 | Dear Friend, These past months have been a testimony to what we can accomplish when a community comes together. From the Carne Asada for a Cause to Laughs for Legal Aid 2025, your support has shown up in full force, and we couldn’t be more grateful. In the face of growing uncertainty, your commitment to justice helped us raise funds to support immigrant children in need of legal services. We are steadfast in our mission. Every case we take is a life we help stabilize, a family we help protect, and a future we help strengthen. Despite shifting policies and political headwinds, JFAI remains strong, providing affordable, high-quality legal services to immigrant families in need. From Know Your Rights presentations to community partnerships and legal workshops, this is the work we proudly carry forward, thanks to you. To everyone who joined our recent events, donated, volunteered, or shared our mission, thank you. Your generosity drives this work and brings hope to those who often feel unseen. We invite you to stay connected. Share our mission, spread the word, and stand with us. Together, we’ll continue to defend dignity, protect rights, and build a future rooted in justice for all immigrants. In Appreciation, Joy Green
Executive Director
Justice for all Immigrants |
| | Laughs for Legal Aid 2025: A Night to Remember On April 11, about 150 guests gathered for Laughs for Legal Aid 2025, an unforgettable evening of community, culture, and comedy. Thanks to your generosity, we raised funds to provide free legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children seeking safety and stability in the United States. Held at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, the evening featured performances from a local mariachi group, the quick-witted improv talents of The Holding Pattern, and laugh-out-loud sets from comedians Jordan Savai and San Antonio’s own Cleto Rodriguez. The silent auction buzzed with excitement as guests bid generously on one-of-a-kind items. “It was beautiful to see people having fun while investing in families seeking a better life,” said Rev. Miguel Padilla, JFAI fundraising committee member. “Amy’s story reminded us that most immigrants want to give back and be part of something greater.” This special night would not have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers, sponsor, and partners who gave their time, resources, and heart. See more highlights on our Facebook page: facebook.com/Justiceforallimmigrants We can’t wait to laugh with you again next year. |
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|  | Amy’s Story: A Future Fueled by Justice At Laughs for Legal Aid 2025, we were honored to hear from Amy, a high school senior and former unaccompanied child from Honduras. Her story reminded us all why this work matters. Amy arrived in the United States alone, filled with hope but faced with overwhelming legal challenges. “Your entire future can come down to legal papers,” she said. “And for so many children like me, we don’t have the resources to navigate these challenges.” Thanks to free legal representation provided by JFAI, Amy was not left to face the immigration system alone. With support, she is now graduating magna cum laude and plans to pursue a career in anesthesiology. “I am proof that immigrants are not just statistics—we are fighters, dreamers, and contributors to the very fabric of this country,” Amy shares. Amy’s story is not just her own—it speaks for thousands of immigrant children in need of legal protection. And it is your support that makes futures like hers possible. |
| | | Future-Ready Leadership at Rice University’s Best Boards Conference JFAI’s Executive Director, Joy Green, joined board members Guillermo Hernández and Sheila Ortega-Calvillo at Rice University’s 24th annual Best Boards Conference on March 27. With over 260 nonprofit leaders in attendance, this year’s theme—Future Ready: Leading in a Changing World—sparked meaningful dialogue about resilience, innovation, and navigating uncertainty. The event featured a powerful keynote by Ann B. Stern, CEO of the Houston Endowment, who offered timely insights on leading with clarity through change, along with a variety of breakout sessions tailored to board development and nonprofit governance. It was an inspiring and energizing day of connection, learning, and forward-thinking strategies to help organizations like JFAI thrive in shifting times |
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| |  | Carne Asada for a Cause: Art, Music, and Impact On March 29, JFAI was honored to be the beneficiary of the Carne Asada for a Cause, a lively event hosted by Mija Culture at Saint Charles Studio. Over 100 attendees came together for an afternoon of art, music, and community—all in support of legal aid for immigrant families. One highlight of the event was a local art auction, which raised funds for unaccompanied children, thanks to the generosity of talented artists who donated their artwork. Supporters also contributed through T-shirt sales, raffles, and donations, making it a heartfelt success. With music from live DJs and tacos, the energy remained high throughout the event. JFAI staff, board members, and their families joined in the celebration, building connections and showing support for immigrant rights. We are especially grateful to Mija Culture for hosting, @saintcharlesstudio for the space, @perezconstructionco for the delicious food, and the amazing artists who made the auction possible. Thank you for making this celebration a success! |
| | JFAI Connects with the Community at Precinct 4 Town Hall Justice for all Immigrants participated in the Precinct 4 Town Hall at Burnett Bayland Community Center in Houston in March 29. The event featured community resources, family-friendly activities, and updates on the center’s upcoming renovations. JFAI shared information on immigration legal services, helping families learn how to access support with naturalization, deportation defense, and other related issues. “Our presence at events like this helps ensure that families know their rights and where to turn for support,” said Karina Espinoza, JFAI Administrative Assistant. |
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| | Know Your Rights at Lee College Executive Director Joy Green visited Lee College to lead a Know Your Rights (KYR) presentation for community members interested in immigration issues on April 1. The session focused on legal protections, practical tips, and available resources for immigrant communities. Following the presentation, Joy participated in a Q&A session, answering thoughtful questions from the audience and helping to clarify complex immigration topics. Events like this reflect JFAI’s commitment to education through accessible, community-based outreach. *Photo changed for privacy reasons. |
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| | Spring 2025 AILA Immigration Conference From April 9–11, JFAI Legal Director Jose Luis Martinez joined immigration leaders, attorneys, and government officials at the 2025 Spring Immigration Conference in Guadalajara, Mexico. The conference focused on advanced strategies for navigating the evolving legal landscape under the new administration, with dual tracks covering family/litigation and business immigration. Attendees participated in timely discussions on cross-border collaboration and immigrant advocacy. “It was both energizing and essential to connect with leaders from across the United States and Mexico who are facing similar challenges,” said Martinez. “We’re not just responding to change, we’re preparing for it together.” |
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| Sharing Expertise for Academic Research JFAI Managing Attorney Gabriela Lopez-Compean participated in a virtual interview with Sophie Goodman, a senior at Harvard University, who is researching trends and practices of U visa certifying agencies in the Houston area for her thesis, on April 10. Gabriela shared her expertise on agency procedures, common challenges, and the critical role legal service providers play in supporting survivors of crime through the U visa process. “It’s important to uplift the experiences of survivors and ensure they’re met with compassion, not barriers,” Gabriela said. Her insights added valuable perspective to the broader conversation on immigrant protections and legal access. |
| | Trump Administration's Revival of 1940 Immigrant Registration Rule Alarms Advocates, Lawyers The Trump administration has reinstated a dormant 1940 regulation requiring undocumented immigrants over age 14 to register with the federal government and carry proof of registration at all times. Effective April 11, 2025, non-compliance may result in fines up to $5,000 or imprisonment. Critics argue this move could lead to racial profiling and increased deportations. The Department of Homeland Security defends the rule as part of its strategy to encourage self-deportation. Read the full story here. Supreme Court Blocks Trump Admin's Use Of Wartime Law To Deport Venezuelan Migrants, At Least For Now The U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary block on the Trump administration's efforts to deport Venezuelan migrants under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The administration had classified these individuals as members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a designated terrorist group. The Court's decision mandates due process rights for the migrants, including a 21-day notice before deportation, allowing them time to seek legal counsel. Read the full story here. |
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| | THANK YOU! As always, we would like to express our appreciation to our supporters, whose donations have a profound impact on the lives of our clients. |
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| | Justice for all Immigrants
2220 Broadway Street | Houston, Texas 77012
713-454-6470 | info@justiceforallimmigrants.org |
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