A message to Friends and Supporters of LALDEF in connection with Changes in US Immigration Policies and Procedures

As you can imagine, undocumented immigrants in our local communities are trying to better understand their rights and expedite their pathway to citizenship. They have questions, fears, and uncertainties regarding changes in United States immigration policies and procedures. And those changes are happening quickly. To date, the incoming administration has ordered the suspension of refugee resettlement efforts, declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, and directed US troops to restrict refugees and asylum seekers. It is evident that the new administration’s aggressive response to undocumented immigrants will not let up soon.

 

All of us at The Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund are working diligently to address the concerns in our Mercer County communities. Our aim is to do all we can to help everyone know their rights, and act accordingly, in our neighborhoods and beyond. Local law enforcement officers, healthcare providers and other front lines professionals have respected our assistance for more than two decades, and they are counting on us now.

 

With the support of partnering entities, generous donors and dedicated volunteers, LALDEF champions our immigrant neighbors and families. We actively strengthen their network of resources and help them understand their options and responsibilities. We are experiencing a significant influx of new inquiries, and we anticipate that demand will continue to increase in the weeks and months to come. We expect this rapidly changing and highly politicized landscape to challenge us in ways we have not experienced in our past.

 

We will continue to promote the rights of all immigrants, facilitate access to health care, education and legal representation; advocate for the integration of immigrants; and foster inter-cultural communication because we know our impact is life changing. And we know we only succeed by working together.

 

For more information on how you can help, please visit our website, www.laldef.org. We especially need new and renewed donors to help us expand our capacity to serve. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to fighting together for the families we serve.