Skip to main content
 

The Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance (MIDA) provides high-quality immigration legal services for free to detained immigrants.

MIDA is a coalition of the National Immigrant Justice Center, The Resurrection Project, The Immigration Project, and the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender.

Read more about MIDA:

Logos for the four member organizations of the Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance: National Immigrant Justice Center, The Immigration Project, The Resurrection Project, and Cook County Public Defenders

     

    Who qualifies for free legal representation from MIDA?

    Individuals must meet all of the following criteria:

    • In removal proceedings before the Chicago Immigration Court.
    • In immigration detention. It does not matter where the detention center is located. Immigrants in the Chicago Immigration Court are commonly detained in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Kentucky.
    • Household income under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
    • Have not yet had their first immigration court hearing.
    • Do not already have a different immigration legal representative.

    Individuals who do not meet these requirements may still be able to obtain free or low-cost legal help from NIJC or another MIDA partner.

    Individuals who are detained and scheduled for a hearing at the Chicago Immigration Court on a day when MIDA is available will have the opportunity to tell the immigration judge they want a consultation with a free representative.

     

    José's Story

    Listen to José, who faced deportation proceedings from the isolation of immigration detention, talk about how finding a lawyer gave him hope and strength to keep fighting for justice.