advocacy priorities
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We fight for a world where equity, access to resources and justice, and human rights and dignity are prioritized at every step of a person’s immigration journey.
ILAP seeks to make systemic law and policy change in Maine and beyond in furtherance of our mission to help low-income immigrants improve their legal status. Our theory of change is rooted in following the lead of immigrant communities and working in coordination and coalition with partners to maximize resources and expertise for broad and lasting impact.
2025 POLICY & Advocacy Priorities
In 2025, ILAP will prioritize defending immigrant communities from mass enforcement, defending humanitarian immigration pathways, expanding access to immigration legal services in Maine, and supporting efforts to help people meet basic needs. Our priorities are informed by and built on the needs and goals identified by our client community and other immigrant communities across the state.
ILAP’s policy priorities do not appear in any particular order.
Defend immigrant communities from mass enforcement policies and address systemic issues around immigrant enforcement and detention in Maine.
Immigration detention is unjust, inhumane, and unnecessary. ILAP opposes laws and policies of mass enforcement, detention, and deportation at all levels of government. ILAP is a loud and clear voice that there is no link between immigrants and criminality and we shine a light on similar false narratives. ILAP also works with partners to track and address systemic issues affecting the due process and other rights of immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Maine, to ensure fairness, and to uphold the rule of law.
Defend humanitarian immigration pathways.
ILAP joins partners around the country in defending humanitarian immigration pathways, both for those already in Maine/the United States and those not yet in the United States seeking safety here. ILAP advocates for the protection of parole programs, Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), asylum, and more. ILAP continues to call on Congress to put in place pathways to citizenship for undocumented people in the United States - the best solution for Maine, the economy, and the future.
Expand access to qualified immigration legal services for asylum seekers and other immigrants in Maine.
Access to qualified legal services is essential for Maine’s immigrant communities to access protection from deportation, security, stability, and the ability to put down roots and make great contributions to our state. ILAP calls on all levels of government to invest in Maine’s immigrant legal services capacity and help ensure immigrant communities receive due process and access to justice.
Advocate for due process for immigrant communities in the Immigration Court System
Following the establishment of the new immigration court in Chelmsford, Massachusetts in 2024, ILAP and partners addressed systemic issues affecting the due process rights of immigrant communities in Maine navigating the system. Going forward, ILAP will continue to track and advocate for a fair and accessible immigration court system.
Advocate for the rights and protection of immigrant children at all levels of government.
Vulnerable immigrant children in Maine should be identified, protected, and provided resources. ILAP calls for policies and protocols that ensure that the safety of all children in Maine is prioritized, regardless of immigration status. ILAP is committed to assisting Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Judiciary, and other state government bodies charged with protecting children in better understanding the issues affecting non-citizens and responding effectively.
ILAP also continues to call on the federal government to address the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) backlog, which hugely impacts immigrant youth in Maine, delaying access to permanent humanitarian protection and the ability for young people to build their lives and thrive.
Protect and expand immigrants’ access to services and basic needs in Maine.
ILAP supports the work of partner organizations and calls on all levels of government to ensure that laws, policies, and systems are in place to ensure that asylum seekers and other immigrants in Maine are able to meet their basic human needs, including access to healthcare, housing, food, education, and more. In particular, ILAP stands ready to partner with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to put in place training and systems to ensure that qualified immigrants are not erroneously denied General Assistance (GA) benefits and that municipal and state workers are not inadvertently harming peoples’ immigration cases and futures.
Support the policy work of Maine’s Office of New Americans.
In the previous state legislative session, Maine became the 19th state in the country to create an Office of New Americans (ONA). A Maine ONA is a crucial investment in the future of all Maine people and the state. ILAP looks forward to assisting the new office in engaging as a national policy voice and in meeting its critical mission to make Maine a home of opportunity for all, by welcoming and supporting immigrants to strengthen Maine’s workforce, enhancing the vibrancy of Maine's communities, and building a strong and inclusive economy.
Pass and effectively implement the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act.
ILAP continues to call on Congress to immediately pass the House version of the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, which would help people seeking asylum access work permits sooner and remove needless bureaucracy and paperwork to help keep them at work. This legislation would benefit immigrant communities and respond to urgent workforce shortages in Maine and beyond.
Protect immigrant Mainers from immigration scams and fraud.
ILAP advocates for action from all levels of government in preventing the unauthorized practice of immigration law – and the serious human consequences that result – as well as holding perpetrators accountable. Outreach and education from the Attorney General’s office and other state government bodies is an essential component in addressing widespread fraud and ILAP stands ready to advise and assist.
Promote and expand the rights of Maine farmworkers and other rural immigrant communities.
ILAP calls on all levels of government to promote protections against labor exploitation and trafficking in Maine and beyond and to take steps to protect and expand rights for farmworkers and other rural immigrant communities.
Advocate for a robust and efficient Department of Justice Recognition & Accreditation (DOJ R&A) program at the federal level.
The DOJ R&A program builds capacity for effective, culturally competent representation, providing opportunities for historically marginalized communities – including members of directly impacted immigrant communities – who may not have access and opportunity to attend law school to receive credentialling, allowing them to practice immigration law at approved and qualified organizations.
Speak out against systemic racism in the U.S. immigration system and build systems rooted in justice.
Systemic racism is ingrained in the U.S. immigration system and in the national rhetoric on immigration. ILAP uses its voice and supports campaigns and coalitions that consistently shine a light on this truth and take action for equitable and humane immigration law and policy.
