2023 NMILC ANNUAL REPORT

What You Made Possible in 2023

 

Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

In 2023, gridlock and polarization in Washington prevented desperately needed action on immigration reforms at the federal level. Meanwhile, many critically needed pandemic-era protections disappeared, leaving many immigrant families vulnerable. The need for compassionate, specialized support for immigrants and asylum seekers in New Mexico is immense. You have risen to meet that enormous challenge, and as a result, institutional changes and individual transformations were possible.  

We are proud that New Mexico provides a welcoming home for newcomers fleeing violence and persecution despite scant resources and legal infrastructure. And still, every day, we work together to create a better future for immigrants. We’ve seen hardship transformed into tangible change, advocacy lead to monumental victories, and hopes held close by generations of families finally taking root. We invite you to hear the stories of our collective action in our 2023 Annual Report: Dream, Fight, Flourish. 

This year’s passage of HB 15 will create a wave of positive impact on countless immigrant youth. This landmark legislation extended Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) eligibility from 18 to 21, offering more immigrant youth in New Mexico the opportunity to secure their future and pursue lawful permanent residency. This achievement was a testament to our community-led advocacy, where the voices of those directly affected by the policy change guided our path. Your support played the deciding role in making this dream a reality. 

One story that emerged this year is that of Edgar Garrido Diaz, whose inhumane treatment in detention exposed the harsh and unacceptable realities faced by many immigrants. Our advocacy for Edgar led to transformative policy changes, setting a new standard for humane treatment. It serves as a stark reminder of why we do what we do — to fight for justice not just for one, but for everyone ensnared in the complex and dehumanizing immigration system. 

Our innovative legal clinics, which are only possible because of your support, were recognized nationally for their effectiveness in engaging volunteers and creating access to counsel for large numbers of youth across the state. Your ongoing dedication enables us to continue creating models of change, including advocating for urgently needed reforms to statewide policy. Together, we are forging new paradigms that help immigrants flourish in the United States. 

As we move into the 2024 election year, we know that global forces, such as political instability and climate change, will continue to drive even more immigrant families to seek shelter in New Mexico. Yet we are filled with hope and determination for the year ahead — because we also know that, together, we will continue to envision a vibrant New Mexico where all people can achieve their full potential and are treated with dignity and respect. Please join us as we embark on another year of daring to dream. Another round of fighting for what is right. And another step toward making peace and prosperity flourish for all. 

¡Juntos, venceremos!

Jennifer Landau
Executive Director

Mónica Córdova
Board Chair

Jennifer Landau
Executive Director

Mónica Córdova
Board Chair

A woman with wavy, shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a black top, hoop earrings, and red lipstick, smiling at the camera.
Portrait of a smiling woman with long brown hair and blue eyes, against a plain light background.

2023 — By The Numbers

5,757

People Served Throughout New Mexico in 2023


2,370

Through Legal Information & Referral

1,254

Through Phone Consultations & Legal Advice

1,118

Through Direct Representation

864

Through Legal Fairs & Workshops

151

Through Navigation & Emergency Rental Assistance Services

2,461

Community Members Engaged


25

Trainings for Community Partners

221

Volunteers

103

Hours Certified Interpreters & Translators Volunteered

24

Hours Medical Professionals Volunteered

2,092

Hours Attorneys & DOJ Accredited Representatives Volunteered

28 counties in New Mexico were served by NMILC

Bernalillo
Catron
Chaves
Cibola
Colfax
Curry
Doña Ana
Eddy
Grant
Guadalupe
Hidalgo
Lea
Lincoln
Los Alamos

Luna
McKinley
Otero
Rio Arriba
Roosevelt
Sandoval
San Juan
San Miguel
Santa Fe
Sierra
Socorro
Taos
Torrance
Valencia

A red and white number sign with the number 28 inside a white circle.
Graphic of a world map with red horizontal lines and a large red circle in the center displaying the number 86 in white.

NMILC serves clients from diverse cultures & geographies across 86 countries

Our Theory of Change

Our Theory of Change is a visual representation of the strategies we believe are necessary to achieve our long-term goals and the methods we believe are foundational to our work. In collaboration with our organizational partners, we engage in policy, education and advocacy, direct services, and leadership development.

Each of these work areas support and inform the other, contributing to increased civic engagement and a more equitable justice system.

Infographic illustrating the work of immigrant advocacy organizations in New Mexico, highlighting policy, direct services, and leadership development to support immigrant communities and promote social justice.

THE LITTLE BILL THAT COULD

Expanding Support for Immigrant Youth in New Mexico

Policy, Education, Advocacy & Leadership Development

In a significant policy victory, NMILC played a pivotal role in the passage of HB 15, the Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification Act. Signed into law on April 5, 2023, by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, this landmark legislation extends Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) eligibility from 18 to 21, allowing more immigrant youth in New Mexico to secure special findings from state judges and apply for lawful permanent residency. This was a women-of-color, community-led policy advocacy campaign, spearheaded and informed by several NMILC staff and community members who themselves stood to benefit from the change. Our legal experts provided invaluable insights at the Legislature and also significantly shaped the contents of the bill through their expertise and the insights gained from NMILC-facilitated listening sessions with immigrant youth. This grassroots approach resulted in not only the age change, but also expanded eligibility criteria, including a provision that extends abandonment qualifications to include the death of a parent. The bill also contains both a retroactive and an emergency clause — features uncommon in most states. This monumental achievement was the last bill to pass the 2023 legislative session, earning it the nickname “The Little Bill That Could.” Now, New Mexico aligns its state law with federal SIJS statutes, making it the 18th state to do so and affirming NMILC’s commitment to innovative, community-centric advocacy.

Woman speaking at a wooden podium with the seal of New Mexico in a government building, flanked by two women holding a banner behind her.

NMILC Equal Justice Works Fellow Jessica Martinez served as the legal expert at the HB 15 legislative hearing.

DETENTION & ASYLUM

How NMILC’s Advocacy Triggered a Nationwide Policy Shift

Policy, Education, Advocacy & Direct Services

NMILC took a stand for Edgar Garrido Diaz, an immigrant who experienced mistreatment while detained. Garrido Diaz sustained serious ankle and knee injuries while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The complaint NMILC filed on his behalf led to a federal investigation and, ultimately, to transformative policy changes requiring ICE to perform individualized assessments for restraining people with disabilities nationwide. Although this is a step in the right direction, there should be neither restraints nor detainment at all. That’s why we worked during the 2023 legislative session to pass SB 172, a bill aimed at ending immigrant detention centers in New Mexico. NMILC testified before the legislature, drawing on our first-hand experiences from the “Know Your Rights” workshops and legal representation we provide at detention centers throughout the state. Our staff laid bare the grim realities asylum-seekers face daily: substandard living conditions, inadequate nutrition and healthcare, mistreatment by ICE and prison staff, and incidents of attempted suicides. Despite a narrow defeat, we are not giving up. Your financial support enables us to bring about legislative change in future sessions and make sure New Mexico is not a home to inhumane institutions. 

Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Fellows Anna Trillo (left) and Sophia Genovese (right), outside of Cibola County Corrections Center, where they provide “Know Your Rights” presentations and pro se/brief services to detained asylum seekers.

Leading innovative workshops for asylum seekers in New Mexico

NMILC has been at the forefront of ensuring that legal services are available to asylum seekers state-wide. Through our Afghan Pro Se Plus asylum workshop model, over 300 individuals were provided legal support and 69 Afghan asylum seekers secured asylum in New Mexico as of November 2023 - an unparalleled achievement in our state. To respond to the increased need for legal services for asylum seekers entering through the southern border, we also strengthened our community engagement, holding monthly clinics for Spanish speakers dedicated to assisting with asylum applications and Employment Authorization Documents (EAD). Our clinic model utilizes volunteers to amplify our impact, ensuring that individuals seeking refuge find both safety and opportunity.

“[The services of NMILC] totally changed my life. [They] perfectly understood my anxieties and fears…and treated me with respect and dignity. They were always there for me and I thank them.”

—IMMIGRATION COURT CLIENT

Immigrant Day of Action at the Roundhouse

As part of the 2023 Legislative Session, our Immigrant Day of Action advocated for three crucial legislative bills: HB 15, the expansion of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS); SB 350, the U Visa certification bill; and SB 172, a bill aimed at ending immigrant detention centers in New Mexico. In a robust collaboration with various grassroots organizations across the state, NMILC organized a significant presence at the Legislature, bringing in a diverse group of individuals to testify and share their stories. The collective action amplified the urgency of these legislative matters and showcased our comprehensive approach to immigrant rights — blending firsthand service experience with policy advocacy for systemic change. Adding another layer of impact, for the first time ever, NMILC worked with artists who attended our community listening sessions to create a series of canvases to reflect the stories of impacted community members.

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These artivism pieces by Juan Carlos Ramirez and Fernando Romo from Momentos Studios depict a call to action to end inhumane treatment at detention centers. The artwork was created and displayed as part of the Immigrant Day of Action at the Roundhouse.

CITIZENSHIP

Unlocking Earning Potential and Amplifying Political Power

Direct Services

We’re thrilled to report that we successfully relaunched our in-person Citizenship Day Fair this September, in partnership with the City of Albuquerque Office of Equity and Inclusion and El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos. This fair is a unique pro se format, where trained staff and volunteers review citizenship applications, and advocacy partners OLÉ, Encuentro and more join us to educate participants about voting and civic engagement. Additionally, we assess each attendee's situation to see if they qualify for fee reductions or waivers. The historical success of the fairs, both in terms of attendance and community impact, has led us to offer our pro se I-90 and DACA services both in-person and remotely to allow us to reach even more clients in need, throughout the entire state. Our efforts do more than help with paperwork; just as the path to citizenship is not only a legal journey, with your support, our work is a gateway to increased earning potential and political power.  

Nora Hernandez (left), NMILC DOJ Accredited Representative/Pro Se Services Coordinator, and Fabiola Landeros (right) of El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos share information at the beginning of the 2023 Citizenship Day. 

Amina’s Story 

Amina, a mother from Nigeria who escaped an abusive relationship, successfully navigated the complexities of U.S. naturalization with our support. After attaining her own citizenship, Amina wanted the same security and opportunity for her children. With NMILC’s representation, her oldest child, who has cognitive delays, became a U.S. citizen through a medical exemption. With our pro se assistance, another child secured citizenship through naturalization, and a third was granted derived citizenship as they were under 18 when Amina became a citizen. Your donations to NMILC enable transformative journeys like Amina's, building stronger families and a more inclusive community.

Our Impact in 2023:

Join us in making a difference in the lives of people like Delia by donating today. Your contribution provides life-changing assistance and gives more crime survivors the strength to stand up for their rights and for a safer community.

SURVIVOR ADVANCEMENT

Working for Safety & Justice in Our Communities

Policy, Education, Advocacy & Direct Services

Building a safer and more just community for immigrant victims of crime is at the heart of NMILC’s mission. Through our firsthand services serving immigrant victims, we understand the barriers immigrants face in parts of the state that do not have a uniform U Visa certification process, uniquely positioning us to lead the charge for legislative change. NMILC’s approach was vividly demonstrated in our efforts to push SB 350, the U Visa Certification Bill, in the 2023 New Mexico legislative session. Though the bill did not pass, NMILC made significant strides in building awareness and support for this issue, laying the groundwork for future success. The U Visa is an essential tool that fosters trust between law enforcement and immigrant survivors in New Mexico, encouraging them to report crimes without fear, regardless of immigration status. NMILC’s advocacy for this bill sought to establish uniformity and transparency across the state, addressing the current inconsistencies that exist in how victims are treated in different jurisdictions. By bringing survivors’ voices to the forefront, together, we have shown the transformative power of blending immediate assistance with broader advocacy. Your ongoing support enables NMILC to continue working with partners statewide to push for the passage of SB 350 and drive changes that have far-reaching positive effects for immigrants and the broader community, working toward a safer and more just New Mexico.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Expanded Social Services Take Clients From Surviving to Thriving

Policy, Education, Advocacy, Leadership Development & Direct Services

Thanks to your generosity, NMILC strategically expanded our social services across the state in 2023 as a vital complement to our legal advocacy, aimed at bolstering the economic security of our clients. In the challenging landscape of a post-pandemic world, where resources for basic needs are increasingly scarce, our clients find pursuing their legal cases exceedingly difficult without additional social support. To address this pressing issue, we ramped up our efforts by hiring more NMILC Navigators to provide onsite Medicaid enrollment for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) youth; case management to secure medical and dental providers, rental assistance, and referrals to food pantries; accompaniment to secure driver’s licenses and social security cards; and more. This holistic approach serves as a lifeline that enables clients to focus on their legal cases, which in turn serves as a foundation for long-term economic stability. But our role doesn’t stop there: our NMILC Navigators are critical advocates. When clients face barriers like erroneous denials of benefits due to misinformation about immigration status, NMILC Navigators step in to contest and correct these issues at different entities, including the Human Services Department. This dual approach of resource linkage and advocacy ensures our clients can successfully navigate their legal challenges and also sets precedents that benefit all immigrants in the state, fortifying communities throughout New Mexico.

NMILC staff Alondra Reyes (center) and Delaney Swink (left) assist a volunteer providing pro se services at a monthly asylum clinic.

Josefina’s Story

Josefina found a lifeline at NMILC when she needed it most. In addition to receiving legal assistance for her immigration status and obtaining a work permit as a result, she initially faced challenges in enrolling her child in Medicaid services. However, her NMILC Navigator advocated with the Human Services Department, successfully overturning the denial and enabling her child to see a doctor the very next day. This resulted in prescription glasses that dramatically improved his performance in school. Beyond healthcare, NMILC’s comprehensive support extended to securing Emergency Rental Assistance for Josefina, ensuring her family’s safety and stability in a secure home. Today, she feels a comforting sense of belonging and safety in her new country, thanks to the tailored and compassionate support she received from NMILC.

Wrap-Around Services

By creating an ecosystem of wrap-around services that address NMILC clients’ most basic needs, your support helps clients begin to move beyond the trauma of their immigration experience and focus on the legal work needed to establish a safe and permanent home in the United States.

RECOGNIGTION & HONORS

National Spotlight on NMILC’s Innovative Legal Clinics

Policy, Education, Advocacy, Leadership Development & Direct Services

With your support, our half-day pro bono clinics for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) State Predicate Orders give families the individualized attention they deserve, and necessary documents are often e-filed on the spot. We take pride in having developed a model that not only increases our capacity to serve vulnerable youth but also strengthens our connections with the local legal community and state court judges. This cuts through red tape and significantly accelerates the SIJS process for families in need. Our impact goes beyond New Mexico — in July 2023, our clinic model was nationally recognized by the American Bar Association and the Children’s Immigration Law Academy as an innovative way to effectively serve more clients and create a symbiotic ecosystem involving pro bono attorneys, staff, and families in need.

2023 Community Appreciation Event & Legislative Brief

In April, we hosted our first in-person Community Appreciation Event since the pandemic. We expressed our gratitude to the generous pro bono attorneys, community members, and volunteers who went above and beyond donating their time and skills to advance our mission and better serve our clients. Our staff also provided an immigrant rights 2023 legislative debrief at the event, highlighting the impact of their work on state policy.

NMILC Pro Bono Attorney Ella Joan Fenoglio meets with community member Myrna Patricia Meza Nunez at 2023 Citizenship Fair about her case.

ELEVATING JUSTICE

How Pro Bono Attorneys Make a Difference

Our work at NMILC would not be possible without the dedicated support of our pro bono attorneys. With pro bono attorneys specialized in every area of law that we work in, these individuals amplify our reach and bring in-depth expertise to complex and nuanced cases. This collaboration allows us to serve more people and offer high-quality legal aid in a range of specialized issues. We’re thrilled to announce that one of our pro bono attorneys, Ella Joan Fenoglio, was recently honored with The Robert H. LaFollette Pro Bono Award by the State Bar of New Mexico. This recognition is given to attorneys who have made exceptional contributions by providing free legal services to those who otherwise couldn’t afford them. Ella Joan has been invaluable in our asylum and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) programs. Congratulations, Ella Joan, and a heartfelt thank you to all who contribute their time and expertise to make our mission possible!

 

Ella Joan Fenoglio received the Robert H. LaFollette Pro Bono Award for 2023 through the State Bar of New Mexico. 

 

VOLUNTEERING

Put Your Skills into Action as a NMILC Volunteer

POLICY, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & DIRECT SERVICES

Our work at NMILC is exponentially enriched by our dedicated volunteers, who take on crucial tasks ranging from document translation to data entry to fundraising initiatives. As a NMILC volunteer, your contributions not only allow us to serve a greater number of individuals, they also free up our staff to focus on complex legal cases and policy work. The value you add is immeasurable in both time and financial resources saved. If you’re thinking about offering your skills for a meaningful cause, we invite you to become part of our volunteer team and make a tangible difference in the lives of immigrants in New Mexico. 

“Volunteering as a DOJ Accredited Rep with NMILC has been challenging and fulfilling work! It makes me happy to see cases through to their positive conclusions.”

—Stephanie Lawyer

 

“We are so grateful to NMILC for the incredible support and guidance they provide throughout these cases and are excited about continuing this partnership!”

— Allison Freedman, UNM School of Law

 
 

Ready to make a difference? 

We have a special need for bilingual volunteers to expand NMILC’s reach even further, but all skill sets can bridge gaps and change lives. Get in touch with us today to start your journey of impact!

 

Engaging Youth Through Artivism

This spring we held our annual youth art design contest, engaging students and schools across New Mexico. The contest reclaims the narrative around immigration and our border communities by creating lasting cultural change through “artivism.” 

This year’s theme was based on the Mexican proverb, “Dime con quién anda, y diré quién eres” (Tell me with whom you walk, and I’ll tell you who you are), and 31 students submitted designs. 

Fiscal Year Financials

EXPENSES

TOTAL EXPENSES
$3,662,456

REVENUE SOURCES

$2,273,314
Private Foundations & Community Partner Collaborations

$1,659,620
Local, State, and Federal Government

$178,304
Individual Contributions

$220,942
Donated Professional Services

$17,006
Investment Income

$26,398
Miscellaneous Income

TOTAL REVENUE
$4,375,584

Many Thanks to All of Our Supporters!

None of our work would be possible without the many people and organizations who support us with their time, talent, and treasure. From pro bono attorneys representing our clients in court, to volunteers spending their Saturday with us at a Citizenship Fair, to all of our faithful donors, we are so grateful for our broad base of community support. Our success is because of you!

 
 

 

Thank You to Our Pro Bono Attorneys!

Our law firm & pro bono attorney partners sponsor trainings for volunteer attorneys, offer legal expertise & mentorship to our staff, & take on cases pro bono.