When it comes to advocacy and lobbying Members of Congress, there is no one size fits all. No single policy message resonates with or will be relevant to every elected official, so advocates sometimes need more options. That is why during ABA Day 2022 next week, in addition to the three primary issues discussed in this Washington Letter, the ABA has posted resources for three alternate issues that may help advocates during congressional meetings.
First, ABA Day advocates can urge Congress to improve security for federal judges by passing the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act, which would restrict the publication and disclosure of judges’ personally identifiable information. Today, the availability of this sensitive information on the internet threatens both the security of our judges and our impartial courts. Congress must act now to protect judges and their families from physical harm and preserve their ability to issue decisions based on the facts of the case without fear of reprisal or physical harm.
Second, advocates can urge Congress to establish an independent Article I court system for immigration cases. Currently, immigration judges serve as career Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys and are subject to the discretionary hiring, removal, and transfer authority of the Attorney General. They have no statutory protection against removal without cause or reassignment to less desirable venues or dockets and the Attorney General can refer cases to him or herself for adjudication. This structure must change to ensure that independent and impartial judges decide cases on their merits, evaluating the facts and law in each case after a hearing that comports with due process.
Finally, advocates can thank Congress for recently reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which President Biden signed into law on March 15, 2022. VAWA is one of the pillars of the government’s response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. It authorizes multiple grant programs to provide services and housing to survivors and training to improve the legal response to gender-based violence. Reauthorizing VAWA is a crucial step, but now Congress must fully fund VAWA grant programs during the FY 2023 appropriations process to assure increased access to services for survivors.
Amplify the voice of the legal profession by advocating on all of these critical issues. Members of Congress need to hear from YOU – their constituents -- on the policy issues they are considering now. Don’t want to wait until the event to advocate? Click here to send your letters now.
Visit ambar.org/ABADay for more information. Follow us @ABAGrassroots to track ABA Day developments as they happen.