Supporting undocumented and asylum-seeking immigrants
Sponsorship of Immigrants Seeking Asylum
Since June of 2021, we have partnered with community members to support three families who are asylum-seekers, from three Latin American countries. In each case, ASIP has worked to help match the immigrant family with an Ames family who is willing to serve as the primary financial sponsor, and a local congregation who serve as secondary sponsor. ASIP also works to help integrate the new family with needed community services, including language education, schooling for the children, health care, transportation, and legal services.
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) Support
The Ames Sanctuary Interfaith Partnership (ASIP) has created a grant program to help DACA recipients in Iowa pay the high cost of government renewal fees. If a DACA recipient is unable to afford the renewal fee of $495, he or she faces deportation even after living for years in the United States.
To be eligible for a grant, the DACA recipient must live, work, or go to school in Iowa, and must also need financial help. There is no fee to apply for an ASIP grant and all information collected is confidential. For more detail or to apply, go to our application at:
For more detail or to apply, go to our
application at the “People Ask” page in the navigation above.
Thousands of dollars have already been released to eligible applications across Iowa through this grant program. Recipients have told us what a difference these grants have made in their lives.
“Words cannot express how thankful I am to all the generous people who have donated. You all are seriously changing lives!"
Backpacks for New Immigrants Traveling in the United States
Tens of thousands of immigrants pass through San Antonio bus and airport terminals. When released from detention, families have no supplies to provide comfort on their journey to sponsors throughout the U.S. We recently sent 100 filled backpacks to the Interfaith Welcome Coalition in Texas. A thank you from the Welcome Coalition: “We have so many immigrants coming through who will be so happy to receive them. We absolutely loved the notes you included and the bilingual books for the children. This program makes a difference!”
Reuniting immigrant families with their grandparents
Through Latinx Immigrants of Iowa and Raices del Sur in Los Angeles, ASIP will provide help for families who live in the United States to reconnect with grandparents whom they have not seen in several years. This reunification would be temporary but provide families an enriching experience.
Previous Initiatives
01 Funding legal assistance (with help of Omaha Area Sanctuary Network) to an immigrant in hiding from ICE and needing funds for past due green card renewals.
02 Meeting with various congregation groups to open discussion on physical sanctuary and the background and plight of undocumented immigrants. (Ongoing)
03 Joining with community partners to create and fund the Story County Covid-19 Emergency Immigrant Fund.
04 Letter writing exchanges with immigrants under ICE detention.
05 Visiting ICE detainees in Hardin County Jail, Eldora, IA.
06 Meeting with the Story County Sheriff’s Office to learn how they relate to ICE and temporarily hold immigrants passing through.
07 Writing letters to legislative and administration policy makers advocating policy changes of importance to immigrants.(Ongoing)
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