Vera Institute of Justice
@vera.org
We’re fighting to secure equal justice for all, end mass incarceration, and strengthen families + communities
Renee Nicole Good’s killing is the latest tragedy in ICE’s history of violence, and a moment that may be destabilizing for the Trump administration. www.vera.org/explainers/t...
January 23, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Renee Nicole Good’s killing is the latest tragedy in ICE’s history of violence, and a moment that may be destabilizing for the Trump administration. www.vera.org/explainers/t...
Under current #NY law, Shawn Peace, a person sentenced to 110 years in prison for a crime committed at age 22, has no meaningful opportunity for resentencing even though he has taken responsibility, grown, and led violence prevention programs. gothamist.com/news/escape-...
Escape from 'death by incarceration?' Bill would revisit long sentences for NY prisoners.
For some prisoners with violent pasts, the 'Second Look Act' could be the only realistic chance to experience freedom again.
gothamist.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Under current #NY law, Shawn Peace, a person sentenced to 110 years in prison for a crime committed at age 22, has no meaningful opportunity for resentencing even though he has taken responsibility, grown, and led violence prevention programs. gothamist.com/news/escape-...
We thank the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus for recognizing the urgent need for immigrant New Yorkers to seek safety without fear and to access legal representation when facing deportation in the People’s Budget.
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static1.squarespace.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:29 PM
We thank the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus for recognizing the urgent need for immigrant New Yorkers to seek safety without fear and to access legal representation when facing deportation in the People’s Budget.
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To protect immigrant New Yorkers from detention and deportation, state leaders must invest $175M in immigration legal services and pass both the Access to Representation and Building Up Immigrant Legal Defense Acts.
davisvanguard.org/2026/01/new-...
davisvanguard.org/2026/01/new-...
Advocates Push for Legal Aid Expansion as Immigration Enforcement Intensifies - Davis Vanguard
A coalition of immigrant advocates is urging New York lawmakers to pass the Access to Representation Act and the Building Up Immigrant Legal Defense Act, and to increase state funding for immigration ...
davisvanguard.org
January 23, 2026 at 2:44 PM
To protect immigrant New Yorkers from detention and deportation, state leaders must invest $175M in immigration legal services and pass both the Access to Representation and Building Up Immigrant Legal Defense Acts.
davisvanguard.org/2026/01/new-...
davisvanguard.org/2026/01/new-...
President Trump’s first year back in office has had a devastating impact on the criminal justice and immigration systems, and he’s not slowing down.
Vera experts break down five issues to watch out for in the year ahead:
Vera experts break down five issues to watch out for in the year ahead:
Five Criminal Justice Issues to Watch During Trump’s Second Year in…
At this time last year, President Donald Trump’s return to office was shrouded in uncertainty for the justice reform movement. In 37 executive orders put…
www.vera.org
January 21, 2026 at 9:22 PM
President Trump’s first year back in office has had a devastating impact on the criminal justice and immigration systems, and he’s not slowing down.
Vera experts break down five issues to watch out for in the year ahead:
Vera experts break down five issues to watch out for in the year ahead:
“I do this work for the generations after me.”
Meet the Vera staff working every day to transform the immigration and criminal legal systems, so that each and every one of us is treated with dignity and fairness, for generations to come.
Meet the Vera staff working every day to transform the immigration and criminal legal systems, so that each and every one of us is treated with dignity and fairness, for generations to come.
Vera's Justice Advocates
YouTube video by Vera Institute of Justice
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:17 PM
“I do this work for the generations after me.”
Meet the Vera staff working every day to transform the immigration and criminal legal systems, so that each and every one of us is treated with dignity and fairness, for generations to come.
Meet the Vera staff working every day to transform the immigration and criminal legal systems, so that each and every one of us is treated with dignity and fairness, for generations to come.
Survivors of abuse often find themselves entangled in the criminal legal system.
Vera’s Claudia Gonzalez shares her experience as a survivor caught in a cycle of incarceration, and how a diversion program gave her the off-ramp she needed to change her life:
Vera’s Claudia Gonzalez shares her experience as a survivor caught in a cycle of incarceration, and how a diversion program gave her the off-ramp she needed to change her life:
Opinion | A California diversion program saved her from prison and dying young
An Assembly bill would have expanded judges' ability to develop diversion programs for defendants trying to reform, but opposition stalled it.
calmatters.org
January 21, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Survivors of abuse often find themselves entangled in the criminal legal system.
Vera’s Claudia Gonzalez shares her experience as a survivor caught in a cycle of incarceration, and how a diversion program gave her the off-ramp she needed to change her life:
Vera’s Claudia Gonzalez shares her experience as a survivor caught in a cycle of incarceration, and how a diversion program gave her the off-ramp she needed to change her life:
Collaboration is the only way to truly deliver community safety.
As Mamdani’s administration builds NYC’s Department of Community Safety, Vera’s Daniela Gilbert outlines three key actions that will help it thrive alongside existing services, most notably the NYPD:
As Mamdani’s administration builds NYC’s Department of Community Safety, Vera’s Daniela Gilbert outlines three key actions that will help it thrive alongside existing services, most notably the NYPD:
Collaboration for safer streets, smarter safety
Last week, Mayor Mamdani, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and Gov. Hochul announced at a joint press conference that in 2025, shootings reached their lowest level on record. For anyone spoiling …
www.nydailynews.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Collaboration is the only way to truly deliver community safety.
As Mamdani’s administration builds NYC’s Department of Community Safety, Vera’s Daniela Gilbert outlines three key actions that will help it thrive alongside existing services, most notably the NYPD:
As Mamdani’s administration builds NYC’s Department of Community Safety, Vera’s Daniela Gilbert outlines three key actions that will help it thrive alongside existing services, most notably the NYPD:
#GoodNews: New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal includes $72.4 million for immigration legal services. The CARE for Immigrant Families coalition welcomes this step forward, but more is needed to counter federal aggression. www.vera.org/newsroom/adv...
Advocates Welcome Funding For Immigrant Legal Services in Gov.…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: [email protected] ALBANY – In response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal, which includes $72.4…
www.vera.org
January 20, 2026 at 10:36 PM
#GoodNews: New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal includes $72.4 million for immigration legal services. The CARE for Immigrant Families coalition welcomes this step forward, but more is needed to counter federal aggression. www.vera.org/newsroom/adv...
Immigration court should be impartial, but the Trump administration is manipulating them to push an anti-immigrant agenda. The latest move in this unjust agenda was to shutter the San Francisco immigration court.
www.npr.org/2026/01/13/g...
www.npr.org/2026/01/13/g...
Trump administration to shutter an immigration court, adding to judges' backlog
The planned closure of the San Francisco Immigration Court comes as immigration judges spent the last year facing pressure to move through their caseloads faster and streamline deportations.
www.npr.org
January 20, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Immigration court should be impartial, but the Trump administration is manipulating them to push an anti-immigrant agenda. The latest move in this unjust agenda was to shutter the San Francisco immigration court.
www.npr.org/2026/01/13/g...
www.npr.org/2026/01/13/g...
For a year, Trump’s mass deportation agenda has instilled fear in our communities.
ICE is showing up in our neighborhoods, grabbing people off the street, entering homes without warrants, and using racial profiling to question and detain people, including U.S. citizens.
ICE is showing up in our neighborhoods, grabbing people off the street, entering homes without warrants, and using racial profiling to question and detain people, including U.S. citizens.
January 20, 2026 at 5:12 PM
For a year, Trump’s mass deportation agenda has instilled fear in our communities.
ICE is showing up in our neighborhoods, grabbing people off the street, entering homes without warrants, and using racial profiling to question and detain people, including U.S. citizens.
ICE is showing up in our neighborhoods, grabbing people off the street, entering homes without warrants, and using racial profiling to question and detain people, including U.S. citizens.
"We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now."
This #MLKDay and beyond, we continue to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through our work to build a more just future. The fight continues until everyone is treated with fairness and dignity.
This #MLKDay and beyond, we continue to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through our work to build a more just future. The fight continues until everyone is treated with fairness and dignity.
January 19, 2026 at 4:01 PM
"We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now."
This #MLKDay and beyond, we continue to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through our work to build a more just future. The fight continues until everyone is treated with fairness and dignity.
This #MLKDay and beyond, we continue to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through our work to build a more just future. The fight continues until everyone is treated with fairness and dignity.
Earlier this season, the Denver Broncos joined Vera as we visited the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility in #Colorado to see the transformative work happening at ChangeMaker Village. www.denverbroncos.com/video/watch-...
WATCH: Owner Carrie Walton Penner, Broncos players & alumni visit Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility's ChangeMaker Village to tour incarceration alternative
Earlier this season, Broncos Owner Carrie Walton Penner, tackle Garett Bolles, wide receiver Pat Bryant and former defensive lineman Jurrell Casey visited the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility as ...
www.denverbroncos.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Earlier this season, the Denver Broncos joined Vera as we visited the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility in #Colorado to see the transformative work happening at ChangeMaker Village. www.denverbroncos.com/video/watch-...
Cities across the country are creating new departments of community safety, which coordinate crisis response, violence prevention, survivor support, and more.
Learn how this approach can help cities deliver the safety their communities deserve: www.vera.org/redefining-p...
Learn how this approach can help cities deliver the safety their communities deserve: www.vera.org/redefining-p...
Resources for Developing a Department of Community Safety
Explore how Departments of Community Safety coordinate crisis response, violence prevention, and recovery services to improve public safety in cities…
www.vera.org
January 16, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Cities across the country are creating new departments of community safety, which coordinate crisis response, violence prevention, survivor support, and more.
Learn how this approach can help cities deliver the safety their communities deserve: www.vera.org/redefining-p...
Learn how this approach can help cities deliver the safety their communities deserve: www.vera.org/redefining-p...
A history with the criminal justice system shouldn’t mean a lifetime without housing.
Thank you @repdangoldman.bsky.social and @repbarragan.bsky.social for introducing the Returning Home Act, which would help expand access to stable housing for people returning from incarceration.
Thank you @repdangoldman.bsky.social and @repbarragan.bsky.social for introducing the Returning Home Act, which would help expand access to stable housing for people returning from incarceration.
Nearly 80 million Americans have an arrest or conviction history, and too many are pushed into homelessness the moment they return home, which increases the likelihood of committing another crime by 11 times.
Goldman, Barragán Introduce Legislation to Secure Housing and Supportive Services For Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Nanette Barragán (CA-44) introduced the Returning Home Act (H.R. 2994), legislation that aims to help individuals returning to their com...
goldman.house.gov
January 15, 2026 at 8:46 PM
A history with the criminal justice system shouldn’t mean a lifetime without housing.
Thank you @repdangoldman.bsky.social and @repbarragan.bsky.social for introducing the Returning Home Act, which would help expand access to stable housing for people returning from incarceration.
Thank you @repdangoldman.bsky.social and @repbarragan.bsky.social for introducing the Returning Home Act, which would help expand access to stable housing for people returning from incarceration.
After ICE raided a beloved taqueria in Cleveland Heights, residents responded with an outpouring of compassion, some even coming together to propose a city-funded two-year pilot project to provide free legal counsel to residents in danger of deportation.
heightsobserver.org/articles/opi...
heightsobserver.org/articles/opi...
Immigrant legal support would expand CH’s welcome mat - Heights Observer
I firmly believe that Cleveland Heights is a community of people who care about others. A recent example is the outpouring of compassion after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided Cil...
heightsobserver.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:13 PM
After ICE raided a beloved taqueria in Cleveland Heights, residents responded with an outpouring of compassion, some even coming together to propose a city-funded two-year pilot project to provide free legal counsel to residents in danger of deportation.
heightsobserver.org/articles/opi...
heightsobserver.org/articles/opi...
New Yorkers are rejecting the Trump administration’s cruel treatment of immigrants, with a recent poll showing that 65% of #NY voters believe ICE’s indiscriminate enforcement efforts have gone too far.
gothamist.com/news/ny-advo...
gothamist.com/news/ny-advo...
NY advocates eye a chance to limit police cooperation with ICE statewide
NYC already has some of the strongest sanctuary protections in the country.
gothamist.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:11 PM
New Yorkers are rejecting the Trump administration’s cruel treatment of immigrants, with a recent poll showing that 65% of #NY voters believe ICE’s indiscriminate enforcement efforts have gone too far.
gothamist.com/news/ny-advo...
gothamist.com/news/ny-advo...
Too often, people speak about immigrants instead of listening to them. Amid relentless attacks on immigrant communities, we must ground our understanding of the dysfunctional and outdated immigration system through their words.
www.vera.org/news/10-stor...
www.vera.org/news/10-stor...
10 Stories from Immigrants Seeking Safety in the United States
“We are human beings. Even though we are in another country, we are human beings.”
www.vera.org
January 15, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Too often, people speak about immigrants instead of listening to them. Amid relentless attacks on immigrant communities, we must ground our understanding of the dysfunctional and outdated immigration system through their words.
www.vera.org/news/10-stor...
www.vera.org/news/10-stor...
In a new op-ed for @nydailynews.com, Vera’s Daniela Gilbert lays out why collaboration is essential to a successful Department of Community Safety in #NewYorkCity.
From police to mental health workers, community safety depends on all of us working together. www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/14/c...
From police to mental health workers, community safety depends on all of us working together. www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/14/c...
Collaboration for safer streets, smarter safety
Last week, Mayor Mamdani, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and Gov. Hochul announced at a joint press conference that in 2025, shootings reached their lowest level on record. For anyone spoiling …
www.nydailynews.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:28 PM
In a new op-ed for @nydailynews.com, Vera’s Daniela Gilbert lays out why collaboration is essential to a successful Department of Community Safety in #NewYorkCity.
From police to mental health workers, community safety depends on all of us working together. www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/14/c...
From police to mental health workers, community safety depends on all of us working together. www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/14/c...
"In these pictures and letters, we find purpose, we find peace, and we find the power to persevere."
Illinois prisons just transitioned to digitizing mail—a devastating loss for incarcerated people who treasure handwritten messages from loved ones.
Illinois prisons just transitioned to digitizing mail—a devastating loss for incarcerated people who treasure handwritten messages from loved ones.
In Prison, Holding Handwritten Cards Is a Rare Joy. Illinois Is Taking It Away.
When mail is digitized, it becomes sterile – no longer a precious handwritten card that smells like my gramma’s perfume.
truthout.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:34 PM
"In these pictures and letters, we find purpose, we find peace, and we find the power to persevere."
Illinois prisons just transitioned to digitizing mail—a devastating loss for incarcerated people who treasure handwritten messages from loved ones.
Illinois prisons just transitioned to digitizing mail—a devastating loss for incarcerated people who treasure handwritten messages from loved ones.
Yesterday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul delivered the 2026 State of the State address. While we appreciate the governor’s initial steps to protect immigrant communities and approach to creating safe communities, more is needed. Our full statement: www.vera.org/newsroom/ver...
Vera Institute of Justice Responds to Gov. Hochul's 2026 State of the…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: [email protected] NEW YORK, NY – Following Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State address today, Vera…
www.vera.org
January 14, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Yesterday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul delivered the 2026 State of the State address. While we appreciate the governor’s initial steps to protect immigrant communities and approach to creating safe communities, more is needed. Our full statement: www.vera.org/newsroom/ver...
New York state and city leaders must take bold action in 2026. Passing the New York for All Act is essential to protect immigrant New Yorkers’ fundamental rights and avoid the use of local resources to carry out a cruel mass deportation agenda.
www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/07/p...
www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/07/p...
Protect N.Y.ers in 2026 with big steps
Last week I stood outside City Hall with thousands of other New Yorkers as we ushered in a new era of governance for our city. The threats facing New York are myriad and well-documented: a federal …
www.nydailynews.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:44 PM
New York state and city leaders must take bold action in 2026. Passing the New York for All Act is essential to protect immigrant New Yorkers’ fundamental rights and avoid the use of local resources to carry out a cruel mass deportation agenda.
www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/07/p...
www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/07/p...
Excessive sentencing policies have led to aging prison populations in Michigan and beyond, increasing costs without improving public safety.
Lawmakers can reform parole policies to allow more people to end their lives in freedom. It’s past time they did.
Lawmakers can reform parole policies to allow more people to end their lives in freedom. It’s past time they did.
Michigan's prison population is aging, posing new challenges — and costs - Bridge Michigan
There are more than 2,000 state prison inmates 65 years or older. Officials say the aging population requires specialized services, equipment and costs.
bridgemi.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Excessive sentencing policies have led to aging prison populations in Michigan and beyond, increasing costs without improving public safety.
Lawmakers can reform parole policies to allow more people to end their lives in freedom. It’s past time they did.
Lawmakers can reform parole policies to allow more people to end their lives in freedom. It’s past time they did.
Eradicating immigration would inflict irreparable harm across American life. Hospitals would lose doctors, construction projects would stall, farms would struggle to harvest crops, and schools and churches would grow quieter.
January 12, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Eradicating immigration would inflict irreparable harm across American life. Hospitals would lose doctors, construction projects would stall, farms would struggle to harvest crops, and schools and churches would grow quieter.
Yesterday, alongside a coalition of elected officials, legal service providers, advocates, and impacted families, we urged New York State to take immediate action to protect immigrants. Humane solutions are imperative amid countless federal attacks. www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/a...
‘Out of New York now': Anti-ICE protesters march day after deadly Minneapolis shooting
Anti-ICE protesters have gathered in Lower Manhattan a day after the deadly Minneapolis shooting to protest ICE’s actions when an agent shot and killed a woman. While the large crowd originally gather...
www.nbcnewyork.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Yesterday, alongside a coalition of elected officials, legal service providers, advocates, and impacted families, we urged New York State to take immediate action to protect immigrants. Humane solutions are imperative amid countless federal attacks. www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/a...