Lowenstein Sandler is proud to announce that the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) has recognized the firm with the Legal Leadership Award for our efforts to prevent the deportation of Indonesian Christians facing religious persecution.
The 2019 Legal Leadership Award is shared by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and a network of other firms that have joined together to protect this vulnerable population. When Indonesian Christian residents of Central Jersey were targeted by ICE, Lowenstein Sandler was proud to answer the ACLU-NJ’s call for pro bono legal assistance.
The firm researched the rise of Islamist control in Indonesia and the escalating violence against Christians that has ensued. The team also studied the law allowing immigrants in the United States to reopen their deportation proceedings based on evidence of such new and intensifying threats. We then compiled this research into model papers that became the basis for the motions to reopen that were filed by all participating law firms. In addition, the firm took on the direct representation of the family pictured above, and we continue to press for their right to claim asylum.
“We are honored to be partnering with the ACLU-NJ in asserting the right of Indonesian Christians living in New Jersey to seek refuge and the freedom to practice their religion in America, as so many other immigrants have before,” said Catherine Weiss, Chair of the firm’s Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest. “We hope this recognition continues to raise awareness of both the needs of this community and the incredible network that has been built to serve those who would otherwise lack access to justice.”
The awards were given at the ACLU-NJ’s annual Lights of Liberty awards dinner, which recognizes champions of civil rights and liberties who make New Jersey more just and free.
