Human Rights Defenders Protection Act of 2024

Administrative Relief Nonimmigrant visa access and related waivers; Parole for spouses of US Citizens; Cancellation of removal as a legal relief outside of INA 240 removal proceedings; INA 212(d)(3) Waivers; Work permits for long-term immigrants, mixed status families, Dreamers without DACA and spouses of U.S. citizens; Streamlining pathways for lawful status for undocumented immigrants. Asylum Reducing the asylum backlog by resourcing USCIS; Guaranteed access to counsel for asylum seekers in federal custody; President Bidens Executive Order to Limit Asylum Seekers at the Southern Border. Border and Interior Enforcement Opposing H.R. 2 - Secure the Border Act of 2023; Opposing federal support to Operation Lone Star; DHS FY 2025 Appropriations; DHS/DOJ announcement to increase border prosecutions; Opposing anti-immigrant amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act; Opposing S. 4361 - Border Act of 2024; Opposing H.R. 7343 - Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act; Opposing H.R. 8146 - Police Our Border Act; Opposing H. Res. 1210 - Condemning the Biden border crisis and the tremendous burdens law enforcement officers face as a result; Opposing H. Res. 1112 - Denouncing the Biden Administration's Immigration Policies; Opposing Fiscal Year 2025 Request for Customs and Border Protection; Opposing H.R. 3602 - Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act; Opposing H.R. 7109 - Equal Representation Act; Opposing motion to proceed for Senate bipartisan Border Act; Opposing H.R. 7739 - To require the implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols at the northern border of the United States; Opposing S. Res. 608 - A resolution denouncing the Biden Administration's immigration policies; Opposing Senate Supplemental bill exchanging asylum for foreign aid funding; Opposing H.R. 7733 - To amend section 236A of the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the requirement to cross reference the terrorist screening database; Opposing H.R. 7909 - Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act; Opposing H.R. 7048 - No Funding for Sanctuary Cities Act. Children Opposing S.J. Res. 94 - A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the proposed rule submitted by the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Administration for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to the Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule; Exempting SIJS youth from EB visa caps; S. 4393 - Childrens Safe Welcome Act of 2024. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) H.R. 16 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2023; S. 365 - Dream Act of 2023; DACA recipients receiving coverage under the ACA. Detention Opposing S. 4032 - Improving Public Safety Through Immigration Warrant Issuance Act; Ending the use of solitary confinement in ICE detention centers; Opposing the expansion of immigrant detention; End detention of Haitians intercepted at sea; Limit CBP detention of new parents and infants. Employment Authorization Easing work authorization backlogs to asylum seekers; Expanding work permit automatic extensions; Expand work authorizations for asylum seekers. Foreign Relations & National Security Opposing the expansion of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA); Opposing FISA Section 702 Surveillance. Immigration Courts H.R.7724 - To establish, under article I of the Constitution of the United States, a court of record to be known as the United States Immigration Courts; Legal representation funding. Legalization H.R. 3599 - DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act. Parole Humanitarian Parole for Sudan; Humanitarian Parole for Haiti. Refugees Opposing amendments 49 and 137 of H.R. 3602 - Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act; Refugee funding in FY 2025 appropriations; H. Res. 526 - A resolution reaffirming the importance of the United States promoting the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons in the United States and around the world; S. Res. 258 - A resolution reaffirming the importance of the United States promoting the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons in the United States and around the world Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Designation of TPS for Guatemala; Initial designation of TPS for Mali; Initial designation of TPS/SSR for Democratic Republic of Congo; Redesignation and extension of TPS for Haiti; Initial designation of TPS for Ecuador; Initial designation of TPS for Lebanon; Improved Access, Education, and Communication for TPS Designation Notices and Information. Visas & Benefits Access S. 4040 - A bill to establish a new nonimmigrant visa for mobile entertainment workers; H.R. 7833 - To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make changes related to family-sponsored immigrants and to reduce the number of such immigrants, and for other purposes(Nuclear Family Priority Act); Recapture visas; S. 2038 - LIFT the Bar Act of 2023; S. 2646 - HEAL for Immigrant Families Act of 2023; H.R. 5008 - HEAL for Immigrant Families Act of 2023; Opposing H.R. 7772 - To restrict certain Federal assistance benefits to individuals verified to be citizens of the United States. Voting Opposing H.R. 7640 - No Foreign Persons Administering Our Elections Act; Opposing H.R. 6942 - Count Only Citizens Act; H.R. 7179 - To amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to treat United States Citizenship and Immigration Services field offices as voter registration agencies, and for other purposes; Opposing H.R. 8281 - Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act). Other Opposing Mayorkas Impeachment H. Res. 863 - Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors; S. 3705 - Human Rights Defenders Protection Act of 2024; Opposing H.R.7185 - HIDTA Reauthorization Act of 2024; Opposing H.R.7246 - American Land and Property Protection Act; Opposing H.R.7311 - Combating International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling; Partnership Act of 2024; Opposing S. 3659 - Equal Representation Act; H.R. 7263 - VISITOR Act; Opposing H.R.7083 - RAZOR Act; H.R.7173 - GRACE Act; H.R.7262 - Closing the Workforce Gap Act of 2024; H.R. 6980 - DOCTORS Act; Opposing H.R. 7057 - Evaluating Financial Impacts of Illegal Immigration Act; H.R. 6831 - VERDAD Reauthorization Act; Opposing H.R. 7582 - Equal Protection for American Workers Act; H.R. 7574 - Closing the Workforce Gap Act of 2024; S. 317 - Reproductive Freedom for All Act; S. 3987 - A bill to protect stateless persons in the United States, and for other purposes; H.R. 7755 - To protect stateless persons in the United States, and for other purposes; S. 4007 - A bill to direct the Attorney General to study issues relating to human trafficking, and for other purposes; Opposing anti-immigrant funding in FY 2025 - National Defense Authorization Act.

Client expense: $140,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Natl Security Council (NSC), SENATE, White House Office

Transnational Repression Policy Act - (H.R.3654/S.831): inclusion of broad definition of individuals impacted by transnational repression, specifically focused on writers/artists Stop Transnational Repression Act - (H.R.5907): inclusion of broad definition of individuals impacted by transnational repression, specifically focused on writers/artists Jamal Khashoggi Protection of Activists and Press Freedom Act - (H.R.5855): support protection for dissidents and journalists and codify the Khashoggi Ban Human Rights Defenders Protection Act - (S.3705/H.R.7175): support a visa category for human rights defenders and broad protections for human rights defenders

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Administrative Relief Nonimmigrant visa access and related waivers Parole for spouses of US Citizens Create family reunification parole programs for additional countries Work permits for families in the provisional waiver backlog. Cancellation of removal as a legal relief outside of INA 240 removal proceedings Labor-Based Deferred Action Renewals of deferred action Supporting DOJ/EOIR NPRM on Administrative Closure Work permits for long-term immigrants, mixed status families, Dreamers without DACA and spouses of US Citizens DHS/TSA NPRM on mobile drivers licenses Asylum Funding to the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) Lankford/Sinema/Murphy proposal to make changes to asylum system for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan funding H.R. 7372, Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act H.R. 6939, REMAIN in Mexico Act of 2024 Opposing numerical caps to asylum Opposing using 212(f) expulsion authority Reducing the asylum backlog by resourcing USCIS Supporting increased Congressional funding to hire asylum officers Opposing asylum changes in Fitzpatrick-Golden Bill discharge petition (Discharge Petition No. 10) Opposing asylum changes through the FY24 Appropriations Rescind Implementing Bilateral and Multilateral Asylum Cooperative Agreements Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, 84 Fed. Reg. 63,994 (Nov. 19, 2019) Rescind Procedures for Asylum and Bars to Asylum Eligibility, 85 Fed. Reg. 67,202 (Nov. 20, 2020) Rescind Procedures for Asylum and Withholding of Removal; Credible Fear and Reasonable Fear Review, 85 Fed. Reg. 80,274, (Dec. 11, 2020) Rescind Procedures for Asylum and Withholding of Removal, 85 Fed. Reg. 81,698 (Dec. 16, 2020) Rescind Asylum Eligibility and Procedural Modifications, 85 Fed. Reg. 82,260 (Dec. 17, 2020) Rescind Security Bars and Processing, 85 Fed. Reg. 84,160 (Dec. 23, 2020) Promulgate Clarifying Definitions and Analyses for Fair and Efficient Asylum and Other Protection Determinations, RIN 1615-AC65 (Fall 2023) Promulgate Procedures for Credible Fear Screening and Consideration of Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and CAT Protection Claims by Asylum Officers, 87 Fed. Reg. 18,078 (Mar. 29, 2022) Promulgate Circumvention of Lawful Pathways, 88 Fed. Reg. 31,314 (Dec. 28, 2022). Rescinding the rule, except those parts that rescind Aliens Subject to a Bar on Entry Under Certain Presidential Proclamations; Procedures for Protection Claims, 83 Fed. Reg. 55,934 (Nov. 9, 2018) and Asylum Eligibility and Procedural Modifications, 85 Fed. Reg. 82,260 (Dec. 17, 2020) Refiled I-589s Following EOIR Dismissal or Termination Establish a Humanitarian Visa for Pre-Screened Asylum Seekers Safe Mobility Offices Providing support and foreign assistance to enable regional partners to improve the screening and protection of migrants and to address the root causes of migration Creating a White House task force for coordinating reception and welcoming services among the federal government, state and local governments, and civil society Providing federal support for cities receiving mass numbers of asylum seekers Guaranteed access to counsel for asylum seekers in federal custody Border and Interior Enforcement H.R. 2, Secure the Border Act of 2023 Urging DOJ to investigate Operation Lone Star and to investigate extremist militias White Houses DHS supplemental funding request Opposing Republican anti-immigrant amendments in H.R. 6363, Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 Senate Amendment 1371, National Security and Border Act, 2024 H.R. 815, RELIEVE Act H.R. 5672, Bipartisan Keep America Open Act H.R. 5283, Protecting Our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act of 2023 Opposing nationwide expedited removal Opposing restart of border wall construction OMB guidance on artificial intelligence Advocating for capacity expansion at ports of entry Opposing mass surveillance like GPS surveillance and ankle monitors Raising awareness of Border Vigilantism Urging DOJ to investigate extremists in Eagle Pass & demilitarize Opposing Executive Order that prioritizes new migrants for deportation Phase out/terminate 287(g) programs Opposing the expansion of Operation Lone Star via Customs and Border Protection Opposing increased funding for ICE detention in FY 2024 appropriation bill Opposing Facial Recognition Technology Deploying more resources for inspections and enforcement Investigating migrant deaths at the border Promoting Safe and Orderly Migration Pathways as Part of Fair, Humane, and Orderly Border Management Restoring and Strengthening the Asylum and Refugee Systems to Ensure Humane Treatment and Protection. Stop prosecuting migration-related offenses Information on Targeting of Migrants from Muslim-Majority Countries at Southern Border Opposing Increased Funding for ICE Detention Criminalize Fleeing from Immigration Enforcement Act DED for Colombia Redesignation of DED for Liberia H.R. 5585, Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act H.R. 6678, Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act H.R. 6976, Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act Opposing ICE surveillance of cell phone location data and surveillance contracts H.R. 7343, Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act H.R. 7334, Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Commit Robbery Act H.R. 7322, SUE for Immigration Enforcement Act S. 2367, CHECKPOINT Act Presidential Pardon to Halt Robert Pantons Deportation Opposing potential anti-immigrant amendments to the supplemental Senate budget Amendments to H.R.815, National Security Act, 2024 H.R. 7372, Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act H.R. 7311, Combating International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2024 H.R. 7402, Operation Lone Star Reimbursement Act H.R. 7404, Subterranean Border Defense Act S. 3796, Keeping International Land Ports of Entry Open Act H.R. 7182, Defend Our Borders From Armed Invaders Act H.R. 7330, State Border Security Act H.R. 7118, Halt the Invasion Act H.R. 7229, WALL Act of 2024 H.R. 7243, Border Security State Reimbursement Act H.R. 7259, SEND THEM BACK Act of 2024 S. 3668, State Border Security Act S. 3587, Mandatory Removal Proceedings Act S. 3591, Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act H.R. 6208, TRASHED Border Act H.R. 7058, Border Security Reserve Fund Act H.R. 7074, State of Texas Operational Protections Act S. 3576, CONTAINER Act H.R. 6940, Mass Immigration Reduction Act of 2024 H.R. 6941, Criminalize Fleeing from Immigration Enforcement Act of 2024 S. 3933, Laken Riley Act S. 3927, Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2024 S. 3923, Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act of 2024 S. 3915, No Community Development Block Grants for Sanctuary Cities Act H.R. 7580, Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act of 2024 H.R. 7566, CARTEL Act of 2024 S. 3965, Deploy Fentanyl Scanners Act of 2024 H.R. 7649, Protecting our Communities from Sexual Predators Act Opposing Destruction of Medical Records by CBP H.R. 7369, CBP HiRe Act of 2024 H.R. 7366, To require timely publication of CBP border encounters, and for other purposes Opposing H. Res. 957, Denouncing the Biden administration's open-borders policies, condemning the national security and public safety crisis along the southwest border, and urging President Biden to end his administration's open-borders policies. Transparency on how ICE will stop purchasing commercial telemetry data (CTD) Opposing H. Res. 1065, Denouncing the Biden administrations immigration policies End the use of federal criminal prosecutions for migration-related offenses Children S. 3065, Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2023 Making FAFSA available to youth approved for SIJS H.R. 6145 / S. 3178, Immigration Court Efficiency and Childrens Court Act of 2023 Ensuring children have adequate post-release services Ensuring UACs asylum claims are heard quickly ORR proposed rule replacing Flores Settlement Supporting EOIR memo providing a specialized juvenile docket Opposing H.R. 7372, Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act b/c of its lack of protections for unaccompanied children Ending the SIJS Backlog Healthcare for children in detention Opposing removal of those targeted by immigration raids S. 3881, CLEAR Act of 2024 Climate S. 3340, Climate Displaced Persons Act Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) 2022 DACA rule Finalizing the DACA ACA Rule Protecting DACA recipients and immigration youth from enforcement Supporting amicus brief for State of Texas et al. v. United States of America, et al. Streamlining the process by which DACA holders may obtain another status DACA advance parole DACA recipients eligibility for employment-based visa or green card sponsorship, with a focus on PERM and H-1Bs Higher education for Dreamers (with and without DACA/TPS) Detention Closing immigrant detention centers Family Expedited Removal Management program Closing open air detention sites Opposing mandatory detention Request for status update on immigration detention facilities recommended for closure in 2022 by ICE Opposing an increase in funding for increased detention beds Opposing mandatory detention of unaccompanied children H.R. 7511, Laken Riley Act H.R. 661, Sarah's Law H.R. 7415, DIRE Act DHS funding through White House FY 2025 Budget S. 4032, Improving Public Safety Through Immigration Warrant Issuance Act Ending the use of solitary confinement in ICE detention centers Seeking transparency on deaths under ICE custody Ending private detention Voiding New Farmville Detention Center Contracts Opposing the detention of Haitians in Guantanamo Bay Halt all deportation flights to Haiti and maritime interdiction removals of Haitians Accountability for detainee death at NWDC Employment Authorization Easing work authorization backlogs to asylum seekers Expanding work permit automatic extensions Expand work authorizations for asylum seekers H.R. 1325, Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2023 DOL H-2A regulations DHS H-1B NPRM Modernizing H-1B Requirements, Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program, and Program Improvements Affecting Other Nonimmigrant Workers H.R. 4319, Farm Worker Modernization Act of 2023 Promulgate Temporary Increase of the Automatic Extension Period of Employment Authorization and Documentation for Certain Renewal Applicants, RIN 1615-AC78 (Spring 2022) Family Separation ICE Family FERM Policy (Family Expedited Removal Management) Policy H.R.2697 / S. 1187 Fairness to Freedom Act of 2023 Protecting spouses of US Citizens from deportation Reuniting families stuck in backlogs Access to legal representation for families separated under Zero Tolerance Expanding family reunification programs Foreign Relations & National Security Opposing the Return of the China Initiative through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Appropriations bill, H.R.5893, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 7571, Americas Act Opposing the reinstatement of DOJs China Initiative Humanitarian Protections for Palestinians H.R. 7335, Transparency in National Security Threats Act Promoting Regional Cooperation S. 3234, Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2023 Opposing the expansion of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Immigration Courts Legal representation programs for adults Funding for the Immigration Court backlog Opposing budget cuts to EOIRs Legal Orientation Program Legalization H.R. 4627 / S. 2327, Afghan Adjustment Act H.R. 3599, DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2023 H.R. 16, Dream and Promise Act of 2023 H.R. 4722, Protect Patriot Spouses Act H.R. 4694: Protect Patriot Parents Act Parole Expansion of parole Opposing reduction of the Presidents parole authority Humanitarian Parole for Sudan Raising awareness of the human rights issues arising from CBP One CHNV Parole Program Humanitarian Parole for Afghans H.Res.1048, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the plight of Cameroonian immigrants and the continued turmoil and instability in the nation of Cameroon merits a designation of humanitarian parole and calling on the Department of Homeland Security to create a humanitarian parole program for Cameroonians fleeing this violence. Refugees Ensuring refugee priorities are adequately funded Opposing migrant removals in Panama Secure federal funding for refugees and other newcomers in FY 2024 and FY 2025 Safe Mobility Initiative Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Supporting TPS extensions and redesignations Redesignation of TPS for El Salvador, Cameroon, Nicaragua, Honduras, Syria, Yemen, and Nepal Designation of TPS for Guatemala Initial designation of TPS for Mali Initial designation of TPS/SSR for Democratic Republic of Congo Initial designation of TPS/DED for Palestine H.R. 7371, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ecuador Act of 2024 H.R. 7034 / S. 3618, TPS for Mauritania Act of 2024 Redesignation and extension of TPS for Haiti, Ethiopia, and Burma Visas & Benefits Access Visa recapture Transparency in Visa Waiver Program MOU With Israel H.R. 7232, No Visas for Anti-Semitic Students Act H.R. 6987, Student Visa Security Improvement Act H.R. 7590, To impose certain conditions on the issuance of diplomatic and student visas to nationals of certain covered nations. H.R. 7028, Keeping Our Promise Act H.R. 7220, EB-5 Regional Center Program Advisory Committee Authorization Act H.R. 7215, To express the sense of Congress that aliens who are present in the United States without lawful status under the immigration laws should not receive any benefit under the Medicare program or under the Medicaid program. S. 3892, Community Health Worker Access Act Supporting USCIS Funding in FY25 LGBTQI+ families navigating the family unification processes Special Student Relief (SSR) for Nigeria Equitable compensation and protection for agricultural and food system workers USCIS fee schedule Recognizing adoptees U.S. citizenship Clarifying the eligibility for citizenship of people granted inadmissibility waivers Streamlining and allowing greater flexibility related to the submission of disability naturalization exam exemptions Issues affecting LPRs whose status may expire while their naturalization applications are pending, by codifying the automatic status extension Naturalization test redesign Funding to the USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant program in during the FY24 appropriations process Expanding TRIO to Undocumented Students Improvements to Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver Opposing the exclusion of immigrant families from the Child Tax Credit Equitable access to Rural Housing Service programs Wellness in the immigrant community Free tax preparation services for immigrants Voting H.R. 7640, No Foreign Persons Administering Our Elections Act H.R. 6942, Count Only Citizens Act H.R. 7179, To amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to treat United States Citizenship and Immigration Services field offices as voter registration agencies, and for other purposes. Other Opposing Mayorkas Impeachment (H. Res. 863, Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors) Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Opposing data broker contracts with LexisNexis and Thomson Reuters Deferred action for labor enforcement (DALE) workplace protections for all immigrants Rooting Out Discrimination and Anti-Blackness in the Immigration System Ending social media vetting and extraneous data collection Broadly interpreting prosecutorial discretion Advocating for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to systematically collect race and ethnicity data Supporting protections for federal contractor whistleblowers Advocating for FOIA Requests Opposing the monitoring of remittance money Right to access agricultural land Denouncing dehumanizing anti-immigrant rhetoric S. 3705, Human Rights Defenders Protection Act of 2024 H.R. 7185, HIDTA Reauthorization Act of 2024 H.R. 7246, American Land and Property Protection Act H.R. 7311, Combating International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2024 S. 3659, Equal Representation Act H.R. 7263, VISITOR Act H.R. 7083, RAZOR Act H.R. 7173, GRACE Act H.R. 7262, Closing the Workforce Gap Act of 2024 H.R. 6980, DOCTORS Act H.R. 7048, No Funding for Sanctuary Cities Act H.R. 7057, Evaluating Financial Impacts of Illegal Immigration Act H.R. 6831, VERDAD Reauthorization Act H.R. 7582, Equal Protection for American Workers Act H.R. 7574, Closing the Workforce Gap Act of 2024