by David Escobar
North Country Immigrant Allies will receive more than $32,000 to expand programs that help immigrant families prepare for possible immigration detention and address language barriers.
The funding from the Adirondack Diversity Initiative (ADI), a project of the Adirondack North Country Association, will support the advocacy group’s programs through 2027. Around half of the grant will go toward new weekly family preparedness clinics in communities with significant immigrant populations working in hospitality and agriculture.
At the clinics, immigrants can work with volunteers to prepare financial and legal documents they may need if a family member is detained, including powers of attorney, child custody and bond packages.
Keela Grimmette, a coordinator with North Country Immigrant Allies, said proactive planning can make it easier for families to manage stress and deal with the consequences of a detention.
“It’s very similar to creating a will,” Grimmette said. “It’s really thinking through all of the pieces of [a detention]. It’s plan for the worst, hope for the best.”
Hear the full story on North Country Public Radio.