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It's worrying when a government agency appears to go its own way over the stated commitments of the person in charge of overseeing it. Right now, Immigration and Customs Enforcement needs to do more to comply with the commitments of its leader, Homeland Security Security Alejandro Mayorkas, to help stateless people in America.

United Stateless, along with 75 other groups advocating for refugees and immigrants, is addressing a critical issue: the legal status of stateless people in the United States. We have sent a letter (see below) to The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, urging immediate action from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to fulfill the commitment made by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in December 2021.

United Stateless commends the reintroduction of the "Stateless Protection Act," the first U.S. legislation aimed at granting stateless people their human right to a nationality. With 218,000 stateless individuals living in the U.S., this bill seeks to end their suffering related to identity, travel documents, employment barriers, detention, and more. The act is backed by key legislators, including Senators Dick Durbin and Alex Padilla, and Congressman Gerry Connolly.

"Painted Borders: Portraits of the Stateless Sojourner" opens on Saturday, March 23, from 4 pm to 8:30 pm at 173 Elizabeth Street, NY, NY 10012. A portion of the proceeds will support United Stateless.

Statelessness affects 4 to 10 million people globally, denying them basic rights despite the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Organizations like United Stateless, led by those with lived experience, advocate for solutions and highlight the need for inclusive philanthropy that addresses the unique challenges stateless people face.

Stateless individuals, including Holocaust survivors and immigrants, face significant challenges due to lack of legal recognition. Organizations like United Stateless work tirelessly to advocate for their rights and provide support, highlighting the urgent need for legislative action to address their plight.

New U.S. rules now allow H-1B visa beneficiaries, such as refugees and stateless people, to register using valid travel documents other than passports, following advocacy by Talent Beyond Boundaries and United Stateless. USCIS stated this change promotes access for these individuals and addresses obstacles that previously barred them from pursuing employment-based visas. This policy shift reflects the government's responsiveness to the concerns raised by advocacy groups and Congress.

Stateless individuals, often overlooked in discussions on immigration and citizenship, face unique challenges such as lack of legal recognition and access to basic rights. United Stateless, an advocacy group led by stateless people, works to raise awareness and push for legislative changes to address these issues. Their efforts highlight the need for inclusive policies that ensure everyone has a nationality and the associated rights.