Travel documents
Where do gaps in access to travel documents make it difficult to travel or return? What changes could make application and review processes clearer?
Advocacy Through Data Initiative
Where policy meets real life
ATDI examines how U.S. rules shape people’s ability to travel, keep families together, serve and work. We use that research to identify changes lawmakers and agencies can evaluate.
Explore the four prioritiesResearch & evidence
Our research starts with a specific barrier. We trace it to official sources, examine how it affects people in practice and identify what evidence would support a change.
How we plan to assess the evidence
Record the jurisdiction, date and source for each rule. Distinguish written requirements from reported experiences. When publishing aggregate figures, explain how cases were counted, who is represented and what the sample can support.
Research agenda Reports and statistics will appear here after source review.
Four policy priorities
These are research questions for potential legislative and administrative reform.
Children & immigration status
How do status-related requirements affect children and families? Which rules create uncertainty at key transitions in a child’s life?
Military service
Where do status and documentation rules affect pathways into military service? Which eligibility or review processes warrant closer study?
CDL & occupational licensing
Which documentation requirements affect access to commercial driver’s licenses and other occupational credentials? How do barriers vary by jurisdiction?
Stories
Personal experiences can show where a written rule and its practical effects diverge. Before opening submissions, ATDI will set up secure handling and a consent process. Any story considered for publication will require separate permission.
Suggest a barrier anonymously
This section is for proposing an issue ATDI should research. A future submission channel will focus on the rule, where it applies and what it prevents people from doing. Submissions will open after privacy and security review.
Volunteer with ATDI
Planned roles include source verification, policy review, translation, data analysis and privacy engineering. Role descriptions and application details will appear here when recruitment opens.
Support the research
ATDI is developing a plan for research partnerships and funding. Support priorities include access to primary sources, translation and independent review. Donation information will appear here when a funding process is in place.