Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP)

Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is a non-profit legal service organization. We are not funded by or connected to any government agency.

We provide protection and confidential support to farm workers in Maine who are seeking to better understand or use immigration laws.

FOR FARM WORKERS:

Get Legal Help:

ILAP is Maine's only state-wide immigration legal services organization and we are here to help. We serve low-income Maine residents. All services are free or very low cost. ILAP offers interpretation for all phone or online calls with ILAP legal staff and volunteers.

ILAP may be able to provide legal help for:

Survivors of domestic violence, labor or sex trafficking, or a crime
Unaccompanied minors under 21

Please note that ILAP is a small organization and we are not able to help everyone who asks for assistance. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

GET LEGAL HELP

Visit Immigration Advocates Network's National Immigration Legal Services Directory to find other legal services.

Check out our Community Partners page for other legal organizations in Maine!

Immigration Law Updates

Visit our Legal Advisories page for the most updated information.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

TPS is a temporary status given to people from certain countries that the U.S. government has designated as being unsafe for return. TPS gives people from those countries who are in the U.S. temporary protection from deportation, legal status, and a work permit.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

DACA is a program started in 2012 giving certain youth who came to the U.S. as children temporary permission to stay in this country.

Maine (and many other states) have legalized medical marijuana and legalized recreational marijuana possession, use, growing and sales, but marijuana is still ILLEGAL under FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW. Maine State laws DON'T change immigration laws.

If you are NOT a U.S. Citizen you can NOT have, use, grow, or work with marijuana in ANY state!

Visit our Marijuana & Immigration page for more information.

Know Your Rights

Everyone in the United States has certain rights, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Learn your rights to protect yourself in encounters with police or ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

These are your rights:

The right to remain silent: You do not have to respond to or answer any questions by the police, the FBI, Border Patrol, or ICE. It is your right to stay silent in any situation. You should say out loud: “I exercise my right to remain silent.”
The right to not consent to a search: Police may “pat down” your clothing if they suspect a weapon. You have the right to refuse consent for any further search of yourself, car, home, or belongings. You should say out loud: “I do not consent to a search.”
The right to have a lawyer: If you are arrested by police and cannot pay for a lawyer, you have a right to be given a lawyer for free. If ICE takes you into custody, ICE does not have to provide a lawyer for you but you have the right to access an attorney.
The right to leave: If you are not under arrest, you have a right to leave. If an officer stops you for questioning, ask: “Am I free to leave?” If yes, walk away calmly and silently. If not, you have a right to know why you are under arrest.
The right to make a call: If you are arrested or taken into custody, you have a right to make a local phone call. You should call a lawyer if you are arrested or in custody.

Click here to learn what to do if you are arrested by the police or an immigration officer.

To find/help someone in detention: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/index

PLEASE NOTE: People who are undocumented or facing removal should NOT go to ICE offices or detention facilities.

Visit our Know Your Rights page for more resources.

If you would like a person to speak with your group on immigration laws, Know Your Rights, or any other area of concern, please email Barbara Taylor at btaylor@ilapmaine.org. In-person and Zoom trainings available.

FOR FARM WORKER SERVICE PROVIDERS:

How ILAP can help:

"Quick Questions" about immigration laws or processes
Outreach for your staff or clients/patients on immigration laws, know your rights, or another area of concern

How to contact ILAP: