By Emily O’Donnell
Our theme for March is Partners and Partnerships.
Our article for this week is by Emily O’Donnell, Senior Director of FaithX’s newest partner, Administer Justice.
Church-Based Legal Aid for Families Facing Immigration Uncertainty
“Fear not!”
Jesus shared this encouragement at least 26 times in the gospels. Whether your church has families and individuals who are directly impacted by the state of our immigration system or not, fear and uncertainty abound.
One way your church can alleviate fears is by hosting a legal aid clinic. For our immigrant neighbors, getting legal help now before it’s an emergency situation could provide the support they need to overcome whatever happens next.
Administer Justice has been partnering with churches for 25 years to provide the help of a lawyer and the hope of God’s love. With our simple no-cost plug-and-play model for launching a legal ministry, we are equipping churches to fulfill God’s command to seek justice for the vulnerable.
Hosting a Gospel Justice Center involves opening your church once a month (usually on a Saturday morning) for 3-4 hours so that clients can meet with a team of volunteers from your church. One (ideally two!) of those volunteers will be a lawyer, but many of the volunteer roles do not require legal knowledge – simply a willing heart and compassion for those facing challenges.
Our National Support Center provides online training for volunteers, the database and systems for scheduling client appointments and maintaining confidential client records, and a launch kit with promotional materials for getting the word out in your community.
Clients pay a one-time $30 copay to book a 45-minute appointment with an attorney to get legal advice and coaching on their situation. If they need to return for a follow-up appointment, there is no additional cost. While the attorneys do not represent clients in court and are not ‘taking on the client’s case’, they provide valuable advice and next steps for resolving the legal situation and can assist with document preparation (i.e. power of attorney).
Unfortunately, there are people preying on the current fear and offering fraudulent help to immigrants that drain resources and create another crisis. While our Gospel Justice Centers (GJC) don’t specialize in immigration, an appointment can help people determine what paths may or may not be available to them, interpret documents, and understand their rights. Many GJCs offer appointments with bi-lingual attorneys or interpreters.
Most importantly, clients are welcomed, cared for, prayed over, and supported by a church-based volunteer team. As they sit with neighbors, hold hands, and get close they demonstrate how perfect love casts out fear.
In 2024, Gospel Justice Centers across the country provided nearly 3,000 clients with legal help.
Maybe God is calling your church, in 2025, to host a Gospel Justice Center.
To learn more, visit our website for next steps. We also have an Immigration page with important next steps for families needing a safety plan, KYR (Know Your Rights) information, or the establishment of child custody plans.
Jesus said all people will know we are his disciples, if we show love for one another (John 13:35). God’s people have great opportunity to demonstrate this love and share God’s peace with neighbors in need.
