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Dear John,
I hope that this email finds you and yours safe and healthy during this extraordinary time. Like most of you, I've been working from home, where I've been in numerous virtual meetings when one or both of my children makes a cameo appearance. As each of us face disruptions and challenges, I hope that you, like me, have also been surprised by moments of compassion, connection, and joy.
Last Wednesday, our physical offices closed to the public, and we experienced the challenges that come from transitioning five physical offices and more than 30 staff and volunteers to remote work within a few days in the middle of a pandemic. We did it thanks to your support over the years, which has built our strong infrastructure and nurtured a resilient staff. [link removed] We ask that you continue that support through this crisis.
Today, our intake and detention lines are open. We conduct virtual intakes with new clients. We support clients with gathering documents and preparing applications using digital technologies and tried-and-true snail mail. We analyze the seismic changes in immigration law practice and share these with the public through our website and social media. In short, we live our mission more than ever.
Our Community Defense attorneys are at the forefront of protecting some of the most vulnerable immigrants and refugees at this time--detainees. As a result of COVID-19, our attorneys are limited to video teleconferencing (VTC) to meet with clients in detention. VTC slots are limited to 20 to 40 minutes and held in a room full of other detainees. The time is wholly insufficient to prepare a client for a hearing to secure protection from deportation and for many clients, certain harm or death. The VTC set-up deprives clients of confidential communications with their attorney, exposing them to potential harm should other detainees or detention center staff overhear sensitive information.
Nevertheless, our Community Defense Team has faced these challenges head on. They quickly developed and presented arguments on the impact of COVID-19 on their clients' cases. Just this past week, they convinced an Immigration Judge to set a bond for one detained client, advocated for an immigrant's immediate release based on immediate parole, and argued for another to receive a green card. They face continued opposition from the government despite this crisis but continue to fight for their clients' freedom.
Many of you have asked how to help with the unique challenges faced by immigrants and refugees in detention. With national and local partners, ILCM is strongly advocating for the release of detainees and changes to detention and immigration court practices. [link removed] Join in this advocacy by taking the actions outlined here. Additionally, the Minnesota Freedom Fund is raising money to help immigrant and refugee families--many of whom are now facing job loss without the safety net of unemployment or public benefits--to pay bond for their loved ones. [link removed] Donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund so that when our attorneys secure bond, families can pay it.
We do not know what the future will hold for ILCM, our clients, or our communities. Uncertainty has become a new norm for all of us. But in the midst of that uncertainty, there is also certainty. Certainty in the commitment, dedication, and passion of ILCM's staff, board members, and volunteers. Certainty in the mutual support of our social service and advocacy partners. And certainty that all of you--our friends past, present, and future--will be here for ILCM to ensure that we are able to support immigrant and refugee communities through this crisis and after.
In solidarity,
Veena
In solidarity,
Veena Iyer
Executive Director
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