Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In 2020, ILCM provided legal services in 3,800 individual cases across programs. The outcome of each case affects, on average, three family members, bringing the total to 11,400. Forty-nine percent of clients identified as women and 47 percent of clients identified as men, while the remainder did not disclose a gender identity. Clients came from 107 different countries, with the largest portions coming from Mexico (35 percent), and Burma (13 percent). Other countries of origin included Somalia, Liberia, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Niger. Fifty-four percent of clients identified as Latino/a, 19 percent as Black/African American, and 18 percent as Asian. The remainder identified as White or did not specify their racial/ethnic identity. Citizenship and DACA renewals were the two most common case types representing 27 percent of casework. ILCM is also one of the state’s most trusted providers of immigration law-related education. In 2020, ILCM staff and volunteers reached over 24,000 individuals through 43 individual educational presentations (both virtual and in-person). Due to the advent of COVID-19, ILCM switched to remote outreach in March, leaning on platforms such as Facebook Live events, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. From March to the end of the year, we conducted 15 such events, reaching over 23,000 people. Our Facebook Live events alone were viewed nearly 20,000 times. Topics included general information about ILCM’s services, information on policy changes and executive orders, and general information on immigration laws and procedures. Audience members included immigrants and refugees, advocates, community leaders and organizations, and the public.
Current Goals
To fulfill our mission of supporting low-income immigrant and refugee communities, ILCM has three primary goals:
-Remedy legal problems by providing quality immigration legal services to low-income immigrants and refugees of all nationalities; addressing the primary barriers individuals and families face to achieving legal protections and leading stable lives;
-Prevent legal problems by providing law-related education to immigrants and refugees of all nationalities, which alerts families and networks to available legal protections and rights; and
-Raise public awareness of immigration issues to encourage public policy that is both compassionate and practical and protects the universal human rights of immigrants and refugees.
Community or Constituency Served
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) provides free legal services, education, and advocacy on behalf of immigrants and refugees across Minnesota. In 2020, ILCM provides services to nearly 3,800 individual cases involving clients from 107 different countries.
Geographic Area Served
ILCM provides services to clients who reside in the state of Minnesota.
