Immigration Legal Services
The path to lawful immigration status for potential new citizens is fraught with numerous hurdles and frequent changes. Access to affordable legal services continues to fall woefully short of meeting the demand, despite the fact that many struggle to navigate this path without expert advice.
As a result, many immigrants in the U.S. today remain in legal limbo, unable to step fully into the privileges and benefits of citizenship, and held back due to the legal barriers that prevent them from fully living out their potential as contributing members of their communities.
But together, we can address this challenge.
Quick Links for ILS:
Upcoming Training Events
Legal Support Network
Our Work
World Relief’s staff of legal practitioners at local Immigration Legal Services (ILS) programs provide high-quality direct legal services to help eligible clients apply for citizenship, asylum, DACA, permanent residence, family reunification, work authorization, Temporary Protected Status, Special Immigrant Visas, and more.
![Graphic Placeholders Graphic Placeholders](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Graphic-Placeholders.png)
National Immigration Programs
In 2023, our team
![Web_Icons_Client Web_Icons_Client](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Web_Icons_Client-150x150.png)
Supported local World Relief ILS programs serving 11,712 clients
![Web_Icons_ILS Web_Icons_ILS](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Web_Icons_ILS-150x150.png)
Supported 36 ILS programs across the United States
![Web_Icons_BasicLawTraining Web_Icons_BasicLawTraining](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Web_Icons_BasicLawTraining-150x150.png)
Equipped 182 participants in Basic Immigration Law Training
What We Do
The National Immigration Programs team expands access to justice and strengthens the delivery of high-quality legal services through World Relief’s ILS programs and affiliate members of its church-based Legal Support Network. The team provides technical legal assistance, training, policy and programmatic guidance, legal updates, support in the Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognition and Accreditation process, and other resources to help ILS programs flourish. Each year, we offer Basic Immigration Law trainings in virtual and in-person formats for individuals seeking to become immigration law practitioners.
Our Services
![Web_Icons_TechnicalLegalAssistance Web_Icons_TechnicalLegalAssistance](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Web_Icons_TechnicalLegalAssistance.png)
Technical Legal Assistance
![Web_Icons_DOJRecognition Web_Icons_DOJRecognition](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Web_Icons_DOJRecognition.png)
DOJ Recognition & Accreditation Support
![Web_Icons_LegalUpdates Web_Icons_LegalUpdates](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Web_Icons_LegalUpdates.png)
Legal Updates & Training
Meet Our Team
![Ellipse 1 Ellipse 1](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Ellipse-1.jpg)
Robyn Brown
Director of Immigration Programs
![Emily Tortorella Emily Tortorella](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Ellipse-1.png)
Emily Tortorella
Field Support Manager
![Laura Pontius Laura Pontius](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Ellipse-1-1.png)
Laura Pontius
Legal Training Manager
![Makayla Fulmer Makayla Fulmer](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Ellipse-1-2.png)
Makayla Samayoa
Legal Network Coordinator
![Sarah Bankard Sarah Bankard](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2024/04/Ellipse-1-3.png)
Sarah Bankard
Network Capacity Manager
![desireekg_headshot desireekg_headshot](https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/desireekg_headshot-circle-b0483e64bed3b46c3091d6f4ce36979f-qfuji36eotc0.jpg)
Desiree Koger-Gustafson
Technical Assistance Attorney
Didn't find what you're looking for? Email us immigration@wr.org.
World Relief ILS Programs and Legal Support Network Sites
Looking for Immigration Legal Services?
If you are looking for legal advice or representation in your area, please contact your nearest World Relief ILS program below or one of our Legal Support Network affiliate sites on the map above.
World Relief ILS Programs
Maryland
Texas
Wisconsin
If you cannot find an office near where you live, you can visit the Immigration Advocates Network Legal Directory.