advancing a safe and humane border

Through advocacy, radical accompaniment, education and legal services.

our programs

provides our community with accessible, affordable legal immigration help. This program provides services such as residency and naturalization, assistance for victims of crime and domestic violence, work permits, and DACA.

COMMUNITY program

detained deportation defense program

provideS free, high-quality deportation defense and legal support for immigrants detained by ICE in El Paso and New Mexico. We work to ensure due process and humane treatment for detained immigrants.

CROSS BORDER PROGRAM

provideS binational legal services in Mexico and the U.S. so that vulnerable migrants (persons with serious medical issues, indigenous and black migrants, families with children, LGBTQ+, etc.) can access due process and safety in the U.S. asylum system.

our special projects

las americas credible fear interview orientation project

in response to the demand for legal aid in detention, Las Americas’ Detained Deportation Defense Program developed a model to provide early interventions to asylum seekers in advance of the credible fear interview. Over the course of an eight-week period in the summer of 2023, attorneys and a cadre of undergraduate and law students put the concept into practice via a pilot project dedicated to providing CFI orientations and preparatory sessions for asylum seekers held in ICE custody and subject to the expedited removal process.

the report's findings strongly advocate for the need for early intervention by legal advocates to ensure that individuals in detention have a fair chance of presenting their cases in credible fear interviews and court proceedings. 

recent

reports + initiatives

  • November 2024 | read letter

  • July 2024 | read letter

  • july 2024| read letter

  • july 2024 | read full comment

  • June 2024 | Read full report

  • feb 2024 | read letter

  • december 2023 | read full report

follow us on social media to keep up with our work!

Today is #GivingTuesday, and we aim to raise $5,000 by the end of the day to continue supporting immigrant survivors of abuse like Mireya and our efforts to keep families together. Will you help us? Building community and practicing solidarity remai
Our December community asylum workshop is here! This workshop is designed to help people who are seeking asylum in the U.S. and have a removal hearing at the El Paso immigration court. This is a FREE workshop. 🗓️ WHEN: Wednesday, December 4th from
This #WelcomeWednesday, we’d like to highlight Marta* and Emily’s story. Marta lived in the United States for over 20 years and had five U.S. citizen children. Last winter, Marta was detained by ICE and placed in removal proceedings. La
Our biweekly renewal workshop is right around the corner. We will help community members renew: ✅ #DeferredAction (#DACA) ✅ #WorkPermits ✅ #Greencard ✅ AND MORE. 📍WHERE: Family Resource Center, Guillén High School 🗓 WHEN : Tuesday, Novemb
Join us in welcoming our 2024-2026 @ijcorps fellows, Enrique and Virginia! 🦋Enrique, IJC Katzmann Fellow, will support our community advocacy and detained and deportation defense teams by taking on non-detained removal defense, including helping l
Our duty to those we serve is unwavering, no matter who sits in the White House. Las Americas urges undocumented immigrants and those with temporary legal status to seek immigration legal advice from a trusted and qualified certified lawyer if they

breaking barriers, building bridges:

stay informed on our work on the border.

Committed to reuniting families since 1987.

“In my years as a member of Las Americas, I have had many privileged encounters, listening to each person’s story, every one of them unique… I have come to realize that all of us can become a vital source of self-respect, hope, and encouragement.”

— Sister Phyllis Nolan, long-time Las Americas volunteer