2024 IMPACT REPORT
New England Justice for Our Neighbors is proud to present our 2024 Impact Report. It was a busy and exciting year marked by growth along many dimensions. We expanded our geographical footprint, hired several new employees, and served more clients than ever before. While our legacy Advice & Advocacy program remained strong, most of the growth was driven by the launch of our new Pathway to Hope program for unaccompanied youth, as you will read in the following pages. New England JFON provides critical legal assistance so that immigrants can successfully obtain the legal status they need to avoid deportation and build a better future for themselves and their families. This work has never been more urgent. We are thankful for our staff, volunteers, communities, donors, and other partners who make our mission possible.
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Greetings, friends!
It’s hard to believe that I have served in this role for well over three years. The time has flown as this organization and the world around us have undergone significant change during this relatively short period. What has remained constant, from our inception over 12 years ago to today, is the steadfast partnership of our supporters, volunteers, and partners. Our clients, the Board, and I are so grateful to have you with us as we travel this often-challenging journey.
Jenna Andelman Executive Director
I am pleased to report that 2024 marked another successful year of service to our immigrant neighbors. We touched a record 374 lives, with a 10% growth in clients and a 27% increase in full-representation cases compared to 2023 We also expanded our reach, serving 14% more cities and towns than last year, and our clients came from 50% more countries of origin This year, we will break the 400-client mark, bringing even more people closer to their dreams of safety, prosperity, and justice
2025 has already brought both challenges and successes In the coming pages, you will read about our Pathway to Hope program, launched just about a year ago, and the continued success of our legacy Advice & Advocacy program. You will also read about some of the challenges our clients and others like them are experiencing in an increasingly anti-immigrant environment and our own challenges managing significant uncertainty in federal policy and funding. To stay informed of our progress throughout the year, sign up for our newsletter - and please share it widely.
le this publication focuses on 2024, changes are already erway for the rest of 2025 and 2026. Our plans include expanding Advice & Advocacy program to new areas and launching a pro o attorney program. We look forward to reporting on these elopments in the future Whatever happens around us, we remain icated to the clients whom we have the honor to serve The work ever done, and we will continue to fight for them and with them, the aid of our supporters, volunteers, and partners
a personal note, it has been heartwarming to hear from so many gstanding and new friends over the last few months Being on the t lines is a bit easier with the knowledge that others care deeply ut us and our mission Please continue to be in touch, and don’t tate to reach out if you would like to learn more or if New England N can be of any assistance.
h gratitude for your friendship and support,
Jenna Andelman
2024 AT A GLANCE
Served 374 clients in total
Saw 194 new clients
Accepted 65 new full representation cases
Closed 39 full representation cases
Achieved 87% success rate on closed cases
Launched Pathway to Hope program
Most common new client countries:
Guatemala (23%)
Haiti (13%)
Dominican Republic (11%)
Our clients came from 48 countries and 56 cities across Massachusetts
RELIEF SOUGHT
SERVICE TYPES
2024 INCOME
Our new clients’ most common cities of residence:
Springfield (18%)
Lynn (15%)
Worcester (12%)
Lawrence (7%)
Boston (7%)
These five cities total 60% of our entire new client population.
OUR WORK
Now in our 13th year of service, New England JFON continues to provide free, expert legal services to immigrants seeking humanitarian-based legal relief. We focus exclusively on helping immigrants obtain the legal status that will prevent their deportation and provide them with a life of security and peace of mind in their new home. This work has always been important but has taken on new urgency under the current administration. These complex cases can take years to resolve, and many other immigration legal service providers lack the resources to accept them
Since our inception, we have provided humanitarian legal relief to hundreds of immigrants and counseled countless more about their best legal path forward Our work is carried out via two programs, our legacy program, now called Advice & Advocacy, and our new program for unaccompanied minors, Pathway to Hope
Advice & Advocacy serves Western, Central, and Northeastern Massachusetts via four monthly legal clinics Clients (primarily asylum seekers, unaccompanied youth, and victims of violence) meet with attorneys who provide expert legal advice This trustworthy information is especially valuable because it allows our clients to avoid predatory lawyers who take cases (and fees) even if they don’t have merit Approximately 25% of our new clients each year are then accepted for free full representation of their case We are excited about our plans to expand Advice & Advocacy to two new areas in the coming year
Pathway to Hope, launched in mid-2024, focuses specifically on representing unaccompanied youth in six counties in Eastern Massachusetts, and all clients immediately become fullrepresentation clients. By the end of this year, we expect to have accepted approximately 150 clients into the program. As readers of our newsletter are aware, the federal funding for Pathway to Hope has become unreliable since February. The contract has been paused, continued, terminated, and temporarily extended, and future funding remains uncertain. Even a temporary pause is extremely costly, and we were heartbroken to lay off two of our new attorneys earlier this year. Nevertheless, we have already determined that, with the support of our partners and donors, we will be able to maintain and even grow the program this year and beyond, if at a slower pace.
The acquisition of legal status is a transformative event for members of our communities who have left indescribable horrors and now find themselves at daily risk of deportation. Living without legal status has always meant lower income, a lack of access to healthcare and other benefits, and susceptibility to unscrupulous employers. In today’s climate, immigrants without status fear to leave their homes even to attend doctor’s appointments, pick up medications or food, or appear in court
Obtaining status is the only long-term solution When our clients’ cases succeed, they gain employment opportunities, access to social benefits, and improved physical and mental health More importantly, they gain security, peace of mind, and the prospect of a brighter future Unfortunately, people like our clients face a dilemma Legal representation increases adult migrant's chances of success up to five times and children’s up to seven times However, private attorneys charge thousands of dollars for the kind of cases we represent, money low-income immigrants don’t have
For our clients, free legal services are a true lifeline, the difference between safety and deportation and often between life and death The effects of legal status ripple out from our clients themselves to their families, their communities, and eventually additional generations We are proud to stand by these courageous individuals on their journeys
OUR CLIENTS’ STORIES
Our clients - unaccompanied youth, asylum seekers, victims of domestic and other forms of violence, and victims of human trafficking - have experienced indescribable horrors and exhibited extraordinary fortitude to reach our doors Once here in the U S , they still face challenges of every type, at this time more than ever before We are gratified to be able to make such a momentous difference in the lives of our clients To illustrate the results of this critical work, we offer you the following examples of courage, justice, and hope. These are stories that begin with determination born of despair and almost miraculously end with triumph and joy. We know that you will be as inspired as we are every day.
“Carla” is a 25 year old woman who arrived in the U S from Brazil in 2021 with her young daughter fleeing domestic violence She came to New England JFON shortly before her deadline to apply for asylum Our attorney helped her file her application in time and presented testimony in immigration court regarding the trauma she had suffered. As a result, Carla was granted asylum. That same attorney is now helping Carla and her daughter apply for permanent resident status so that they will be able to continue to live in safety and enjoy even greater protection in the U.S.
d “Daniel” are brothers who left Haiti as teenagers in 2023 father passed away and their home became increasingly s due to political unrest and violent threats from relatives. her, overwhelmed by grief and unable to support the family wn, made the painful decision to send her sons to the U.S. ncial assistance from relatives, the brothers made the long erous journey to family in Massachusetts, hoping to find d opportunity. A local immigrant resource center connected Daniel to New England JFON, and our legal team helped them file for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, recognizing the loss of their father and the danger facing them in Haiti With work authorization applications filed and legal status pending, Jean plans to attend a nursing program while Daniel has just completed high school d i i f ll Both are looking ahead to a future filled with hope and possibility.
Milena left Guatemala in 2019 after an abusive childhood and a traumatic assault that left her pregnant at age 16. Disowned by her father and with nowhere to turn, she made the perilous journey to the U.S. to live with her older sister, who became a maternal figure for both Milena and her newborn son. At a New England JFON clinic that summer, attorneys began helping her pursue Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), noting her abandonment and the dangers of returning to Guatemala Her legal team convinced the immigration court to pause Milena’s deportation proceedings, and her SIJS
petition was approved in 2020. The deportation case was finally dismissed by the court in 2023, just after Milena graduated from high school. She received her green card in 2025 and is now studying criminal justice while working night shifts to pay for college Despite the immense challenges she has faced, Milena has shown strength and resilience and is building a future for herself and her son filled with purpose and promise.
MEET VALERIE NAPIER
Attorney Valerie Napier knows the immigrant experience firsthand She and her family came to the United States from Haiti when she was 12 years old, seeking political asylum from Haiti’s instability and violent climate following a coup d’etat.
As a teenager, Valerie watched friends and family go through the complicated and expensive immigration process Seeing that some of them were taken advantage of by unscrupulous lawyers, she recognized the need for attorneys who were trustworthy and would charge reasonable fees By the time she was in high school, she had decided to become an immigration attorney.
After graduating from UMass Amherst, Valerie earned her law degree from Suffolk University Law School and took a position in a private immigration law firm. Shortly thereafter, she opened a private immigration law practice focused on fair and compassionate service. During her 10 years in private practice, she found it most rewarding to work with immigrant children. Seeking a new way to help immigrants, Valerie then served as an Asylum Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, where she gained firsthand insight into the asylum process and further sharpened her expertise in U.S. immigration law. However, she soon realized that she preferred to be an advocate for migrants, so when a position at New England JFON opened up, she jumped at the opportunity “Helping vulnerable children is what I love to do, and I realized this job was exactly what I wanted,” she says Valerie joined New England JFON in June of 2024 as Legal Director for the new Pathway to Hope program
Throughout her career, Valerie has been guided by care and compassion for those who need her help, particularly young people. Reflecting on her past and her current work with New England JFON, Valerie says, “No matter how difficult it is, I still find the work extremely rewarding I would not want to be doing anything else I feel that I'm making a difference, and that brings me a lot of personal satisfaction ”
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
In these times, it’s natural to feel helpless, wanting to do something but unsure what might make a difference The good news is that many people doing seemingly small things can move mountains Here is a list of steps you may choose to take As you do, remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Only do what you can manage healthfully. When you pause, there will be others to shoulder the load until you return.
Call your federal representatives (202) 224-3121
Stay informed and share what you know with others
Volunteer with immigrant-serving organizations
Sign up for our newsletter
Share this Impact Report
Follow New England JFON on social media
Donate to immigrant-serving organizations
MIXED-STATUS FAMILIES
“In mixed-status families, the law may treat people differently, but they live as one.”
Jeh Johnson, Former Secretary of Homeland Security
Living in a household of mixed legal status is an oftenoverlooked dimension of the experience of immigrants across the United States. A mixed-status household is one in which members have different immigration statuses. For example, undocumented individuals, visa holders, DACA or TPS recipients, legal permanent residents, and/or U.S. citizens may live under the same roof Because anyone born in the U S is a citizen, the most common configuration of such households is U S citizen children living with noncitizen parents Other examples include undocumented
siblings living with citizen siblings, grandparents with legal status caring for undocumented grandchildren, or mixed-nationality couples in which only one partner has status
Although data are hard to find, in Massachusetts alone around 52,000 undocumented immigrants live with at least one U S -citizen child under the age of 18; 26,000 are married to U S citizens; and another 12,000 are married to green card holders These families form the fabric of many communities across the state, yet their lives are full of uncertainty and often secrecy Family members live with constant anxiety over the risk of detention or deportation, shaping how they engage with schools, workplaces, and healthcare systems
Even when eligible due to the presence of U.S. citizen children or legal residents in the household, many families avoid programs like SNAP, WIC, or MassHealth, fearing that applying could flag them for immigration scrutiny or harm future efforts to adjust their status. These concerns, often rooted in misinformation or outdated policies, contribute to under-enrollment that affects both the physical well-being and the economic stability of entire households.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking challenge for mixed-status families is the threat of deportation, an outcome increasingly likely under the new administration. Because some household members are subject to removal and others aren’t, the consequences include potential family separation. Families face the devastating choice of leaving children in the U.S. where their prospects may be better or bringing them to countries that are unfamiliar and often unsafe but where the family can remain together.
The emotional toll of deportation - or even planning for potential deportation - is immense; trauma, anxiety, and depression are common, especially for children. When detention or removal does occur, spouses, siblings, and parents and children are torn apart. Spouses are left managing households alone, household finances are impacted, and children and older relatives can lose their caretakers. Living in a mixed-status household forces families to live in constant fear, contemplating horrific futures not only for those who are deported but also for those who may be left behind
“These families are American in every way but on paper Tearing them apart is a tragedy and a moral failure ”
Representative Joaquin Castro
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS
New England Justice for Our Neighbors extends our deep gratitude to all of our donors for your financial support in 2024. Thanks to you, we were able to provide critical services throughout the year and maintain a strong foundation for our future. In addition to the institutions below, over 100 individuals contributed to our mission and, fundamentally, to our clients’ pursuit of justice. We extend a particular note of appreciation to our major donors and Access Ally ( ) monthly donors for their generosity.
ORGANIZATIONS
Aldersgate UMC
Belmont-Watertown UMC
Carter Memorial UMC
Crawford Memorial UMC
eWheeler, Inc
First Church of Christ Congregational First UMC, North Andover Fisk Memorial UMC
Harvard-Epworth UMC
Proyecto Cantico Nuevo, Inc
St Matthew's UMC, Acton Team Impressa, LLC
United Women in Faith of Fisk UMC
West Chelmsford UMC
Weston UMC
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
Acacia Center for Justice
Immigration Law & Justice Network
New England Conference of the United Methodist Church
GRANTORS
Boger Family Foundation Inc
George & Louise J. Hauser Charitable Trust
Massachusetts Bar Foundation
New Hope Regional Ministries
We rely on our supporters to provide our low- and no-income clients with free legal services. The more funds we raise, the more migrants we are able to advise and represent, helping them to avoid deportation and fulfill the dreams for which they have already suffered so much Thank you!
FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR
Margaret Bradshaw Board Chair
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Margaret Bradshaw, Chair
Sam Davis
Mehida Gonzalez*
Amy Kridaratikorn
Tom Lank
Jud Nirenberg
Peg Papanastassiou*
Andreia Ribas Precoma Ben Ruano
David Troughton
*Served on the Board in 2024
Dear Friends of New England Justice for Our Neighbors,
It has been a privilege to serve another year as New England JFON’s Board Chair As you’ve seen throughout this report, 2024 was a year of exciting growth and transformational service I am continually humbled by the resilience of our clients and the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters. Together, we make our powerful mission possible.
This year, we’ve witnessed an alarming escalation of hardship among those seeking refuge from their home countries Global conflicts, environmental catastrophes, and economic collapse have left families with no option but to flee - and far too often, they arrive here only to be met with confusion, uncertainty, and legal roadblocks.
Sadly, the U S landscape is now even more hostile than before Under the current administration, enforcement has intensified, with immigration authorities pursuing increasingly aggressive tactics. Avenues to safety and stability are being systematically closed, and places that were once considered off-limits - schools, hospitals, and houses of worship - no longer offer the same protections Meanwhile, many of the nonprofit organizations that immigrants rely on are being forced to scale back or shut down due devastating funding cuts, just as the demand for their services is reaching unprecedented levels.
For the people we serve, this reality breeds constant fear Many are retreating from public life to minimize the risk of detention Every week, we hear from families who have had loved ones taken into custody, often with no warning or justification. The stakes have never been higher, and the need for our work has never been more urgent.
And yet, amid these injustices, I see hope I see it in the unaccompanied minors we serve, in the gratitude of clients finding stability, and in the tireless efforts of our staff, volunteers, and partners who offer not just expertise, but compassion. Together, we are making a real difference.
We remain committed to free legal aid, expanding our reach, and standing firm for justice We look forward to continuing this work of building a more just and welcoming world. Thank you for your partnership and support.
With gratitude, Margaret Bradshaw
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
VOLUNTEER WITH NEW ENGLAND JFON
New England Justice for Our Neighbors could not carry out our critical work without the assistance of our invaluable volunteers. We are seeking people with a wide range of skills, and experience is not necessarily required. Current volunteer opportunities include:
New client intake phone calls (English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian-Creole speakers)
Clinic volunteers (Worcester and Springfield)
Project or event assistance
Social media and communications
Graphic design and videography
If you are interested in volunteering with New England Justice for Our Neighbors, please complete this brief form
DONATE
We are sustained by the generosity of our donors.
New England Justice for Our Neighbors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization To make a tax-deductible contribution, click here or visit our website.
If you would like to be an ongoing part of our mission, consider becoming a monthly donor through our Access Allies ( ) program
NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE?
For appointments, visit our website or call us toll free at (855) NE JUST 1
Advice & Advocacy Program
Providing consultation and representation to clients in Western, Central, and Northeastern Massachusetts
Pathway to Hope Program
Representing unaccompanied youth in Eastern Massachusetts
We welcome all immigrants regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, ideology, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Remote appointments available.