OUR HISTORY

AIJN is, at its core, a deeply hopeful organization.
Hope is what brings immigrants to the United States.
Hope is the foundation that AIJN was built upon
by community members who refused to believe there was nothing they could do.” 

- Gabriela Kahrl, Esq., former Board Vice President & immigration attorney

Neighbors came together

In 2017, a group of over 40 neighbors gathered in response to seeing their immigrant neighbors in fear, being detained, and facing unexpected arrests. Working to meet the vast needs of immigrants in our community, we quickly realized there was a real need for immigration legal services in Anne Arundel County.

Immigrants in our county simply could not afford to pay expensive legal fees, and the inability to hire an attorney was putting them at risk of losing their cases. 

Annapolis Immigration Justice Network (AIJN) was formed by volunteers who created a legal fund and a network of immigration attorneys so families could retain vetted, high-quality legal counsel.

THE GAP

What We Saw

As founding members learned more about the immigration legal system, a clear pattern emerged:

  • Quality immigration attorneys were often cost-prohibitive

  • Nonprofits with in-house legal teams had limited capacity for new cases

  • Without representation, due process was inaccessible for many

THE RESPONSE

Building a Legal Safety Net

In response, AIJN created a legal fund and began connecting immigrant families with trusted, low-bono immigration attorneys.

By providing financial assistance for legal fees and coordinating support services — including transportation and referrals — AIJN helped ensure families could pursue their cases with dignity, stability, and qualified legal counsel.

In 2018, a young boy in our community faced an immigration hearing alone.

Jose arrived at the U.S. border at age 5, but his mother couldn’t afford an attorney. A nonprofit determined he was eligible to apply for a visa but they didn’t have the capacity to take his case.

AIJN stepped in and through our legal fund, he was able to retain a high quality immigration attorney and support for him and his family as they navigated the very complex system.

In 2026…

After securing an attorney and receiving case management support through AIJN, Jose not only obtained his visa; he also received his green card.

The little boy who arrived here at age 5 is now a thriving teenager on a pathway to U.S. citizenship.

THE WORK AHEAD

The need for legal protection has not diminished — and neither has our commitment.

AIJN exists to ensure access to due process by providing legal counsel and support services to immigrant neighbors. We stand alongside families as they pursue justice, stability, and a future.