Join the Spotlight: American Gateways

Out of American gatewaysThis month’s top nonprofit:

American Gateways’ mission is to advocate for the dignity and human rights of immigrants, refugees, and survivors of persecution, torture, conflict, and human trafficking through exceptional free or low-cost immigration legal services, education, and advocacy.

For 37 years, American Gateways has become an essential legal service provider for low-income immigrants in Central Texas and is recognized as one of the most effective and efficient providers of immigration legal services in the country. American Gateways responds directly to the changing needs of the immigrant community. We maintain a frontline presence, providing critical legal representation and education to immigrants who desperately need it. Last year, we served 12,000 very low-income immigrants who made 200% or less of the federal poverty guidelines. Without the help of American Gateways, these individuals would not be able to afford legal representation.

American Gateways offers three basic types of legal services:

• Information about the legal process of immigration and current legal issues for both the immigrant community and the general public. These efforts are becoming increasingly important as new policies are adopted that have major consequences for our immigrant neighbors and our communities at large

• Individual advice and support for immigrants through consultations and legal advice. We help people understand how to apply for immigration benefits. Our support ranges from helping asylum seekers complete and submit their applications to working with long-term residents to apply for U.S. citizenship.

• Full legal representation for all types of humanitarian immigration issues, including asylum, deportation protection, and assistance to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Every day we see the impact of full legal representation: families remain intact, people leave abusive relationships, and asylum seekers can rebuild their lives without fear of torture or persecution. We serve our clients from the beginning of the case to its conclusion, which can take years or even decades. Last year we represented over 1,800 individuals and their families from 65 different countries.

Volunteer opportunities:

Our work would not be possible without the commitment of volunteers from the community. Each year we receive over $1,000,000 in volunteer and volunteer support. Find out how you can get involved here.

Attorneys can volunteer with American Gateways to provide legal representation, assist with research, and more. All volunteer attorneys have access to personal attention, regular training, office support, and the latest legal resources.

Beyond legal casework, American Gateways offers a variety of volunteer services ranging from translation and interpreting services to writing welcome letters for those incarcerated without community or family support and more.

Donate! You can also get involved by donating directly to support our work, our mission and the communities we serve. Make a one-time or monthly donation to defend justice for our immigrant neighbors.

www.americangateways.org