Why It Matters
Justice in Motion is entering federal lobbying at an important juncture for migrant rights advocacy with the hiring of Masa Group LLC.
The organization’s inaugural lobbying effort targets a Congress deeply divided on immigration, with enforcement-focused Republicans dominating key committees while Democrats advocate for child protections and due process.
By the Numbers
Justice in Motion has no previous lobbying history, while Masa Group brings substantial immigration advocacy experience across 44 lobbying disclosures from 2021 to 2025. Previously, the firm has represented the American Civil Liberties Union and Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc.
The lobbying team consists of a single registered lobbyist: Kalyani Menon. Menon recently represented the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, focusing on Temporary Protected Status advocacy.
The Agenda
Justice in Motion is lobbying on immigration and labor issues, focusing on protecting migrant worker rights, preventing labor trafficking, ensuring access to legal representation for families and children, and securing due process protections. The organization also advocates for safeguards for children affected by migration and family separation.
Key legislative efforts include the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2025, which proposes H-2A agricultural worker program overhaul with stronger protections; the H–1B and L–1 Visa Reform Act of 2025, a bipartisan effort on worker visa protections; and the DIGNIDAD Act of 2025, which includes provisions for improving asylum procedures and protecting unaccompanied minors. The H–1B and L–1 Visa Reform Act enjoys bipartisan support, with Senators Grassley and Durbin championing worker protections.
Broader Context
The Trump administration has dramatically escalated deportations, with more than 290,000 people detained by ICE and halting federal funding for legal representation of over 25,000 unaccompanied migrant children in March 2025.
Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Sara Jacobs and Senator Michael Bennet have demanded restoration of legal protections, while Republicans including Senator Chuck Grassley have pushed for stricter vetting and enforcement.
Federal courts now face 3.4 million pending deportation cases, and the administration has fired over 100 immigration judges. State governments including Massachusetts and California are funding immigrant legal defense.
Between The Lines
Several bills offer potential engagement points for Justice in Motion. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act proposes comprehensive H-2A program overhaul with stronger worker protections.
However, oversight hearings reflect enforcement priorities. Congressional committees have focused on strengthening immigration enforcement and ICE operations—venues where Justice in Motion will need to counter enforcement narratives with due process arguments.
Competitive Landscape
Justice in Motion enters a crowded advocacy space. On child welfare issues, allies include the American Academy of Pediatrics and Family Endeavors Inc. On migrant worker protections, the organization faces agricultural and business interests like the American Farm Bureau Federation, which focuses on labor supply stability rather than worker protections.
The Bottom Line
Justice in Motion enters federal advocacy during heightened enforcement under the Trump administration. While Congressional Republicans broadly support stricter immigration controls, bipartisan interest exists in reforming worker visa programs. The organization must navigate an enforcement-first Congress while capitalizing on limited openings for worker protections and leveraging state-level immigrant legal defense support.
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