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Dear Friends,

As we continue our mission to advocate for the rights and well-being of immigrants and refugees, it is crucial to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions that immigrants bring to every aspect of our lives, including the realm of art.

Recently, the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) had the privilege of co-hosting an event with the Highpoint Center for Printmaking where artist Fidencio Fifield-Perez walked guests through his exhibit "On Looking."

I had the privilege of witnessing the emotional resonance of Fifield-Perez's work, with one piece in particular standing out to me - "dacaments." In this piece, he took envelopes from his immigration process and painted over them with something deeply personal and beloved to him - plants. I was incredibly moved by his transformation of these bureaucratic symbols into living, breathing representations of life and growth. As Fifield-Perez shared his process, the significance of the plants became even more poignant. Each plant depicted on the envelopes was a gift from someone he loved and trusted.

I feel incredibly honored to have shared this emotional realization with Fifield-Perez. In that moment, the piece became more than the sum of its parts. It became a testament to the profound connections that sustain us. It is a reminder that behind every piece of art lies a personal journey, a story that connects us all.

This shared moment highlighted the ability of art to foster connection and understanding. It reinforced our commitment at ILCM to not only assist individuals as they navigate the complexities of the immigration system, but also to recognize and celebrate the human stories woven into every case we encounter.

Let us continue to draw inspiration from immigrants and artists, like Fidencio Fifield-Perez. Let us work together towards a future where everyone can live their lives without fear, where the richness of immigrant experiences is celebrated, and where the undefined is embraced as a source of strength and unity.

Warm wishes,
Veena



Cannabis Law: What Non-U.S. Citizens Need to Know

Join ILCM on December 12 at 5:30 p.m. to learn about the new cannabis law and what it means for non-U.S. citizens.
This presentation will talk about the new law, what it means for non-U.S. citizens, what you should do if you have a previous marijuana conviction, and what it means for your immigration case. We will also answer audience questions that arise during the presentation. The presentation will be held in English and Spanish.

Únase a ILCM el 12 de diciembre a las 5:30 p.m. para conocer la nueva ley sobre el cannabis y lo que significa para los ciudadanos no estadounidenses.
Esta presentación hablará sobre la nueva ley, lo que significa para los ciudadanos no estadounidenses, lo que debe hacer si tiene una condena previa por marihuana y lo que significa para su caso de inmigración. También responderemos las preguntas de la audiencia que surjan durante la presentación. La presentación se realizará en inglés y español.

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Asylum Under Attack: Call Congress Now!

Right now, U.S. asylum and humanitarian parole programs are at grave risk of being traded away in negotiations over supplemental funding. Proposals that seek to restrict asylum and humanitarian parole will create more border chaos, not less. And blocking vulnerable immigrants from seeking access to safety endangers their lives and the lives of their families.

Call your Senators. Call your Congressional Representative. Tell them not to compromise away U.S. legal protection for vulnerable immigrants. Tell them to vote against any compromise that limits asylum or humanitarian parole.

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Complaint faults mental health treatment for ICE detainees held at Minnesota jails

Thanks to our amazing Community Defense Team and to our partners at the National Immigrant Justice Center and the James H. Binger Center for New Americans University of Minnesota Law for this and other collaborations to protect our immigrant neighbors.

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Support ILCM

As we look forward to 2024 and beyond, much of our planning is contingent on policy decisions on the national, state, and regional level. When we are brimming with optimism, we plan for the passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act and the DREAM Act, which would create pathways to citizenship for tens of thousands of Afghans and immigrant young adults. But when we consider other proposals for immigration "reform" being circulated broadly, we prepare to respond to widescale raids, makeshift camps, and indiscriminate deportations that would destroy our communities.

Regardless of what is to come, we remain steadfast in helping all our clients to be able to thrive, stay, and keep calling Minnesota and North Dakota home. Your investment in the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is an investment in our communities, our economy, and in the thousands of essential, hopeful, patient, and resilient immigrants and refugees for whom legal status would open doors to living full, healthy, and happy lives. DONATE TODAY!

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