FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, February 25, 2022
Press Contact: Jessica Ortiz, [email protected]

“Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination brings us one step closer to a fair and balanced Supreme Court, and one that is representative of the diversity of people across the U.S.”

San Antonio, TX – In response to President Biden’s historic nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, Tami Goodlette, RAICES Director of Litigation issued the following statement:

“We celebrate President Biden’s historic nomination of Federal Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Once confirmed, Judge Jackson will be the first Black woman and the only former public defender among current justices to serve on the country’s highest court, and will bring a critical perspective to the institution that is long overdue.

“Judge Jackson is a fierce advocate for justice and the fair treatment of all people under the law, and she has uplifted the humanity and dignity of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. In the case of Kiakombua v. Wolf, RAICES challenged Trump’s changes to the instructions for asylum officers when making credible fear determinations in asylum proceedings, which illegally heightened the standard for immigrants seeking refuge in the U.S. In the case, Judge Jackson ruled to vacate Trump’s changes and protected asylum seekers, and also ordered the government to pay to bring RAICES’s clients who had been deported under the heightened standards back to the U.S. so they could have fair asylum proceedings under the law. In 2019, Judge Jackson also blocked Trump’s attempt to expand and expedite the deportation of undocumented immigrants in Make the Road New York v. McAleenan.

“The previous administration ramped up a right wing, anti-democratic judicial pipeline, but Judge Jackson’s nomination brings us one step closer to a fair and balanced Supreme Court; one that is representative of the diversity of people across the U.S. We are hopeful in her ability to ensure our nation’s laws provide a just and humane immigration system that protects the rights and safety of all people. We look forward to Judge Jackson’s swift and decisive confirmation by the Senate.”

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The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees. Learn more at Raicestexas.org

“Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination brings us one step closer to a fair and balanced Supreme Court, and one that is representative of the diversity of people across the U.S.”

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