|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This fall a notable and gratifying number of constituents contacted my office to advocate for Hennepin County’s continued support for immigrant communities in the 2026 budget. A big thank you to everyone who wrote. The budget item (more information below) will be preserved in the 2026 budget.
The level of energy and interest in how Hennepin County supports immigrants sparked me to want to highlight this body of work at the county to my newsletter audience. Please read on to learn of the many ways that Hennepin County supports recent immigrants to our region.
Please read on to learn more!
Background
The program at the center of this year’s advocacy was the county’s Immigrant Legal Defense Fund (ILDF), established to support county residents caught up in deportation proceedings. In 2018, I authored the legislation to create this fund, and championed the pilot through a rare 4-3 vote of the board.
The ILDF program, among the first of its kind in the nation, contracts with community-based organizations, and the principal emphasis was residents’ constitutional right to due process. The program was a big success, and I’m proud to say contributed to a transformation in how the county works to meet the needs of residents who are immigrants.
There is a breadth of ways that Hennepin County supports immigrants, and sees itself as a “first line response” to welcome people to our country and region.
Immigration Legal Defense
Hennepin County continues to fund income-eligible immigrant legal defense services for county residents ensnared in deportation proceedings. The outpouring of support for the program from concerned neighbors across District 3 has been wonderful. Legal support services for our immigrant community members are more important now than ever.
The county’s funding is stretched to work with as many residents as possible. An ongoing challenge of the work is that, quite frankly, the fund is a drop in the bucket compared to the need. Nonetheless, it is a tangible commitment to due process for everyone, and builds trust and relationship between the county and immigrant communities.
Adult Representation Services
The positive impacts of the ILDF pilot led the county to expand services offered to county-engaged residents by an internal team named Adult Representation Services (ARS). In 2023, ARS began providing immigrant legal representation.
ARS is a Hennepin County department that provides independent legal representation, advocacy and support to income-eligible clients in matters where they are entitled to an attorney or legal support. The county’s goal is to remove barriers to individuals and families that impede them from getting the support they need and are eligible for.
ARS and Immigration Law
In 2024, ARS significantly expanded its immigration practice both in the volume of cases and the complexity of cases. ARS’ immigration legal services have been pivotal in achieving stability for individuals at risk of deportation by creating opportunities in the following ways:
- Eliminate barriers to obtaining employment by helping Hennepin County residents replace lost, stolen, or expired documents, or apply for work permits when eligible
- Assess residents’ eligibility to obtain or improve their immigration status to enhance safety and increase opportunity
- Address gaps in free legal services (specifically assisting with standalone applications to replace documents and help residents apply for temporary protected status [TPS])
- Increase access to representation for undocumented youth and victims of crime and human trafficking (the At-Risk Guardianship Calendar)
ARS, Documentation, and Filings
ARS staff assist individuals seeking immigration assistance with a variety of forms and applications, including:
- Replacement of permanent resident cards to show proof of status and obtaining proof of residency
- Travel documents for Ukrainian parolees
- Self-petition filings for permanent residency for victims of abuse
- Petitions for undocumented youth to obtain court orders necessary for special immigrant juvenile status
- Application for employment authorization; application for temporary protected status
- “T” visa applications for victims of severe forms of human trafficking; “U” Visa applications for victims of qualifying crimes; applications for naturalization, certificate of citizenship, and replacement documents
Public Health Clinic
Hennepin County public health offers services regardless of immigration status, and maintains intentional voluntary health access for newly arrived individuals who can safely elect health services ranging from general screenings, to immunizations, to more specific individual care.
Examples of services provided to new immigrants arriving in Hennepin county:
- Immunizations
- General physicals
- Specialized screenings
- Connections to human services, specialists, and other resources as needed
Since 2020, public health has served over 3,500 refugees, recorded over 5,400 individual visits, and provided nearly 32,000 immunizations to keep families and children healthy and school-ready.
# # #
If you have questions about this or any other topic, we welcome hearing from you. Hennepin County services are numerous and reach into myriad topic areas. Please reach out to our office for any reason.
My best,
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
Laura Hoffman
District Aide
612-348-0863
|
