OUR WORK
Legal representation changes lives
Access to legal counsel can be the difference between family separation and stability. AIJN helps immigrants access trusted, high quality immigration attorneys and community support.
WHAT WE DO
Removing Barriers to
Immigration Justice
Many of our neighbors face the complex immigration system without access to affordable representation. Without legal counsel, immigrants are far more likely to experience prolonged detention, family separation, or deportation.
AIJN exists to ensure immigrant neighbors in Anne Arundel County can access the legal protection they deserve. We remove the biggest barriers to justice —
cost, transportation, and access to trusted legal counsel — so families can pursue safety, stability, and a future.
OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Together with our community, we help immigrant families find protection and dignity.
1,400+
immigrant neighbors provided with services
accompaniment rides provided to court hearings and legal appointments
1,115
580
cases have received financial assistance through our legal fund
OUR PROGRAMS
Our Work in Action
Legal Fund
Through our legal fund, we provide financial assistance toward attorney fees and essential legal filings for individuals and families pursuing relief.
Case Management
Through bilingual case management, individuals and families are guided through complex immigration processes, and receive ongoing support.
Accompaniment Program
Volunteers provide transportation and support for court hearings and legal appointments—so our neighbors know they are never alone.
Our programs are designed to work together —
Combining legal funding, case management, and accompaniment to help families navigate the immigration process.
Why Legal Representation Matters
The American immigration system is notoriously complex and exclusionary, and the situation continues to worsen. Without a green card or protected status, many immigrants face the constant risk of deportation and are excluded from essential jobs, healthcare, and social services.
There are no court-appointed attorneys or public defenders in immigration court. Most of our clients face language barriers, and many are unaccompanied minors.
Key statistics:
Without legal representation, non-detained immigrants are more than 2.5x more likely to be ordered deported in immigration court
Over 50% of people facing deportation in immigration court don’t have an attorney
Detained individuals who were unrepresented were more than
10% more likely to be ordered removed than those with legal representation.
Legal counsel changes lives — and futures.
“
AIJN helped me connect with a lawyer to start the process to get a work permit. They helped with transportation and partially covered the cost of my attorney. Through my lawyer, I was granted asylum."
— AIJN Client, mother of two
Legal Fund
Our legal fund aims to remove cost as a barrier to justice by directly supporting attorneys’ fees for individuals and families pursuing immigration relief.
We believe in the right to due process.
Financial support is provided for legal consultations, court filings, and representation for cases with a strong likelihood of success. For ongoing expenses, our low-bono legal partners and clients work together to determine fair and accessible payment plans.
Legal representation can change the trajectory for an entire family—creating stability and long-term protection under the law.
Case Management
Immigration cases are complex and often take years to resolve. Our bilingual case management team provides consistent, long-term support to clients as they navigate this process.
Case managers help track court dates, coordinate legal appointments, assist with paperwork and translations, and connect clients with critical wraparound services. By offering continuity and clarity, we help ensure that families remain in good standing throughout their case and are never left navigating the system alone.
For many clients, including unaccompanied minors, this support can be the difference between confusion and fear versus stability and confidence.
Accompaniment Program
Lack of transportation is one of the biggest barriers preventing immigrants from accessing legal representation.
Volunteers in our Accompaniment Program provide reliable transportation, companionship, and reassurance for clients attending immigration court hearings, ICE check-ins, and legal appointments throughout Anne Arundel County.
For clients facing long, intimidating processes, knowing someone will show up makes all the difference.
“
Having a volunteer take me to my appointment was so helpful. I was glad to not be alone."
— AIJN Client
Questions? Email volunteer@aijnetwork.org