Dear John, 

Please join us tomorrow for Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s biggest giving day. With looming threats of mass deportations and potential changes to longstanding immigration pathways, the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) is mobilizing our teams across all program areas to respond quickly as needs arise. Our Community Defense team has been working in deportation defense since 2017 and is preparing for a rise in requests. Our legal and Pro Bono teams are working tirelessly to file as many Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) cases before January. Equally as important, our staff have been standing by our current clients as anxiety and fears are at an all-time high. No matter the circumstances and no matter the pathways to legal status, ILCM is committed to helping our clients live happy and safe lives in our communities. Clients like Morris…  

Morris came to the U.S. from Liberia in 2016 as an orphaned 16-year-old on humanitarian parole to receive medical treatment unavailable in Africa. Due to a severe growth hormone deficiency which made him appear like a child, he needs lifelong medication to prevent organ failure. With no path to permanent residency, Morris’ legal status has been tenuous, leaving him without reliable healthcare access. He feels that returning to Liberia would be a death sentence.

When Morris arrived at ILCM, we explored every available option.  Existing programs either didn’t apply to him or had expired, leaving him with only one temporary path forward: Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). This program grants him temporary protection and access to healthcare until 2026. However, we can’t be certain that even this longstanding temporary program will be safeguarded.   

Since 1996, ILCM has represented and advocated for over 150,000 individuals through the complex process finding legal status and ultimately U.S. citizenship. Our long-standing history shows our commitment to providing reliable support, advocacy, and legal assistance to immigrants and their families, no matter the challenges we face. In this time of uncertainty, something is certain: we are poised to confront challenges threatened by a new administration with the utmost determination and compassion. 

Everyone deserves to be happy, safe, and to simply exist in the United States, without the looming fear of separation or injustice. Clients like Morris deserve their second chance for a better and healthier life. Your donations allow us to carry out our mission and quickly adapt to the changing needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. They need us now, and we need you.    

Donate for Give to the Max Day to help us scale up our deportation defense work and to support the increased filing needs for programs like DACA and Temporary Protected Status from now until January.  

ILCM has persevered through countless challenges, and with your support, we will continue to do so. Please stand with ILCM and the vital work we do by making a gift on Give to the Max Day. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for Minnesota’s immigrant communities. 

Thank you for being part of this mission. 

With gratitude, 

Jenny Stohl Powell 

ILCM Executive Director