Court says turnbacks of tens of thousands of asylum seekers are unlawfulA federal judge declared unlawful the U.S. government’s turnbacks of asylum seekers arriving at ports of entry along the U.S. southern border. The court ruled that the United States is required by law to inspect and process asylum seekers when they present themselves at ports of entry and condemned the practice of denying access to the asylum process through metering and similar practices. The decision came after oral arguments were held before U.S. District Judge Cynthia Bashant of the Southern District of California on August 31. The case, Al Otro Lado v. Mayorkas, was brought four years ago by Al Otro Lado and a group of 13 individuals seeking asylum in the United States whom U.S. Customs and Border Protection turned back. The Center for Constitutional Rights, Southern Poverty Law Center, American Immigration Council, and the law firm Mayer Brown challenged the policy. Learn more on our website. | ||
 Upcoming events: 20 Years After September 11: Lessons in Solidarity, and more…ATTICA NOW This two-part series focuses on the current struggle for abolition, decarceration, defunding, reparations, equal justice, and making the historic demands of the Attica Brothers a reality. Register and learn more on our website. 20 Years After September 11: Lessons in Solidarity Join our Executive Director Vince Warren as he participates in this teach-in to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and its aftermath. Members of the Solidarity Summits will share insights around deepening connections, being co-conspirators, and building toward co-liberation. Head over to our website for more information. Letters from Detention: Performance and Talk-Back Join us for a virtual performance, conversation, and reflection on 20 years since the post-9/11 roundups, detentions, and deportations. This event is organized in association with The Public Theater. Letters from Detention is a moving theatrical performance adapted by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen (authors of The Exonerated and Aftermath) from a series of letters exchanged between two brothers, our clients, during their time in detention. Actors Laith Nakli and Hadi Tabbal will perform the roles of Yasser and Hany. Yasser will participate in a talk-back with Senior Attorney Rachel Meeropol following the performance. Register on our website. | ||
 Welcome our three new board members!We’re pleased to announce the addition of three members to our board of trustees. Joining are Catherine Coleman Flowers, Meena Jagannath, and Priscilla Ocen. Our new board members are joining at a critical point in the organization and this country’s history. Having their wisdom and expertise at our disposal only strengthens our ability to foster deeper ties with our community and organizational partners, fight oppressive systems, and fortify ourselves for the struggle ahead. See our full board of trustees on our website. | ||
We’re hiring! Two-year Bertha Justice Fellows for our 2022–2024 cohortWe’re excited to announce that we are starting the search for four Bertha Justice Fellows, for the September 2022 to September 2024 term. The Bertha Justice Fellowship at the Center for Constitutional Rights is a two-year program for emerging lawyers (0-2 years out of law school) who are interested in gaining both practical experience working on cutting-edge social justice litigation and a theoretical understanding of how legal advocacy can create social change. We will host four Bertha Justice Fellows, starting in September 2022. This position requires a two-year commitment from September 2022 to September 2024. Learn more and apply on our website. |
September 13, 2021
