Azadeh Erfani, policy director at the National Immigrant Justice Center, condemned the Trump administration's strategy of externalizing its mass deportation efforts by coercing third countries into detaining immigrants, arguing that this policy undermines legal protections for asylum seekers.

The NIJC Impact Report for FY2023 highlights the launch of a new model of asylum clinics during summer 2023 to assist migrants approaching their one-year filing deadline, alongside ongoing legal aid provided through the Chicago Immigration Court Helpdesk. These initiatives are intended to empower immigrant communities and counteract repressive immigration policies.

NIJC issued a press release in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the executive branch's discretion in setting immigration enforcement priorities. Executive Director Mary Meg McCarthy welcomed the decision for restoring proper authority to the executive, while also cautioning that existing guidelines allow for potential abuses. She urged Secretary Mayorkas to revisit and revise the policies to better protect immigrant rights and ensure justice and dignity.

On April 18-19, 2023, the National Immigrant Justice Center issued a formal statement opposing the Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023. The statement argues that the bill would effectively dismantle protections for asylum seekers and vulnerable immigrant communities, criminalizing access to asylum while perpetuating fear and xenophobia. NIJC urged Congress to vote against this hate-based legislative package, aligning with its longstanding commitment to defending human rights and immigrant justice.

The National Immigrant Justice Center joined a broad-based coalition of over 100 organizations calling on the Biden Administration and Congress to suspend criminal prosecutions for unauthorized entry and to repeal racist immigration laws, as part of broader efforts to reduce systemic injustice and protect marginalized immigrant communities.