Gomez, and Lofgren (2022 and 2023) and in the Senate by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (2023).
Introduction of INA Amendments in the WISE Act by Representative Pramila Jayapal (2022 and 2023).
Introduction of INA Amendments that would end the SIJS backlog in 2023 House and Senate DHS Appropriations bills.
Directive to USCIS in 2023 and 2024 House and Senate DHS Appropriations Bills to publish quarterly data on SIJS.
Contact Rachel Davidson at rachel@nipnlg.org to join the group or for more information.