Immigrant & Refugee Law Center

“Form 990 is prepared by IRLC's outside accounting firm, and then reviewed by the Executive Director and the Board prior to filing.”

“Officers are required to disclose any conflicts of interest annually.”

“The Board of Directors reviews officer salary annually as part of it's budgeting process and approves salary for the upcoming year.”

“IRLC's documents are made available upon request.”

“With immigration cases growing more complex and the stakes higher than ever, IRLC remains the only organization in the region dedicated exclusively to providing no-cost immigration legal services for economically disadvantaged immigrant families. Representation dramatically increases a client's likelihood of success in immigration court, and IRLC ensures that even those with the fewest resources have a fighting chance. As of the close of 2024, IRLC has processed over 1,700 immigration cases, impacting the lives of families from more than 89 countries and children enrolled in over 73 different schools across the region. In the last year alone, IRLC served hundreds of clients, helping them apply for asylum, secure work authorization, obtain green cards, and gain U.S. citizenship. We've helped children move out of legal limbo and into new lives with safety, stability, and hope. One such story is that of a refugee from Congo, who was resettled in Cincinnati, represented by IRLC, and is now working full-time, supporting his family, and pursuing higher education the very embodiment of the American Dream. His journey represents the heart of IRLC's mission: helping individuals move from survival to opportunity. Following the 2024 presidential election, and in response to increasing threats of mass deportations and family separation, IRLC partnered with Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio and Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio to provide a unified legal response to changing immigration policies. Together, we launched a Know Your Rights and Family Preparedness initiative, empowering families to take proactive steps to safeguard their children and assets. These efforts have strengthened our ability to educate, equip, and support our communities as they face hostile immigration enforcement and unjust rhetoric. IRLC continues to build capacity and deepen impact. We've now trained over 323 law students, interns, and pro bono attorneys, shaping the next generation of immigration advocates and expanding our reach. Our clients are 100% low-income, with more than 96% identifying as Black, Hispanic, Asian, or other people of color. From our school-based model to our holistic Team SIJS (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status) program, medico-legal partnerships, and trauma-informed approach, IRLC is doing what no other organization in our region does. We are a small but mighty team committed to standing with immigrants, defending due process, and fighting for justice in every corner of our community. IRLC is proud to be a safe, trusted, and powerful ally for the immigrant and refugee families who make Greater Cincinnati stronger, more diverse, and more compassionate.”

“A key milestone was the October 2024 opening of Cincinnati's first dedicated shelter for unaccompanied minors, operated under the Acacia program. IRLC provides full-scope legal and social services to every child at this shelter. Our collaboration with Hamilton County Children's Services deepened in 2024, with IRLC training all caseworkers to identify immigrant youth eligible for legal protections and streamline referrals. This initiative has been critical for children in foster care who may qualify for SIJS due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. In 2024, IRLC provided direct legal services to 116 unaccompanied minors.”