2022 Goals
ILAP will continue to provide our full range of immigration legal services in 2022, operating remotely as necessary. When barriers to gaining stable legal status are removed, immigrants can attain safety, economic security, and access to opportunities that fulfill their dreams, making Maine a better place for everyone. Whether through an in-depth one-time consultation or full legal representation in complex multi-year cases, ILAP ensures that immigrant community members receive expert legal guidance and fair treatment under the law. And where laws and policies are unjust, ILAP works to change them.
Other critical initiatives include:
- Responding to emergency legal needs as they arise, like supporting Afghan community members to reunite with their loved ones.
- Expanding access to legal representation for immigrant children and youth across Maine with year two of our Immigrant Children’s Project pilot.
- Providing screening and legal assistance for people who are applying for asylum and may benefit from the Mendez Rojas settlement agreement.
- Ongoing federal litigation with ACLU of Maine and MaineLaw to advance racial justice and due process for immigrants.
Fundraising Events / Opportunities
ILAP is planning to bring back our signature fundraising event – CeleSoirée – in 2022! While we have missed coming together with our community in celebration, we look forward to re-connecting when it is safe to do so. We have some exciting ideas in the works, so please check our website and social media for updates.
Corporate sponsorship is critical to the success of all ILAP events. We invite any businesses who would like to show their support for Maine’s immigrant communities to contact us about opportunities for partnership.
Giving Opportunities
There are many ways to support ILAP’s work and help advance justice and equity for immigrants in Maine. You can:
- Explore giving options or begin a monthly gift at ilapmaine.org/donate
- Sign up to volunteer at ilapmaine.org/volunteer
- Transfer a gift of stock to ILAP or make a legacy gift
- Make your voice heard at ilapmaine.org/take-action
- Host a house party, plan a benefit event, or create a Facebook Fundraiser
Members of the Maine Bar can contribute to ILAP’s work through the Campaign for Justice at campaignforjustice.org, a special collaborative fundraising effort by Maine’s legal community to support legal aid.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers support all aspects of ILAP’s work through their dedication and commitment to our mission. We are actively recruiting volunteer attorneys to our Pro Bono Panel to provide representation in asylum cases and cases for vulnerable immigrant children and youth.
Mental health professionals can sign up to conduct psychological evaluations with ILAP clients on a volunteer or pro bono basis. These evaluations are critical pieces of evidence in our clients’ cases, providing expert documentation of past trauma and current mental health that can help them find safety and keep their families together.
Other volunteer opportunities arise throughout the year, including interpretation and translation, intake or immigration forms assistance, and contributing to our fundraising and communications efforts. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please visit ilapmaine.org/volunteer.
