Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In 2023, ILCM provided legal services in 3,033 individual cases across programs. The outcome of each case affects, on average, three family members, bringing the total number of people impacting over 9,000 individuals. 79 percent of ILCM clients received full representation, while 21 percent received advice, brief services, or have been placed on the waiting list for full representation. Clients came from 102 different countries, with the largest segments coming from Mexico (37 percent) and Burma (11 percent). Other countries of origin included Ukraine, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Afghanistan. Of all Minnesota clients in 2023, 91 percent of clients were people of color. Fifty-five percent of clients identified as women and 44 percent of clients identified as men, while one client identified as transgender, and three clients identified as gender neutral. Our top three case types were citizenship (27 percent); DACA renewals (24 percent); and Humanitarian (18 percent). In 2023, ILCM staff and volunteers reached 3,358 individuals through 94 individual educational presentations. In 2023, ILCM continued to drew on lessons learned during COVID-19 to continue to offer many of its presentations in a virtual format, while also increasing the number of in-person events. Topics have included Immigration 101 education, an overview of services offered by ILCM, and informational sessions about the changes to immigration eligibility and processes. Our audience for these events is made up of immigrants, refugees, advocates, community leaders, organizations, and the general public—showcasing the broad reach of ILCM's educational efforts.
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 2023, ILCM provided services to nearly 3,033 individual cases involving clients from 102 different countries.
Geographic Area Served
ILCM provides services to clients who reside in the state of Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota.
