Immigration Law & Justice Michigan

05/27/2026

ILJMI calls four United Methodist Churches our home churches - where we have offices, serve clients, and engage with our communities. We are grateful for their faith and support of our work and we wish them a time of spiritual renewal and community building.

Central United Methodist Church - Traverse City Dearborn First United Methodist Church First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church

05/19/2026

More than 100,000 U.S. citizens who are children, have experienced what the CDC refers to as an Adverse Childhood Experience by being separated from a parent during an immigration sweep under the current administration. In a recent study, the centrist Brookings Institute released an analysis estimating an even higher number of children, however ProPublica's more conservative estimate is what we're citing here. We invite you to click through to learn more.

These are children who attend local schools, who play soccer with your own children, who are citizens - as an organization that focuses on humanitarian and family immigration relief, we see these U.S. citizen clients regularly and they are suffering.

https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-immigration-child-parent-separation-estimates-brookings

05/18/2026

Tonight, our Legal Director Marcelo Betti received the Humanitarian of the Year award from The City of Traverse City Human Rights Commission. "When you help fix someone's immigration status, you help them start their life in this country. We can't help everyone, but we can, it's a good day."

We are so proud of Marcelo and give thanks for his passion for the work, for his wonderful supportive family, and for all of the people who have offered their support for ILJMI.

Thank you to the Human Rights Commission and congratulations to the other winners.

05/15/2026

This is who we are. This is what we do. Proud to be part of the ILJ Network of organizations that serve our communities and represent folks who are aiming for the American Dream.

Our Removal Defense Unit provides attorneys at 16 ILJ sites nationwide with the resources, training, and expert guidance they need to keep their immigrant clients, like Jayson, out of ICE detention and to instead remain safely, securely, and lawfully in the United States.

Your gift today can help ILJ attorneys defend immigrants facing unjust detention and deportation: https://njfon.kindful.com/

More than a year ago, our government granted Jayson parole—permission to live and work in the United States—while his asylum case moved slowly through the courts. Since that time, Jayson had never missed a check-in, had followed every rule, and had become a valued member of the community.

Jayson placed his full trust in the United States. And yet he was arrested and handcuffed when he showed up for a routine ICE check-in. He spent three months in ICE detention before his attorney at The Legal Clinic - ILJN Hawaiʻi was able to obtain his release.

Jayson is free—for now—while he and his legal team continue his fight for asylum and justice. You can help him—and the hundreds of immigrant clients like him across our network—by donating today.

05/12/2026

Our friend and Art Prize artist Bill Franz collaborated with Ed Madden, PhD, Professor of English at the University of South Carolina, pairing Dr. Madden's poem (reproduced below) with Bill's artwork.

I asked him what he needed
for the journey. He said,
Write down what you saw.
Maybe, someday, the world
will want to know.

Ed Madden

05/08/2026

We couldn't be more proud of our very own Marcelo Betti, the newest Humanitarian Award winner from the Traverse City Human Rights Commission. Please join us in congratulating Marcelo and the other honorees!

Link to news story: https://www.traverseticker.com/news/humanitarian-award-winners-announced/

05/06/2026

Check out this free opportunity to learn more about how to advocate for the programs, projects, and people that you support. Our friends at the Michigan League for Public Policy are hosting a session and registration closes on Friday.

Click through for more information! Session to be held in Detroit on June 10th!

It’s never been more important to use your voice than it is now! Join us for an interactive and informative advocacy workshop designed to develop your knowledge and skills to strengthen your advocacy tool-belt. Leverage your power and join the League for our Advocacy Boot Camp in person in Detroit...

05/05/2026

Well deserved kudos to our friends at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation for this recognition. As one of the many organizations that benefit from the Foundation's important work, we know how hard the team works!

Today, we’re celebrating 13 consecutive years of being recognized as one of West Michigan's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. 🎉

From our Affinity Groups to our generous benefits, we’re committed to fostering a workplace where people can do meaningful work and be themselves while doing it. Our culture would not be the same without our team: each person at KZCF is uniquely skilled and committed to supporting a community where everyone can thrive. It's only through their work that our mission of mobilizing people, resources, and expertise to advance racial, social and economic justice in Kalamazoo County moves forward.

Here's to the best and brightest team that makes it all real! 💙💚

05/04/2026

We know that incredible woman, Maddie G. She just wrapped up her academic year with ILJMI and we can't wait to see what she and her classmates do next. What an outstanding partnership with Calvin University and the School of Social Work.

05/01/2026

Last week, we had the opportunity to join together with our dear friends at Strangers No Longer for Belong: Northern Michigan Immigrant Inclusion Network, a fantastic gathering of hundreds of people who work together to support immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Marcelo Betti, ILJMI Legal Director, presented at several sessions and we had the chance to connect with lots of friends, old and new. (We failed miserably at taking photos, so if you have to have one of Marcelo presenting, drop them in the comments!)

Link: https://strangersnolonger.org/belong-northern-michigan-immigrant-inclusion-network/