Iowa immigration advocates, attorneys and community leaders warned Wednesday that shrinking federal support is straining an already limited network of legal services for immigrants and refugees, leaving some people unable to find representation as they face deportation proceedings, benefit losses and rapidly changing immigration policies.
Immigration advocates, legal service providers and community leaders participate in a roundtable discussion Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, at the Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City. The discussion focused on gaps in immigration legal services and strategies for sustaining services as federal funding declines.
Lucas Asbury, an attorney with Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, works alongside volunteers to assist refugee families with green card applications during a refugee adjustment clinic in Des Moines. The clinic is part of Iowa MMJ’s expanded effort to help refugees navigate the adjustment process amid new federal policies that could increase the risk of detention for those who have not yet secured lawful permanent resident status.
Immigration advocates, legal service providers and community leaders participate in a roundtable discussion Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, at the Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City. The discussion focused on gaps in immigration legal services and strategies for sustaining services as federal funding declines.
Lucas Asbury, an attorney with Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, works alongside volunteers to assist refugee families with green card applications during a refugee adjustment clinic in Des Moines. The clinic is part of Iowa MMJ’s expanded effort to help refugees navigate the adjustment process amid new federal policies that could increase the risk of detention for those who have not yet secured lawful permanent resident status.
