RMIAN Stands with Immigrants as the Country Waits for Election Results
RMIAN stands resolutely with our clients and will continue to monitor any developments in the presidential election.
As the United States Waits for Election Results, RMIAN Stands with Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers Across Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Region, and the Country.
RMIAN stands resolutely with our clients and will continue to monitor any developments in the presidential election. If you are a RMIAN client or an affected community member, and you have questions about how the election impacts your status, please call RMIAN’s office for a free consultation at (303) 433-2812. If you have a question relating to a person in immigration detention, you can call RMIAN’s detention hotline at (303) 866-9308. RMIAN’s list of resources for impacted people can be found here in English and here in Spanish.
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Mientras Estados Unidos Aguarda los Resultados de la Elección Presidencial, RMIAN Apoya a los Inmigrantes, Refugiados, y Solicitantes de Asilo en Todo Colorado, la Región de las Montañas Rocosas, y el País.
RMIAN apoya decididamente a nuestros clientes y continuará monitoreando cualquier desarrollo en la elección presidencial. Si usted es un cliente de RMIAN o un miembro de la comunidad afectada, y tiene preguntas sobre cómo la elección afecta su estado migratorio, llame a la oficina de RMIAN para una consulta gratuita al (303) 433-2812. Si tiene una pregunta relacionada con una persona en detención de inmigración, puede llamar a la línea directa de detención de RMIAN al (303) 866-9308. La lista de recursos para personas afectadas de RMIAN se puedeencontrar aquí en inglés y aquí en español.
"I Was Sure I Would Be Deported Until an Attorney Informed Me of My Rights"
This blog post features the story of Jonathan, a RMIAN client originally from Nicaragua who received immigration relief with the support of his RMIAN attorney. RMIAN was able to represent Jonathan through its partnership with the City of Denver Immigrant Legal Services Funds and the Vera Institute of Justice’s SAFE Initiative. Read Jonathan’s story, in his own words, here.
Upcoming Webinar: “From the Ground Up: Advocating for Immigrant Clients"
Join UCLA Law’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy and David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy for a special discussion, “From the Ground Up: Advocating for Immigrant Clients,” on Friday, Oct. 23, 12:15 to 1:30 pm Pacific. Please RSVP here for the webinar details. Among the panelists for this discussion are RMIAN Founding Board Member, Hiroshi Motomura, and RMIAN Executive Director, Mekela Goehring.
Please join UCLA Law’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy and David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy for a special discussion, “From the Ground Up: Advocating for Immigrant Clients,” on Friday, Oct. 23, 12:15 to 1:30 pm Pacific. Please RSVP here for the webinar details. California MCLE credit available. Among the panelists for this discussion are RMIAN Founding Board Member, Hiroshi Motomura, and RMIAN Executive Director, Mekela Goehring.
Many law students and lawyers want to work with immigrants and on immigration issues, but in today’s climate of significant anti-immigrant hostility and policymaking, it is not always clear how to make the most meaningful impact for these communities. Join a national panel of lawyers and advocates exploring how their work representing individual immigrant clients and advocating at local and regional levels protects and lifts up immigrants “from the ground up.”
Professor Hiroshi Motomura, Susan Westerberg Prager Distinguished Professor of Law and Inaugural Faculty Director, Center for Immigration Law and Policy, UCLA School of Law (moderator)
Gabriel Arellano, Director of Legal Representation, Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project
Judith Clerjeune, Policy and Legislative Affairs Manager, Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition
Mekela Goehring, Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network
Lisa Weissman-Ward, Lecturer in Law and Supervising Attorney, Stanford Law School Immigrants’ Rights Clinic
Today is RMIAN's twentieth anniversary!
Today—October 6th—is the 20th anniversary of RMIAN’s founding as a nonprofit organization providing free immigration legal services in Colorado. RMIAN was founded 20 years ago in response to the gross injustices of not providing lawyers for individuals in the Aurora immigration detention center.
Community Event on the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund
Join RMIAN attorney Shaleen Morales tomorrow at 6pm via FacebookLive to learn about the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund: https://fb.me/e/3DJqh1def. Event is in Spanish!
Info Sessions on Becoming a Sponsor for an LGBT Asylum Seeker
The American Friends Service Committee, RMIAN, the Asylum Seekers Sponsorship Project and the Transgender Law Center are hosting a series of information sessions on how to become a sponsor for an LGBT asylum seeker in Colorado. For more information, visit: RMIAN talks LGBTQ Sponsorship in Colorado & bit.ly/LGBTSponsor.
The American Friends Service Committee, RMIAN, the Asylum Seekers Sponsorship Project and the Transgender Law Center are hosting a series of information sessions on how to become a sponsor for an LGBT asylum seeker in Colorado. For more information, visit: RMIAN talks LGBTQ Sponsorship in Colorado & bit.ly/LGBTSponsor.
César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández Denver Post Guest Commentary
“In this moment of exceptional trauma when ordinary people carry extraordinary burdens, funding immigrant defense remains necessary. I’m proud to live in a community committed to improving the quality of justice in our immigration courts.”
“In this moment of exceptional trauma when ordinary people carry extraordinary burdens, funding immigrant defense remains necessary. I’m proud to live in a community committed to improving the quality of justice in our immigration courts.”
Registration Open for RMIAN Annual CBA CLE: Oct. 15, 2020
Registration is open for RMIAN’s annual all-day CLE with the Colorado Bar Association. The event will be held Oct. 15, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:10 p.m. and will be virtual. The program has been submitted for 7 general CLE credits, and costs just $75 for those who commit to taking a case pro bono through RMIAN. Registration is here.
Overview: Registration is open for RMIAN’s annual all-day CLE with the Colorado Bar Association. The training will be held Oct. 15, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:10 p.m. and will be virtual. The program has been submitted for 7 general CLE credits, and costs just $75 for those who commit to taking a case pro bono through RMIAN. Registration is here.
Program Description: COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for immigrant communities and individuals in immigration proceedings. The need for legal representation is now greater than ever.
In the morning, the program will focus on zealous immigration advocacy, asylum, and practice before immigration courts and agencies in the time of COVID-19. Then participants can choose from two tracks that will dive into immigration enforcement and detention and bond practices, plus the intersection of immigration law and criminal law; or protections for immigrant crime victims and special immigrant juvenile status. The day will conclude with a mock immigration court hearing.
Defend and advance the rights of non-citizens
Serve the community by taking a pro-bono case
Choose from a variety of helpful sessions
Event, 9/16, 6pm, Facebook - Know Your Rights: CO Immigration Court & COVID-19
We're Hiring: Development & Communications Specialist
RMIAN is hiring a Development & Communications Specialist. We’re looking to bring in a rockstar writer and process manager to orchestrate the overall fundraising process, produce the bulk of our written fundraising materials, and support general communications work. If this is you, read more about the position and how to apply here.
As a growing nonprofit, RMIAN aims to be as efficient and effective with the resources we have. In fundraising, that means following a sales-based system: having a focus on connecting 1x1 with our best prospects, sharing the story of our impact, and inviting people to invest in the change we are creating. With the Executive Director as the lead salesperson for the organization, we are looking to bring in a rockstar writer and process manager to orchestrate the overall fundraising process, produce the bulk of our written fundraising materials, and support general communications work.
This position is meant for someone who enjoys being behind the scenes, thrives in finding the best way to help the team be even more effective, and is a systems thinker who is proactive and can work independently. This is an ideal position for someone who has learned the ropes of grant writing and development processes (has 3-5 years of nonprofit experience, not necessarily only in development work), and is ready to grow to the next level in responsibility.
The ideal candidate:
Has knowledge and experience around immigration legal and social services and a strong commitment to immigrant justice — this person has worked either directly with or closely with immigrants’ rights or other social justice organizations and is passionate about RMIAN’s work and mission.
Is an exceptional writer and storyteller – they ask questions and listen carefully to capture the details and find the connections that others will care about, and then uses their well-honed writing skills to document these stories. This is a person who is curious about the “why” and the impact, who wants to understand all the aspects that contributed to success, who can find the stories that need to be told.
Is a natural builder – this person has gravitated toward roles that didn’t exist before, has a start-up mentality, and creates things with minimal resources. This person is constantly assessing how processes could be improved and actively working to share those ideas and implement improvements.
Gets how to keep people focused on the goal – they have experience with project management and positively influencing people to get things done. In particular, this person excels at engaging and motivating colleagues at all levels to keep moving toward results.
Feels a real sense of ownership to get things done as a partner to the team – this person sees it as their responsibility to help others be effective, using creative ideas, finding joy in routine tasks, and staying focused on the goal.
Is an organizational whiz. This person LOVES handling details and multiple projects running in parallel, methodically creating and working through checklists. This is the kind of person who might color-code their calendar or create a spreadsheet to plan a trip.
Has a comfort level engaging with and speaking to small groups. This is someone who loves to promote issues they care about, and enjoys sharing compelling stories - they may not see themselves as a key public speaker, but has confidence in hosting smaller gatherings on their own.
Responsibilities
RMIAN is a growing team, and this is a new position. The set of responsibilities outlined here will evolve over time, based on the organization’s needs and the strengths of the person hired. Key duties include:
Development Writing (50%)
Develop and maintain the grants calendar, with key deadlines and actions
Serve as project manager for each proposal and report, pulling in other team members at appropriate times in the process
Research potential grant opportunities and support the prospect strategy process
Craft grant proposals, letters of intent, and reports
Prepare and customize written correspondence for prospects and funders, including predisposition letters, follow-up materials, and thank-you notes
Create PowerPoints and other funder presentation materials
Develop templates and write stories of RMIAN’s impact for use in development materials
Fundraising Process Management & Support (40%)
Manage the fundraising process:
Own the process and tools of managing funder prospects and progress to goals
Manage the complete list of funding prospects, including securing updates from relationship managers
Run regular sales team meetings to ensure accountability and progress to fundraising goals
Coordinate with team members on grant budgets and supporting documents
Strengthen systems around processing and acknowledging gifts, and long-term stewardship of funder relationships
Maintain and update donor database and establish related systems, processes, and training for the team
Provide high-level project management and vision for special events, including coordinating with other team members, external event planners, and vendors
Represent RMIAN at small fundraising events, including brief oral presentations
Provide research and support for prospect visits as needed
Attend some prospect visits to listen, take notes, and support
Communications (10%)
Work with the team to support the communications strategy, identifying projects and processes for development
Craft talking points for speeches, thought leadership, and other activities
Provide other communications support as needed
Location: This position is based in Westminster, Colorado.
Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package.
CONTACT AND FURTHER INFORMATION
If this profile calls out to you, please send a tailored, authentic cover letter that explains 1) why this mission excites you; and 2) why this particular role is a fit for you – along with your resume – to hr@rmian.org
RMIAN is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, members of the LGBTQ community, and other underrepresented and marginalized groups. RMIAN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status or veteran status. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment free from discrimination.
Westword: Colorado Advocates Pushing for Statewide Immigrant Legal Defense Fund
RMIAN and partner advocates are pushing for Colorado lawmakers to create a statewide fund that would pay for the legal representation of indigent immigrants held in civil detention, expanding upon the City of Denver fund initiated in 2018. "It’s been a merits-blind representation system," explains Mekela Goehring, executive director of RMIAN. "This is truly a universal representation model. This is the gold standard for anyone who cares about social justice and fundamental fairness before immigration court."
Immigration is an LGBTQ Issue: Love Across Borders
RMIAN will be co-sponsoring a 4-week series presented by Mariposa and the Althea Center titled: “Immigration is an LGBTQ Issue: Love Across Borders.” This program will highlight some of the traumatizing circumstances and the critical needs of our LGBTQ community members seeking asylum in the U.S. Learn more about and register for this 4-week program here.
Virtual Immigrant Liberty Awards - Honoring Patricia Medige
RMIAN co-found and Board President, Patricia Medige, accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Annual Immigrant Liberty Awards, benefiting RMIAN.
Patricia Medige accepts the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Immigrant Liberty Award at the 15th Annual Immigrant Liberty Awards event, benefiting RMIAN.
Presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Patricia Medige
For 20 years — two decades! — Pat Medige has been the leader of RMIAN’s Board of Directors, a resolute but gentle hand on the tiller, always with compass in hand and a keen sense of where our North Star lies. Pat has guided RMIAN from its early days as a band of volunteers through the broadening of its service net to include RMIAN’s programs for children and for social services, and now through today’s urgent moment, when the lives of immigrants — and of so many of the vulnerable in our communities — are in peril. Through her constant willingness to ask the right questions at the right time, to pay attention to the details that matter, and above all her willingness to do the hard and often unsung work that needs doing, Pat Medige has not only transformed the social justice movement in Colorado and beyond, but also brought light and hope to so many people, families, and communities.
- Hiroshi Motomura, RMIAN co-founder, Board Member, Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law
Patricia Medige, a RMIAN co-founder and President of RMIAN's Board of Directors, has represented low wage workers and immigrant crime victims with Colorado nonprofit organizations since 1995. In 2014 she was appointed to the Colorado Human Trafficking Council, established under HB 14-1273. Honors include: co-recipient of the Freedom Network’s Paul and Sheila Wellstone Award recognizing outstanding anti-trafficking work (2009) and the AILA Colorado Chapter Outstanding Member Award (2016).
RMIAN Launches Endowment Fund
In honor of RMIAN’s 20th anniversary, and during its weeklong celebration of the 2020 Immigrant Liberty Awards, themed “Here to Stay,” RMIAN is delighted to announce the launch of the RMIAN Endowment Fund. This Fund will be housed at Rose Community Foundation. RMIAN’s endowment fund is designed to create a permanent, self-sustaining, and reliable source of funding to support RMIAN’s work long into the future.
"RMIAN's Endowment Fund represents the strength of our organization and is an announcement to the greater community that RMIAN is truly here to stay," says RMIAN Board member Stephanie Aretz, part of the RMIAN Endowment Fund planning team.
“Rose Community Foundation is honored to be partnering with RMIAN and stewarding an endowment fund that will help ensure justice for immigrants long into the future,” states Amelia Fink, Director of Nonprofit Funds and Endowments at Rose Community Foundation.
If you are interested in supporting RMIAN’s work for future generations and ensuring RMIAN is HERE TO STAY as a stalwart for immigrant justice long into the future, please contact RMIAN.
Virtual Immigrant Liberty Awards - Honoring Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP
Kenzo Kawanabe & Shalyn Kettering of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP accept the Pro Bono Service Award at the 15th Annual Immigrant Liberty Awards, benefiting RMIAN.
Kenzo Kawanabe & Shalyn Kettering of Davis Graham & Stubbs accept the Pro Bono Service Award at the 15th Annual Immigrant Liberty Awards.
For over a century, Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP (DGS) has ranked among the Rocky Mountain region’s most prominent law firms, consistently offering quality legal services to emerging and established businesses. While the firm’s Denver headquarters and intermediate size allow a close personal relationship with local and regional clients, our technology, broad experience, and status as the exclusive Colorado member firm for the Lex Mundi global network allow us to partner effectively with businesses and their investors throughout the world.
DGS attorneys have a long tradition of serving Colorado’s business, professional, civic, and cultural communities. Our lawyers take leadership roles in legal professional organizations, law schools, pro bono representations, charitable and civic organizations, and governmental agencies, boards, and commissions. We ask our attorneys to get involved in what they love and make a difference through their involvement.
Through our participation in the Colorado Supreme Court's Pro Bono Recognition Program, DGS is committed to upholding the firm's pledge of providing at least 50 hours of legal community or pro bono service per attorney per year. In recent years, DGS lawyers have completed thousands of hours of pro bono and community service work annually. Many DGS attorneys represent clients who cannot afford legal services, thereby providing them with a critical means of access to justice.
DGS is a founding member of the Colorado Lawyers Committee (CLC), a consortium of Colorado firms that work together to undertake significant pro bono cases. In 2019, DGS implemented a Credible Fear Interview Program in partnership with CLC and RMIAN. DGS was selected as one of four firms to participate in this pilot program to help prepare asylum seekers at the Aurora ICE detention center for their credible fear interviews. DGS lawyers have assisted with more than 70 credible fear interviews and have also successfully represented numerous clients in their asylum merits hearings. These favorable outcomes confirm that lawyers are uniquely positioned to help change lives and promote a more just society.
Celebrating Client Success
The first time Yelena (pictured left) was arrested, she was only 15 years old and participating in a human rights protest alongside her mother. She was separated from her mother, abused, and intimidated by police officers. At just 19 years old, she was forced to flee her home country of Cuba after being arrested a second time. She was falsely charged and threatened for voicing her political opinion and had no other choice but to flee for her life and seek refuge in the United States, just as her father and uncle were forced to do when Yelena was only four years old. Yelena spent four months in immigration detention before winning her asylum case and her freedom. "Having asylum has changed my life," says Yelena. "I feel safe now and don't have to worry about speaking my mind."
A donation of $6,000 helps RMIAN to provide free legal services to other asylum seekers like Yelena. Please make your contribution today to help RMIAN reach its goal of raising $50,000 through the Immigrant Liberty Awards Event.
Virtual Immigrant Liberty Awards - Honoring Representative Jason Crow
U.S. Representative Jason Crow accepts the 2020 Immigrant Liberty Award at the 15th Annual Immigrant Liberty Awards event, benefiting RMIAN.
Congressman Jason Crow (CO 6th District) accepts the 2020 Immigrant Liberty Award at the 15th Annual Immigrant Liberty Awards event, benefiting RMIAN
Congressman Jason Crow (CO 6th District) has worked tirelessly with human rights advocates and local government officials to champion the rights of immigrants and refugees by bringing critical national attention to U.S. immigration detention conditions and by increasing oversight of the privately operated facility in Aurora through the creation of the first of its kind ICE Accountability Report in July 2019. This oversight report, written after weekly on-site visits by Rep. Crow and staff, provides transparency and accountability to the detention system by monitoring the well-being of detained immigrants and refugees and the public health risks to the community. Rep. Crow has introduced the Public Oversight of Detention Center (POD) Act to ensure that Congress has oversight access to all detention facilities. He also helped introduce the Refugee Protection Act to support refugees, including setting a 95,000 minimum admission level, updating the asylum process, improving Special Immigrant Visa programs, and supporting immigrant children.
Celebrating Client Success
Jeremmy, a 33 year-old from Nicaragua, wrote this about his asylum case:
"I left my country due to socio political conflicts and for being in active opposition to the regime of the ruling government. Upon arriving at the border of the United States, I was interviewed by an immigration official and sent to be detained in the GEO Aurora Ice detention center. I was detained there for almost eight months, during which time I was fighting my asylum case. The help from the people at RMIAN was vital to winning my case. They helped me gather evidence for my case. They helped with translating documents and letters. They provided me with legal support and the skills necessary to represent myself before the immigration judge. Their help was crucial in winning my freedom and my asylum case so that I may stay in this great country. I congratulate and appreciate the entire team at RMIAN for their humanitarian efforts, which they do with great love and passion, so that we who come here may find respite and protection in this country."
A donation of $6,000 helps RMIAN to provide free legal services to other asylum seekers like Jeremmy. Please make your contribution today to help RMIAN reach its goal of raising $50,000 through the Immigrant Liberty Awards Event.
Virtual Immigrant Liberty Awards - Honoring Araceli Calderón de Weis
Araceli Calderón de Weis accepts the 2020 Immigrant Liberty Award at the 15th Annual Immigrant Liberty Awards event, benefiting RMIAN.
Since before coming to the U.S. in 2004, Araceli Calderón de Weis was a champion for community involvement in policy making in her native Mexico. In her role as Parent Involvement Coordinator at Centennial BOCES, Ms. Calderón de Weis has dedicated her life in Greeley, Colorado, to promote the inclusion of immigrant and refugee voices in the spheres of community building and policy setting in northern Colorado. Her work through local educational and cultural programming is a remarkable example of advocacy for immigrant rights through community empowerment.
Celebrating Client Success
Isabel (pictured left holding her mother's hand) was the victim of a crime as a very young child. With the help of her parents, the crime was reported and her perpetrator was brought to justice. RMIAN helped Isabel and her parents apply for U visas which were recently granted. In the words of young Isabel, "I want to thank you so much for all you have done for me and my family. Words cannot explain how much you have helped us. I am so happy and hope to one day become a person who helps people the way you do."
A donation of $4,000 helps RMIAN to provide free legal services to other crime victims like Isabel. Please make your contribution today to help RMIAN reach its goal of raising $50,000 through the Immigrant Liberty Awards Event.
Virtual Immigrant Liberty Awards - Honoring Marissa Molina
Marissa Molina accepts the 2020 Immigrant Liberty Award at the 15th Annual Immigrant Liberty Awards event, benefiting RMIAN.
Marissa Molina is the Colorado State Immigration Director with FWD.us, a bipartisan political organization that believes America’s families, communities, and economy thrive when more individuals are able to achieve their full potential. Ms. Molina's advocacy work with FWD.us was critical to galvanize statewide efforts to expand access to drivers’ licenses for undocumented immigrants in Colorado. A native of Mexico, Ms. Molina grew up in the Western Slope of Colorado in Glenwood Springs. She attended Fort Lewis College, where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Political Science and Economics. As a 2014 Teach for America Corps Member, she spent two years teaching Spanish for Native Speakers at DSST: GVR High School. In July of 2015, she was one of nine educators with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals to be honored by the White House as a Champion of Change. Ms. Molina's leadership continues to be a catalyst to protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and advance policies that increase access to opportunities for the immigrant community in Colorado. Her appointment in 2019 as the first DACA recipient to the Board of Trustees at Metropolitan State University of Denver is breaking grounds and a true reflection of immigrant contributions in Colorado.
Celebrating Client Success
Brenda, a 20-year-old Dreamer from Peru (pictured left exploring her home state of Colorado), shares this about her case:
"Growing up in the United States I have been part of two cultures my entire life. When I got DACA it was a huge change in my life. It gave me hope to have an actual future in the country I grew up in. I am currently in school to be an Art Teacher.
I started the process of obtaining DACA when I was just a teenager, it can feel really overwhelming at first, especially for families not familiar with how the system works. RMIAN played a big part in helping my family and I through this process. Everyone here has been wonderful and incredibly giving. My attorney in particular has helped me through all the difficulties along the way. We faced bumps on the road but she was there to help us through the entire thing. I am really grateful."
A donation of $500 helps RMIAN to provide free legal services to other Dreamers like Brenda as they renew their DACA status and pursue their dreams. Please make your contribution today to help RMIAN reach its goal of raising $50,000 through the Immigrant Liberty Awards Event.
RMIAN to Celebrate Virtual Immigrant Liberty Awards Event Next Week
The 2020 Immigrant Liberty Awards, themed "Here to Stay," will be held virtually throughout next week. Each day next week, RMIAN will feature one of our honorees, including video content of that honoree’s acceptance speech. The speeches from our honorees, always the best part of the in-person event, are amazing this year. In a time of immense challenges and hardships, I hope you will be able to watch the courageous, inspiring, and powerful messages that will be shared each day by these incredible immigrant rights’ advocates in Colorado.
Each year, RMIAN organizes an event, the Immigrant Liberty Awards, that honors the outstanding contributions of immigrants and exceptional advocates in our community and celebrates our shared efforts in creating a more just society.
The 2020 Immigrant Liberty Awards, themed "Here to Stay," will be held virtually throughout next week. Each morning next week you will receive an email that highlights one of our honorees, including video content of that honoree’s acceptance speech. The speeches from our honorees, always the best part of the in-person event, are amazing this year. In a time of immense challenges and hardships, I hope you will be able to watch the courageous, inspiring, and powerful messages that will be shared each day by these incredible immigrant rights’ advocates in Colorado. The schedule is as follows:
Monday, August 24: Marissa Molina (Immigrant Liberty Award)
Tuesday, August 25 Araceli Calderón de Weis (Immigrant Liberty Award)
Wednesday, August 26: U.S. Representative Jason Crow (Immigrant Liberty Award)
Thursday, August 27: Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP (Pro Bono Service Award)
Friday, August 28: Patricia Medige (Lifetime Achievement Award)
RMIAN hopes to raise $50,000 through this virtual event in order to raise critical funding to support immigrants in need here in Colorado. Each day, we will share a story of Client Success to demonstrate the impact of RMIAN's services on community members in need. Below is the first Client Success Story featuring Fatima, an asylum seeker from Burkina Faso whose life and daughter's life was forever changed by RMIAN's Children's Program.
This year also marks RMIAN’s 20th Anniversary. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of the organization’s past and look ahead towards the critical work to be done moving forward. And help us to honor this year's incredible honorees and remarkable work.
Celebrating Client Success
Fatima (pictured left with her daughter) came to the United States from Burkina Faso out of desperation to save her teenage daughter from suffering female genital mutilation, a harmful and painful traditional practice that Fatima was forced to endure as a child. RMIAN represented Fatima in her own asylum application, successfully applied for her daughter to join her in the United States, and recently helped Fatima win permanent residency in the United States. Fatima says, "I refused with all my heart and soul to let this happen to my daughter and thanks to RMIAN she is safe now. She is attending school and I am working as a security guard at a hospital to support her. I am very thankful that I am now a lawful permanent resident and that I am together with my daughter where I can raise her without fear."
A donation of $6,000 helps RMIAN to provide free legal services to other asylum seekers like Fatima. Please make your contribution today to help RMIAN reach its goal of raising $50,000 through the Immigrant Liberty Awards Event.
Denver Post: More Denver immigrants could face deportation without a lawyer due to shortfall in city legal aid fund
RMIAN client Catalino Alvarado had lived in Denver for more than 20 years when he was detained by immigration enforcement officers and locked up in the Aurora detention facility. After reading a poster at the detention center, he was able to get free legal help from Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network because of funding through the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund. The attorney helped free him on bond and is working to craft a defense against deportation. It changed everything for him, he said.
Catalino Alvarado had lived in Denver for more than 20 years when he was detained by immigration enforcement officers and locked up in the Aurora detention facility.
He spent 41 days there, leaving his wife, a Denver native, and their two young children without any income. He couldn’t afford an attorney. Assuming he would be deported, Alvarado started to plan to move the entire family back to his native Guatemala.
“I was hopeless,” said Alvarado. “It’s the case of so many people in there. I didn’t know how to defend myself or who to go to.”
After reading a poster at the detention center, he was able to get free legal help from Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network because of funding through the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund. The attorney helped free him on bond and is working to craft a defense against deportation. It changed everything for him, he said.
Read more about Catalino’s case and the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund here.
Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund Conversation with Mayor Hancock
Join a conversation featuring Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, RMIAN’s Executive Director, Mekela Goehring, and others, celebrating the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund, on Tuesday, August 25 from 7-8 PM Eastern/5-6 PM Mountain. You can register for this conversation here.
RMIAN is excited to invite you to join a conversation featuring Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock and others, celebrating the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund, on Tuesday, August 25 from 7-8 PM Eastern/5-6 PM Mountain. You can register for this conversation here.
As local governments invest in programs that protect the health, safety, and dignity of their communities, the Denver Immigrant Legal Services Fund (the Fund) is needed more than ever by Denver's immigrant and refugee communities. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, ICE has continued to tear apart Denver families and stoke fear within the community. The Fund is providing essential resources for deportation defense and affirmative relief applications for many Denver residents.
Mayor Hancock will be joined by:
Atim Otii, Director of the Denver Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs
Mekela Goehring, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network
Catalino Alvarado, a client of the Fund
Alexis, a client of the Fund
Elizabeth Kenney, Associate Program Director, the Vera's SAFE Network
Dace West, Vice President of Community Impact at the Denver Foundation