Friend,
 

Like many communities across America, my Brooklyn neighborhood is experiencing an increase in ICE activity and enforcement. While ICE presence in New York City is not new, the frequency, brazenness, and proximity of armed officers to my own home is. As an ally of the immigrant community and believer in due process and human rights, I'm writing to share my own grief, fear, and frustration during this dark moment in our country’s history and how we at Justicia Lab have been responding.

In these tumultuous times for immigrant communities, reliable and accessible information is more crucial than ever. I’m proud that Justicia Lab has been meeting this moment by investing in updates to immi.org, an online resource designed to empower immigrants and their families with the tools and knowledge to navigate the U.S. immigration system. Over the past year, we’ve been working around the clock to update our Make A Plan Interview and immigration options assessment tool. 

The Make A Plan interview is a proven, indispensable resource for preparing for the unexpected. In a climate of heightened uncertainty, it’s vital for families to have a proactive strategy. This interview guides individuals through a structured process to identify how to protect themselves, their loved ones, their property, and their finances. From establishing emergency contacts and designating caregivers for children to safeguarding financial accounts and important documents, "Make A Plan" offers clear, actionable steps to ensure immigrants can create their own roadmap to stability for the important elements in their lives.

Additionally, we're recently revamped our immigration options assessment. This efficient interview is designed to provide rapid clarity on potential immigration pathways. In this difficult climate, identifying relevant forms of relief for people who may qualify for programs such as asylum, visas for victims of human trafficking, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) protections, family immigration options and more is critical to safety planning. 

At Justicia Lab, we believe that access to clear, accurate, and timely information is fundamental to the immigrant rights movement.  As you consider your annual gifting and donations, I hope you’ll consider supporting the Immigration Advocates Network and Justicia Lab.

Thank you for helping us equip our communities with the knowledge to confidently navigate their immigration journeys.

In Unity,
Rodrigo

About Justicia Lab

Justicia Lab is Pro Bono Net’s immigrant justice technology lab, and a nonprofit legal tech initiative whose mission is to transform immigrant justice through collaboration, creativity, and technology. We work hand in hand with immigrants and their advocates to identify common challenges and incubate scalable digital tools to advance help immigrants navigate our immigration system, find workplace justice, and more.