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TC Daily Planet Covers ILCM’s Work Connecting DREAMers with Pro Bono Attorneys
The TC Daily Planet examined ILCM’s Pro Bono DREAMer Project, speaking to Pro Bono attorneys and the DREAMers they have represented in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) cases.
Attorneys cited the opportunity to help DREAMers receive a status that would allow them to work and attend college legally in the US as a primary motivation behind their involvement. Ed Wegerson, a volunteer attorney who has assisted two DREAMers apply for DACA, said he enjoyed the opportunity to “help someone in a way that’s personal and important to them.” DREAMers also spoke to the benefits of the new status. ILCM client Daniel Perez explained the importance of DACA in utilizing his Masters Degree in social work to find a job. “Without DACA this wouldn’t have been possible,” he said, “it was the first step in allowing me to pursue the American Dream — being able to work in the field I chose to go into.” Currently, ILCM placed over 185 pro bono DACA cases with volunteer attorneys for full representation and approximately 70 have already been approved.
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Celebrate Citizenship with ILCM on June 29
Join us on Saturday, June 29 from 10AM to 2PM for ILCM's first ever Citizenship Day of Welcome. This event will bring Americans of all cultures together at the Minnesota State Capitol for a day of family fun. For more details please click here.
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Gov. Mark Dayton Signs the Prosperity Act!
Gov. Mark Dayton signed the Higher Education Omnibus bill that included the MN Prosperity (DREAM) Act on May 20, 2013. This is a historic moment for Minnesota which became the 15th state to allow DREAMers that graduated from local high schools to qualify for in-state tuition and only the 4th one to provide state financial aid. All of this would not be possible without your active voices and ILCM thanks you for your calls and emails that made all of this possible. ILCM also extends our gratitude to bill sponsors Senator Sandy Pappas and Representative Carlos Mariani, Governor Mark Dayton, all Senators and Representatives who voted for it, everyone who spent time at the capitol, and all other public supporters.The MN Dream Act will:
- Allow students to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities if they meet certain requirements, regardless of their immigration status.
- Make state higher education aid available to all students who meet residency requirements, regardless of immigration status.
- Allow public institutions (MnSCU and the University of Minnesota) to use private funding as financial aid for all students, regardless of immigration status.
- Create a MN financial aid application specifically for these Minnesota students that delinks the Federal and state financial aids.
Find more information about the process from our partners NAVIGATE MN who have a Q&A about the bill available in English and Spanish: English / Espanol.
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Guidelines for the Minnesota DREAM Act
The MN Dream Act passed by the 2013 Minnesota Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Dayton on May 23, 2013. It will take effect on July 1, 2013. The MN Dream Act will provide certain benefits to undocumented students who meet the following criteria:
1. Attended a Minnesota high school for at least 3 years; and
2. Graduated from a Minnesota high school or earned a GED in Minnesota; and
3. Registered with the U.S. Selective Service (applies only to males 18 to 25 years old); and
4. Provide documentation to show they have applied for lawful immigration status but only if a federal process exists for a student to do so (does not include applying for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). There is currently not a federal process in place, so this documentation is not currently required.
To be eligible for these benefits, students must complete a state financial aid application (which is currently being drafted) and provide documentation to show that they meet the criteria in the MN Dream Act. DACA students who don't meet the MN Dream Act criteria may still be eligible for state financial aid if they meet at least one of the state residency requirements.
For more information click here.
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ILCM Litigation Project Helps Create New Immigration Law Program at U of M
The Robina Foundation has given a generous gift of $9 million to the University of Minnesota Law School, half of which will be used to establish a new program called the University of Minnesota Law School Center for New Americans. This is great news! The ILCM is proud of our involvement in the creation of this important program via our Litigation Project.
The University of Minnesota Law School Center for New Americans will collaborate with leading area law firms and non-profits, such as ILCM, to provide immigrant communities with urgently needed legal services. The Center for New Americans will also be home to an immigration clinic for law students.
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ILCM Now Accepting More Deferred Action Cases
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) is now accepting more Deferred Action cases! If you would like to be screened, please call us Monday – Friday at 651-641-1011 or 1-800-223-1368.
Ahora ILCM tiene la capacidad para aceptar casos nuevos de la accion diferida. Llamenos lunes a viernes para iniciar la consulta 651-641-1011 or 1-800-223-1368.
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MN Prosperity (Dream) Act Passes the State Senate as Hundreds Rally for Immigration Reform!
May 1st was a great day for immigration reform advocates as hundreds gathered in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul to rally for reform. At the same time the MN Prosperity (Dream) Act, which would qualify DREAMers that graduated from Minnesota high schools, passed the State Senate! Senator Pappas, who sponsored the MN Prosperity (Dream) Act, spoke in support of immigration reform to a crowd of close to 1,000 alongside a host local legislators and Governor Mark Dayton. Please click the links below to read press coverage of both events:
Star Tribune: Minnesota Senate boosts undocumented students' college dreams
MPR: Senate backs Minn. tuition for immigrants' kids
WCCO-TV: Senate Backs Minn. Tuition for Immigrants' Kids
Fox-9: May Day immigration reform rally held as Prosperity Act passes
KARE-11: Minn. Senate passes Dream Act for immigrant students
KSTP: Senate Backs Minn. Tuition for Immigrants' Kids
Pioneer Press: State Senate passes 'Minnesota Dream Act' for students here illegally
Worthington Daily Globe: Minnesota senators pass immigrant education bill
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Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Federal Immigration Reform Bill
The Federal Senate Judiciary Committee completed conducting the mark up process for the Gang of Eight's proposed immigration reform bill. Both of Minnesota's Senators are on this committee, and their strong support of common sense immigration reform ensured that the bill passed without any major negative amendments. The bill now moves to the Senate floor for a full vote.
To see a list of which critical amendments passed or failed, please CLICK HERE -
Temporary Protected Status Extended for Salvadorans
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of El Salvador for an additional 18 months, beginning Sept. 10, 2013, and ending March 9, 2015.Current Salvadoran beneficiaries seeking to extend their TPS status must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from May 30, 2013, through July 29, 2013. The 18-month extension also allows TPS re-registrants to apply for a new employment authorization document (EAD) with an expiration date of March 9, 2015.
To re-register, current TPS beneficiaries must submit Form I-821 and an Application for Temporary Protected Status. All TPS re-registrants must also submit Form I-765, and an Application for Employment Authorization. Additional information on TPS for El Salvador, including guidance on the application process and eligibility, is available online at www.uscis.gov/tps -
Thanks to All Who Attended Our 2013 Gala
ILCM thanks the over 450 attendees who showed their support last Friday at our sixth annual Gala! The night was a success with great music from Salsa del Soul and a special appearance from Senator Amy Klobuchar. Please click here for photos from the event.
A guest reported that they lost an XL Burberry coat that night. If you accidentally went home with the wrong coat or have any idea of its whereabouts, please email communications@ilcm.org so we can return it to its rightful owner.
Give to the DREAMers Fund!
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