Parole in Place (PIP) is a document that will act as a lawful entry into the United States, allowing recipients to adjust their status to permanent resident through their U.S. citizen spouse or stepparent.

In recent weeks, the Biden administration has announced Proclamation 10773, also known as "Securing the Border." This executive order aims to strictly regulate immigration and close the southern border to undocumented crossings. It limits asylum claims, expedites deportations, and imposes a "trigger ban" that further restricts asylum opportunities. The order threatens constitutional rights and could endanger millions seeking safety in the US. Asylum is a human right, and we must advocate for these regulations to be rescinded. The public has until July 8th, 2024, to comment on this initiative.

To make our intake process faster and eliminate our waitlist, we are changing our new client phone triage system! On Tuesdays and Thursdays, new clients can call (616) 221-5542 to speak with an LIA team member who will help them assess what immigration remedies are available with LIA. Returning clients will continue to call the office as usual, while new clients should use this dedicated line.

I am so deeply proud of our community for how we welcomed people this year.

Take a break and learn something new about immigrants in Ottawa County, Michigan. Immigration is a big part of the history and present of the United States. Ottawa County is growing more diverse each year, and we’re here to help welcome immigrants from across the globe.

In 2023, we're celebrating 45 New Americans, 98.8% Approvals, and a 94% increase in impact this year. Join us to welcome immigrants from across the globe to West Michigan with legal services, education, and advocacy.

Public opinion shapes immigration policy heavily. Though politicians have the final say in enacting new immigration policies, voters are often the influence of their actions. This post highlights this phenomenon by examining three recent policy choices in the context of public opinion.

Thanks to the generous time of volunteers, our new offices are much brighter, and almost ready to house the future work and impact of Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates for years to come. All donations to the moving fund will be matched - help us reach our $15,000 goal today!

The United States immigration system continuously fails to protect child migrants from work related exploitation — even in West Michigan, our own backyard. Read more to learn about how and why our governmental system allows for this exploitation, and what you can do to help.

Please help us move into our new offices!

We are excited to announce LIA will be embracing a co-directorship model, a healthier model with shared and equitable leadership, where we capture the gifts of each co-director to maximize their impact on our mission.

While the United States may not offer its freedoms to everyone who lives here, the people with intersecting, oppressed identities, like undocumented queer immigrants, who call this country home, are certainly the brave.