On Thursday, October 25, 2018, the New Sanctuary Coalition and NYU Immigrant Rights Clinic held a teach-in about the First Amendment rights of immigrants who speak out against the injustices and inhumanity of our immigration system. Hosted at a Brooklyn church founded as a “temple of abolition” against slavery, the teach-in was held in anticipation of an upcoming First Amendment case, Ragbir v. Homan, that was heard in the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Monday, October 29. The plaintiffs of Ragbir v. Homan seek, among other things, a court order restraining the government from deporting and otherwise targeting immigrant activists based on their protected political speech. Thursday’s teach-in unpacked immigrants’ constitutional right to free speech, even as the government lashes out against immigrant rights leaders and activists. Ragbir v. Homan was filed by nationally recognized immigrant rights activist Ravi Ragbir, along with immigrant rights organizations New Sanctuary Coalition, CASA, Detention Watch Network, National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, and the New York Immigration Coalition (the “plaintiffs”).

Rev. Kaji Douša at First Amendment Teach In

Ramya Krishnan is Staff Attorney at The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. On Thursday, October 25, 2018, the New Sanctuary Coalition and NYU Immigrant Rights Clinic held a teach-in about the First Amendment rights of immigrants who speak out against the injustices and inhumanity of our immigration system. Hosted at a Brooklyn church founded as a “temple of abolition” against slavery, the teach-in was held in anticipation of an upcoming First Amendment case, Ragbir v. Homan, that was heard in the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Monday, October 29. The plaintiffs of Ragbir v. Homan seek, among other things, a court order restraining the government from deporting and otherwise targeting immigrant activists based on their protected political speech. Thursday’s teach-in unpacked immigrants’ constitutional right to free speech, even as the government lashes out against immigrant rights leaders and activists. Ragbir v. Homan was filed by nationally recognized immigrant rights activist Ravi Ragbir, along with immigrant rights organizations New Sanctuary Coalition, CASA, Detention Watch Network, National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, and the New York Immigration Coalition (the “plaintiffs”).

Ramya Krishnan at First Amendment Teach In

Today at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan, 150-200 community members rallied to support immigrant rights leader Ravi Ragbir for his check in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ragbir was accompanied by a delegation of elected officials and faith leaders to his appointment inside 26 Federal Plaza. Although he was not detained, Ragbir must return on July 23.

Solidarity Rally for Ravi's Jan. 23 check in

A Call for Relief and Accountability on Eve of Biden Inauguration. On January 13, 2021, the New Sanctuary Coalition, the Immigrant Rights Clinic at NYU School of Law, the National Immigrant Justice Center, Migrant Justice, and the Immigrant Justice Network held a panel discussion with targeted leaders of the immigrant rights movement. Clinic students also presented an interactive map highlighting the breadth of the government’s campaign to silence immigrant leaders. With the Biden Administration soon to take office, this moment calls for a public reckoning of our country’s immigration policy. Immigrant voices must be protected and centered in this conversation. The briefing addressed what members of Congress can do to defend and prevent further retaliation against the rights of their constituents and members of the immigrant community.

I Stand With Ravi

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