NILC Immigrant Justice Fund Welcomes New Board Member

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
October 14, 2022

CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@immigrantjusticefund.org, 213-375-3149

WASHINGTON – The National Immigration Law Center Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF) today announced the addition of Lisa Sherman Luna, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, to the organization’s board of directors. 

“The NILC Immigrant Justice Fund board is vital in setting the strategic direction of the organization. The addition of Lisa Sherman Luna will advance our ongoing efforts to expand political power, particularly at the state and local level, that is necessary to achieve transformational and lasting changes for our communities.” said Marielena Hincapié, IJF executive director. “Lisa’s experience working with directly impacted communities in Tennessee and driving impactful campaigns will be vital to advance the IJF’s mission of building a 21st century immigration system where all people, regardless of immigration status, have the freedom to thrive.”

“I am honored to join the board of the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund,” said Sherman Luna. “For years, NILC and IJF have supported state-based groups in building political power and defending the rights of immigrants at both the state and local levels. Immigrants and our loved ones are a powerful constituency, and we must be represented by progressive champions who will work with us to build a humane and equitable immigration system. I look forward to supporting the IJF in this important work.”

In 2001, Sherman Luna’s family made the difficult decision to move to Nashville from their home in Guatemala when she was a teenager. The move was prompted by her parents' concerns for their safety after experiencing several violent incidents. It was this experience that shaped her commitment to fighting for an immigration system where all people can access safety, opportunity, and belonging. She joined the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) in October 2015 and served as policy director for nearly five years before stepping into the role of executive director in 2020. Sherman Luna is also the executive director of TIRRC's political arm, TIRRC Votes.

Sherman Luna has developed a track record of success in winning policy victories through research and analysis, strategic communications, lobbying, and working with colleagues across programs to develop and mobilize community leaders to lead campaigns. Under her leadership at TIRRC, the organization has passed its first pro-immigrant law in the state legislature, secured its first major state and local government grant to expand services to immigrant communities, and ended a rent-a-bed agreement with ICE and a local jail. Over the years, she’s built respect and trust with partners, lobbyists, and elected officials across political aisles.

Sherman Luna also represents TIRRC on the executive committee of the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) and the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM).

Prior to joining TIRRC, Sherman Luna advocated on behalf of children in armed conflict at the United Nation Security Council and was a researcher at Amnesty International on human rights violations in West Africa. She holds a Master’s degree in Conflict, Security, and Development from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London and is fluent in Spanish and English.

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NILC Immigrant Justice Fund Endorses Pro-Immigrant Champions Senator Alex Padilla and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal in First Endorsements Ahead of 2022 Midterm Elections

Endorsement program represents beginning of NILC-IJF's seven-figure investment in messaging research and advertising to help elect more candidates who support pro-immigrant policies at the federal level 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 7, 2022 

CONTACT 
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@immigrantjusticefund.org, 213-375-3149

WASHINGTON — The NILC Immigrant Justice Fund today announced the launch of its candidate endorsement program along with its first endorsed candidates, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

With its new endorsement program, NILC Immigrant Justice Fund will support candidates who commit to advancing pro-immigrant policies, including a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants who make up the fabric of communities across the United States. The endorsement program includes a six-figure digital ad campaign and a $1 million investment in voter polling, messaging and research.

Bri Gillis, political director of the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, said: “We are proud to endorse Senator Alex Padilla and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal – two steadfast champions for immigrant communities who have exercised bold leadership in the fight for pro-immigrant policies in Congress. Through our endorsements in the 2022 cycle, we look forward to working with candidates who are committed to building a fair, 21st-century immigration system and who recognize that immigrants are a strength to our nation.”

Senator Alex Padilla said: “As the proud son of Mexican immigrants, I know the contributions immigrants make to our nation, and why we must fight for a vision of America that welcomes immigrants with dignity and humanity. It’s past time for Congress to fix our broken immigration system and fully recognize the essential contribution of immigrants to our country. I am honored to receive the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund’s endorsement, and I look forward to continue working together to advance our shared commitment to passing bold, meaningful immigration reform that meets the urgency of this moment.”

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said: “I'm incredibly proud to receive the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund's endorsement and to work alongside them to finally pass comprehensive immigration reform. I immigrated to this country when I was just 16 years old, sent by my parents so I’d have opportunities to thrive and a life that would not have otherwise been possible otherwise—the same dreams that have drawn countless immigrants to this country and led to our nation’s growth and success. That is why, as an activist and in Congress, I have never stopped fighting for just and humane immigration policy reform that welcomes and integrates immigrants into our communities. This is about who we are as a country and I will continue to use every opportunity to lead our efforts in Congress."

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State of the Union: New Poll Shows Majority of Likely Voters Support Bold Action on Immigration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
February 28, 2022

CONTACT 
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@nilc-ijf.org, 213-375-3149
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458
Madison Allman, 202-384-1279 

Majority of Likely 2022 Voters Support Wide Range of Pro-Immigrant Policies, Including Ending Title 42 and the Remain in Mexico Program 

WASHINGTON — The NILC Immigrant Justice Fund today released the results of a new poll that shows likely voters broadly support and want lawmakers to prioritize enacting a variety of pro-immigrant policies. As President Biden prepares to make his State of the Union address, the results also show likely voters are dissatisfied with his handling of immigration so far, and that a plurality of Democrats do not believe he’s done enough to undo the harm of the previous administration’s policies.  

A majority of likely 2022 voters want Biden to end Title 42 and the Remain in Mexico program. An even greater percentage support policies to bolster immigrant access to essential services, including tax and health care systems, and make immigration processes fairer and more efficient. 

The poll also shows a majority of independent voters support a range of pro-immigrant policies, including establishing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, ending the Remain in Mexico program, and protecting asylum seekers from deportation while their cases advance through immigration courts. A plurality of independent voters also support ending Title 42 expulsions. 

Bri Gillis, political director of the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, said: “Likely voters support bold action on immigration and want President Biden to deliver on his campaign promises by doing more to reverse the previous administration’s harm. As Americans prepare to go to the polls again later this year, this poll reveals a real opportunity to energize the Democratic base without alienating independent voters. Despite some meaningful progress, this administration’s overly cautious approach to immigration is a political miscalculation. Delivering on a pro-immigrant vision would not only be good policy, but also good politics.” 

Visit this link to view the poll results: https://immigrantjusticefund.org/s/NILC-IJF-Baseline-Nationwide-SOTU-Feb-2022.pdf  

The poll, conducted by Impact Research, surveyed likely voters across the political spectrum. Topline results from the poll’s questions on policies include: 

• 71% support making it easier for undocumented workers who want to pay taxes to do so   

• 71% support reducing backlogs in green card and citizenship applications   

• 64% support creating a path to citizenship   

• 63% support protecting asylum seekers in the U.S. from deportation   

• 53% support ending “Remain in Mexico” or MPP   

• 52% support ending Title 42 expulsions at the U.S.-Mexico border 

• 52% support strengthening protections to allow undocumented workers to exercise their labor and civil rights without fear of deportation 

Additional toplines include:  

• Voters are critical of President Biden’s handling of immigration (net -40; 26% positive) and issues related to immigrants and refugees (net -39; 27% positive). 

• More voters say Biden is not doing enough to reverse Trump’s policies than those who say he is (5-point margin).  

• By a 9-point margin, voters indicate they would be more likely to support their member of Congress if they were in favor of legislation that would create a path to citizenship (39% more likely). 

To view the poll results, visit this link. Crosstabs are available here. 

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NILC Immigrant Justice Fund Welcomes New Board Member

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
March 23, 2021  

CONTACT 
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@nilc-ijf.org, 213-375-3149  

WASHINGTON — The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF) announced today the addition of a new member, Yasmin Radjy, to its board of directors.   

“We are excited to welcome Yasmin to the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund board in this critical moment in our nation’s history and tremendous opportunity for meaningful progress as we continue our work to improve the lives of immigrants and their loved ones,” said Marielena Hincapié, executive director of NILC IJF. “The NILC Immigrant Justice Fund board plays a key role in setting the strategic direction of our organization, and Yasmin’s contributions will help advance our ongoing efforts to build political leadership that reflects our shared values and will lead to transformative change for immigrants and our country. Yasmin brings invaluable political acumen built over years of organizing for social, gender, and health justice. We look forward to her partnership and the many talents she will bring to our board.” 

“The NILC Immigrant Justice Fund is leading innovative and exciting work to ensure that immigrant communities are recognized for their humanity, contributions, and political power,” said Radjy. “This work is critically important, especially after Americans voted overwhelmingly to reject divisive and hateful politics and as the ongoing health and economic crises have put into sharp focus our interdependence, making clear that our efforts to recover and rebuild must include us all. There has never been a more important time for IJF’s strategic, hopeful, and forward-thinking leadership, and I’m honored to play a role to support the organization.”

Radjy serves as national political director at Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF), where she oversees the organization’s federal candidate endorsements, PAC activity, national political partnerships, and coordinated campaign efforts. She previously served as director of organizing and training at PPAF and Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA).

Prior to her work at PPAF/PPFA, Radjy served as Virginia state director at Mobilize America in the 2017 election and is co-founder of Resistance School. Leading up to the 2015 Iran Deal, Radjy worked as outreach and field director for the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) and co-founded its political arm, NIAC Action. She also worked as a congregation-based organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation in Iowa and Texas, as well as for the 2008 Obama campaign in Ohio.

Radjy received her MPP from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and her BA from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a California native and is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Persian.

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NILC Immigrant Justice Fund Welcomes New Board Member

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 12, 2021 

CONTACT 
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@nilc-ijf.org, 213-375-3149 

WASHINGTON —The NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (NILC IJF) announced today the addition of a new member, Rocio Sáenz, to its board of directors.

“The NILC Immigrant Justice Fund board is instrumental in setting the organization’s strategic direction, and Rocio’s contributions will help propel our ongoing work with immigrant communities to build political leadership that reflects our organization’s values-based approach and makes a real difference for immigrant communities and our country,” said Marielena Hincapié, executive director of NILC IJF. “As we prepare to partner with the Biden-Harris administration and beyond, the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund will be key in our efforts to defend and advance the rights of low-income immigrants and to ensure that our communities can thrive. Given Rocio’s history in organizing with immigrant workers and building worker power, she brings crucial experience advocating for dignified, safe, and fair working conditions and human rights. We are excited for Rocío’s energy and many talents she will bring to our board.” 

“The National Immigration Law Center and the Immigrant Justice Fund use expertise, savvy, and the hard-won trust of immigrant communities and allies to protect and defend low-income immigrants and their families,” Sáenz said. “These strengths have made NILC and the Immigrant Justice Fund key partners of SEIU. SEIU was founded by immigrants and today represents hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers who like all workers demand to be respected, protected, and paid fairly. As we move on from the immoral and reckless actions of the Trump Administration, we need policies and politicians that recognize that essential and frontline immigrant workers are keeping us healthier and more prosperous in these dark times. We will be better off when they all have a pathway to citizenship and when they are treated more fairly and humanely.”

Rocio Sáenz is an SEIU international executive vice president after being elected at the September 2013 International executive board meeting and reelected in 2016 for a second term. Prior to becoming an international executive vice president, she headed the property services New England Local in Boston, Mass., which represents 18,000 workers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Sáenz has advocated for workers’ rights and community empowerment most of her adult life. She emigrated from Mexico to Los Angeles, where she initially worked low-wage jobs. She became an organizer for SEIU’s Justice for Janitors campaign in 1988, and she was part of a team that led a successful campaign to organize janitors in Los Angeles.

In August 2001, Sáenz moved to Boston to build the Justice for Janitors program there and to move the local union forward. A year later, she led thousands of Boston janitors in a monthlong strike that drew widespread support from the media, clergy, politicians, and community groups. The strike ended with a historic settlement that dramatically improved workers’ wages, benefits, and workplace rights.

In July 2003, Sáenz was elected president of SEIU Local 615 (now SEIU 32BJ District 615), where she continued to win for workers.    

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National Immigration Law Center Immigrant Justice Fund Statement on Senate Victories in Georgia Special Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    
January 6, 2021

CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@nilc-ijf.org, 213-375-3149
Tenoch Flores, tenoch.flores@outlook.com

WASHINGTON — On January 6, 2021, Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF), issued the following statement on the outcome of the Georgia special election.

“We congratulate Reverend Warnock on his historic victory and Jon Ossoff for his likely victory in this historic election. Despite the pandemic and deliberate barriers, Georgia voters turned out in record numbers and are likely to flip the Senate in a resounding cry for change.

“This is a decisive win for communities of color, who turned out in record numbers. Both Reverend Warnock and Jon Ossoff displayed courage and strength by embracing a pro-immigrant vision for the future and, in the process, they showed that pro-immigrant campaigns are winning campaigns in battleground states.

“This is a historic moment for democracy itself. We celebrate the tireless organizers, canvassers, volunteers, donors, and everyone who played a role in this outcome, including organizations such as the New Georgia Project and the Asian American Advocacy Fund, who worked tirelessly to organize and contact voters in record numbers.

“NILC Immigrant Justice Fund looks forward to working with the incoming Biden administration on transformative legislation that matches the mandate from voters: laws that create a pathway to U.S. citizenship for the 11 million immigrants who call this country home, including the essential workers we are all relying on; access to health care for all — particularly in the midst of this pandemic, which continues to ravage communities of color disproportionately; and a robust and inclusive COVID relief package that supports the needs of millions of families struggling under the weight of this pandemic.

“This election signals a new day for America, and NILC Immigrant Justice Fund looks forward to partnering with the incoming senators from Georgia to fulfill our nation’s promise of equality and justice for all, especially the Black and Brown communities that delivered this electoral victory once again and saved our democracy.”

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