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What States & Local Governments Can Do to Support Immigrants' Financial Stability
States, counties, and local governments can help protect immigrants, their families, and communities from financial exploitation and other consumer abuses.
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Testimony in Support of California AB 2122 (Ban Infraction Bench Warrants)
Eliminating infraction bench warrants will help end an unnecessary pipeline to incarceration that makesit harder for people to pay their debt, support their families, and achieve financial stability.
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Comments Urging FCC to Retain Regulations Protecting Incarcerated People and Their Families' Access to Affordable Communications
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sought public comment on its proposed changes to regulations of Incarcerated People’s Communications Services (IPCS). These regulations apply to all state and federal prisons, local jails, and immigration detention centers. They were promulgated to protect incarcerated people and their loved ones from having to pay exorbitant amounts to stay in…
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Massachusetts Voters Overwhelmingly Support Passage of the Road to Opportunity Act
Polling Finds Broad, Bipartisan Support for Ending Debt-Based Driving Restrictions
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Statement of the Road to Opportunity Act Coalition on Favorable Report from Joint Transportation Committee
“We deeply appreciate the leadership of Senator Cyr and Chair Crighton in advancing this critical legislation."
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What States Can Do to Protect Low-Income Families When Collecting Government Debts
State debt collection efforts can conflict with state anti-poverty programs. This issue brief discusses how states that seize income tax refunds to collect debts owed to the state may also be seizing safety-net payments such as state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC) funds. States should follow California’s example to protect…
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What States Can Do About Medical Debt in Jails and Prisons
Many jails and prisons charge various fees, such as medical co-pays, emergency fees, prescription co-pays, medical device fees, and fees for necessary hygiene items. This issue brief discusses the problems caused by such fees and proposes state solutions.
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Amicus Brief in U.S. v. Myers
The Federal Defenders of San Diego and NCLC submitted this amicus brief in support of the Ninth Circuit granting en banc review in United States v. Myers, No. 23-1034, 2025 WL 1300439 (9th Cir. May 6, 2025). Seven other organizations signed on: Family Assistance Program, Fines and Fees Justice Center, Juvenile Law Center, Prison Policy…
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Seizing Family Homes to Collect Prison Fees
More than half of states allow seizure of inheritances, family homes to cover costs of incarceration
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Handcuffing Heirs: How Seizing Inheritances to Collect Pay-to-Stay Prison Fees Hinders Recovery and Financial Stability
An inheritance is an important family legacy that can provide a safety net for future generations. For working families struggling to keep up with rising living costs, the transfer of a family home or other inheritance can provide newfound economic security. In particular, the anticipated wealth transfer from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs…
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The Boston Globe: Driver’s licenses in limbo: Government debts jeopardize thousands of Mass. drivers
Appearing in The Boston Globe on June 9, 2025, Laura Crimaldi interviews NCLC Staff Attorney Caroline Cohn for coverage of how thousands of Massachusetts drivers each year face the possibility of losing their legal authority to drive, and sometimes the only fix carries an insurmountable cost. The state Registry of Motor Vehicles placed driver’s licenses…
