The Golden Door: August 2022
Please check our Facebook and Twitter for more frequent updates.
CALL TO ACTION: Stand with Refugees
The President’s decision on the maximum number of refugees who can be resettled to the U.S. in fiscal year 2023 is due by Sept. 30. More than 100 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced from their homes, communities, and lives – the highest number in modern history. While the current administration set the goal of resettling up to 125,000 people in fiscal year 2022, the U.S. is on track to only admit 25,000 refugees, one of the lowest numbers ever.
Join ILAP in making clear that refugees are welcome in Maine! The U.S. government must prioritize restoring and rebuilding a just, accessible refugee system.
Bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act Introduced in Congress
ILAP welcomed news of the introduction of bipartisan legislation that would provide a pathway to green cards for the hundreds of Afghan allies and evacuees who have been resettled in Maine. "The Afghan Adjustment Act is urgently-needed legislation that honors America’s promise to Afghan parolees who have sacrificed and lost so much in the wake of the fall of Afghanistan," said ILAP Afghanistan Project Attorney Catherine N. Lindgren in a statement following the legislation's introduction.
The announcement of the legislation came just days before the one-year anniversary of the fall of Kabul to the Taliban and the beginning of ongoing, Herculean efforts from Afghan Americans, veterans, members of Congress, and others in the United States to save the lives of Afghan allies and their families who served to support the U.S. over 20 years of war.
Hear from Afghans and veterans from Maine who, one year later, are still living in limbo and in fear for those left behind:
The Hill: One year on, refugees from Afghanistan find shelter but little security in US (First installment of a three-part series)
Maine Public: One year after war’s end, Afghans and veterans in Maine struggle to evacuate those left behind
Celebrate Citizenship Day
September 17th is Citizenship Day! There are more than nine million green card holders in the U.S. eligible to become citizens but only a small number apply each year.
If you or a loved one are a green card holder and curious to learn more about eligibility to become a U.S. citizen, check out these resources from The New Americans Campaign.
Stay tuned to ILAP’s Facebook and Twitter for opportunities to volunteer and raise your voice in support of access to citizenship!
Resource Roundup: Protect Yourself Against Immigration Services Fraud
Asylum seekers and other immigrants in Maine are being targeted by bad actors pretending to provide immigration services in order to steal their money. These bad actors can do huge harm to immigrants’ legal cases and put them at risk for deportation, family separation, and other life-threatening consequences.
Learn more and spread the word to help immigrants protect themselves against these schemes with ILAP’s new resource collection: ilapmaine.org/protect.
Find resources in your language:
Português: Proteja-Se Contra A Fraude Da Imigração
Kreyòl Ayisyen: Fè Atansyon Lè Ou Ap Chèche Èd Pou Dosye Imigrasyon Ou
Ikinyarwanda: Irinde Uburiganya Mu By’ubwimukira
Soomaali: Ayaa Naftaada Ka Difaacaysa Khiyaanada Soogalootiga
ILAP in the News
Maine Public marked the one year anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan with featured stories and perspectives from Maine's Afghan community, veterans, and advocates, including ILAP's Afghanistan Project Attorney Catherine N. Lindgren. Catherine also explained the importance of the Afghan Adjustment Act in this Amjambo Africa article.
Maine Public's News Connect covered the Afghan Adjustment Act in their most recent episode. You can find more translated news in French, Spanish, Somali, and Portuguese here.
ILAP provides monthly immigration updates in Amjambo Africa. Read the most recent update about immigration fraud here. Policy and Outreach Attorney Lisa Parisio also joined Amjambo Time's August podcast to discuss immigration fraud and how to stay safe while navigating the immigration system.
Lisa joined other presenters for Maine Department of Education's first-ever Teachers of Adult Multilingual Summer Institute this summer. The institute was featured in Newswires.
Join ILAP's Team!
ILAP is seeking a full-time Legal Program Assistant to support our client intake, coordination of interpretation and translation, and operation of our direct legal services program.
If you are passionate about immigrant justice and excited to be part of a dedicated team of advocates, we hope you will consider applying. Beginning salary is $41,500 or more depending on experience and language skills. ILAP offers a generous benefits package.
Review of applications will begin September 9 and continue until the position is filled. Find the full position description and details about applying here: ilapmaine.org/employment.
Vote for ILAP
ILAP has been nominated for a YES! grant from Machias Savings Bank and we need your help! The top 10 organizations with the most votes will each receive a grant of $5,000.
YOU can help secure $5,000 for ILAP by voting here: bit.ly/voteilap
Vote up to once per day through Friday, September 16th.
There are a lot of great organizations nominated, including Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center and ProsperityME. Share the love with our amazing partners too!
Please note: Computers on the same network could be counted as only one vote, so we recommend voting from personal devices. You can only vote for one organization per day.