Dear John,

Here at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) we’re wrapping up the year celebrating a few wins as intakes have increased and we’ve been working to close immigration cases faster, with great outcomes for clients!

I’m thrilled to report this year we’ve closed 1,601 cases for our immigrant and refugee clients, compared to 606 at the same time last year. Just last week, we had a fantastic mission moment I thought you’d enjoy hearing about.

One of our clients was approved for naturalization on December 12 through the help of an ILCM attorney. The client had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and we had assisted him with getting a “disability waiver” for some aspects of the interview. The Officer and the client formed a special bond when the Officer spoke to the client in Spanish and told him that her best childhood friend was from his country. The case was approved at the interview, and our client was offered a spot in the last naturalization ceremony of the year on Monday, December 18!

I was especially moved by this client’s story because my dad became a citizen in a naturalization ceremony in St. Paul 45 years ago this month. It’s what always gets me about the lives we are able to impact here at ILCM: the stories of our clients today harken back to the histories of so many families who came to this land from elsewhere.   

People like you help make these stories possible, especially as we respond to more and more inquiries for help. Your contributions help Minnesota’s immigrants secure legal status in the United States and overcome barriers to obtaining work authorization and citizenship. Please give generously today!

Wishing you happy holidays and a peaceful New Year,

Veena Iyer

Executive Director

P.S. I’ll be sure to connect in the New Year on other ILCM highlights, but I wanted to send a note that we hope you’ll continue your support of ILCM in 2023 through a tax-deductible donation! If you plan to support us again this year, you can donate online by midnight on December 31st or mail your donation (postmarked by December 31st) to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, 450 N Syndicate St. Suite 200 St Paul, MN 55104.