Tom
Jawetz

Senior Fellow

he/him

Tom Jawetz is a senior fellow for Immigration Policy at American Progress. Prior to joining American Progress, Jawetz served as deputy general counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2021 to 2022. Previously, he was vice president of Immigration Policy at American Progress from 2015 to 2021, after serving as chief counsel on the Immigration Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee. In that capacity, Jawetz devised and executed strategies for immigration-related hearings and markups before the Committee on the Judiciary and legislation on the House floor. He has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives and advised members of Congress and congressional staff on all areas of immigration law and policy.

Prior to his time at the Judiciary Committee, Jawetz worked as the immigration detention staff attorney at the National Prison Project, a part of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). There, he represented detainees in class action and individual challenges to unlawful conditions of confinement and twice testified before Congress. While at ACLU, he investigated abuses in Louisiana jails and prisons during and after Hurricane Katrina and co-authored the report “Abandoned and Abused: Orleans Parish Prisoners in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina.” Jawetz previously represented asylum-seekers in judicial and administrative proceedings with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and served as a law clerk to the Hon. Kimba M. Wood of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Jawetz holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

Latest

Compact View

Focusing on What Matters: How Democrats Can Connect With America Past Event

Focusing on What Matters: How Democrats Can Connect With America

Please join CAP Action for an event featuring Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) in conversation with CAP Action CEO Neera Tanden.

Center for American Progress Action Fund & Online

In Conversation Upcoming Session
cap-action-social-share

In Conversation

CAP Action CEO Neera Tanden will be in conversation with Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) followed by audience Q&A.

Keynote Remarks Upcoming Session
cap-action-social-share

Keynote Remarks

Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) will offer keynote remarks.

Introductory Remarks Upcoming Session
cap-action-social-share

Introductory Remarks

CAP Action CEO Neera Tanden will provide introductory remarks.

The Democracy-Prosperity Link Article

The Democracy-Prosperity Link

How Donald Trump’s anti-democratic actions threaten America’s long-term prosperity.

Democracy Journal

David Madland

The True Cost of the Republican Health Care Agenda Past Event

The True Cost of the Republican Health Care Agenda

Join the Center for American Progress Action Fund for a discussion on how Republican health policies are fueling premium hikes and leaving working families to pay the price.

Center for American Progress Action Fund - Online

2025 Global Progress Action Summit Past Event

2025 Global Progress Action Summit

Progressive policy leaders, thinkers, strategists, and changemakers from more than 20 countries gathered in London for the 2025 Global Progress Action Summit, hosted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, Labour Together, and the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Keynote Remarks Upcoming Session
cap-action-social-share

Keynote Remarks

Keynote remarks by Sen. Shaheen.

Panel Discussion Upcoming Session
cap-action-social-share

Panel Discussion

A panel discussion on how Republican health policies are fueling premium hikes and leaving working families to pay the price.

Healing the Nation—Purposeful Policies for the Next Administration Upcoming Session
cap-action-social-share

Healing the Nation—Purposeful Policies for the Next Administration

CAP Action CEO Patrick Gaspard and U.S. and global leaders discuss how to address the anxiety of our times, advance social policy to solve problems that affect everyday life, and begin to heal our nation.

Load More

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Default Opt Ins

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Variable Opt Ins

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form