L4GG Celebrates Critical Tax Change That Increases Public Sector Benefits in the Inflation Reduction Act

Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), which has been working to expedite the equitable implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), celebrates a recent advocacy win that will make millions of dollars in direct pay tax credits available to two-thirds of the country’s cities and counties, school districts, and every single state agency that were previously blocked by conflicting IRS rules. 

The Issue:

In 2023, many public sector entities completed clean energy projects (such as buying electric school buses or EVs or constructing rooftop solar) with the expectation of reimbursement through the IRA’s Elective Pay Program, also known as ‘Direct Pay’. Direct Pay gives public sector entities and other tax-exempts the ability, for the first time, to receive a direct payment equal to the full value of tax credits for completing qualifying clean energy projects. Unfortunately, Treasury’s previous guidance, which seemed to contradict the text and intent of the IRA, deemed hundreds of early 2023 projects ineligible based solely on the fact that the applicant’s fiscal years do not match a calendar year.

Treasury’s previous guidance made these projects ineligible for direct pay, which can provide reimbursement of 30-70% of project costs.

This would have meant the loss of millions of dollars in projected revenue for small cities and school districts that were counting on these funds, not to mention every single state agency that placed a clean energy project in early 2023.

The issue impacted approximately two-thirds of all cities and counties, every single state, and many school districts, universities, and nonprofits with eligible 2023 projects that all have Fiscal Years that do not match the calendar year. L4GG had identified hundreds of projects at the state and local level whose Elective Pay credits were at risk as a result of this issue.

The Advocacy:

L4GG led advocacy efforts over the past few months to change the policy, including multiple meetings and sending a letter to the White House, documenting the issue and a proposed solution, in partnership with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and signed by 48 entities, including 18 cities and counties from 13 states. As a result of L4GG’s initial advocacy, the IRS first issued its Final Rule on March 5, 2024, where it allowed entities to file for Direct Pay on a calendar year to capture all 2023 projects. While this Final Rule enables all entities with 2023 projects to file for Direct Pay, therefore fixing the issue potentially blocking them from receiving tax credits for climate projects, it unfortunately did not provide guidance on how entities whose fiscal years do not align with their calendar year could subsequently realign their tax filings with the entity's pre-existing non-calendar fiscal year. As a result, entities would have had to maintain two sets of accounting records for the next 10 years! L4GG spoke to a number of cities and state agencies who, when notified of the provisions in the Final Rule, decided not to pursue tax credits for their early 2023 projects, simply because the administrative burden of maintaining separate accounting records was too high.

The Policy Change:

Given the input from our clients, L4GG continued informal advocacy via discussions with the White House to ensure new guidance was issued to clarify that fiscal year realignment was available to entities for future calendar years. As a result of our efforts, the IRS issued new guidance on Friday, April 19, 2024 that explicitly confirms that entities will be able to realign future filings in 2024 filings with their fiscal year. 

The new guidance, coupled with the Final Rule, commits the IRS to reducing administrative burden on entities, confirming that they will not have to maintain two sets of books for the duration of their Elective Pay filings. The guidance gives them assurance that multiple sets of books is temporary, and reduces their burden going forward. L4GG applauds the action of the IRS to ensure that hundreds of public entities will have access to critical funding for clean energy projects and will rely on Direct Pay in future years.

“By removing this early barrier to collecting earned IRA tax credits, risk-averse states and local actors will now feel more comfortable relying on Elective Pay to finance clean energy projects in the future. These changes will have a huge impact on the early success of the IRA uptake process and will help support the successful rollout of this revolutionary new program.”

— Jillian Blanchard, L4GG’s Director of Climate Change and Environmental Justice

Emergency Medicine on Trial at Supreme Court: 4/24

L4GG Experts Provide Case Overview + Debrief Call for Landmark SCOTUS Case on Emergency Abortions

A Landmark Case

On April 24, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Idaho v. United States, a historic post-Dobbs case that will determine the scope of the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) in the face of state abortion bans.

Idaho’s abortion ban criminalizes the delivery of abortion services except where necessary to save the life of the pregnant person, remove an ectopic pregnancy or in very limited cases of reported rape or incest, making no exception for those cases where the abortion is necessary to protect the patient’s health. However, for forty years, EMTALA has required Medicare-recipient emergency rooms to provide stabilizing care to any patient who needs it to preserve their life or health. Idaho argues that they are able to enforce their more restrictive ban over federal EMTALA obligations. 

This case is not only critical for access to reproductive healthcare, but also tests whether a state can unilaterally override federal regulations that protect the right of every person to access emergency medicine. It leaves medical professionals with an impossible choice: either violate Idaho’s law, risking criminal prosecution and loss of their professional license, or violate EMTALA and face federal enforcement and civil sanctions.

The ramifications of this case are immense, potentially influencing not only abortion access but also the broader spectrum of emergency medical care under federal law. If a state can “carve out” abortion from federally mandated services, it threatens access to a range of highly politicized medical care, from AIDS-related emergencies to treatment of high-cost chronic or mental health conditions.

Our debrief will provide insight into the legal and ethical dimensions of this crucial public health issue.

Understanding the Case: A Special L4GG Explainer

To navigate the complexities of this case and its potential impact, L4GG has crafted an accessible case overview and listening guide. This guide offers a clear understanding of the issues at stake, the opposing arguments, and the significance of this Supreme Court case for emergency medicine and reproductive health rights in the U.S.

Join Us for a Deeper Dive: L4GG’s Same-Day Analysis Call

Later that same day, at 4 PM ET, join our staff experts in a same-day analysis call to unpack the oral arguments and discuss their implications for healthcare providers and patients alike. Our Supervising Attorney for Civil Rights, Khadijah Silver, JD/MPH, and Staff Attorney for Reproductive Justice, Alyssa Morrison, JD, will highlight the key issues and what they mean for emergency medical care across the United States.

This debrief call will illuminate the critical aspects of Idaho v. U.S. and galvanize attendees to protect our fundamental right to health and reproductive autonomy.

Why You Should Attend

The implications of this Supreme Court case will touch on the very core of reproductive rights and emergency medicine access in the United States. Whether you're a legal expert, a reproductive rights advocate, or simply someone who cares deeply about the right to health, our analysis event and listening guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to understand the outcomes of this historic case. We hope you'll join us on 4/24 at 4 pm and stand united with us for reproductive rights!

Project Corazon’s Estuardo Cifuentes Wins Asylum

L4GG is thrilled to celebrate that our Project Corazon Client Services Manager, Estuardo Cifuentes, has officially been granted asylum. We are overjoyed to see that Estuardo has achieved what should be possible for every person seeking and deserving of refuge in the United States: a chance to live freely and safely.

“Today, as I celebrate this significant personal victory, my thoughts are with the thousands of migrants still waiting, still hoping, and still fighting for a chance to live freely and safely. Project Corazon is on the front lines of this battle, providing free legal assistance to migrants on both sides of the border and focusing our efforts on the most vulnerable asylum seekers: LGBTQ+ individuals, those with medical conditions, and more. In celebration of my asylum grant and in solidarity with those still on their journey, I ask you to please consider donating to L4GG. Your contribution can help those seeking protection and offer them the same essential services that saved my life.”

— Estuardo Cifuentes

From Asylum Seeker to Asylum Advocate:
Estuardo’s Journey to Safety, Security, and Bringing Hope to Others

Fleeing Homophobia and Police Brutality in Guatemala

In 2019, Estuardo made the difficult decision to leave Guatemala due to severe homophobia, including police brutality and surveillance, because of his sexual orientation. He abandoned his business of seven years and embarked on a journey to the U.S., hoping for safety and a chance to rebuild his life.

The Perilous Path to Safety

Estuardo's route to the U.S. was fraught with risks. He relied on coyotes for smuggling, a decision that brought its own dangers, including a harrowing 17-day journey and a 21-day period of being kidnapped. Upon finally reaching the U.S. border and expecting safety, he was instead detained for seven days, then placed under the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) and sent back to Mexico, where he was stranded for over 18 months.

Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers

Estuardo (left) with migrants staying at the Rainbow Bridge refuge in February 2021. HECTOR GUERRERO

While in Matamoros, Estuardo witnessed the heightened vulnerabilities of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers within the MPP system, who faced compounded discrimination and were more susceptible to violence, even inside refugee camps. Recognizing the dire need for support, he founded Rainbow Bridge, which provided LGBTQ+ migrants with health, housing, food, security, and mental health support, and connected them with resources for legal and medical assistance. Through Rainbow Bridge, Estuardo became a beacon of hope to many, offering a semblance of stability and safety in a tumultuous journey toward asylum.

Project Corazon: A Turning Point

It was during this period of uncertainty that Lawyers for Good Government's Project Corazon, with pro bono support from one of our law firm partners, intervened, providing Estuardo with the legal assistance needed to secure parole into the U.S. and pursue his asylum claim. This support was not merely legal—it was also a source of hope and a clear demonstration of the impact that legal advocacy can have on the lives of asylum seekers.

While in the U.S., Estuardo’s advocacy for asylum seekers did not falter. He was hired as Project Corazon’s Client Services Manager in September 2021, and since then, he has assisted thousands of migrants in gaining access to crucial legal assistance, both at the border and within the U.S.

---

“Estuardo is a philanthropist and leader of the highest order. many people take no action because they believe in order to create change you have to have money and power. Estuardo has saved hundreds of lives with neither. Instead, he has always looked to what he can do and made it a reality. In so doing he has shown us all what it looks like to be a servant leader. I’m honored to work with him and I cannot wait to see what he does now that his legal status is stable."

• Priscilla Orta, Project Corazon Director

“I’ve been fortunate to know Estuardo in various capacities. He’s a renowned immigrants’ rights advocate, a trusted colleague, and a dear friend. His depth of wisdom and quiet strength have enriched my understanding of our cause and illuminated the path forward in the face of formidable challenges. I’ve watched him tirelessly help other asylum seekers find safety, working long hours and giving of himself, all while navigating his own case with grace. Now he too is safe.”

• Jessica Riley, Project Corazon Staff Attorney

Support Estuardo and L4GG

In Estuardo’s victory story and for thousands of others, L4GG's crucial support made all the difference. Please join us in extending this lifeline to others with a gift to L4GG today.

A Guide to Understanding the Next Major Abortion Case at SCOTUS on March 26

A Landmark Case

On March 26, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine vs. FDA, marking the first major abortion-related case since the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling. This pivotal moment could drastically shape the future of access to medication abortion (mifepristone) in the United States and challenge its availability nationwide.

Despite mifepristone's proven safety record, anti-choice organizations are pushing to limit its accessibility, even in states where abortion remains a legal right. The outcome of this case could have profound implications for reproductive rights, making it a historic event in the ongoing battle for healthcare access and bodily autonomy.

Understanding the Case: A Special L4GG Explainer

To navigate the complexities of this case and its potential impact, L4GG has crafted a comprehensive case overview and listening guide. This guide offers a clear understanding of the issues at stake, the opposing arguments, and the significance of this Supreme Court case for reproductive health rights in the U.S. It also delves into the potential changes to mifepristone access, the FDA's authority, and the implications for marginalized communities.

Join Us for a Deeper Dive: L4GG’s Same-Day Analysis Call

A couple of hours after the Supreme Court's hearing, we invite you to join L4GG for a special same-day analysis call on 3/26 at 4 PM ET. This live event will feature L4GG’s Supervising Attorney for Civil Rights, Khadijah Silver, JD/MPH, and Staff Attorney for Reproductive Justice, Alyssa Morrison, JD, as they break down the day's proceedings and offer expert insights into the arguments presented and their significance.

This debrief call will illuminate the critical aspects of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine vs. FDA and galvanize attendees to protect our fundamental right to health and reproductive autonomy.

Why You Should Attend

The implications of this Supreme Court case will touch on the very core of reproductive rights and healthcare access in the United States. Whether you're a legal expert, a reproductive rights advocate, or simply someone who cares deeply about the right to health, our analysis event and listening guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to understand the outcomes of this historic case. We hope you'll join us on 3/26 at 4 pm ET and stand united with us for reproductive rights!

A Law Student's Journey at the Border with Project Corazon

Written by Tamara Shamir, JD Candidate at Harvard Law School

Halfway through law school, my best law school friend and I drove to the Texas-Mexico border with another student for “J-term” – a brief internship with Proyecto Corazon (Project Corazon) at Lawyers for Good Government. I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I had heard a lot about my supervisor, Priscilla Orta, and admired her mix of aggressive border patrol watchdog and responsive community lawyering. But I questioned what, exactly, a law student could do to join her, especially with so little time. 

The answer was a lot – far more than I could have imagined.

I won’t try to give a full account of the days I spent there – intensely engaging, at times infuriating, often wildly joyful. I volunteered in the welcome center; I received intensive, lengthy, and highly useful lectures from Priscilla; I provided – together with my friend – direct service to asylum seekers. Above all, I regained my conviction about the value of community lawyering. 

It’s easy to lose conviction in law school. The law is murky, ambiguous, and often used as an instrument of evil, not good. Lawyers enable and advance a system so procedurally unwieldy and ornate that it is difficult to see lawyering as anything but the entrenchment of inaccessibility, or the entrenchment of hierarchies in accessibility. 

But when my friend and I had finished our first discrete legal task – a work permit application, submitted online  – all the uncertainties and intellectualizing fostered by law school faded. I remember it well – we were eating waffles covered in dulce de leche, somewhat elated. The work permit had felt critical, and its submission was a step forward – our client did not have a safe housing arrangement and had already been exploited for labor because of it. The work permit would open a pathway to formal work, higher wages, and, we hoped, to eventual safety and stability. 

“It’s just – it’s so doable,” my friend said – of the application we had submitted (although it had taken four hours working together to figure out the opaque online portal), of providing direct service, of ameliorating emergencies, of obtaining small and crucial remedies. “It’s so deeply doable.”

To my surprise, I felt a tremor of pleasure, followed by sudden grief.

“I know,” I managed to respond.

It’s just so deeply doable, the work. By doable, I don’t mean easy;  it’s hard, by design, choked by difficult procedural constraints that I’ve learned to conceptualize as a bureaucratic border wall, a guarantee that people without legal counsel cannot make it on their own. It’s so hard, I sometimes remind myself, that the same people who had the resourcefulness, resilience, and sheer will to make journeys across multiple countries –  journeys whose difficulties often stretch well beyond the limits of my imagination – can very rarely gain access to the remedies they need to secure their safety.  

But it’s workable. One by one, case by case, you can chip holes into the bureaucratic wall and carve out a pathway to the legal relief people need. There are no kaleidoscoping normative results; there is no analysis of the entrenchment of hierarchy through procedure.

On the ground, there’s an individual or a family and a set of discrete actions that need taking. Action—good action—is doable. There’s also a grief to it – the doability – because it so rarely gets done.

“I don’t understand what people do without lawyers,” my friend said almost daily during our time at the border; the answer being, of course, that they never gain access to rights and remedies.

“I was reminded, vividly, of what drove me to law school in the first place  – the steepness of the immigration system, the scale of need, the possibility of frontline, direct relief – for a long time. ”

It took just a few days at the border to bring me back to the revelation that drove me to law school in the first place (and to undo the effects of its pedagogy): to grasp, viscerally, the realness of systems, the possibility of forging narrow paths through them, and the worth of doing so.

I am beyond grateful to Proyecto Corazon for reminding me of what it means to build community power, and of the possibility and importance of tearing small holes into the bureaucratic wall. 

Reflecting on a Lively "State of the Union" Discussion with L4GG

Last Thursday, L4GG turned an ordinary evening into an engaging one! Our private Facebook group came alive as we tuned into the State of the Union (SOTU) address, an event that was anything but typical for our passionate community. With a fun twist, we engaged in a real-time discussion, using our L4GG-themed "BINGO" card that captured the essence of our mission and the issues we stand for.

The engagement from our community was nothing short of inspiring. As the President spoke, we collectively updated our BINGO card, marking off issues as they were mentioned. We were pleased to see that the President outright addressed or briefly touched upon a significant number of the critical issues we advocate for at L4GG.

Specifically, the President properly addressed several key issues that lie at the heart of L4GG’s mission:

• Protecting the right to abortion care

• Defending democratic institutions from corruption

• Instilling measures to prevent voter suppression

• Ensuring climate funding is spent equitably

• Increasing environmental protections

However, POTUS expressed support for the Senate anti-asylum border bill, and used a dehumanizing term to refer to undocumented immigrants, diverging from our values and sparking a vibrant conversation among our members. This unfortunate turn provided a moment of reflection on our collective stance and the importance of our ongoing advocacy efforts for immigrants’ rights.

Additionally, some issues were mentioned too briefly for our liking, including the combat against attacks on trans health access and the welcoming of asylum seekers with the right to work. These fleeting mentions sparked discussions on how we, as a community, can further advocate for these critical areas.

The evening was a testament to the power of community and the importance of staying engaged with the political process. As we look back on a successful discussion, we're already looking forward to making this annual tradition even more impactful.

Join us next year in our Facebook group for another lively SOTU night. Here's to continuing our annual tradition!

Falsely Imprisoned in Haiti, Tortured in Mexico, Detained in Texas: One Client’s Journey to Asylum

Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) is proud to announce a significant victory in our ongoing mission to fight for the right to asylum. Today, we celebrate our client Marc’s¹ victory. Project Corazon, along with its partners, fought for almost a year to free this man who only wished to find a safe place to live his life. He is now reunited with his family after almost a year and a half of separation and nine months of detention.

This is the first in a series about fighting for asylum seekers, the cruelties of the system, and the impact it has on those fighting the system.

False Imprisonment in Haiti and Torture in Mexico

January 2023: Initial Contact

Project Corazon received distressing images showing Marc with severe injuries from a kidnapping and torture in Mexico.

In January 2023, our team met a man who would show us all the trials and tribulations of the current US asylum system. Marc, a Haitian asylum seeker, had been subjected to unthinkable trauma, including abuse in his home country and then kidnapping and torture in Mexico. When we met him, he was stuck in Mexico, recently freed from his abusers, and unable to access the US asylum system.

Jessica Riley, Project Corazon staff attorney, took on Marc’s case from the beginning, from when we were seeking a humanitarian parole exemption to Title 42, to the final hearing deciding whether or not Marc would be granted asylum, navigating the complex asylum process with determination and legal acumen. At every turn, we faced barriers that even Priscilla Orta, our Director with over 12 years of immigration law experience, had never seen.

In a pivotal moment in March 2023, Marc's story was brought to the public eye through a story in the Washington Post, amplifying the urgent need for reform in the asylum process at the US-Mexico border. Comprehensive documentation of Marc’s dire situation and persistent legal advocacy from the Project Corazon staff eventually led to a breakthrough.

In March, Marc was finally granted entry into the U.S. to pursue his asylum claim, but his journey was far from over.

Unfortunately, DHS detained him and sent him to a detention center in Laredo where he would remain, away from his family, for the next nine months while he prepared for his case to be heard in front of a judge. Jessica and Priscilla represented him during his Credible Fear Interview, which he passed. However, his parole was denied time and again by DHS, meaning he was stuck in a for-profit detention center, resembling a jail. For the next nine months, Jessica and our volunteer Becky were the only people able to visit him during that time. Together, our team continued to provide unwavering support, legal guidance, and representation, getting him ready to tell his story and fight for a final ruling in his case.

9 Months Later: Marc’s Trial

December 2023: Post-Trial: Family Reunion and Reflection

After a year of legal advocacy, Marc was finally reunited with his family on Christmas Eve.

After months of fighting for basic rights–from the right to sit with our client to the right to have him in court before the judge–the trial came days before the holidays in December 2023. Our team was shocked when we arrived at court; despite this being a civil proceeding, we found Marc shackled hands to waist, waist to feet, in an orange jumpsuit, and with two armed guards standing over him. We objected to this behavior, but Marc, forever stoic, simply asked us to let the trial begin.

Despite being under immense pressure, Marc delivered powerful testimony about the harrowing experiences he had overcome and why his claim of persecution was valid. His testimony, along with his legal team's staunch defense led to a miracle–in a court with a 3-5% win rate, we won, ensuring Marc would not be returned to any place he feared. With this decision, Marc was finally released and reunited with his family on Christmas Eve.

Marc’s eventual reunion with his family marked not only a personal triumph but also a significant victory for L4GG and Project Corazon. It underscored the critical importance of legal advocacy in protecting the rights and dignities of asylum seekers.

The Fight For Asylum Is Far From Over

This case sheds light on the broader challenges within the immigration system and reinforces the necessity for a more humane and equitable approach. Marc only won his case because he was the fortunate recipient of a pro bono lawyer who was willing to spend countless hours fighting for him when others had written him off. The vast majority of immigrants, particularly detained immigrants, do not have access to attorneys in their asylum cases. L4GG is proud to have represented Marc, but we also know we cannot represent every asylum seeker who we meet because there simply aren’t enough Jessica’s to go around. Instead, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to providing legal support and advocacy for those who are most vulnerable and in need of protection. 

As we celebrate this victory, we also recognize the ongoing struggles faced by countless others in similar situations. Marc's story is a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated legal advocacy can have and the importance of continuing our fight for justice and human rights.

Join L4GG as we continue to champion the rights of asylum seekers like Marc. Here’s how you can help:

1. Donate to Project Corazon: The more money we raise, the more we can represent asylum seekers like Marc.

2. Volunteer with Project Corazon: We could never have done this without help from volunteers. If you are interested in helping with anything from writing supportive letters to our clients to fighting an asylum case with us there to guide you, please sign up here.

3. Share this story: The world is filled with negative stories of asylum seekers. Show those closest to you a counter-narrative--the story of a man whose story starts with torture and ends with reunification with his family on Christmas.

4. Contact your elected officials: Call your elected officials on EVERY level and let them know that YOU support immigrants. Your local officials need to know your opinions as every city faces difficult decisions ahead.

¹ Name changed to protect identity.

White House Must Quickly Fix Critical Tax Issue Blocking Public Sector Benefits in the Inflation Reduction Act

Tax Year Issue is Currently Blocking Two-Thirds of Cities and Counties, Public Schools, and Every State Agency that Would Otherwise be Eligible for Imminent Tax Credits

Washington D.C. – Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), a nationwide nonprofit organization that comprises a network of over 125,000 legal advocates in all 50 states working to expedite the equitable implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), urges the White House and Treasury Department to fix a critical issue related to the rollout of the inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that is blocking many tax-exempt and governmental entities (public sector entities) from receiving critical tax credit payments for 2023 clean energy projects.

In 2023, many public sector entities completed clean energy projects (such as buying electric school buses or EVs or constructing rooftop solar) with the expectation of reimbursement through the IRA’s Elective Pay Program, also known as ‘Direct Pay’. Direct Pay gives public sector entities and other tax-exempt entities the ability, for the first time, to receive a direct payment equal to the full value of tax credits for completing qualifying clean energy projects. Unfortunately, Treasury’s current guidance, which seems to contradict the text and intent of the IRA, deems hundreds of 2023 projects ineligible based solely on the fact that the applicant’s fiscal years do not match a calendar year.

Based on Treasury’s current informal guidance, these entities now believe their projects are ineligible and that they will not receive the projected financing, which can be between 30-50% of project costs. This would mean the loss of millions of dollars in projected revenue for small cities and school districts that were counting on these funds. The issue impacts approximately two-thirds of all cities and counties, every single state, and many school districts, universities, and nonprofits with eligible 2023 projects that all have Fiscal Years that do not match the calendar year. L4GG has identified hundreds of projects at the state and local level that may not receive Elective Pay as a result of this issue.

L4GG has identified a straightforward solution to the issue that would only require an informal announcement from the Treasury, but Treasury have indicated that they likely will wait until issuing final regulations to address the issue, which would be too late for entities facing a filing deadline of May 15th. L4GG recently sent a letter to the White House, documenting the issue and the solution, in partnership with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and signed by 48 entities, including 18 cities and counties from 13 states. On February 14, the letter was also endorsed and sent by the governors' offices of eight states of the U.S. Climate Alliance: Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Washington.

“If these public-sector entities are kept from entering the process now, we anticipate that many of them will choose not to participate in this powerful new tool created under the IRA in subsequent years for fear of hidden pitfalls. Unless the Administration works to remove this early barrier to collecting earned IRA tax credits, risk-averse state and local actors may not feel comfortable relying on Elective Pay to finance clean energy projects in the future.”

— Jillian Blanchard, L4GG's Director of the Climate Change and Environmental Justice Program

The White House and the Treasury must act immediately to clarify that these 2023 projects are eligible to ensure public sector entities that completed projects in 2023 will receive the benefits created by the IRA and to ensure the successful rollout of this revolutionary new program. Without immediate action, the hundreds of public entities will lose out on critical funding for clean energy projects and likely will be unwilling to rely on Direct Pay in future years.  The successful rollout of the IRA in its first year hinges on fixing these types of critical issues.

 ###

Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) coordinates large-scale pro bono programs and issue advocacy efforts to protect human rights, defend the environment, and ensure equal justice under the law, and has a network of 125,000+ lawyers to assist in its efforts. The Climate Change and Environmental Justice Program leverages its vast pro bono network to expedite the just, equitable, and fair transition to a green economy. 

Trading Lives for Funding: L4GG Condemns the Proposed Exchange of Asylum Rights for Military Aid

Washington, D.C. - Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), a leading non-profit organization that mobilizes legal support for asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border and throughout the country, vehemently opposes the Senate supplemental funding bill that would violate the due process rights of asylum seekers, exacerbate humanitarian conditions on the border, and dangerously restrict access to the asylum system in the United States. These immigration proposals, which are part of a deal tied to foreign military funding, threaten to deny the freedom, protection, and lives of countless immigrants while expanding deportations.

These proposed legislative changes include the following harmful provisions:

• A new Title 42-like expulsion authority, mandating that asylum seekers be turned away from our borders and barred from commencing an asylum claim based on border “trigger numbers,” or quotas

• Dismantling of due process for asylum seekers via a new fast-tracked system for asylum processing at the border, under surveillance and with no judicial review

• Heightened standards and new bars to eligibility at threshold asylum screenings, which will cause passage rates to plummet and return legitimate asylum seekers to life-threatening situations

Priscilla Orta, Supervising Director of Project Corazon at Lawyers for Good Government, states, “Removing judicial review and the ability to appeal from asylum decisions is a grave violation of due process rights for a proceeding that has the highest possible stakes - life or death. This is just one of many threats to the fundamental principles of human rights present in the Senate supplemental funding bill, which will certainly disproportionately endanger the lives of Black, Indigenous, LGBTQI+, women, and children asylum seekers. These measures are not about enhancing border security but about closing our doors to those in dire need of sanctuary."

Estuardo Cifuentes, a Guatemalan asylum seeker and Client Manager of Lawyers for Good Government’s Project Corazon, further emphasizes, “The proposed legislation is a step in the wrong direction and instead marks a disturbing escalation beyond even what we saw under the Trump Administration. We must remember these policies will impact real people fleeing persecution and danger, people in extremely vulnerable conditions who have stories, dreams, and the fundamental right to seeking safety. As a nation, we have the power and responsibility to offer more than just shelter. Any immigration reform should align with our deepest values ​​and our long-term commitment to justice and humanity.”

Nearly 200 organizations, along with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and multiple Senators, have raised alarms about these proposals. They stand in solidarity with L4GG in urging Congress and the White House to reject these inhumane measures that compromise the very essence of the U.S. asylum system.

Priscilla Orta concludes, "We call on Majority Leader Schumer, President Biden, and Congress to stand firmly against these efforts to end asylum in the supplemental funding bill and instead uphold our moral duty to protect refugees and asylum seekers.”

###
Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) coordinates large-scale pro bono programs and issue advocacy efforts to protect human rights, defend the environment, and ensure equal justice under the law, and has a network of 125,000+ lawyers to assist in its efforts.