In July 2021, Illinois became the first state to mandate the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) Act, which requires the teaching of a unit of Asian-American history in public elementary and high schools starting in the 2022-23 school…
Hot Topics in Immigration Law with Dhenu Maru
On July 28th, 2021, SAAPRI held a virtual conversation via Instagram Live addressing the critical immigration issues affecting the South Asian American community. Led by Dhenu Maru, the event focused specifically on South Asian immigration including topics like H-4 EAD, domestic violence…
Citizenship & Immigration Expo
On July 30th and 31st, 2021, SAAPRI partnered with other Chicagoan organizations, including but not limited to the Latino Policy Forum, Pilsen Neighbors Community Council, Syrian Community Network, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community-CBCAC, to host a two-day citizenship…

SAAPRI Launches New Policy Report on H-4 EAD Rescission Alongside Illinois Federal and State Representatives
The South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI) held a press conference for the launch of their latest policy report, Defying Dependence, at the Indo-American Center on July 22nd. SAAPRI studied how the Trump administration’s efforts to revoke the…

SAAPRI Releases Report on H-4 Work Authorization Policy’s Impact on South Asian Communities
Rescinding work authorization for H-4 visa holders disproportionately impacts immigrant women and families from South Asian countries, said South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI) in a report released today. On February 20th, 2019, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services…

Protecting Work Authorization for H-4 Visa Holders
In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security announced it will rescind the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) program for H-4 visa holders, and the new rule is expected to be released in coming months. According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),…

June 30th marks the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Enactment of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 – signed into law on October 3, 1965 and effective on June 30, 1968 – was a watershed piece of immigration legislation that has had tremendous impact on the country and the South…
Our Immigrant Families at Risk: Border Policy, Muslim Ban, and a Broken System
The Trump administration’s attack on immigrants and families has continued in devastating and cruel ways. In April 2018, the administration implemented its “zero-tolerance policy” for migrants crossing the border, many of whom are seeking asylum in the U.S. This policy…

DACA Reinstatement Information (updated as of 1/26/2018)

Chicago South Asian Deferred Action Coalition Opposes DACA Rescission
DACA DECISION HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR CONGRESSIONAL SOLUTION AND LOCAL MUNICIPAL ID POLICIES THAT SUPPORT UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS, SOUTH ASIANS The President’s decision to end DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) in six months has injected tremendous uncertainty and fear into the…