Immigration Law & Justice Michigan

We are so excited for our client Milojka Miranovic who was sworn in as a U.S. citizen on Monday this week, along with 79 other new Americans. Milojka is pictured with Staff Attorney Mary Lou Boelcke as well as in the chamber where she was sworn in. Learn more about Milojka and how ILJ-Michigan helps people through the immigration process on our website. Link to full story: https://lnkd.in/gugrK5uh

Did you know that all four of the ILJ-MI offices are hosted by The United Methodist Church? Our home churches provide us with office space, volunteers, community support, and so much more. It truly takes a village to help people navigate the complex legal immigration system in the United States. We are so thankful for our beloved UMC family for welcoming our staff and our clients. (Image: A legal reference book and several pens are shown on the top of a dark wood desktop. Not shown: any identifying information about clients or cases.)

Where do immigrants to Michigan come from? It's probably not (entirely) what you've heard about on the news and from your social networks. Check out the Top 5 ... any surprises?

ILJ-MI's Kalamazoo office is hosting a legal clinic today in partnership with Bethany Christian Services. Thanks to the community volunteers who are helping, we are able to provide legal assistance to dozens of employees of local businesses (and their families) complete the required immigration paperwork. Immigrants are a vital part of Michigan's economy and population growth, adding $67.8 billion to the state's GDP, and accounting for 57.7% of the state's population growth (2022). Did you know that there are more than 687,000 new Americans who call the Great Lakes State their home? Nearly 7% of all Michigan residents are immigrants and 14% of Michigan residents are either immigrants or have an immigrant parent.

Our Co-Legal Director, Marcelo N. Betti, discusses the influx of Ukrainian refugees who have relocated to the Traverse City, Michigan area. Thanks to generous support from donors, faith communities, and foundations, we have been able to provide pro bono legal services for hundreds of refugees. The original story was posted in the Traverse City Record-Eagle. We appreciate their support of our Legal Clinic on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

Our May 2024 Newsletter is now available! May's newsletter is stacked with Michigan Immigration news including: A new report suggesting Immigrants will be integral to the US workforce in the near future. Advocates marching in Downtown Lansing for Driver's Licenses for all. We also highlight some new interns as well as say goodbye to a founding member of our company. Access our May 2024 newsletter below: https://lnkd.in/gDH62vGe

Our April newsletter is hot off the presses! In it you'll find a message from our new Executive Director Julie Powers, a heartwarming client story about a mother whose son helped her get citizenship after nearly a decade without status, and lastly a few ILJ-MI announcements about our book club, national volunteer month and the success of our Spring Into Action initiative. https://lnkd.in/gCa9JxjR

Learn more about immigration! Join our legal director, Marcelo Betti, to learn more about the U.S. immigration system and how ILJ-MI makes a difference in the lives of our clients. Register for our virtual presentation here: https://lnkd.in/e69dvgiD Click here to learn more about Spring Into Action: https://lnkd.in/e_MD9qMd

We know that 2024 is going to be an incredibly difficult year for immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers. Spring into Action is a week of activities to help you make a difference in the lives of immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers across Michigan through a week of interactive virtual events, presentations and activities. We will also help you learn more about ILJ-MI and the work we do, explore the realities of the U.S. immigration system, and help you engage with advocacy efforts at the state level. Join us for Spring Into Action 2024 and make your voice heard! Join us at 6pm EST for trivia and see if you have what it takes to pass the US naturalization exam Register here: https://lnkd.in/gQdp_AVy Click here to learn more about Spring Into Action: https://lnkd.in/gfdXXm_d

A brief introduction from Julie Powers, the newly appointed Executive Director of Immigration Law & Justice Michigan.