Build Immigrant-Inclusive Communities

Executive Office for Immigration Review Director David Neal testified August 19, 2025, that 127 immigration courts closed due to judge shortages while Trump demands 500% faster deportation proceedings. The administration fired 200 judges for "slow" decisions but can't find replacements, creating 2.8 million case backlog while detention centers overflow with people who can't get hearings for three years.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported August 16, 2025, that arrests declined to 18,200 in July from 30,500 in June despite Trump's promises of unprecedented enforcement, with agency sources citing court backlogs, detention center overcrowding, and judicial resistance to rushed proceedings. The decline comes as 127 immigration courts closed due to Trump's firing of "slow" judges, creating massive bottleneck in deportation pipeline.

Federal immigration courts lost dozens of judges in August 2025 as the Trump administration simultaneously demands mass deportations while refusing to fund the judicial system needed to process cases. The Chelmsford, Massachusetts court lost half its judges to resignations and early retirement, creating a 6-month backlog for asylum hearings. Immigration lawyers report that people detained by ICE sit in jail for months waiting for court dates that don't exist.

A federal judge ordered ICE on August 13, 2025, to immediately improve conditions at the notorious Manhattan detention facility after finding "deliberate indifference" to detainee safety and health. The ruling follows reports of migrants sleeping on concrete floors, denied medical care, and held in solitary confinement for weeks without justification. ICE has 30 days to provide beds, medical staff, and end prolonged isolation or face contempt charges.

Know the difference between various immigration statuses and processes. Helps you understand diverse communities and legal pathways.

Assist newcomers in accessing government services and community resources. Service navigation skills.

Know what rights immigrants have regardless of status. Human rights awareness for community support.

Know federal vs state roles in immigration

Recognize and counter false claims about immigration. Fact-checking skills for community education.

Know how immigration affects local economies and job markets. Economic analysis for policy discussions.