STATEMENTS & Legal Advisories
ILAP periodically releases public statements on changes to immigration laws and policies, as well as legal advisories for members of the immigrant community. The public statements provide a general overview and are meant to serve as a factual resource. The legal advisories provide detailed information for immigrants groups who may be impacted by changes to immigration laws and policies.
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Members of the press may submit their inquiries to press@ilapmaine.org.
The administration finalized its "public charge" rule in August 2019. “Public charge” is a test to see if someone is likely to become dependent on specific government programs. The government uses this test when someone applies for a family-based green card or certain visas.
Every year in September, ILAP is not open for walk-in visits and we do not have intake appointments. We have appointments with current clients, and our Asylum Outreach Attorney will continue to conduct outreach and schedule follow-up appointments.
If you have an emergency safety concern, an urgent court date or deadline, or a previously scheduled appointment, please call 207-780-1593. To request an intake appointment, please contact us after October 1st.
The Governor of Maine announced a new rule about General Assistance (GA) on July 18, 2019. GA is a program in every Maine town that helps people who don't have enough money to pay their necessary expenses. GA gives vouchers (not cash) to pay for housing, food, and other basic needs.
ILAP denounces Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) plan to arrest individuals across the United States starting on Sunday, July 14. Please remember your rights when coming into contact with an ICE officer or Border Patrol agent.
ILAP Executive Director Sue Roche is published in the Portland Press Herald’s Maine Voices column with a call to action to bring due process and access to justice to our immigration system.
If you have recently crossed the border into the United States and would like information about your immigration case or seeking asylum, ILAP is holding an onsite information session at the Portland Expo to provide case check-ups. We will be holding additional asylum information sessions in other locations soon.
In the last week, Portland has welcomed dozens of families from Central Africa who are fleeing persecution and seeking safety in Maine. It is heartwarming to see the City and people of Portland coming together to assist these newly arrived families. We recognize that they bring opportunity to our state, and that we have a humanitarian duty to provide any and all support that we can to those seeking safety and protection.
ILAP strongly supports LD 1589, a bill to protect the liberty of immigrants and asylum seekers in Maine, and opposes LD 1449, a bill to facilitate compliance with federal immigration law by state and local government entities. This testimony is from a hearing before the Judiciary Committee on May 22, 2019.
ILAP strongly supports the restoration of funding to the Community Support Fund and overflow shelter in the FY19-20 City of Portland budget. This testimony is from a hearing before the Portland City Council on May 20, 2019.
ILAP strongly supports LD 1475, a bill to eliminate profiling in Maine. This testimony is from a hearing before the Judiciary Committee on May 13, 2019.