Dear John,

This year, more than ever before, our immigrant and refugee communities need your help! Considering the uncertainty caused by divisive rhetoric and proposed policies of the new presidential administration that are threatening mass deportations and restrictive pathways to citizenship, the stability and safety of thousands of families in Minnesota are at risk. Many of these changes can be accomplished with just one stroke of the President’s pen.


Minnesota is the home for [link removed] nearly half a million of immigrants who strengthen our communities, contribute to our economy, and enrich our culture. Among them, [link removed] 81,000—approximately 16%—are undocumented. Nevertheless, 77% of Minnesota’s immigrant population is employed, including 70% of undocumented individuals, with 74% of whom have lived in the state for over five years, establishing deep roots in our state. Despite their contributions, immigrants often face formidable legal challenges. As of October 2024, there are approximately [link removed] 42,159 immigration court cases pending for immigrants who reside in Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota, of which 25,172 are unrepresented. The lack of accessible legal resources leaves immigrants without representation at court, jeopardizing the lives of individuals and their families while also depriving communities of active, contributing members.


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Help Immigrants and Refugees Today

So, what could be the immediate impact for Minnesota immigrant and refugee communities under our next president?

Aggressive Detention, Large-Scale Raids, and Mass Deportation: The new administration has threatened to expand its deportation operations on “day one” of President-elect Trump being in office, [link removed] planning to deport and detain millions of people. While blanket laws targeting immigrants indiscriminately will not go unchallenged, President-elect Trump has indicated plans to mobilize the military and local police to make these arrests and conduct sweeps in communities. Trump's assault on immigration in 2025 could be“[link removed] on a scale unseen in modern American history”, reminiscent of the [link removed] 2006 Swift & Co. meatpacking plant raid in Minnesota’s most diverse county.


Ending of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs: President-elect Trump has a history of trying to terminate TPS protections, but he was blocked by the courts in the past. There’s a real risk he could succeed this time. He has also pledged to bring back several of his restrictive immigration policies, which could tighten eligibility requirements and create new hurdles for individuals seeking asylum or adjusting their immigration status.

Attempts to End Birthright Citizenship: President Trump has stated that if he’s reelected, he pledges to pass an executive order to end the recognition of birthright citizenship. While the legality of this is questionable, many families are left not knowing how they will be impacted.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. So much work remains, so many more people need our help. The year may be ending, but the fight is just ramping up. Together, we can do more!

Your gift today ensures that ILCM can:

* Expedite our filings for DACA and TPS to secure temporary relief for as many individuals as possible.

*
Expand our legal team to meet rising demand and enhance our ability to handle complex cases efficiently, reducing wait times and improving client satisfaction.

* Scale up our deportation defense work to protect families from separation.

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Invest in further outreach efforts and increase our training programs, like our “Know Your Rights” sessions, for Minnesotan communities where access to legal information is limited.

* Advocate and educate for humane policies that help immigrant and refugees have happy, safe, and healthier lives.

Stand with immigrants and refugees in Minnesota during this critical time. Your generosity helps our efforts of creating a resilient, diverse community that values and supports their immigrant members through clear and fair legal representation and equal opportunities for a better life.

[link removed] Will you make a gift today to help us meet the rising need for legal representation before the inauguration for immigrants and refugees in Minnesota?

Thank you for your partnership.

Jennifer Stohl Powell
Executive Director

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