NNIRR Blog – launching our website, petition on refugees, Biden’s 100 days and more…

NNIRR is proud to announce the launch of our new website:

nnirr.org

Our brand new website was a labor of love, made possible through a gift from Culture Foundry, and the perceptive creativity of their design and technical team, along with the visionary artwork of our colleague and friend, Favianna Rodriguez.

The web designers at Culture Foundry understood our mission and our programs, and captured this perfectly in the new design.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to both Culture Foundry and Favianna Rodriguez for partnering with us to create this beautiful site.

Our thanks would not be complete without a special shout out to our Program Associate intern, Cassandra Otero, and Zach Turner of Culture Foundry, who took the seeds of an idea and brought NNIRR to Culture Foundry’s doorstep.

Click here to browse the site and see the fruits of this effort!

If you have critical resources or vital information in support of migrant rights that you’d like us to add to our website, please let us know by emailing: nnirrinfo@nnirr.org

AND IN OTHER NEWS…

______________________

GLOBAL COMPACT FOR MIGRATION |

REGIONAL REVIEW FOR LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN

NNIRR speaks at the closing of the Consultation in Preparation for Regional Review of the Global Compact for Migration

This past Friday, Alma Maquitico, NNIRR Co-Director, presented closing remarks to the preparatory meeting for the Regional Review for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). Alma spoke on behalf of the Latin American Bloc on Migration, addressing civil society concerns and recommendations for the implementation of the GCM. She noted the traumatic impact of COVID-19 in the Americas region:

Not only did migrants constitute a large percentage of frontline workers during the pandemic, but they were most often denied pandemic assistance by States, denied access to health care, denied access to information, and are now excluded from access to vaccines. Those living in already vulnerable and precarious situations found it impossible to shelter in place, making them more vulnerable to the virus, which has claimed an immense number of victims in the hemisphere.

Go here to read the full remarks. Alma also presented during the Review Meeting itself, commenting along with civil society partners, on human rights and the well-being of migrants, emphasizing the situation of migrants at borders. For more information on the Global Compact for Migration, visit our GCM resource page here.

 

Commentary:

MAKING A DIFFERENCE BEYOND BIDEN’S FIRST 100 DAYS

On the eve of Biden’s first 100 days in office — and May Day, International Workers’ Day on May 1 — critical immigration issues continue to loom large on the Administration’s agenda. On the one hand, progress has been made towards dealing with the COVID-19 crisis — vaccinations are increasing and some signs of work and school re-openings are emerging around the country. But the progress is uneven and the social and economic inequities and structural problems, such as access to health care, are evident every day. While Derek Chauvin was found guilty in the murder of George Floyd, almost every day we learn of more police violence against Black and other people of color.

Biden is slated to speak tonight to joint session of Congress, announcing his “American Families Plan”, another step forward in the promises he made at his inauguration. NNIRR and other immigrant rights advocates were buoyed by the promises Biden made to right the wrongs of Trump’s treatment of immigrants and refugees. And while some progress has been made, we are still looking for administrative and legislative action to provide safety and ensure the well-being of millions of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. That includes regularization for the millions of undocumented — “essential workers” in this pandemic” — who are still ineligible for economic relief; an end to the Trump era Title 42, restricting immigration at the southern border for health reasons; the extension of TPS to Haitians and others (and access to permanent residency); an end to deportations and returns— despite the promise of a moratorium on deportations — and more. As in the article below, NNIRR has joined hundreds of other advocates in pressing Biden to fulfill his promise to increase refugee resettlement admissions, as well as to follow through on drastic improvements for a fair asylum process and handling of the asylum seekers and unaccompanied children at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The first 100 days of a new administration are always an important marker. We can acknowledge progress, but so much more needs to be done and there are no guarantees made on promises alone. Accountability and action do matter. Our continued pressure, whether through organizing, advocacy, legal action, also matter. Let’s make the difference for the human rights and well-being of all immigrants and refugees.

 

PETITION TO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION: INCREASE REFUGEE ADMISSIONS

Sign the joint petition – demand Biden keep promise to increase refugee admissions!

On April 16, the Biden administration announced that it will keep the historic low refugee admissions goal of 15,000 set by Trump, breaking promises of a robust refugee resettlement program and commitment to resettle 62,500 refugees during FY2021. Refugees have suffered globally as a result of Trump’s xenophobic, hateful refugee ban and now the current administration is perpetuating harm to refugee communities. Many refugees were ready to travel to the United States with their medical and security checks finalized, and were given false hope as hundreds of flights were cancelled. This is harmful and unacceptable.

While after an immediate outcry to this announcement the administration backtracked and said they would revisit the goals in May, we feel it’s time to ensure President Biden undoes the previous administration’s effective refugee ban. Add your name and sign the petition! We must keep the pressure on the Biden administration to admit and welcome at least 62,500 refugees into our country.

 

Calling all migrant rights organizations at the border!

SPOTLIGHT: MAPPING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE US-MEXICO BORDERLANDS

NNIRR has released a community survey among southern border groups to map and document the landscape of human rights concerns in the border region. With the continued intensity of issues on border-related policies as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we share concerns about the interplay of poverty, social inequality, militarization, and immigration enforcement. The survey, which is being conducted over the next month, will create:

  • A digital map with information on critical services (health, food security, emergency housing, legal services) for border communities and migrants. The map will help identify and support communities and other stakeholders to engage in rights-based advocacy and inclusion.
  • A human rights report to support community dialogues and advocacy to reimagine border governance and promote a human rights and community-centered framework.

If you are a border organization and would like to participate in this survey and documentation process, please contact: amaquitico@nnirr.org

#4rightsatborders #SpotlightRStory #TakeTheSurvey

NNIRR