Our History

In the face of unprecedented need, Iowa MMJ is building off of a long legacy of two trusted organizations. The uniting of American Friends Service Committee Iowa and Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors’ programs creates a powerful opportunity to meet urgent needs for direct services while building a stronger movement for immigrants’ rights in the state and region.
Iowa MMJ’s diverse staff have a combined 35 years in legal services and 15 programming years experience and are building on a combined 45 year reputation from the parent organizations. The unique dual program model of Iowa MMJ has the capacity to fill unmet needs, build on existing relationships, continue to lead, work in coalition in solidarity with others and win concrete victories for all communities in our state. Iowa MMJ is an affiliate of the Immigration Law & Justice Network (formerly known as Justice for our Neighbors Network).

In the News

2022 Articles

1 big thing: Meet Des Moines’ 2022 power players 12/10/22 by Axios Des Moines Featured: Iowa MMJ Brief Excerpt: We’re recognizing an array of organizations that are doing everything from welcoming Afghan refugees at the airport to helping them become permanent U.S. citizens. https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-des-moines-18a21feb-169d-48f7-ab15-23e519a31ab6.html Protesters disrupt carbon capture conference in Des Moines, face close call with SUV 11/10/22 by Little Village Featured: Iowa MMJ Brief Excerpt: The protest was organized by Buffalo Rebellion, a climate action group made up of Great Plains Action Society, DSM Black Liberation Movement, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, Sierra Club Beyond Coal, Sunrise Movement Cedar Rapids, and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI). https://littlevillagemag.com/buffalo-rebellion-protest-carbon-capture-conference/ Opinion | Why we need to offer the displaced legal assistance 11/8/22 by The Daily Iowan Featured: Iowa MMJ Brief Excerpt: The process of applying for and receiving asylum is time consuming, so we must offer legal services to the Afghan immigrants seeking it. https://dailyiowan.com/2022/11/08/opinion-why-we-need-to-offer-the-displaced-legal-assistance/ Iowa organizations partner to give legal assistance to Afghans 10/20/22 by Corridor Business Journal Featured: Ann Naffier Brief Excerpt: “Many people do not realize that our evacuated Afghan allies have no direct path to permanent protection in the U.S., making high-quality low-cost legal immigration services of utmost importance,” said Ann Naffier, managing attorney and co-legal director at Iowa MMJ, in a statement. https://corridorbusiness.com/iowa-organizations-partner-to-give-legal-assistance-to-afghans/ Iowa organizations team up to help Afghans gain residency 10/20/22 by Axios Des Moines Featured: Iowa MMJ Brief Excerpt: The new group, the Afghan Legal League of Iowa, known as “ALL Iowa,” aims to provide legal services to Afghan nationals. https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/10/20/iowa-organizations-help-afghans-gain-residency UI Center for Human Rights, Legal Clinics helps offer immigration legal services to Afghan immigrants 10/18/22 by The Daily Iowan Featured: Ann Naffier Brief Excerpt: Naffier said many of the evacuees said they thought getting to the airport and onto a plane would have been too dangerous for spouses and children. “They left them behind, thinking that they would be able to quickly bring them over and they would be able to rejoin them in safety here in the United States, and that has not happened at all,” Naffier said. https://dailyiowan.com/2022/10/18/university-of-iowa-center-for-human-rights-legal-clinics-helps-offer-immigration-legal-services-to-afghan-immigrants/ Effort Underway To Help Afghan Refugees With Legal Issues 10/17/22 by KIWA Radio, Sheldon, Iowa Featured: Iowa MMJ Brief Excerpt: The University of Iowa’s Center for Human Rights, the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice and Drake University College of Law’s legal clinic will expand their capacity to take on more cases. Drake University’s Suzie Pritchett says it’s a resource the state badly needs. https://kiwaradio.com/local-news/effort-underway-to-help-afghan-refugees-with-legal-issues/ New coalition formed to help Afghan evacuees in Des Moines 10/17/22 by WHO Channel 13, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Jody Mashek Brief Excerpt: Mashek noted most of the evacuees came over on humanitarian parole and not refugee status. The former only lasts for two years. https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/afghan-legal-league-of-iowa-refugees/524-e8aa2b16-3457-4d22-874e-5f5eed568901 Latino leaders working to close the disparities in Iowa Hispanic communities 10/14/22 by WHO Channel 13, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: This is why Murguia-Ortiz decided to be a part of the Iowa Latinx Project — a group that focuses on closing the gaps of knowledge of the Latino community by collecting data. https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/iowa-latinx-project-hispanic-heritage-month-data-disparities/524-ff2b3845-86d7-4d7c-a131-88cad41d71e7 A new coalition taps federal aid to assist Afghan immigration process 10/14/22 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Ann Naffier Brief Excerpt: “We don’t see that the situation is going to get better in Afghanistan anytime soon, and so the need to have some sort of system for them to get legal permanent status is so important,” Naffier said. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2022-10-14/a-new-coalition-taps-federal-aid-to-assist-afghan-immigration-process Newscast 10.13.22: Nebraska using human trafficking hotline; New effort to assist Afghan evacuees 10/13/22 by Siouxland Public Media Featured: Iowa MMJ Brief Excerpt: University of Iowa’s Center for Human Rights, Drake University College of Law’s legal clinic and the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice are partnering to help Afghan evacuees apply for a more permanent legal status. https://www.kwit.org/podcast/spm-news-english/2022-10-13/newscast-10-13-22-gas-prices-rising-nebraska-using-human-trafficking-hotline-new-effort-to-assist-afghan Iowa organizations work to help Afghans stuck in immigration limbo 9/9/22 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Ann Naffier, Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: Without this legal counsel, Iowa MMJ legal director Ann Naffier said Afghans could face the risk of deportation back to Afghanistan. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2022-09-09/iowa-organizations-work-to-help-afghans-stuck-in-immigration-limbo Metro lawyers work on a tight deadline to help Afghan families navigate paperwork 8/15/22 by WHO Channel 13, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Ann Naffier Brief Excerpt: “So we’re really talking about our allies, possibly becoming undocumented immigrants in the United States,” said Naffier. https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/des-moines-lawyers-help-afghan-refugee-families-paperwork/524-f1b8c5e6-580b-4dd3-ae11-017ce30dad7b 8/2/22 by La Reina Iowa, KDLF 1260 AM Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Haitian Family Reunification renewal among recent immigration policy changes made 8/2/22 by The Haitian Times https://haitiantimes.com/2022/08/02/haitian-family-reunification-renewal-among-recent-immigration-policy-changes-made%EF%BF%BC/ Fleeing Afghans stuck in immigration limbo in Iowa 7/12/22 by Axios Des Moines Featured: Jody Mashek Brief Excerpt: “The U.S. brought everybody here, created the situation and right now, there is not any permanent path for these Afghan members of our community to stay here,” Mashek said. https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/07/12/fleeing-afghans-stuck-immigration-limbo-iowa Iowa experts react to current state of legal immigration system 6/28/22 by WHO Channel 13, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: “The reality is is that imaginary line to get in doesn’t exist. So folks are forced into situations where they take very dangerous routes to come here, whether that is filling in a big truck, walking through dangerous deserts,” said Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz, a community organizer with the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. https://who13.com/news/iowa-news/iowa-immigration-experts-react-to-current-state-of-legal-immigration-system/ Supreme Court Approves Grants to Support Civil Legal Services for Low-Income Iowans 6/15/22 by EIN Newswires Featured: Iowa MMJ Brief Excerpt: Funds legal services to low-income immigrants involved in removal proceedings or other immigration-law matters (service area: statewide). https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/576946094/supreme-court-approves-grants-to-support-civil-legal-services-for-low-income-iowans Buffalo Rebellion Coalition Launches with Call for Climate Justice 5/5/22 by Sierra Club Iowa Chapter Featured: Iowa MMJ Brief Excerpt: Buffalo Rebellion is led by the Great Plains Action Society, DSM Black Liberation Movement, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, Sierra Club Beyond Coal, Cedar Rapids Sunrise Movement, SEIU Local 199, and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI). https://www.sierraclub.org/iowa/blog/2022/05/buffalo-rebellion-coalition-launches-call-for-climate-justice Immigration advocates push Polk County for community IDs 4/21/22 by Axios Des Moines Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: Erica Johnson, founder of IMMJ, said the group is researching more details for the program, such as costs and specific operations. https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/04/21/polk-county-community-ids-immigration-advocates Immigration advocates push Polk County for community IDs 4/21/22 by Business Record Featured: Iowa MMJ Brief Excerpt: Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, an immigrant advocacy group, has asked Polk County to consider offering government-issued photo IDs. https://businessrecord.com/Content/Default/All-Latest-News/Article/Immigration-advocates-push-Polk-County-for-community-IDs/-3/248/97378 Racial justice-focused climate coalition hosts its first summit Earth Day weekend 4/21/22 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz, of the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, is helping organize the event, where at least one of training sessions will focus on sustainable agriculture models. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2022-04-21/racial-justice-focused-climate-coalition-hosts-its-first-summit-earth-day-weekend Group provides class for new citizens 3/28/22 by Radio Iowa Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: It’s also a chance for immigrants who’ve been here a while to update their civics knowledge. Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz will teach the short course. https://www.radioiowa.com/2022/03/28/group-provides-class-for-new-citizens/ Iowa immigrant organization offers its first post-citizenship class 3/28/22 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: Murguia-Ortiz said while the citizenship exam is more national in scope, participants in the new class will learn how to be active in more local events and elections and learn their rights as a U.S. citizen. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2022-03-28/iowa-immigrant-organization-offers-its-first-post-citizenship-class Latin community leaders call for action after deadly shooting outside East High School 3/11/22 by WOI Channel 5, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz, a community organizer with Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, wishes the Latino community could feel the support of the Des Moines community outside of moments of grief. https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/crime/des-moines-latin-lulac-leaders-deadly-shooting-outside-east-high-school-gun-violence/524-f5f3c427-509b-4118-800c-be10ef32b875 Des Moines Latinos Call For Change After Fatal Shooting Near East High School 3/11/22 by Iowa Starting Line Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz, an organizer for Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice and a candidate for Iowa Senate, said he’s glad important conversations are happening but wishes it didn’t always happen after a tragedy. https://iowastartingline.com/2022/03/11/des-moines-latinos-call-for-change-after-fatal-shooting-near-east-high-school/ Immigrant rights group seeks IDs for Polk County residents who can’t obtain official ones 2/26/22 by Des Moines Register https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/des-moines/2022/02/26/polk-county-community-id-program-proposed-immigrants-homeless-identification-dmps-covid-relief/9229629002/ Advocates call for a Community ID to be implemented in Polk County 2/22/22 by WHO Channel 13, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: “Maybe you don’t have a Social Security number, and maybe you don’t have those traditional forms of identifying yourself or just proving your residency that, surprisingly, we get asked for pretty regularly,” said Alejandro Marguia-Ortiz, a community organizer with Iowa MMJ. https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/community/community-id-card-proposal-iowa-migrant-movement-for-justice-polk-county/524-b51c5588-5351-4a56-a2a2-291ce6e6acad The push for “community ID” cards in Polk County 2/22/22 by Axios Des Moines Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: Local immigrants have faced challenges accessing food pantries, getting vaccinated and receiving COVID-19 tests due to their lack of ID, Johnson said. https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/02/22/community-id-cards-polk-county-undocumented-immigrants Calls for changes to Iowa English Language Act growing 2/16/22 by KCCI Channel 8, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: “Immigrants and refugees disproportionately wore the brunt of the negative impacts of the pandemic. They got sicker. More people died. They suffered in the workplace. All because we didn’t have the mechanisms in place to effectively communicate in a crisis.” Said Erica Johnson, with Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. https://www.kcci.com/article/advocates-call-for-changes-to-iowa-english-language-act/39105092 Efforts underway to unlock Iowa’s “English-only” law 2/15/22 by Axios Des Moines Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: Immigrant and refugee communities have been disproportionately impacted because of significant language barriers to accessing information over the last two years, Erica Johnson, director of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (IMMJ), told Axios. https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/02/15/iowa-english-only-law-bill-pandemic-disparities New research project highlights Iowa’s Latino communities. About Latinos, by Latinos 2/14/22 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: Barron founded Latino Political Network, and worked with Al Éxito Executive Director Dawn Martinez Oropeza and the executive director of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, Erica Johnson for the launch—which Barron said allows Latinos to have ownership of their own stories. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2022-02-14/new-research-project-highlights-iowas-latino-communities-about-latinos-by-latinos Fifth Latino Day on the Hill highlights gaps in Iowa’s response to Latino needs 1/31/22 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: “We need to be figuring out ways to come together and build policies and systems that are welcoming and inclusive for all communities,” Erica Johnson, founding executive director of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, said. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2022-01-31/fifth-latino-day-on-the-hill-highlights-gaps-in-iowas-response-to-latino-needs

2021 Articles

In Midwest, newer Haitian immigrants find a warm welcome 12/23/21 by The Haitian Times Featured: Jody Mashek Brief Excerpt: “In my [13 years of] experience, I’ve never had a Haitian client in Iowa,” said Jody Mashek, co-legal director of IMMJ. Now she has many. https://haitiantimes.com/2021/12/23/in-midwest-newer-haitian-immigrants-find-a-warm-welcome/ It didn’t kill them, it made them stronger. An Iowa meatpacking family’s battle with COVID 12/16/21 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: And his family was just one of the cases Alejandro had taken on. He had just taken on a new job as a community organizer for a nonprofit that helps immigrants and other underserved communities in Iowa. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2021-12-16/it-didnt-kill-them-it-made-them-stronger-an-iowa-meatpacking-familys-battle-with-covid Talk of Iowa: The precarious case of documented Dreamers 11/10/21 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Ann Naffier Brief Excerpt: Last, we expand the conversation with Ann Naffier, the co-legal Director for Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, to hear about how this situation fits into broader challenges within the immigration system. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/talk-of-iowa/2021-11-10/the-precarious-case-of-documented-dreamers Cerca de 40 organizaciones y líderes de Iowa piden una vía para la ciudadanía en el proyecto de ley Build Back Better 11/5/21 by Hola Iowa Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: “La administración debe cumplir su promesa de regularizar a más de 12 millones de trabajadores en su camino hacia la ciudadanía”, dijo Erica Johnson, Directora Ejecutiva Fundadora de Iowa MMJ. https://holaamericanews.com/es/nearly-40-iowa-organizations-and-leaders-call-for-a-pathway-to-citizenship-in-build-back-better-bill/?fbclid=IwAR1ijkPBWNnq1j749ttGeKnmGdZNXGnBI_jVfK3db6na1NcMHFasMemTEZw Investigations show pandemic’s harsh impact on meatpacking workers 10/28/21 by KCCI Channel 8, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz is a community organizer with the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. He’s worked with meatpacking workers to help them navigate through difficulties through the pandemic and try to work with companies. https://www.kcci.com/article/subcommittee-investigations-show-pandemics-harsh-impact-on-meatpacking-workers/38085176 INSIDERS: Addressing the US border crisis as a humanitarian issue, rather than security threat 10/17/21 by WHO Channel 13, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Jody Mashek, Racheal Duang Brief Excerpt: Jody Mashek, co-legal director with the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, discussed how the asylum process can be a misunderstood concept. And Racheal Duang shares her story about fleeing with her family from South Sudan in 1983 when bombings began. https://who13.com/news/insiders-addressing-the-us-border-crisis-as-a-humanitarian-issue-rather-than-security-threat/ Iowa immigrant advocacy group criticizes Gov. Reynolds for trip to US-Mexico border 10/7/21 by Our Quad Cities.com Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: The organization’s president, Erica Johnson, said they hoped Reynolds would have spent the time learning and talking with Iowa’s immigrant population instead of traveling to the Rio Grande. https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/state-news/iowa-immigrant-advocacy-group-criticizes-gov-reynolds-for-trip-to-us-mexico-border/ Midwest Dreamers Want Citizenship, not More Uncertainty 7/27/21 by Iowa Starting Line Featured: Jody Mashek Brief Excerpt: Jody Mashek, Legal Services Co-Director of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, said Judge Hanen’s ruling, while incredibly frustrating, was not entirely unexpected given that he has previously sided with Republicans on the issue of DACA. https://iowastartingline.com/2021/07/27/midwest-dreamers-want-citizenship-not-more-uncertainty/ DACA Applications From Iowa At A Standstill 7/21/21 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Jody Mashek Brief Excerpt: This means no new DACA applications will be processed and now it’s a waiting game, according to co-legal director of nonprofit organization Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice Jody Mashek. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2021-07-21/daca-applications-from-iowa-at-a-standstill DACA Decision Fallout 7/20/21 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Jody Mashek Brief Excerpt: The court’s ruling in Texas last Friday found DACA unconstitutional, which means many peoples’ status is up in the air, according to Jody Mashek. https://www.kwit.org/local-news/2021-07-20/news-7-20-21-c19-concerns-daca-decision-fallout-critical-race-theory-petition-and-more Daily Digest: The pandemic has made already high backlogs at immigration court even worse 7/6/21 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Ann Naffier [Audio only] https://www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/here-first/2021-07-06/tuesday-july-6th-2021 Where do we stand on immigration? Better under Biden, but work remains 6/15/21 by Iowa City Press Citizen Featured: Ann Naffier Brief Excerpt: Ann [Naffier], co-legal director for Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (which runs seven regional immigration law clinics around the state), offered an overview of major aspects of immigration policy before, during and after Trump. https://www.press-citizen.com/story/opinion/contributors/writers-group/2021/06/15/where-do-we-stand-immigration/7697862002/ Educating the community on local and national LGBTQ immigrants who are activists 6/15/21 by WOI Channel 5, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice is posting on their social media pages, about local and national LGBTQ immigrants who are activists, to educate the community. https://www.weareiowa.com/video/news/local/educating-the-community-on-local-and-national-lgbtq-immigrants-who-are-activists/524-401f81f0-b95b-4b95-b741-65de3a99e3d9 Iowa immigrant rights group weighs in on migrant kids flown to Des Moines 6/11/21 by WOI Channel 5, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: “[The state] should be aware of what’s happening,” Murguia-Ortiz added. “So definitely they should be a part of the process and whatever information is appropriate to communicate to the community, I think a part of that should be there as well.” https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/local-politics/hhs-orr-plane-unaccompanied-migrant-children-des-moines-airport-immigration-rights-reaction/524-9408d155-ac0b-4210-b2d3-699656ab929f 19 migrant children had a layover in an Iowa airport. Gov. Kim Reynolds wants Congress to get answers 6/10/21 by Ames Tribune / Des Moines Register Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: “Now, she’s calling for a Congressional hearing into the issue. This contradiction is a reversal from her previously claimed conviction about these children and is a barely veiled attempt to politicize the welfare of these kids … She has failed to lead, failed to act,” [Johnson] said. https://www.amestrib.com/story/news/politics/2021/06/10/iowa-gov-kim-reynolds-questions-migrant-kids-children-flight-unaccompanied-iowa-airport-sponsors/7639668002/ Rekha Basu’s column: The persecution of Tom Ahart shows that no noble act goes unpunished 5/30/21 by Des Moines Register https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/rekha-basu/2021/05/30/des-moines-public-schools-dmps-tom-ahart-superintendent-iowa-republicans-punish-pushing-safety-covid/7426482002/ Opinion: Biden administration falls short on immigration promises in first 100 days 5/19/21 by Des Moines Register Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz, Jody Mashek Brief Excerpt: U.S. immigration laws are outdated, complex and racist. Previous administrations have failed to fix the system, and the Trump administration weaponized U.S. immigration policies. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2021/05/19/biden-falls-short-pledge-better-immigration-policy/5124599001/ Sen. Chuck Grassley says Iowa doesn’t have resources for ‘baby-sitting’ migrant children 4/14/21 by Des Moines Register Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: Johnson said managing migration across the border is a problem that has persisted across multiple presidential administrations — including those of Republicans and Democrats. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2021/04/14/chuck-grassley-iowa-babysitting-migrant-children-kim-reynolds-detention-border/7222552002/ Step up, Iowa, and help migrant children 4/14/21 by Waterloo / Cedar Falls Courier https://wcfcourier.com/opinion/letters/step-up-iowa-and-help-migrant-children/article_f9f8675d-aaf4-5f54-a3f8-ac447b14b05d.html Immigrant Organizations Criticize Gov. Reynolds’ Comment 4/12/21 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Iowa MMJ Brief Excerpt: A number of other groups have shared concern about the governor’s phrasing including the newly-formed Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice and the Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2021-04-12/immigrant-organizations-criticize-gov-reynolds-comment Longstanding immigrant advocacy groups merge to expand services statewide 4/11/21 by Des Moines Register Featured: Erica Johnson, Vanessa Marcano-Kelly Brief Excerpt: “We took stock of the unprecedented need and thought that we’re stronger together,” Johnson said. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2021/04/11/iowa-migrant-movement-for-justice-merge-american-friends-service-committee-justice-our-neighbors/6984100002/ Reynolds’ Immigration Comments ‘Callous,’ Miss The Point, Advocates Say 4/9/21 by Iowa Starting Line Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: “Her remarks were callous, not surprising, disappointing and par for the course. She attempted to blame the Biden administration for this problem, which shows that she’s totally out of touch with what goes on at the border and the patterns of human migration that have gone on forever,” said Johnson. https://iowastartingline.com/2021/04/09/reynolds-immigration-comments-callous-miss-the-point-advocates-say/ Local groups react to Gov. Reynolds not assisting in finding housing in Iowa for migrant children 4/9/21 by KWWL Channel 7, Waterloo, Iowa Featured: Jody Mashek Brief Excerpt: “We all have a responsibility to protect our community members,” Iowa MMJ co-legal director Jody Mashek said. https://www.kwwl.com/news/iowa-city/local-groups-react-to-gov-reynolds-not-assisting-in-finding-housing-in-iowa-for-migrant/article_4aa354ff-193b-51f7-b89e-9a7ea95b7c3e.html Iowa immigrants’ rights organization calls Gov. Reynolds comments ‘callous’ 4/9/21 by KCRG Channel 9, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Featured: Iowa MMJ Brief Excerpt: “We are disappointed that Governor Reynolds has decided on behalf of all Iowans that these children are “not our problem”, yet we are not surprised.” https://www.kcrg.com/2021/04/09/iowa-immigrants-rights-organization-calls-gov-reynolds-comments-callous/ A closer look at Des Moines organization serving Iowa’s immigrant population 4/1/21 by WOI Channel 5, Des Moines, Iowa Featured: Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz Brief Excerpt: “We’re going to continue working on this movement to push back on laws that hold us back, to find resources, elevate mutual aid efforts, and really bring the community together,” Murguia-Ortiz of Iowa MMJ said. https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/iowa-migrant-movement-for-justice-immigration-population-advocacy-legal-services/524-0f3ac797-da6c-4f84-b56f-2a306b273531 Immigrant advocacy groups merging into new organization 3/30/21 by Radio Iowa Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: “Iowa doesn’t have a ton of immigration legal service providers at all, and then we’ve got even fewer that are affordable and high quality,” Johnson says. “So we want to meet that need by combining our two offices.” https://www.radioiowa.com/2021/03/30/immigrant-advocacy-groups-merging-into-new-organization/ Iowa Immigrant Organizations Merge To Form One Advocacy Group 3/29/21 by Iowa Public Radio Featured: Erica Johnson Brief Excerpt: Erica Johnson, the founding director of the new group, said they merged to meet the urgent needs of Iowa’s immigrants. https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2021-03-29/iowa-immigrant-organizations-merge-to-form-one-advocacy-group

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