Immigration

Access is at the core of everything, including access into a safe country where you can work, receive care, and attend school.

Why Immigration?

Immigration law is incredibly complicated, but current laws already contain a number of ways that undocumented immigrants can obtain status. These include petitions for asylum, victims of crime, and families.

Unfortunately, many immigrants aren’t able to afford legal representation to help them obtain status, trapping millions of people in a “shadow economy.” Immigrants in deportation proceedings are often forced out of the country despite qualifying for status.

By enabling everyone who qualifies for legal status to obtain it, we’re saving lives and dramatically improving incomes.

Legal Representation Matters

By comparing identical populations who were able to obtain legal status and those who were not, studies have been able to calculate that obtaining legal status increases immigrants annual earnings by 20-30%. Additionally, immigrants in deportation proceedings were 5.5x more likely to remain in the country when represented.

PKossoudji, S. A., & Cobb‐Clark, D. A. (2002)
Kossoudji, S. A., & Cobb‐Clark, D. A. (2002). Coming out of the Shadows: Learning about Legal Status and Wages from the Legalized Population. Journal of Labor Economics, 20(3), 598–628. https://doi.org/10.1086/339611
PEagly, I., & Shafer, S. (2015)
Eagly, I., & Shafer, S. (2015). A National Study of Access to Counsel in Immigration Court. University of Pennsylvania Law Review, 164(1), 1–91. https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=9502&context=penn_law_review

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Annual increase in income for immigrants

Immigration Stories

“Now I have a work permit and a social security number, and I thank God and Belinda for that. I will take English classes and work, and now we are in a good place.”

Veronica Solorzano, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Client

Veronica's Story

Veronica, her pregnant sister, and her niece traveled from El Salvador to escape gang violence and assault. They walked across the desert and were picked up by ICE.

Brenda & Riley's Story

As a wheelchair user, Riley was targeted by gangs who wanted to use him as a drug mule. After they were attacked several times, Brenda took Riley and escaped through Guatemala, only to be captured by gangs in Mexico.

Maria & Jose's Story

Maria is a mother whose son, Jose, was almost torn away from her. With the help of Open Door Legal, Jose and Maria are able to continue living together in the United States.