The Golden Door: November 2025
Trump Administration Targets Workers & Businesses
Here in Maine, the idea that asylum seekers should be able to work while waiting for a decision on their applications has bipartisan support at both the state and federal levels. This policy helps individuals and families find stability and security, while providing vast benefits to communities, businesses, and the U.S. economy at large.
But on October 30, the Trump administration issued a new rule that will result in people who are permitted to work under the law losing their work authorization. More specifically, the administration ended the automatic extensions of certain work permits. This automatic extension policy was in place because growing backlogs and processing delays at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) were resulting in people who applied for work permit renewals on time not receiving their new permit before their old one expired.
In 2024, when a final rule was issued to address this problem, USCIS analysis showed that automatic extensions of work permits were necessary to safeguard the livelihoods of 800,000 workers and protect U.S. businesses from billions of dollars wasted on needless employee turnover costs.
In response to the Trump administration’s announcement that it was ending the automatic extensions, Maine’s Representative Pingree and Senator King led members of Congress in calling on the Trump administration to reverse course. In a press release, ILAP’s Executive Sue Roche said:
“There is no legitimate public policy reason to strip away work authorization from people who have a right to work under our laws and have done everything the federal government asked of them. Punishing Maine’s workers, and in turn Maine’s employers, for federal government processing delays that are out of their hands underscores the administration’s continued cruelty, recklessness, and willingness to do harm to the entire country in furtherance of its anti-immigrant agenda.”
ACTION ALERT: Help Spread the Word this Giving Tuesday
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving, known as Giving Tuesday, is a day to celebrate the strength and power of people coming together for a common cause. To honor that spirit, ILAP will be highlighting incredible organizations doing important work across Maine on our Facebook and Instagram accounts all week long.
We are grateful to be a part of an ecosystem filled with partners who are helping build a Maine that is truly home for all. Below are the organizations we’ll be featuring. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to help share their work and spread the word!
Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition* brings together more than 110 organizations across the state to foster immigrant inclusion and integration through programs and policy advocacy.
ACLU of Maine defends the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, ensuring their promises extend to all Mainers, including immigrant communities.
Capital Area New Mainers Project* builds a thriving, integrated community for refugees in central Maine.
EqualityMaine advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and supporting youth and older adults.
In Her Presence* empowers immigrant women in Maine through educational programs centered on English Language learning.
Maine Association for New Americans* promotes social and personal empowerment for immigrants.
Maine Mobile Health provides healthcare to agricultural and aquaculture workers, seafood processors, and their families.
Maine Multicultural Center promotes community enrichment and economic growth by attracting, supporting, and integrating people of diverse cultures and backgrounds into greater Bangor.
Mainers for Humane Immigration works to confront the systems that criminalize migration and to support humane, community-based responses.
Mano en Mano* ensures immigrants and farmworkers have equitable access to medical care, employment, housing, and other essential resources.
Preble Street provides barrier-free services for people experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty, while advocating for lasting solutions.
Trinity Jubilee Center offers warmth, support, and essential services for people facing homelessness.
And finally, we'd like to share our gratitude to two organizations that have recently launched new community support funds:
Maine Initiatives recently launched the Immigrant-Led Organizations (ILO) Fund, a participatory grantmaking program that strengthens the ecosystem of immigrant-led, community-based organizations.
Presente! Maine*, a grassroots, mutual aid organization, recently launched the Solidarity Fund to provide direct support to those who need it most.
*Immigrant-led and BIPOC-led organizations.
Local News Highlights
Maine Public published an article on November 20 about the record-high 725 arrests by Customs and Border Protection in Maine from October 2024 to October 2025. The number was originally shared in a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a matter of public safety, but ILAP policy director Lisa Parisio provided important insight on the reality behind these arrests:
"Many of the impacted Maine residents who have been in this situation were in lawful immigration processes, they had valid work permits, and they had absolutely no criminal record."
The article also talks about how cooperation from state and local law enforcement is contributing to the high number of Maine’s immigrants being funneled into federal custody. It references the bill LD 1971, which would put safeguards into place to limit this kind of cooperation.
LD 1971 was passed by the legislature earlier this year and is now on Governor Mills’ desk. If you haven’t already — or if you have additional thoughts, in light of recent developments — you can submit a message to Governor Mills to share why it matters to you that Maine’s public safety resources are not used to support mass deportation.
ILAP in the Community
This past weekend was full of fun, creative fundraisers supporting ILAP’s work. It’s inspiring to see how people across Maine bring their community together to stand up for immigrant justice.
On Saturday, Maine Roller Derby hosted its annual Benefit Bonanza, raising money for ILAP’s work during an exciting, high-energy bout.
On Sunday, a dance instructor for the 567 Broadway musical theatre dance class at Body Positive Dance Fitness in Portland hosted a dance fundraiser to the music of West Side Story, donating $5 to ILAP for every dancer who joined.
Concerts for a Cause is taking a break for the holidays, but will return on Saturday, January 17, with local bluegrass band Pejepscot Station. The performance series hosted by Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick has selected ILAP as one of the recipients of concert proceeds, so it’s a great way to enjoy an evening of music while supporting ILAP.
If you’re looking for holiday gift ideas, check out this local artist raising funds for ILAP through November! Photographer Savanna is aiming to raise $1000 by donating a portion of proceeds from her beautiful 5x7” prints — the perfect size to frame and hang in your home, or gift to someone you love.
Human Resources and Operations Director
ILAP is seeking a Human Resources and Operations Director who would be responsible for the development and smooth functioning of ILAP’s human resources administration and internal operations. This position is also responsible for supporting ILAP supervisors and staff in building and retaining a resilient and equitable work environment that promotes staff well-being and collaboration.
The base salary for this position ranges from $86,520 – $96,820. Review of applications will begin on Wednesday, December 4, and will continue until the position is filled.
Lewiston Program Assistant/Associate
ILAP is seeking a Program Assistant/Associate who would be responsible for providing administrative and legal support for the smooth operation of ILAP’s direct legal services program in Lewiston, including administrative duties, client reception and intake, coordination of walk-in hours, and paralegal support for ILAP attorneys. The Lewiston Program Assistant/Associate also provides direct legal services to clients through ILAP’s Immigration Forms Assistance Program.
For 2025, ILAP’s base salary for this position ranges from $51,500 – $59,740. Review of applications will begin on Wednesday, December 3, and will continue until the position is filled.
Immigration Law Justice Fellow
ILAP is offering a paid Immigration Law Justice Fellowship during the Summer of 2026. Candidates must identify as an immigrant or have a lived immigrant experience. The Fellow will work full-time in person at our Portland office location for a 10-week term. An extension of this term may be available, with additional payment for any approved extension period.
The Fellow will receive a $8,500 stipend. Review of applications will begin on Wednesday, December 3, and will continue until the position is filled.
Shared Voices: The Reality of Family Separation in Detention
This month, we highlight a reality that continues to cause profound and lasting harm: the impact that immigration detention has on families and communities.
One of the individuals ILAP supported shared what he witnessed while detained:
"Every day I saw people being separated from their families. I saw men — fathers — crying because they knew they would be deported. One of my friends, a Brazilian man, was deported while his wife was four months pregnant. That shocked me deeply.
The worst part is the separation. Families being divided, people treated like they don’t matter. It’s not right ... Some were even detained after going in for a regular check-in. It’s painful to see.”
Detention does not just impact the person being held. Children lose caregivers. Partners lose stability. Workplaces lose trusted colleagues. Entire communities absorb the ripple effects of a system that fractures family units and disrupts lives.
ILAP stands firmly against family separation and the harms caused by immigration detention. We remain committed to reuniting families, defending due process, and ensuring that all people are treated with dignity, fairness, and humanity.
Help Keep Families Together
Your support makes this work possible. When you give to ILAP, you help restore stability to families and strengthen our community.
We invite you to make a contribution today to ensure this support reaches those who need it most. Right now, your gift will go twice as far, thanks to a generous matching opportunity from the George J. and Theresa L. Cotsirilos Family Foundation.
For previous updates from ILAP, check out the links below:
November 14, 2025: Community Update
October 31, 2025: October Golden Door