Business Details
31 Years
experience
Trusted Immigration Legal Services in Central & Southern Illinois
Founded in 1995, Immigration Project has dedicated over 25 years to providing accessible immigration legal services across Central and Southern Illinois. Our nonprofit organization operates through a rural-regional service model, combining in-person consultations, teleconferencing, and mobile outreach to serve clients in 86 counties. With offices in Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, and Springfield, we offer consultations on citizenship, family reunification, DACA, and removal defense, supported by a team fluent in Spanish and French. Our sliding-scale fees ensure affordability, while partnerships and regional clinics expand our reach.We prioritize client dignity, cultural competence, and community education through workshops and presentations. Our legal experts collaborate with national organizations to enhance access to justice, and our social services team addresses housing, public benefits, and integration needs. Recognized for excellence, we serve immigrants from over 60 countries, helping thousands achieve legal status and community stability annually. Our commitment to transparency, ethical practice, and client-centered advocacy has made us a trusted resource for immigrants navigating complex legal systems.
Services
Legal Consultations
Citizenship Workshops
Family Reunification
DACA Applications
Removal Defense
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- 25+ years of specialized immigration law experience
- Bilingual Spanish-English staff and French interpreters
- Rural-regional service model covering 86 counties
- Sliding-scale fees for low-income clients
- Served immigrants from 60+ countries
Associations and certifications
- 501(c)(3)
What people say
Helped reunite families
Affordable services
Professional staff
Positive impact
Excellent support
Services
Legal Consultations
Our attorneys provide personalized immigration consultations covering citizenship, family reunification, and deportation defense. We offer Spanish and French interpretation services for non-English speakers. Clients receive tailored guidance through complex legal processes with culturally competent support.
Citizenship Workshops
We conduct regional workshops to educate permanent residents about citizenship requirements. These sessions cover application processes, documentation preparation, and post-citizenship rights. Participants receive direct support for naturalization applications through our partnership networks.
DACA Applications
Our team assists eligible individuals with DACA renewals and initial applications. We provide comprehensive support for work authorization documentation and coordinate with national advocacy groups to ensure compliance with evolving immigration policies.
Removal Defense
We represent clients facing deportation proceedings with strategic legal defense. Our services include court representation, asylum applications, and appeals management. We prioritize protecting vulnerable populations including crime victims and long-term residents.
Social Services
Our social workers provide housing assistance, public benefits navigation, and community integration programs. We operate a one-stop welcome center connecting immigrants with healthcare, education, and employment resources through regional partnerships.
People
Charlotte Alvarez
Executive Director
Leading immigration advocate with 15+ years of nonprofit leadership. Specializes in policy development and community outreach for immigrant populations across Illinois.
Danielle DeWinter
Legal Director
Experienced immigration attorney overseeing legal strategy and advocacy. Manages pro bono partnerships and complex deportation defense cases across 86 counties.
Sarah Mellor
Social Services Director
Community integration specialist with decade-long experience in housing programs and public benefits advocacy for immigrant families in Central Illinois.
Alvaro Bello
Senior Attorney
DACA program expert with extensive experience in youth immigration cases. Provides legal training to regional practitioners and community organizations.
Maura Toro-Morn
Board Chairperson
Community leader and academic specializing in immigrant integration policies. Oversees organizational governance and strategic direction for statewide impact.
Questions
What immigration services do you offer?
We provide citizenship workshops, family reunification petitions, DACA applications, deportation defense, and social services including housing assistance and public benefits navigation.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call 309-829-8703 weekdays 10am-5pm. Leave your name, number, location, and reason for calling if lines are busy. Allow 2-3 weeks for appointment processing.
Do you offer services in Spanish?
Yes, most staff are bilingual Spanish-English. We also have French interpreters and multilingual volunteers for other languages including Lingala and Kanjobal.
Are your legal fees affordable?
We use a sliding scale based on income. Initial intake appointments cost $25, with many services offered at reduced rates or through scholarship programs.
Can you help with emergency immigration cases?
While we don't offer 24/7 emergency services, we prioritize urgent cases like imminent deportation hearings and provide expedited consultations when possible.
Do you serve rural communities?
Yes, our rural-regional model includes 7 regional offices and over 100 annual clinics across 86 counties, with mobile services for remote areas.
