Immigration Clinic Match Campaign
NOW – April 22, 2024
From March 1 to April 22, 2024, every dollar donated to the LUM Immigration Clinic will be matched up to a specified amount. Local businesses, individuals and groups will donate the “match money” prior to the campaign. Please join this exciting campaign and support the important work of the Immigration Clinic.
IC Match Campaign – VIP Reception – May 2
SPECIAL EVENT! Every donor who gives $500 or more will be invited to attend the IC Match Campaign Reception on Thursday, May 2 at 6 p.m. at Lafayette Brewing Company (2nd floor event space), 622 Main St, Lafayette, IN 47901.
This reception will provide good food and drinks with a chance to mingle with other LUM Immigration Clinic supporters and learn more about what the LUM Immigration Clinic is doing. Consider giving more to attend. To donate NOW, click HERE.
Five Reasons to Give
Looking for a reason to support the LUM Immigration Clinic? Here are five.
- LUM provides assistance at very low or no cost, helping our immigrant neighbors navigate the complex and daunting US Immigration system. Legal help for many issues can run into the thousands of dollars.
- LUM assists people who are legally entitled to an immigration benefit, but do not have the financial means to claim it.
- The LUM Immigration Clinic has helped hundreds of local people gain citizenship, obtain green cards, and get asylum and temporary protected status. They’ve helped people from all over the world to become Hoosiers.
- LUM has trained volunteers who help stretch every dollar into many more hours of certified legal assistance.
- Every dollar donated to the LUM Immigration Clinic will be matched by our sponsors
Hear an Immigration Clinic Client Story
LUM’s Immigration Clinic: Empowering Venezuelan Immigrants in Pursuit of Work Permits
In a world marred by political turmoil and oppressive regimes, the journey of immigrants seeking refuge and a chance at a better life is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Recently, a father and son duo from Venezuela shared their harrowing tale, shedding light on the invaluable assistance provided by Lafayette Urban Ministry’s Immigration Clinic.
This family’s ordeal began when they found themselves entangled with a general who dared to oppose the Venezuelan government. The consequences were severe—the general was arrested, tortured, and eventually murdered. In an alarming turn of events, even the children of the deceased general faced incarceration. Due to their association with the general, the entire family had to flee Venezuela in a bid to escape the pervasive danger.
Only the father of the family and his son made it to the United States, while the rest of the family had to stay behind in Columbia. The father and son duo embarked on a quest for safety and stability in the US. However, navigating the complex immigration system posed a significant challenge. Their online search for guidance led them to LUM’s Immigration Clinic, a beacon of hope for individuals grappling with the intricacies of the US immigration process.
The father and son quickly scheduled a consultation with LUM, eager to find a solution to their pressing concern—obtaining work permits in the Lafayette area. Within a few days of their inquiry, they found themselves sitting across from dedicated professionals at LUM’s Immigration Clinic. The clinic’s team, well-versed in immigration procedures, worked diligently to assist the family in completing the necessary applications.
The significance of this support cannot be overstated. LUM’s Immigration Clinic not only provided guidance but also became a lifeline for the Venezuelans, offering a tangible path toward work permits in the United States. As they await the approval of their applications, the father and son are filled with hope and gratitude.
Beyond the immediate impact on the individuals directly involved, the story underscores the vital role that organizations like LUM play in fostering a sense of community and support for immigrants. As the world witnesses the resilience of those fleeing oppressive regimes, it is essential to recognize and appreciate the unsung heroes working behind the scenes to make a difference in the lives of those seeking refuge and a chance at a better future.
The LUM Immigration Clinic By the Numbers
In 2023 alone, the LUM Immigration Clinic has provided tens of thousands of dollars worth of no-cost or extremely low-cost legal immigration assistance. The Immigration Clinic served 235 households and helped:
- 17 individuals work towards or achieve U.S. citizenship,
- 24 people obtain or renew their green cards,
- 4 people obtain Temporary Protected Status, and
- 19 people obtain Employment Authorizations,
One client was in danger of having her naturalization petition denied and her green card revoked. She was demoralized and had all but given up. The Immigration Clinic was able to research her case and file the proper paperwork. Her petition was approved, and she is now scheduled for her naturalization ceremony and is a valuable employee at a local business.
With your support, the LUM Immigration Clinic will be able to continue helping local immigrants, just like her, gain their citizenship and pursue the American dream.
Take Our Quiz and Test Your Immigration Knowledge
Everyone who completes the quiz will be entered into a drawing to win their choice of either (1) two tickets to our Match Campaign reception on Thursday, May 2nd at Lafayette Brewing Company OR (2) a copy of The Good Immigrant: 26 Writers Reflect on America.
EVENT SPONSORS – If you would like to be an event sponsor call or email us (765-423-2691 | immigration@lumserve.org). Click HERE to see the 2024 Event Sponsors of the LUM Immigration Clinic Match.
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