We are fighting to disrupt the tragic, ongoing legacy of bigotry in our justice system, and to ensure that everyone is guaranteed due process and protection under the law. Our work is built on our passionate belief that equal justice for all is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of our democracy, not a hollow promise or an empty slogan.

The current federal administration has vigorously escalated its efforts to frame immigration as a threat to our country’s security and values. Tragically, these policies have embodied a dehumanizing mixture of cruelty, chaos, and incompetence. This became evident as the family separation crisis unfolded on the border, with more than 2,300 children estranged from their families. Sadly, this mirrored what has already been happening across the nation, as immigrant families are torn apart by ramped-up deportations and arrests in their homes, workplaces, and schools. These injustices are an affront to human dignity, a malicious attack on civil society, and a betrayal of our democracy. Vera is fighting on multiple fronts to protect and restore our collective commitment to due process and our identity as a nation of immigrants

SAFE Network

Through our Safety and Fairness for Everyone (SAFE) Network, we are leading a partnership of 12 diverse jurisdictions in eight states that are dedicated to providing publicly funded legal representation to immigrant residents facing detention and deportation. With our government and legal service provider partners, we are fighting to ensure that all immigrants have access to counsel. In year one, a remarkable 38 percent of cases represented by SAFE attorneys and completed in immigration court resulted in successful outcomes, permitting SAFE clients to remain in the United States. By comparison, only approximately 3 percent of unrepresented cases nationwide are successful. We are making a difference in keeping families together and protected, which makes our nation safer.

Immigrant Connection Project

We rapidly responded to the family separation crisis by collaborating with other legal services and immigration organizations to launch the Immigrant Connection Project (ICON).

While the federal government is the only entity able to physically reunite separated children with their families, ICON served as a critical bridge by providing a route to connect parents with a legal service provider working directly with their children. During its operation, ICON received nearly 300 inquiries and made connections for more than 95 percent of those seeking Vera’s assistance.

Legal Orientation Program

In April, we successfully mobilized a coalition of advocates, experts, and congressional leaders to persuade the U.S. Department of Justice to reverse its decision to halt Vera’s Legal Orientation Program (LOP).

Through this program, we work with 17 nonprofit legal service providers at 38 detention facilities across the country to assist and support 50,000 immigrants detained and facing deportation each year. LOP empowers detained immigrants to understand their rights and navigate our complex legal system by providing “know your rights” orientations about the court process and defenses against deportation. It also assists them with the process of seeking pro bono representation. Eighty-four percent of detained immigrants in deportation proceedings receive no legal representation whatsoever, and LOP fills a critical gap in the system by providing access to justice for thousands of individuals every year.

We work with 17 nonprofit legal service providers at 38 detention facilities across the country to assist and support 50,000 immigrants detained and facing deportation each year.

Policing

As communities across America become increasingly diverse, we must improve the ability of law enforcement officers—who serve on the frontlines of the criminal justice system—to deliver equal justice and effectively interact with the communities they serve.

We are working to shift the culture of policing from arrest and enforcement to community engagement and collaborative problem-solving. In partnership with the National Police Foundation, we developed a new version of the popular CompStat police management tool—CompStat 360—designed to help police balance crime reduction with community satisfaction and help communities actively collaborate with law enforcement. We are now piloting a prototype in five places and providing training and assistance to more than 15 additional police agencies. In September, we launched Understanding Police Enforcement, a new initiative that will help law enforcement and communities develop more effective responses to 911 calls—such as responses that bring in police only when necessary, reduce the number of avoidable arrests and potentially harmful interventions, and enhance the safety of both civilians and officers. As part of this effort, we will conduct research on current trends in 911 calls and outcomes, highlight useful resources and best practices for officers to respond to 911 calls, and partner with law enforcement and community leaders to develop effective, replicable strategies to reduce unnecessary police enforcement.