The Golden Door: October 2024
CALL TO ACTION: #LetAsylumSeekersWork
Over the past year, ILAP and national partners have built a broad coalition of support to #LetAsylumSeekersWork! Current law requires asylum seekers to wait for six months after applying for asylum to be eligible to apply for and receive a work permit. Factoring in processing backlogs, this leaves already-vulnerable individuals and families without means to support themselves for months on end while, simultaneously, Maine businesses are in desperate need of workers.
ILAP was part of the team that secured Bipartisan support on the House version of the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act – the most effective proposal on the table to allow asylum seekers to support themselves and their families sooner, while filling needed jobs and becoming more self-sufficient.
As we head into the next Congress, let your elected officials know that you want to see this win-win legislation prioritized. It’s time to #LetAsylumSeekersWork!
ILAP On the Move: Fall Panel & Other Community Events
On October 8th, ILAP hosted our “Immigration Law and Policy in 2024: Impact in Maine and Beyond” panel event at First Parish in Portland. It was a beautiful fall day, and it was wonderful to connect with more than 130 ILAP supporters in-person and online! ILAP staff shared their expertise on current immigration policies, pressing immigration legal needs, and how ILAP is responding.
If you missed it, a recording of the panel is available at www.ilapmaine.org/panel-recording. Please note that you will be prompted to enter your name and email address to access the recording.
ILAP was also proud to co-present OneBeat with SPACE on October 12, join the Abbott Labs’ charity fair, and mark National Immigrants Day on October 28 with a community conversation in Kennebunkport co-hosted with Southern Maine for Racial Justice, Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, York County Community Action Corporation, Kennebunkport South Congregational Church, and Union Church of Biddeford.
Legal Program Assistant Laura Clark with other Portland Jesuit Volunteers at ILAP's table following the panel event.
Executive Director Sue Roche and fellow panelists during the community conversation on National Immigrants Day.
Voting Safety for Immigrants
As we approach the November election, please help spread the word on keeping non-citizens safe! Under immigration law, non-citizens who register to vote or who vote in state or federal elections can face serious immigration penalties, including deportation. It does not matter if they registered or voted by mistake, or were told by others it was safe to do so.
Please exercise caution and be certain that you are a U.S. citizen before registering to vote. Check out ILAP’s video resources below!
Important voting information for immigrants in Maine:
English: www.ilapmaine.org/voting
Français: www.ilapmaine.org/voting-french
Português: www.ilapmaine.org/voting-portuguese
Español: www.ilapmaine.org/voting-spanish
Kreyòl Ayisyen: www.ilapmaine.org/voting-haitian-creole
Join ILAP in Supporting #OneLoveOhio
Following the egregious and false rhetoric about Haitian immigrants in Ohio, the community came together to dispel the hate and lies and tell the real story. #OneLoveOhio makes clear “While some people seek to divide us, we have a limitless propensity for caring, connection, and building together.”
Check out the voices and actions of people from all backgrounds — faith leaders, elected officials, Tik Tok creators, chefs, musicians, and more — who stand in solidarity with the Haitian community in Ohio and beyond.
Take action by sharing one of the featured stories on your social media with the hashtag #OneLoveOhio and support and follow the campaign!
The Fight to Protect Access to Healthcare for DACA Recipients
Earlier this year, immigrant rights advocates secured a hard-fought policy victory to give Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients access to healthcare under the Affordable Care Act. Approximately 100,000 uninsured young people were expected to gain access to healthcare as a result. Unfortunately, Kansas and 18 other states brought a lawsuit to challenge the rule, which had been scheduled to go into effect on November 1, 2024. Court hearings took place in mid-October with updates expected soon.
Click here to hear from Dania, a DACA recipient, about what access to healthcare means to her.
The overall DACA program remains tied up in litigation, leaving DACA recipients in Maine and beyond in legal limbo. ILAP remains steadfast in our urgent call on Congress to put in place a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and all undocumented people now.
Congratulations, Fatuma!
Fatuma speaking at ILAP's CeleSoirée in 2013. Photo credit: Samuel Cousins Photography.
Please join ILAP in congratulating Fatuma Hussein, Executive Director of the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine in Lewiston, for being named the 2024 recipient of the Peter J. DeTroy III Award by the Campaign for Justice. Created in 2017, this award commemorates the life’s work of the late Peter DeTroy and recognizes individuals who have worked to “remove barriers for people who are vulnerable or advance justice in Maine.”
For over 20 years, Fatuma has built trust and fought for justice within Maine’s immigrant communities. She and her team provide culturally and linguistically appropriate system advocacy, training, community education, and direct services, with a focus on working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Fatuma has been a long-time partner in ILAP’s work in Lewiston and beyond, and we couldn’t think of a more deserving awardee. Congratulations!
Welcoming ILAP's New Board President & Vice President
Thomas Douglas, President
ILAP is excited to welcome Thomas Douglas, Esq. as our new Board President! Tom joined the ILAP Board in 2019 and has his own law practice in North Yarmouth. Tom is also an adjunct law professor at the University of Maine School of Law, a Commissioner on the Maine Human Rights Commission, and the Board Treasurer for Indigo Arts Alliance, among many other volunteer and leadership roles.
Barbara Leen, Vice President
Tom will be joined by Barbara Leen, Esq. in the role of Vice President. Barbara joined ILAP’s Board in 2023 and serves as a Senior Corporate Counsel with Microsoft’s U.S. Immigration group. Previously, Barbara worked at the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Senate Judiciary committee where her work focused on immigration policy, legal operations, and litigation.
Our heartfelt thanks goes to Alicia Curtis for her countless contributions during her tenure as ILAP's Board President. We’re thrilled you’ll be remaining on the Board!
