The Immigration Project

09/04/2026

Federal funding cuts have put 𝟭𝟯𝟬 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 at risk of losing the trusted legal support they need most.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿.

For years, the process moved slowly—fewer than 10 children were called in for interviews over the last five years.

Now, cases are moving fast: 𝟯𝟲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲, with more expected in October. Each one needs preparation, coordination, travel to Chicago, and the right interpreter.

“Finding an interpreter is not just finding a person who can be present and speak the language, but it is also finding somebody who speaks the right dialect, who can have rapport with the client, and who has legal language skills. It is about preserving the dignity of the client through the whole process. They deserve to be comfortable with the person they are telling their story to during one of the most uncomfortable conversations." — Gabriela Arribas, Translation and Interpretation Coordinator

We promised to stand beside these children. With more urgent cases and more families counting on us, 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄.

Donate today to help children receive the guidance, advocacy, and support they deserve.

https://www.immigrationproject.org/donate/care-campaign/

Can interpret? Call 309-829-8703 to help.

09/03/2026

Please volunteer!
Youth Should Not Face an Asylum Interview without an Interpreter.

Right now, hundreds of immigrant youth throughout Illinois are being called to asylum interviews.
They came to this country as children without a parent or guardian. They have survived extraordinary hardship, and now they must tell their stories in a formal government interview.

Many cannot do that without an interpreter, and the government does not provide them.

The Immigration Project is urgently looking for volunteer interpreters willing to assist with interviews in Chicago and St. Louis. We need compassionate people who can help young people communicate clearly during one of the most important interviews of their lives.

You do not need to be an attorney or a certified interpreter. You simply need strong Spanish and English skills and a willingness to help.

Every interpreter who volunteers gives a young person something invaluable: the chance to be heard.

Please message us or contact us at 309-829-8703 if you can help.
And if you cannot volunteer, please share this post. The right person may be in your network.

❤️ Thank you for standing with immigrant youth.

08/31/2026

Last week, The Immigration Project’s Legal Director, Danielle DeWinter, stood alongside Senator Dick Durbin, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley, and fellow advocates in Chicago to advocate for due process for children in immigration courts.

Danielle shared the critical reality our legal teams face every day:

“What we are seeing in court is kids being removed with approved relief, kids fearing whether or not they’ll be able to have their day in court or have representation because of cut funding.”

Every child deserves a fair chance, legal representation, and a meaningful opportunity to be heard.

📰 Read the full article to learn more about this event and to see the rest of Danielle's quote:

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Richard Durbin, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley, and Illinois General Assembly members joined children’s legal service providers yesterday to raise the alarm about severe due process violations currently targeting unaccompanied immigrant children at the Chicago Immigra...

08/28/2026

They say it takes a village to raise a child. We believe it also takes a village to save one.

As federal funding for legal services for unaccompanied children has been slashed, 130 children are relying on The Immigration Project for continued trusted legal support.

We made a commitment to stand beside these children every step of the way, but we can't do it alone.

💙 Help us keep our promise. Your donation helps ensure that children facing the immigration system have the reliable guidance, advocacy, and support they deserve.

Donate today and be part of that village. https://www.immigrationproject.org/donate/care-campaign/?blm_aid=13312

08/24/2026

🌟 Introducing our Staff Member Highlight series! 🌟

The people behind TIP's work are what make our mission possible. Through our Staff Member Highlight series, we'll be shining a spotlight on the dedicated team members who help support our clients, strengthen our community, and advance our mission.
This month, we're excited to highlight Ruby!

Thank you for your hard work, commitment, and the positive impact you make every day. 💙

08/20/2026

📢 Attention Link Card holders!

Replacement of destroyed food is available to you.

If you lost food due to recent power outages and floods, you can apply to get a special deposit to your Link card to replace the food you lost.

Contact The Immigration Project for assistance with the form at 📞 (309) 829-8703.

08/07/2026

📢 Did you know the Immigration Project has a newsletter?

Stay connected to our mission and get the latest updates, community stories, event announcements, and opportunities to support our work expanding access to immigration-related legal, social, and educational services across central and downstate Illinois.

📬 Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/7d74cac7aadf/newsletter-sign-up

08/07/2026

The Immigration Project is hosting its Annual Fundraising Luncheon at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center in Normal on October 9th, 2026.

Join us for an inspiring afternoon where we will honor our 2026 Immigrant Hero awardee, be stirred by a compelling speaker and hear about how The Immigration Project will continue serving the immigrant community.

Date 📆: October 9th, 2026
Doors Open 🚪: 11:15 AM
Time ⏰ : 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location 📍: Brown Ballroom, ISU Bone Student Center, Normal, IL
RSVP 📝: https://forms.office.com/r/apg16a8HtG

08/03/2026

🌟🌟Scholarships are available for citizenship and DACA renewal applications! 🌟🌟

The New Americans Initiative program is providing scholarships for our clients to pay their USCIS fees for naturalization and DACA renewal applications!

- Must be a Lawful Permanent Resident (green card) or DACA recipient
- Proof of income needed (IRS 1040 form for everyone in your household who works for money)
- Must meet Illinois income guidelines
- Must be a client of The Immigration Project (NAI partner organization)

Call 309-829-8703 ext. 112 to request an appointment!

07/31/2026

Trained CCRRC Rapid Responders investigated a hotline tip on Mattis and Springfield (2006 W Springfield Ave, Champaign, IL 61821) at 9:47 am.

On scene, they witnessed:
9 agents of unknown agency, some with vest and/or holsters some without were spotted. They had variety of vehicles most only had back plates which included a Silver Nissan Titan covered top, a Blue Forc f150, a silver Dodge Charger, a silver Ford Explorer, and a Black Ford mustang.

NO DETENTIONS WERE WITNESSED. Individuals witnessed the vehicles leave east and south at 9:57 am.

From 9:57 am until 11:06 am, comrades checked various locations around town including Yankee Ridge and found no activity taking place. And the Activation was called off at 11:06 am and no Immigration Enforcement activity was observed.