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American Immigration Council
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| American Immigration Council | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Top official: | Beth Werlin, Executive Director |
| Year founded: | 1987 |
| Website: | Official website |
The American Immigration Council (the Council) is an organization that provides legal services to immigrants. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit also aims to educate policy makers on issues impacting immigration in the U.S. It is based in Washington, D.C.[1]
Mission
According to the 2015 tax returns filed by the Council, the organization's mission statement is:[2]
| “ |
The mission of the American Immigration Council is to strengthen America by honoring our immigrant history and shaping how Americans think about and act towards immigration now and in the future.[3] |
” |
Background
The Council was founded in 1987 as an advocacy group seeking to provide legal representation to immigrants in immigration court. The group's focus is to ensure that "immigration laws be enacted and implemented in a way that honors fundamental rights." The group also provides educational resources for policy makers and citizens.[1]
Work
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in the United States, see this article. |
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The Council, in addition to providing legal representation and educational resources, also engages in advocacy, litigation, and research pertaining to issues impacting immigration in the U.S. The organization is active at the state and federal levels.[1]
Research and education
The group's research and educational resources cover the economics of immigration, the legal rights of immigrants, and immigration reform among other issues. Below is a brief overview of some of the main areas the Council covers:[4]
- Immigration 101: The Council seeks to explain various components of the U.S. immigration system. It provides data and historical context on immigration, including birthright citizenship, immigration and crime, how the immigration system works, demographics, the history of immigration, and elections.
- Economics of Immigration: The organization presents arguments for the impact immigrants have on the economy.
- Business and the Workforce: The Council aims to demonstrate the role of immigrants in business and the workforce in the U.S. and covers topics such as employment, skilled labor, entrepreneurship and innovation, and low wage earners.
- Immigration Benefits and Relief: This topic provides information regarding immigration laws and regulations, which outline methods for obtaining lawful status "from within the U.S. or to seek relief from deportation." This also includes explanations of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Deferred Action for Parents of U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), the Child Status Protection Act, adjustment of status, waivers and relief from deportation, and employment authorization.
- Enforcement: Here, the Council, outlines the ways in which the U.S. can enforce immigration laws that are consistent with the law. The organization covers issues such as detention, abuses, border enforcement, interior enforcement, and state and local laws.
- Due Process and the Courts: The Council discusses the judicial system with regard to immigration. The group, in its capacity as a provider of legal counsel, discusses the rights of immigrants in the legal system, such as right to counsel, immigration courts, federal courts, and jurisdictions.
- Humanitarian Protection: Here, the Council discusses the rights of those fleeing from conflict and persecution and covers asylum, refugee status, and temporary protection status.
Leadership
As of March 2017, the Council's website listed the following individuals as members of the board of directors:[5]
- Paul L. Zulkie, President
- Robert E. Juceam, American Immigration Council, Secretary
- Warren R. Leiden, American Immigration Council, Treasurer
- Victor D. Nieblas, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Immediate Past President
- Anastasia Tonello, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 1st Vice President
- Marketa Lindt, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2nd Vice President
- F. Daniel Siciliano, Chair, Board of Trustees of the American Immigration Council
- Beth Werlin, American Immigration Council Executive, Director
- Benjamin E. Johnson, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Executive Director
Finances
The following is a breakdown of the American Immigration Council's revenues and expenses as submitted to the IRS for the 2011 to 2015 fiscal years:
| Annual revenue and expenses for the American Immigration Council, 2011–2015 | ||
| Tax Year | Total Revenue | Total Expenses |
| 2015[2] | $4,070,277 | $3,782,725 |
| 2014[6] | $4,278,115 | $3,797,614 |
| 2013[7] | $3,666,084 | $3,486,772 |
| 2012[8] | $2,942,528 | $2,522,168 |
| 2011[8] | $2,215,004 | $2,474,924 |
Tax status
The American Immigration Council is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Its 501(c) designation refers to a section of the U.S. federal income tax code concerning charitable, religious, and educational organizations.[9] Section 501(c) of the U.S. tax code has 29 sections that list specific conditions particular organizations must meet in order to be considered tax-exempt under the section. Organizations that have been granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service are exempt from federal income tax.[10] This exemption requires that any political activity by the charitable organization be nonpartisan in nature.[11]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'American Immigration Council'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- Deferred Action for Parents of U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA)
- Immigration Policy
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 American Immigration Council, "About the American Immigration Council," accessed October 17, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 American Immigration Council, "IRS Form 990 (2015)," accessed March 10, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ American Immigration Council, "Topics," accessed October 18, 2016
- ↑ American Immigration Council, "American Immigration Council Board," accessed March 10, 2017
- ↑ Guidestar, "IRS Form 990, American Immigration Council (2014)," accessed October 17, 2016
- ↑ Guidestar, "IRS Form 990, American Immigration Council (2013)," accessed October 17, 2016
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Guidestar, "IRS Form 990, American Immigration Council (2012)," accessed October 17, 2016
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "Exempt Purposes - Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)," accessed January 13, 2014
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "Life Cycle of a Public Charity/Private Foundation," accessed July 10, 2015
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "Exemption Requirements - 501(c)(3) Organizations," accessed January 13, 2014
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