GREATER BOSTON IMMIGRANT DEFENSE FUND
Delivering on the Dream
Overview
Greater Boston’s Immigrant Defense Fund, part of the Delivering on the Dream (DOTD) national funding network, is a public-private partnership and funder collaborative committed to building Greater Boston’s capacity to protect and defend our immigrant and refugee communities by increasing access to the following critical resources and services:
• Legal representation for individuals facing deportation proceedings in Immigration Court who cannot afford a lawyer
• Community education and preparedness programming such as Know Your Rights trainings, legal screenings and referrals, etc.
Greater Boston is home to over 800,000 immigrant and refugee residents, including an estimated 180,000 individuals without immigration status who may need deportation defense. Collectively, they contribute to the economic vitality and vibrant cultural fabric of our communities.
Our first round of funding is now complete. Please stay tuned for updates on future rounds of funding, and visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
Access to Legal Representation
In many detention proceedings, having an attorney can make all the difference. According to the National Study of Access to Counsel, detained people who have a lawyer are 10.5 times more likely to be granted some form of relief. This fund is a step towards addressing the need for representation among those facing deportation, especially those in detention.
How can individuals access legal services through the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund?
The Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund will not be directly providing legal representation. The Fund will increase access to legal representation for immigrants in removal proceedings by supporting a network of nonprofit agencies and legal services providers. Following the announcement of grant awards this fall, grantees will begin implementation. We expect these organizations to expand and enhance their legal services by this winter. For a list of legal services programs and their and their service areas, please visit mlac.org/help/.
Watch the City of Boston’s press conference announcing the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund – September 13, 2017
Legal Services & Community Organizations
With the overall goal of helping as many individuals as possible, the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund has identified key eligibility criteria for legal services providers and community organizations in receiving funds (see the RFP for more details). Additionally, grantees will focus services on individuals and communities that fall within the following categories:
• Legal services providers who receive awards through the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund must prioritize services for low-income individuals who need immediate deportation defense and who are unable to afford a lawyer.
• Community organizations who receive awards must focus education and outreach in areas where immigration enforcement pose a threat to community wellbeing.
Funding
More than $1.1 million has been pledged by Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund partners. The Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund is continuing to engage with new partners to increase funding.
Funding for the 2-year pilot program was provided through the generous support of local foundations and corporate partners. The City of Boston will be providing in-kind support for the Fund through the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement. Partners for the Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund include the organizations listed to the right.
To make a secure, tax-deductible donation online, click the donate button to the right, and enter “Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund” or “GBIDF” in the Designation box.
To donate by mail, please send a check payable to the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation to the address listed below. Please write Greater Boston Immigrant Defense Fund or GBIDF in the memo field of your check.
Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation
7 Winthrop Square, 2nd Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110