Update 4/30/2015: Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner restored $26 million in funding for critical social services, including immigrant services. However, he plans to permanently eliminate funding for these services in his next budget, which goes into effect on July 1, 2015. Our advocacy is working and we need to keep the pressure on the governor high!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Programs that help immigrants build their lives, raise families, and apply for legal status make Illinois’ economy stronger and our state a better place to live. We asked a couple of NIJC clients to share why these services are important to them. And we're asking you to share your story too.
For Melanny, it meant a chance to attend college.
For Sharon, it meant a chance to advance at work and access to maternity leave when her son was born.
Melanny and Sharon are applying to renew their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) temporary status and shared these videos about how the program has changed her life. Melanny, Sharon, and thousands of other people in Illinois rely on state-supported immigrant services, including legal aid from NIJC and other organizations, to understand their rights and apply for legal status.
But Governor Bruce Rauner has eliminated these services from Illinois’ budget, even though immigrant services provide Illinois with $5 in revenue for every $1 spent. Now Governor Rauner needs to hear from you.
SHARE YOUR STORY:
Have immigrant services made a difference in your life? Are services for immigrants important to you? Take a video, selfie, or just write to us and tell us why. Post it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag #StrongerIL. If you’re not a fan of social media, you can email us and share your story with us.
And if you haven’t already, you can still send a message to Governor Rauner telling him to restore funding for immigrant services immediately.
Together we can show that supporting immigrants and their families makes Illinois better for everyone.