The Golden Door: July 2024
ILAP Celebrates Decision to Extend and Redesignate TPS for Haiti
ILAP enthusiastically applauds Secretary Mayorkas’ decision to extend and redesignate TPS for Haiti, a life-saving decision that will protect more than 520,000 people from deadly and devolving conditions in Haiti.
A TPS designation provides blanket protection to nationals of a country already in the U.S. when their lives or freedom would be at risk if forced to return. A TPS redesignation expands protection to people who more recently arrived since the last cut-off date for the country.
"TPS embodies U.S. values – it protects human life, keeps families together, builds a stronger U.S. economy, and promotes a U.S. foreign policy rooted in upholding human rights for all," said ILAP Policy Director Lisa Parisio. "We applaud the Black-immigrant led organizations and other advocates who did the work to make this happen."
The extension and redesignation will offer relief to numerous families in Maine, including 200 or more Mainers who may be newly eligible for protection and work permits. Haitians living in Maine can visit our website to learn more and get legal help.
As we celebrate this decision, ILAP joins the Haitian Bridge Alliance and others in calling for an immediate end to all deportations to Haiti and other comprehensive steps to protect Haitians and address the crisis in Haiti.
INFO FOR IMMIGRANTS
The U.S. government is extending and redesignating TPS for Haiti through February 3, 2026. This page contains information about that announcement and how to apply for Haiti TPS in Maine:
Gouvènman Etazini an te anonse nan mwa Jiyè 2024 la l ap pwolonje epi redefini Estati Pwoteksyon Tanporè (TPS) pou Ayiti jiska 3 Fevriye 2026. Feyè sa a genyen enfòmasyon sou anons sa a epi sou fason pou aplike pou TPS pou Ayiti nan Eta Maine:
Kreyòl Ayisyen: ilapmaine.org/ilap-news/haiti-tps-2024-haitian-creole
27 Deported Cameroonian Asylum Seekers Returned to the U.S.
ILAP applauds the extraordinary advocacy and leadership of directly impacted people seeking asylum, the Cameroon Advocacy Network (CAN), and other organizations in securing humanitarian parole allowing for the return of 27 Cameroonian asylum seekers who were deported from the U.S. back to danger in Cameroon. In their press release, CAN described the abuses the asylum seekers experienced in the U.S. detention system, during deportation, and in Cameroon.
In the press release, one of the Cameroonian asylum seekers returned to the U.S. said:
“When I fled my country and made my way to the U.S. border, I thought that America would be a safe haven. But with all the suffering I went through during immigration detention and deportation, I felt betrayed and shocked. Sending us back to Cameroon with our documents exposed was like putting a target on our backs. Now, for the U.S. to finally right this wrong means there’s still hope. I can dream again.”
Celebrating ILAP's Summer Fellow
ILAP welcomed Daniela Zarraga to our Legal Team this summer through Bowdoin College's Maine Community Fellowship. Daniela provided critical support to our Legal Team on a U-visa case and others, assisted asylum seekers through our Asylum Assistance and Legal Orientation Project (AALOP), facilitated communication with clients through Spanish interpretation and translation, and much more.
Daniela is in the final weeks of her fellowship and we are feeling grateful for all the ways she's supported ILAP and our clients. We celebrated Daniela's work at the Bowdoin Summer Fellows Celebration last week, where she presented about her experience.
Thanks for spending the summer working to advance justice for immigrants in Maine, Daniela!
ILAP's Board President Alicia Curtis (left) with attendees at the Muskie Fund's June event. Photo credit: Amy Paradysz, Portland Press Herald.
ilap in the news
The Portland Press Herald covered the 27th annual Access to Justice Ceremony, hosted by the Muskie Fund for Legal Services. Preble Street's Executive Director, Mark Swann, received this year's Access to Justice Award and the event raised over $84,000 for civil legal aid organizations in Maine, including ILAP.
ILAP Maintains Platinum Seal of Transparency & Four-Star Rating
We are excited to share that ILAP has again earned a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. Check out our Candid nonprofit profile to stay up to date with our impact.
ILAP was also evaluated by Charity Navigator and maintained our Four-Star Rating - the highest rating possible! Learn more at ILAP's Charity Navigator profile.
Candid and Charity Navigator are both third-party nonprofit evaluators helping donors find and support organizations that are aligned with their values. You can give to ILAP with confidence knowing that we have been independently evaluated for effectively stewarding donations.
Your trust and support helps us make a difference for Maine's immigrant communities. Thank you!
