New England Justice for Our Neighbors

“Form 990 is reviewed by Executive Director and Board Members before being approved for filing.”

“New England JFONs conflict of interest policy instructs volunteers, employees and Board members to notify the Board of financial or other conflicts of interests. Potential conflicts are reviewed by the Board and action is taken accordingly.”

“The Executive Directors compensation is determined by the Board of Directors, using benchmarks of similar roles in similar organizations.”

“Available upon request”

“The Organization conducted its first review, therefore the accounting method used to prepare the 990 changed to accrual.”

“Adjustment to tie PY Net Assets”

“Legal Clinic Contracts: $90,000 Professional Services: $42,961 Consultants: $2,402 Payroll Services: $12,998 Miscellaneous: $2,769”

“Mission Statement & Program Service Accomplishments: For over 12 years, New England Justice for Our Neighbors has provided free, expert legal aid to low- and no-income immigrants, specializing in humanitarian-based cases. Our clients include unaccompanied minors, asylum applicants, and victims of violence. We currently serve immigrants across most of Massachusetts, providing both in-person and remote appointments. Our work helps families stay together, victims of violence escape further harm, asylum seekers find a safe haven, and unaccompanied minors begin a new, more promising future. The effects of legal status ripple out from our clients themselves to their families and communities. . We provide our services through two programs. In our Advice & Advocacy program, we accept approximately 20% of our new clients each year for full representation throughout the duration of their cases, which can take years to complete. Our remaining new clients receive legal immigration consultation and advice. This trustworthy advice is especially valuable because it allows our clients to avoid predatory lawyers who take their cases (and their money) even if they are without merit. In our Pathway to Hope program, all clients are unaccompanied minors and receive full representation. . We serve asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, and victims of violence such as gang violence, human trafficking, and domestic violence. In 2024, approximately 30% of our clients were asylum seekers, and approximately 40% were unaccompanied minors. We touched the lives of almost 400 clients, including 194 new clients and 218 full-representation clients. We are proud to report an 87% success rate on our cases in 2024. . Our 2024 clients came to us predominantly from the Americas (Central America: 36%; the Caribbean: 27%; South America: 22%). 23% of these clients are originally from Guatemala, 13% from Haiti, and 11% from the Dominican Republic. In total, our 2024 new clients represented 48 countries. These clients live in 54 cities and towns across Massachusetts, with Springfield, Lynn, Worcester, Lawrence, and Boston making up about 60% of the total. . Without free legal services such as ours, undocumented immigrants have limited options. Living without legal status (and, therefore, work authorization) means lower income, a lack of healthcare and other public benefits, susceptibility to unscrupulous employers, and a life of fear. Private immigration lawyers charge thousands of dollars for these types of complex cases, money our clients dont have. Meanwhile, appearing in court without a lawyer reduces the chances of a successful outcome by up to 80%, even if the case has merit. For our low- and no-income clients, free legal aid is a true lifeline.”