In 2017, funding from an anonymous donor established a special fund at MLAC to help legal aid organizations respond to unmet legal needs among immigrant and refugee populations in Massachusetts. In 2019, the fund was officially named the Massachusetts Immigration Legal Assistance Fund (MILAF). MILAF’s aim is to protect the rights of vulnerable immigrants so they can pursue a stable future. The fund has awarded more than $5,135,000 to twelve organizations, providing direct legal services, community education, and systemic advocacy that benefit large groups of immigrants.
Organizations that receive MILAF funds:
- Community Legal Aid
- Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts
- De Novo Center for Justice and Healing
- Greater Boston Legal Services
- Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
- MetroWest Legal Services
- Northeast Legal Aid
- Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project
- South Coastal Counties Legal Services