A Message from Our Chair

Read Michelle Jacobson's bio here.

As 2024 marks an election year that will once again shape the direction of our country, we must reflect on the current mood of the public, which has shied away from overt sentiments about human rights at the border and instead has shifted its support towards border control and deportation.  As I see the Gallup polls noting greater animosity towards immigrants, we seem to have forgotten the pivotal role immigration has played as the foundation for our economic success, helping drive the United States as a nation of innovation and prosperity.   We have failed to account for the severe labor shortages we are experiencing and how immigrants help curtail inflationary costs. These economic challenges are augmented by an outward hostility toward the “other” in a stark era of political divisiveness. Instead of leveraging this economic potential, we see a growing divide marked by fear and misunderstanding. It is in these moments of division that we must remind ourselves of the truths—that immigrants have been pivotal in building a thriving, dynamic economy.

The American Bar Association’s Commission on Immigration (“Commission”) has a longstanding commitment to promoting principles of fairness, access to justice, and human rights for immigrants and asylum-seekers in the United States.  As the Chair of the Commission on Immigration, I aim to continue our advocacy efforts to promote these principles while advancing bipartisan solutions to rectify this broken immigration system.

Immigration has long been the lifeblood of the United States, infusing its culture, society, and economy with a vibrant tapestry of diversity and acting as a driver for innovation. Yet, the path to the American dream is too often paved with challenges and obstacles for immigrants and asylum-seekers, particularly those seeking refuge and a better life within our borders.  When I see the imposing 30-foot border structures along our southern border, I am reminded that we must approach immigration with both pragmatism and humanity.  Reform that balances security with compassion is not only possible but essential.

When immigration practitioners work directly with clients, we witness the sacrifices migrants make in pursuit of a safer life, often leaving behind loved ones and enduring unimaginable adversity.  Yet they continue to face challenge after challenge that hinders their ability to fully integrate into American society. From the lack of access to legal counsel to the complexities of navigating the minefield of our legal landscape, immigrants often find themselves grappling with a system that too often lacks fairness and transparency.  We cannot forget our humanity when we see that access to counsel occurs in just 33% of the current case dockets according to the Congressional Research Service. Clearly, we must do more to restore fairness and due process from within the United States. 

The Commission directs the ABA’s efforts to ensure fair treatment and full due process rights for immigrants and asylum-seekers within the United States. The Commission’s border projects provide legal services to thousands of migrants from all over the world, including unaccompanied children, families, and adults seeking safety, protection, and opportunity within the United States.  The Commission is large, and its impact is great.  The Commission exemplifies a strong commitment to grassroots advocacy while maintaining on-the-ground impact.  The Commission engages in both executive and legislative policy and advocacy.  Recent examples include comments to proposed regulations, letters to DHS and DOJ with recommendations on asylum policies at the border, and letters to Congressional offices in support of proposed legislation.  The ABA’s Children’s Immigration Law Academy has served as a tremendous resource for attorneys providing training toolkits and serving as educational experts to the public and government agencies alike.  It is truly a force for positive change.  

As a first-generation lawyer, I infuse compassion into my work having seen firsthand the difficulties involved in navigating our immigration system while struggling to adapt to a brand-new country. Through this lens, I am driven to pursue better outcomes for my clients while advocating for the unrepresented who remain vulnerable and have no voice in this system.  This resolve is shared with many of our staff, volunteers and Commission members, who display a fierce commitment and are determined to push for positive change.  Through collaborative efforts across the ABA, we can forge a system that upholds the rule of law while treating immigrants and asylum-seekers with the respect and empathy they deserve.

It is through this collective effort that we pave the way for transformative change—change that ensures equitable access to counsel, that safeguards the dignity of individuals regardless of their origins, and that reflects the values upon which this nation was built. By advocating for policies that prioritize family unity, protect vulnerable populations, and establish sensible pathways to securing legal status, we can chart a course toward a more inclusive and harmonious future while creating pathways that drive our country’s economic prosperity.