Take Action
The unprecedented blanket freeze on immigration benefit adjudications affects hundreds of thousands of lawful applicants who followed every rule, paid every fee, and waited years for a decision. Multiple federal courts are now hearing challenges to these policies, signaling serious legal concerns. Here are concrete steps you can take.
Contact Your Representatives
Members of Congress need to hear directly from the people affected by this policy. This is not a routine processing delay. It is a deliberate policy decision made without clear legal authority that has upended the lives of families across the country.
Even if you are not a U.S. citizen, you are still a constituent. Your representatives serve everyone in their district. If you have U.S. citizen family members, encourage them to reach out as well.
When you contact them, consider mentioning:
- How this policy has affected you and your family personally, including lost jobs, expired work permits, separated families, and delayed lives
- That this is an unprecedented blanket freeze, not a normal backlog or processing delay
- That multiple federal courts are hearing challenges, signaling serious legal concerns about the policy
- That affected applicants followed every rule, paid every fee, and have waited years for decisions they were legally entitled to receive
- Ask your representative what they are doing to address this and demand accountability
Join a Lawsuit
Several federal lawsuits are actively challenging these pause policies. Some are accepting additional plaintiffs. Joining a lawsuit can help strengthen the legal challenge and may provide you with direct relief if the case succeeds.
Contact Advocacy Organizations
These organizations are actively working to defend the rights of immigrants and challenge unlawful policies. Reach out to them for resources, legal support, or to get involved in advocacy efforts.
ACLU
Defends constitutional rights with a long history of challenging unlawful immigration policies.
aclu.orgAILA
National association of immigration lawyers that advocates for fair and reasonable immigration policy changes.
aila.orgNILC
Defends the rights of low-income immigrants through litigation, policy analysis, and advocacy.
nilc.orgAmerican Immigration Council
Engages in litigation, research, and policy advocacy to uphold America's commitment to immigration.
americanimmigrationcouncil.orgNational Immigrant Justice Center
Provides direct legal services to immigrants and refugees and advocates for humane immigration policy.
immigrantjustice.orgContact Your State Attorney General
State Attorneys General have the authority to file lawsuits on behalf of state residents. Several have already challenged federal immigration actions in court. Contacting your AG's office lets them know constituents are affected and builds the case for state action.
When writing to your Attorney General, consider including:
- Your personal story, including how the adjudication freeze has impacted your life, employment, and family
- That this is an unprecedented blanket policy affecting lawful applicants who followed every rule
- That the policy lacks clear legal authority and has drawn challenges in multiple federal courts
- The economic impact on your state, including affected residents who cannot work, renew permits, or plan their lives
- A request for the AG to investigate and consider joining or filing legal challenges