The last few weeks weighed heavy on us. We witnessed innocents killed and families torn apart. During that time, God had given us opportunities to talk to friends and colleagues about how ICE had affected families we actually knew. Even our own journey of naturalization faced challenges of long silence and indignity despite following the legal course of action. Hearing real stories of people who were unfairly treated made one thing clear: many could have benefited from legal support to navigate the immigration process with confidence and peace of mind. This is where we saw could make an actual impact.
Your Contribution Helps Stories Like These….
(& yes, these are ACTUAL cases we heard from a reputable immigration lawyer)
From Abuse and Fear to Safety and Hope
A woman married an American man, praising the American dream with a visa in one hand. But after just a few months of marriage, her life became a nightmare.
What started as a hopeful new beginning quickly turned into emotional and physical abuse. Isolated, afraid, and without immigration status, she felt completely trapped. With no family nearby, very little money, and nowhere safe to turn, she made the brave decision to escape. She fled the home with only what she could carry and sought refuge at a women’s shelter.
She was terrified, not only of her abuser, but also of deportation. After months of uncertainty, she was connected with an immigration attorney who agreed to help her on a low-bono basis. A VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) petition and adjustment of status application were filed, giving her a lifeline toward safety and independence.
Four long months passed before she received a work permit. Eighteen months later, after living in fear and uncertainty, she finally received her green card.
Today, she is safe. She is working. She is rebuilding her life. Most importantly, she has hope again.
Your support helps make stories like hers possible, giving survivors the chance to escape abuse, secure lawful status, and start over with dignity.
A Family Torn Apart and Reunited
A man walked into his marriage-based green card interview in Los Angeles with hope and confidence, expecting a routine approval.
Instead, ICE officers entered the room, placed him in handcuffs, and took him away to the Adelanto Detention Center.
He was blindsided. He later learned there was an old removal order issued in Arizona, something he didn’t even know existed.
His wife was left alone with their two young daughters, trying to explain why their father didn’t come home. The emotional toll was devastating. Their older daughter became so overwhelmed with fear and anxiety that she began harming herself. At the same time, the family lost their main source of income overnight.
Desperate and terrified, his wife contacted an immigration attorney. With limited financial resources, she didn’t know how she would afford representation. The attorney agreed to file a motion to reopen his case, trusting that once he was released, they could work out a payment plan.
When the immigration court denied the motion, the fight wasn’t over. An appeal was filed with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). For eight painful months, the family waited— visiting him in detention, struggling financially, and trying to keep their daughters emotionally stable.
Finally, the BIA remanded the case, vacated the removal order, and opened the door for his release. A Motion for Bond was filed and GRANTED.
After EIGHT LONG MONTHS in detention, he walked out and embraced his family again. Their fight isn’t over, but they are together. And together, they can move forward.
Your support helps families stay united and gives them a fighting chance against a system that can feel overwhelming and unforgiving.
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Mission Statement
Helping individuals and families with limited financial means access qualified legal counsel so they can navigate immigration cases and USCIS interviews with dignity and confidence.
About this fund
This fund exists to help individuals and families afford lawful immigration representation when financial hardship would otherwise prevent them from completing required legal processes. Assistance is used for attorney fees and filing costs related to immigration matters, including USCIS interviews and court proceedings.
Funds are held in a restricted account and administered solely for legal expenses. Donations are not tax-deductible. No funds are used for personal expenses, and all payments are made directly to licensed attorneys or their trust accounts. Beneficiaries may work with qualified immigration attorneys of their choosing.
Loving the Sojourner Legal Aid Fund exists to ensure that individuals and families facing financial hardship are not denied lawful immigration outcomes due to lack of access to competent legal representation. The fund provides assistance for immigration legal services, including USCIS interviews, applications, and court proceedings, so that cases may be resolved fairly, lawfully, and with dignity.
Eligibility Criteria
Assistance is considered for individuals and families who demonstrate financial hardship and require legal representation in immigration matters. Requests are reviewed by a small independent committee using written eligibility criteria. Priority may be given to cases involving asylum, victims of domestic violence, victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors, family unity, or time-sensitive proceedings. No assistance is guaranteed, and funding decisions are based on available resources and objective criteria. The fund administrator or eligibility committee members receive no personal benefit from any disbursement.
Applicants may be considered for assistance if they meet all of the following:
✔ Immigration-related need. Assistance is limited to:
- Immigration legal representation
- USCIS interviews and filings
- Court-related immigration matters
(No criminal defense, non-immigration civil matters, or appeals outside immigration.)
✔ Financial need. Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship, including one or more of:
- Household income insufficient to cover legal fees
- Unexpected immigration-related expenses
- Family financial strain due to caregiving, medical, or employment disruption
✔ Family impact
- Priority is given to cases involving:
- Family unity
- Spouses, children, or dependents
- Long-term stability and lawful presence
✔ Legal counsel
- Funds are paid only to licensed immigration attorneys or accredited representatives.
- Applicants may choose their attorney
- Attorney must be in good standing
- No funds are paid directly to applicants
❌ Not eligible
- Personal expenses (rent, food, travel)
- Bond payments
- Cases involving fraud or misrepresentation
- Matters already fully funded elsewhere
Eligibility Review Process
1. Applicant submits request here
2. Decisions are based solely on written criteria
3. Approval requires unanimous agreement by committee
4. Decision is documented (approved / denied)
5. Funds paid directly to attorney
What your donation can help with specifically
Typical costs for an immigration case:
Asylum Cases ~ $5,000
Removal Proceedings ~ $10,000
Attorney Fees Hourly Rate ~ $500/hour
Filing Fees for Naturalization - $760 per person
Filing Fees for Permanent Residency (Green Card) - $1440 per person
FIling Fees for Vias ~ $435+ per person
Fund Wind-Down Policy
If the Loving the Sojourner Legal Aid Fund is paused or closed, any remaining funds will continue to be used for immigration legal assistance consistent with the fund’s mission until exhausted. No funds will revert to the administrator for personal use. Donors will be notified of the wind-down, and final disbursements will be documented.
If this becomes a nonprofit...
The fund may pursue formal nonprofit status in the future to expand access and oversight. Any transition will preserve donor intent and fund restrictions.