A history of welcoming the sojourner
Restoration Immigration Legal Aid (RILA) grew out of the vision of a small group of people from Restoration Anglican Church to welcome and care for its immigrant neighbors, as compelled by Jesus, recorded in the Bible in Matthew 25. This vision took the shape of a legal aid ministry, not only to provide affordable legal counsel but also to offer a space for ministering to individuals and families at their most vulnerable. In 2015, a committed team with legal, social work, pastoral, translation, and administrative skills formed and began laying the groundwork for RILA. Soon after, RILA received approval as a U.S. Department of Justice-recognized organization. With a decision to focus primarily on asylum cases, RILA held its first monthly legal aid clinic in March 2016, which a single client attended.
Since then, RILA has expanded to seeing up to 20 clients a month during its legal clinics at Restoration Anglican Church. As the number of clients has grown, so have the court appearances, follow-up case work, and number of volunteers. Now a team of 14, RILA depends upon more than 100 volunteers to carry out its work, which consisted of around 1000 active cases in 2024. In 2019, RILA transitioned from a small church ministry to a Christian-based nonprofit organization. We continue to expand the number of clients served, provide additional holistic immigration advocacy services to clients, and partner with various churches, nonprofits, and businesses in the community.
During our clinic evenings at Restoration Anglican Church twice per month, staff, volunteers and clients share a meal together, provided by volunteers (and sometimes our clients!), in a hospitable atmosphere. Volunteers serve at clinics as interpreters, meeting note-takers and childcare support. RILA’s clinic model breaks down barriers between staff, volunteers, and clients and facilitates mutual understanding, respect, and empathy. As a result, we and our communities are all changed for the better.
While changes in government administration regularly present new challenges for immigrants seeking asylum, RILA’s mission to advocate for justice and protection for those who need it most remains the same. We continue to stand with our clients and provide up-to-date information about changes in immigration law, policies, and enforcement so they can make informed decisions about their cases.
RILA is a recognized organization by the Department of Justice, which designates RILA as a trusted organization that provides low-cost immigration legal services and will not deny services due to a person’s inability to pay. RILA is an affiliate of Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), which provides RILA staff with access to immigration legal resources, trainings, supervision, and consultation.
RILA is primarily funded by individual donors and foundations. We receive no state or federal grants, which means that your support truly is crucial in supplying immigration advocacy services.
Affiliations & Funding
While the heart of our work stays the same, we find that each year takes on a different theme as we meet the challenges that clients face. Our annual report offers the clearest picture of where our work is now. We encourage you to get to know us and our clients by reading it.
RILA’s pro bono legal aid is designed to help the most vulnerable of our immigrant neighbors. We concentrate our immigration advocacy services on clients who are experiencing some or all of the following vulnerabilities—potential barriers to social mobility or access to services.
WHO WE SERVE
Finances
We prioritize clients earning less than 150% of the poverty line.
Language
We focus on clients with limited English proficiency.
Support Network
We work with clients who have fewer than three family members in the immediate area.
Age
We cater to clients under the age of 18.
Family
We give precedence to single-parent households.
Education
We support clients with limited education who might otherwise struggle to find support.
HISTORY
2015
A committed team from Restoration Anglican Church with legal, social work, pastoral, interpretation, and administrative skills forms to begin laying the groundwork for RILA’s immigration advocacy services.
Soon after, RILA receives approval as a US Department of Justice-recognized organization.
2016
RILA holds its first official monthly legal aid clinic in March. A single client attends, signaling the start of our work and our focus on asylum-seeking individuals.
2019
RILA transitions from a small, church-based ministry to a larger, Christian-based nonprofit organization, allowing us to work more effectively and establish a wider network of partnerships and support for our clients.
2020
RILA receives its IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, designating the organization as a charitable organization.
2024
RILA maintains 957 active cases, primarily comprising asylum-seeking and SIJ clients, along with permanent residence applications and other humanitarian aid.