Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ)’s eight-person legal services team offers high-quality pro-bono legal representation in immigration law. We also provide representation in employment law matters and host COVID relief legal clinics. Our health advocates and promotoras reach thousands of immigrant families to help connect them with health care and vaccines each year. Our client base is statewide, with a specific focus in Elizabeth, Newark, Passaic, and Perth Amboy.
Immigration
MRNJ represents individuals in a range of immigration cases. Our legal team has successfully reunited hundreds of families through immigration petitions, U and T visa applications for immigrant victims of crime and survivors of human trafficking and helped dozens of individuals seek asylum and safety in the United States. Through our innovative clinic model, we have helped hundreds of immigrants naturalize, and renewed hundreds of DACA cases as the program was under threat. Additionally, through know-your-rights trainings and information sessions, our team works with community members to provide education and crucial information on a wide range of legal issues.
DACA Clinics
Beginning with the Supreme Court decision in June 2020 and with the return of initial DACA applications at the end of last year, MRNJ immediately sprung to action to support Dreamers. Since that time, we have reached hundreds of young people across the state to provide the most up-to-date information on the status of the program. Through now monthly webinars, our team works to inform Dreamers about the latest updates in the program and screen potential applicants for eligibility. Additionally, we have worked with partners across the state to launch a Dream Ambassador program that has trained peer mentors to help support Dreamers in preparing initial DACA applications.
COVID Legal Clinic
MRNJ hosts a virtual COVID relief legal clinic and hotline to support community members to access aid and navigate legal issues. Through regular Spanish language updates on COVID regulations, various relief programs, and vital protections, our team works to keep the community informed and safe. Our legal team supports community members with urgent COVID needs related to housing and utility issues, access to healthcare, testing, and vaccination, as well as helping families to navigate the complex legal landscape of powers of attorney and access to resources for loved ones who are ill or who have passed away.
Health Access and wellness Services
MRNJ’s Health Access program uses a promotora model to ensure immigrant and low-income families are able to access and navigate health care and learn their rights in a health care setting. MRNJ works to advise and enroll eligible applicants in vital healthcare plans through the Get Covered New Jersey platform and to connect community members to local providers. Our vaccine program has connected tens of thousands to vaccination and COVID-19 testing. MRNJ also offers COVID-related wellness and mental health support groups to ensure community members have access to the additional support they need to manage these challenging times.
