Every day in immigration courts in Nebraska and across the region, immigrants and refugees have less than 4 minutes to introduce their story. That’s how long the average initial hearing lasts. 

And right now, 7 out of 10 face this moment alone – not because they want to, but because they can’t find or afford legal help.

In the months ahead, the next administration is promising the largest mass deportation in U.S. history, as well as reinstating travel bans from Muslim-majority countries. Families are living in fear of workplace raids and sudden separation. They’re scared and will need protection more than ever.

The Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement is ready to help. 

Some see immigration in the headlines and wonder what’s next. We see Nebraska families and know exactly what’s next: every day, in courtrooms across the region, our legal teams will be fighting for them.

Here’s what we do:

• We provide free lawyers for families who could never afford one – and we win 95% of our cases.
• When refugees first arrive, we help connect them with what they need to start a new life – a place to live, medical care, and a good job.
• We have specialized teams that focus on helping people in crisis – families seeking asylum, survivors of violence, and children who arrived here alone.
• As we fight for our client’s case, our social workers make sure that families have the support they need to build stable lives here.

Here’s why this matters right now:

• More children than ever are arriving in Nebraska alone – about 1,000 kids a year, three times what we saw just four years ago. 
• In just the next few months, we’ll help 350 refugees start new lives here – that’s more people than many organizations help in a whole year.
  
  

Nebraska has always been a welcoming state. By helping families navigate complex legal landscapes, CIRA is making sure that this tradition continues the right way.

Thank you for being a part of that promise.