The Golden Door: August 2023

Please check our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more frequent updates.

 

Introducing: ILAP's New Legal Resource Library!

ILAP is excited to introduce our new and improved Get Legal Help website section where you can find immigration legal information and resources in more languages. 

This new legal resource library includes topic pages with answers to common immigration questions, as well as a page about requesting an appointment with ILAP. Topics include Applying for Asylum, Immigration Court, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Know Your Rights, and more.

Head to our Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter pages to find helpful videos in six languages about how to find and navigate our new website pages.

 
 

ILAP Welcomes Maine Office for New Americans

Governor Janet Mills issued an Executive Order on August 2nd directing the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to develop a plan to establish Maine’s first Office for New Americans. ILAP has long advocated for Maine to establish a state-level agency to serve immigrant communities and enthusiastically welcomed the announcement.

"This type of permanent infrastructure is critically needed to help immigrants in Maine put down roots and thrive," says Executive Director Sue Roche. "With this announcement, all Maine people – whether they have lived here for generations or are newly calling Maine home – are walking towards a brighter, stronger, and more prosperous future together.” 

 
 

Sudan and Ukraine Temporary Protected Status Announcements

The Biden administration extended and redesignated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for both Sudan and Ukraine in August. Through redesignation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates that 2,750 Sudanese and 166,700 Ukrainians may be newly eligible for this protection.

Sudanese or Ukrainians in Maine in need of legal assistance with TPS can visit: https://ilapmaine.org/get-legal-help.

Marking Two Years Since U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

This August marked two years since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and subsequent Taliban takeover. The impact of this still reverberates across the world and far too many Afghans face continued uncertainty, legal limbo, and danger.

Hundreds of Afghans in Maine and tens of thousands across the country need protection that lasts. The Afghan Adjustment Act, which ILAP has been advocating for since its initial introduction, has been reintroduced this year and we are calling on Congress to pass it now!

Read Human Rights First's recently published Afghanistan Impact Report for more. 

Litigation Over the CHNV Parole Program Begins

Earlier this year, Texas and 20 other states sued the federal government in  Texas v. DHS to stop the “CHNV” parole program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans—but seven U.S.-based sponsors represented by Justice Action Center, the Center for Immigration Law and Policy (CILP) at UCLA Law, and RAICES, have intervened to defend this life-saving and life-altering program. The trial began in August.

Over 100,000 people have been able to come to the U.S. to reunite with family members. Valerie Laveus, whose family benefited from the program, said: "I, and the other intervenors, represent millions of US residents who stand ready to welcome others into our communities [...] We all deserve the chance to open our homes, & our hearts, to those who need it most."

 
 

Celebrating 30 Years

ILAP turns 30 this year! We hope you’ll join us to mark this important milestone on the evening of October 19th for ILAP's Journey Toward Justice event. The celebration will include globally inspired food, exciting raffle prizes, a special musical performance (revealed on social media next month!), and more!

WHAT: ILAP's Journey Toward Justice: Celebrating 30 Years

WHEN: Thursday, October 19 from 5:00-7:30pm 

WHERE: Innovation Hall, University of New England (Portland campus)

Tickets are coming soon! Keep an eye on your inbox and mailbox next month for more information and registration. 

Rural Maine Project On the Road

Rural Community Liaison Lourdes Trujillo sits at ILAP's table during this month's farmworker resource fair. 

It has been a busy month for the Rural Maine Project!

ILAP attended two resource fairs at Mano en Mano's Welcome & Resource Center in Milbridge this month to connect with blueberry workers and other community members, distribute information and answer questions, and help explain how to access ILAP’s services. We also held a TPS clinic, assisting people throughout Washington County with their El Salvador TPS re-registration and other questions.

Big thanks to Mano en Mano for organizing and hosting these important resource fairs and to all our partners working to ensure farmworkers and immigrants across rural Maine have what they need to thrive!

ILAP in the News

The Bangor Daily News Editorial Board highlighted the need for state-level coordination to support immigrants in Maine. Executive Director Sue Roche shared ILAP's support of the Governor's announcement about Maine's new Office for New Americans. 

ILAP was among the Maine organizations to receive funding through the Maine Community Foundation's Community Building Grant Program. Thank you, Maine CF, for supporting our work expanding legal services for asylum seekers across the state!

ILAP was included on a list of the Top 13 Best Immigrant Charities That Help Migrants. 

Reminder: We're Hiring!

ILAP is seeking a full-time Project Attorney to join our Asylum Assistance and Legal Orientation Project (AALOP) working to expand legal services to new arrivals in Maine. 

The application deadline has been extended to Monday, September 11th.

If you're interested in joining our team as the next Project Attorney, we encourage you to apply! Otherwise, we hope you'll help us spread the word about this important position. Find more information at https://ilapmaine.org/employment.

 
 
The Golden Door, ILAP NewsILAP MaineLegal Resources, TPS, Afghanistan, Family Reunification, Event, Rural Maine, Farmworker, Hiring