New York Justice For Our Neighbors Inc

ILJNY was one of three sites selected within the ILJ Network to participate in the national Leading with Welcome program, funded by the United Methodist Committee on Relief and coordinated by Church World Service. In 2024, ILJNY provided legal advice, counsel, and in some cases full representation for asylum seekers newly relocated to New York and New Jersey. Through this program, ILJNY partnered with Church World Service to pair case management and social services with legal representation for individuals in affirmative asylum and defensive immigration proceedings. Clients included people fleeing persecution and violence who required urgent legal protection to stabilize their lives and remain with their families in the United States. By participating in Leading with Welcome, ILJNY addressed a critical gap in the asylum system at a time of heightened need.

ILJNY provided community education and outreach programs designed to equip immigrants with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate complex legal processes. ILJNY provided Know Your Rights presentations and legal information sessions at the Church of St. Paul and; St. Andrew United Methodist in Manhattan, where newly arrived migrants participated in group workshops and one-on-one legal consultations. These sessions helped individuals understand requirements such as ICE check-ins, how to change venue to New York immigration court, and the steps for filing asylum or work authorization applications. In addition, ILJNY collaborated with community partners to extend outreach in other spaces, including public venues where immigrant workers and families gather. These efforts ensured that vulnerable populations had access to accurate legal information and guidance.