COVID-19 Update
American Gateways’ offices are temporarily closed to the public. We will take applications for services by phone only. Austin: 512-478-0546 x 200 San Antonio: 210-521-4768 x 232 Waco: 254-230-0382 x 264
AMERICAN GATEWAYS: Supreme Court Shamefully Lets U.S. Government Impose Rules Targeting Poor Immigrants
Statement on Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling from Rebecca Lightsey, executive director, American Gateways, which provides legal aid to low-income immigrants from offices in San Antonio, Waco and Austin: “The divided court’s move lets the government proceed with its shameful…
AMERICAN GATEWAYS: Federal Judge Potentially Clears Way for Texas to Continue Admitting Pre-Cleared Refugees
Rebecca Lightsey, executive director of Austin-based American Gateways, which provides legal assistance to immigrants in more than 20 Central Texas counties, commented Wednesday on judicial action stopping a national plan that could keep refugees from resettling directly in Texas: “Judge…
AMERICAN GATEWAYS: Statement on Gov. Greg Abbott Reportedly Opting Texas Out of Accepting Refugees From Abroad
Rebecca Lightsey, Executive Director of Austin-based American Gateways, which provides legal assistance to immigrants in 23 Central Texas counties, commented Thursday on news reports that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has decided against continuing to let refugees from abroad settle in…
AMERICAN GATEWAYS: Chaos Looms For Thousands with Immigration Court Date in San Antonio on Black Friday
American Gateways warns that thousands of immigrants may show up for immigration court in San Antonio the day after Thanksgiving, best known as the shopping day Black Friday. “Thousands of people seeking federal permission to stay in the U.S. had…
AMERICAN GATEWAYS: San Antonio, Austin Advocates Poised to Protest Unlawful Treatment of Thousands of Refugees—Including Children
Prominent Texas advocates for migrants who seek political asylum plan to call on Congress to investigate and end the historically unprecedented isolation of thousands of asylum seekers—including children—across the border in Mexico. American Gateways, which provides legal help to asylum…
AMERICAN GATEWAYS: Closing of San Antonio center won’t stem legal help to immigrants on the run
American Gateways says the shutdown of a San Antonio center that once served thousands of marooned immigrants doesn’t mean asylum-seeking migrants no longer need help. The City of San Antonio this week announced the closing as of Friday Oct. 25…
City of San Antonio’s Proclamation for National Citizenship Day
American Gateways and the City of San Antonio present Liliana (Lili) M. Mireles with the Proclamation for National Citizenship day! Lili is of Mexican decent, her Mother is from San Luis, Potosi and her Father is from Muzquiz Coahuila. Which…
DHS’s final public charge rule will affect Immigrants and their families, including U.S. born children
AMERICAN GATEWAYS COMMENT ON FINAL RULE – INADMISSIBILITY ON PUBLIC CHARGE Over the weekend the Department of Homeland Security announced the final rule on “public charge,” that could impact thousands of Texas immigrants. The change effectively makes it more difficult…
AMERICAN GATEWAYS RESPONDS TO DHS’ EXPANSION OF EXPEDITED REMOVAL
AUSTIN – American Gateways expresses its frustration and profound concern with the Department of Homeland Security’s July 22, 2019 announcement that it will be expanding its expedited removal program. Under new rules that takes effect today, DHS will be able…
