ICIE's Resolution for 2015: Fighting for Due Process

The start of the New Year is usually marked with resolutions to accomplish a significant goal in the coming year. At ICIE, founder Ralph Isenberg has set a resolution for the organization as well: ensuring the foreign nationals they help have a voice in court and receive due process. It's something Isenberg is willing to sue for to achieve.

Because Isenberg and the ICIE staff are not attorneys, they rely on a provision in immigration law that allows "reputable individuals" to represent immigrants in court and with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). However, Isenberg has faced a number of roadblocks in his efforts. "One has to wonder why Congress would put this provision in the law if they didn't expect people to use it," he said.

"We are prepared, in 2015, to sue ICE for mistreatment over our advocacy for foreign nationals," Isenberg said, who points out that ICE agents in Dallas often prevent him from helping immigrants they are trying to deport. "Some of the foreign nationals we help only have a fifth grade education from their country. They are not competent to understand our legal system or immigration law. They do not know how to stand in front of a judge and contribute to their defense." Too often, these foreign nationals have to appear before an ICE agent or an immigration judge without legal advice or representation, a gap Isenberg and ICIE staff try to fill.

Isenberg has four cases that he and ICIE staff have targeted as priority for the new year: a pregnant woman who was deported despite having a U.S. citizen husband and children; a foreign national from Bangladesh who was deported back to his country even though he is not permitted to live there; a man who was deported after 21 years in the United States for a crime he did not commit, even though a witness is able to prove his innocence; and a young boy stranded in El Salvador hoping to reunite with family in the U.S. Each case involves matters of due process, extreme family separation, and Constitutional issues, which is ICIE's specialty. Isenberg currently has two cases pending before the Bureau of Immigration Appeals, a last resort for immigrants who did not receive a fair hearing in front of an immigration judge.

ICIE's efforts are only made possible with the help of supporters nationwide. Legal costs and expenses are entirely funded by Isenberg, but you can make a donation to ICIE to underwrote their costs and help more foreign nationals. Click here to make a donation of any size via PayPal. Donations are not tax-deductible.

To read the section of immigration law regarding "reputable individuals," click right here.