Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has announced the distribution of $780,000 in grants to 13 non-profit legal service organizations in Massachusetts. On Wednesday, these grants, distributed through her Immigrant Legal Services Grant Program, are expected to bolster capacity building, foster technology development, and foster vital partnerships. The mission is to serve the needs of recent immigrant arrivals seeking immigration relief and work authorization in the state as per the official press release.
To quote Campbell: "Our recent arrivals who are lawfully paroled into this country and eligible for work authorization and other immigration relief, want nothing more than to work to support their families.”
The grant funds will primarily be used for hiring additional staff and enhancing technology for case management systems. It will also prioritize fostering partnerships with law schools, law firms, shelters, and community-based organizations according to the press release.
Among the organizations selected for funding are Berkshire Immigrant Center, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River, and Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands. Each plan uses this grant to improve services for immigrants, ranging from free consultation legal clinics to hosting multiple clinics projected to serve hundreds of households.
The Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI), another recipient of the grant, will focus on expanding staff capacity and advancing case management systems. As part of the plan, IFSI will collaborate with volunteer groups, universities, and law schools, aiming to bolster the support network for Massachusetts' immigrants.
The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) also stands to benefit from the grant, planning to establish a legal information helpline for service providers and advocates serving immigrants in shelters.
Other grant recipients, including the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI), the MetroWest Legal Services (MWLS), and Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project (PAIR), aim for utilizing the funds to elevate their services.
