A U.S. immigration court recently issued a significant ruling in a statelessness case, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for the estimated 200,000 stateless individuals in the United States. Ethiopis, a co-founder of United Stateless, a national organization led by stateless people, shared his transformative experience following the court’s decision in June.
Statelessness, a condition where no country recognizes an individual as a citizen, affects millions globally. In the U.S., stateless individuals include military veterans, Harvard graduates, and Holocaust survivors. Despite this, the lack of formal recognition and policy has left many in legal limbo, facing ongoing uncertainty and hardship.
Ethiopis’ case highlights the dire need for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to adopt specific policies for stateless noncitizens, as directed by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This call for change was echoed by several members of Congress who wrote to Mayorkas following the ruling.
Ethiopis’ legal battle spanned over two decades, generating more than 1,600 pages of documentation. The toll on his health was significant, with each hearing bringing anxiety and illness. However, the recent ruling granted him asylum, providing long-awaited stability and hope for others in similar situations.
Born in Ethiopia to an Eritrean father, Ethiopis faced ethnic persecution, imprisonment, and torture. Fleeing to the U.S., he worked tirelessly for over 20 years, managing multiple gas stations while fighting for legal recognition. His perseverance paid off when ICE finally joined his motion to reopen a decades-old deportation order, leading to the asylum grant.
Despite this victory, the broader issue of statelessness remains unresolved. A colleague of Ethiopis at United Stateless, Sergei, and his wife Marina, face deportation with no country willing to accept them. They are excluded from recent protections introduced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) due to ICE’s lack of a statelessness policy.
In December 2021, Mayorkas pledged to enhance protections for stateless people, and USCIS has made strides by defining statelessness and updating policies to address their needs. This includes considering statelessness in H-1B visa processes and providing protections for certain students. However, ICE has yet to align with these changes, leaving individuals like Sergei and Marina vulnerable.
The adoption of a statelessness policy by ICE could significantly improve the lives of many. Ethiopis expressed deep gratitude to his legal team, United Stateless, and advocates like Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) for their efforts in reintroducing the Stateless Protection Act. This legislation aims to provide a permanent solution, reducing reliance on inconsistent subagency policies.
Ethiopis believes that by sharing their stories and advocating for their rights, stateless individuals can drive meaningful change. The resolution of his case offers hope and determination to continue the fight for justice and recognition for all stateless people.
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