The Golden Door: August 2024
Immigration Laws and Policies in 2024: Impact in Maine and Beyond
Immigration has been a hot topic of debate again this year and it can be difficult to understand the laws and policies behind the headlines.
We invite you to join us on October 8th to learn from ILAP’s expert staff about current immigration policies, the state of asylum, and other pressing immigration legal needs across the state. We’ll share how these issues are impacting Maine families and communities, and how ILAP is responding.
WHEN:
Tuesday, October 8th
5:00-6:30pm
WHERE:
First Parish in Portland
425 Congress Street
The event is free and open to the public! Keep an eye on your inbox and mailbox next month for more information.
Three Years Later: Take Action for Afghans
ILAP marks the third anniversary of Afghanistan’s fall to the Taliban with a heavy heart as we remember the tragic loss of life at Hamid Karzai International Airport – including 170 Afghans seeking safety and 13 U.S. service members.
We thank our partners at Maine Vets for Afghans for their continued tireless work, advocacy, and dedication to evacuees here in Maine, across the U.S., and those who remain in danger in Afghanistan.
Call to Action:
The need for green cards for those evacuated remains and ILAP continues to call on Maine’s full Congressional delegation to support legislative solutions.
Take action to urge Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act!
Eastern District of Texas Temporarily Blocks "Keeping Families Together" Program
Earlier this summer, the Biden Administration put in place a significant new program that would allow certain spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to request “parole in place” – a process that could lead to a green card, and eventually citizenship, without forcing them to first leave the country for years.
ILAP applauded the move, with Executive Director Sue Roche calling it a “much-needed action to invest in immigrant families who have been integral members of our communities for years.”
In late August, a federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked this family unity program. On the same day, the Justice Action Center and Make The Road New York filed a motion to intervene, a procedural move that will allow 11 directly impacted people to have their voices heard in the lawsuit.
Lawsuit to Hold U.S. Government Accountable for Abuses Against Haitian Asylum Seekers in Del Rio Continues
The Haitian Bridge Alliance along with co-counsel, Justice Action Center, Innovation Law Lab, and Covington and Burling, LLP returned to the D.C. federal court on August 29 for the next stage in their litigation demanding justice for the violations against Haitian asylum seekers in Del Rio in 2021.
In their press release, Haitian Bridge Alliance writes: "Though nearly three years have passed, the plaintiffs continue their fight to hold the U.S. government accountable for its severe misconduct."
100+ Haiti TPS Renewal Applications!
ILAP celebrated the announcement of the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti earlier this summer and immediately got to work helping Mainers from Haiti access the protections and benefits.
The renewal deadline for current Haitian TPS holders is at the end of this month and ILAP's Forms Team has been working to help clients submit timely and accurate applications. Since July 1st, ILAP has helped 101 Haitians in Maine file TPS and work permit applications!
Starting next month, ILAP will begin helping Haitians who are newly eligible for TPS apply for the first time. New applicants must apply before February 3, 2026. For more information about the Haiti TPS announcement: ilapmaine.org/ilap-news/haiti-tps-2024
Haiti TPS renewal applications ready for mailing!
ILAP's Legal Program Assistant Elizabeth at the Post Office with a receipt showing the long list of TPS applications, Change of Venue motions, and other applications sent that day.
2024 Racial Justice Fellowship Opportunity
ILAP's inaugural Racial Justice Fellows Abby Khanal (left) and Paula Esteves (right) standing with AmeriCorps summer intern Emmy Tinkham during the final week of their internships last year. Hear more about their experiences!
ILAP is excited to again be offering a paid fellowship opportunity for college students who identify as immigrants or have a lived immigrant experience through our Racial Justice Fellowship program.
This year’s Racial Justice Fellowship will focus on developing a “Community Conversations” series to gather feedback directly from our client communities to inform ILAP's legal services and policy priorities.
The fellowship will take place in the fall semester, with an option to extend through the spring and be compensated at a rate of $17.50 per hour. Applications will be accepted and assessed on a rolling basis, but first consideration will be given to applications received by September 9, 2024.
Thanks to the Maine Justice Foundation’s Racial Justice Fund for supporting this fellowship!
ilap in the news
Bangor Daily News announced Machias Savings Bank's 2024 Community Development Grant recipients and ILAP was among the 23 Maine organizations selected. Thank you, Machias Savings Bank!
2023 Annual Report Now Available
We are pleased to share ILAP’s latest Annual Report with you!
In 2023, ILAP celebrated our 30th anniversary. Our online report highlights 30 years of impact, details our fiscal health, and demonstrates how supporters like you are advancing immigrant justice in Maine.
Last year, we also celebrated the successful conclusion of our $4 million Impact Campaign, which has supported ILAP’s growth since 2020. Thank you to all the annual fund and campaign donors and other supporters who made our work possible in 2023!
