Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates (LIA) has launched two initiatives aimed at improving access to legal services for asylum seekers and immigrants in West Michigan.
“Our capacity to offer expedited and high-quality consultations to new clients is essential for meeting the demand for immigration legal services in Ottawa, Kent, and neighboring counties,” stated Sarah Yore-Van Oosterhout, LIA’s founder, managing attorney, and advocacy director.
The new Asylum Phone Triage and New Client Hotline will allow LIA to intake, process, and develop action plans for new clients more efficiently, with no initial cost. The nonprofit organization aims to reduce wait times and provide urgent, accurate information about immigration status and options.
The phone intakes involve 30-minute appointments between staff, interns, or volunteers from LIA’s Mobile Immigration Clinic Program (MICP) and immigrants, asylum seekers, or refugees. These sessions gather essential information for attorneys to evaluate potential clients’ immigration needs. Intakes are free for West Michigan residents, enabling MICP staff to quickly determine the next steps for more clients each week.
Early Impact Noted
The Asylum Phone Triage is tailored for new clients seeking asylum in the U.S. New arrivals who have been in the country for less than 12 months will be assessed for asylum eligibility. LIA’s legal team makes recommendations weekly. Clients can schedule their phone triage by calling 616-298-8984.
The New Client Hotline screens for eligibility for all LIA legal services. This safe, confidential, and free hotline invites immigrants and asylum seekers to discuss their circumstances with experienced legal representatives. The hotline operates on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Calls are answered on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested clients can call 616-221-5542.
“These services are already making a significant impact in our community. In our first week, we served 10 clients through Asylum Phone Triage and processed 21 clients through the New Client Hotline,” said Maggie Haveman-Gould, LIA’s program director.