Defending against the Increasing Criminalization of
Our Immigrant Communities

Who We Are

The Problem

"Bustin' Out"

Immigrant Youth Justice Initiative (IYJI)

"Sentenced Home"

Additional Resources

The Immigrant Justice Network is a collaborative formed in 2006 to build an organized effort to end the criminalization of our immigrant communities and to eliminate unjust penalties for immigrants entangled in the criminal and juvenile justice systems.  IJN members are amongst the foremost immigration advocacy and defense organizations with expertise in the intersection between the immigration and criminal and juvenile justice systems. Our work is supported by the Ford Foundation.

Click here for more info on IJN and how to contact us directly.

The Problem:  In a misguided effort to address the immigration crisis caused by our broken system and our inability to deal with the root causes of migration, the federal government – with increasing cooperation from state and local governments – has dramatically increased immigration efforts in the criminal and juvenile justice systems to apprehend, detain, and deport immigrants. 

These efforts have failed to meaningfully address the problems we face. Even worse, their primary impact has been to further marginalize and criminalize immigrant communities. Billions of taxpayer dollars, regrettably, are being directed to undermine the integrity of the criminal and juvenile justice systems and to erode all of our human rights and civil liberties.

Click here for more analysis
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IJN PROJECTS & Resources

Bustin’ Out: Counteracting ICE Efforts to Co-opt the Criminal Justice System for Immigration Enforcement

The Immigrant Youth Justice Initiative:Collaborations to Shift Policies Within the Juvenile Justice System to More Effectively Meet the Needs of Noncitizen Youth

Sentenced Home Documentary Campaign

Additional Resources

New Materials & Information

*NEW* “A Dangerous Merger  IJN’s 2-page primer on ICE ACCESS programs such as Secured Communities, 287(g), and the Criminal Alien Program.

  • Frequently Asked Questions About Detention and Deportation – click here
  • What Really is an Aggravated Felony and How is the Definition Overbroad? – click here
  • How Immigrants are Being Denied a Fair day in Court – click here