Decorah organization serving immigrants has received tax-exempt status

The number of unaccompanied minor children from Central America coming to Northeast Iowa has increased during the past year, according to an organization whose mission it is to help immigrants navigate the complicated rules they face in attempting to earn legal status.  "Path to Citizenship" was founded by a coalition of Decorah area faith groups in 2014.  Now the organization has reached a significant milestone—it has just been notified that it has received 501(c)3 non-profit status from the IRS.

The group raises around $14,000 a year to help its clients.  It has made a few "microloans" to cover $500 to $1,000 in costs such as filing fees or travel expenses for Northeast Iowa immigrants applying for legal status.

The largest cost faced by the organization, however, is the cost of providing quality legal counsel in the complex immigration process.  Path to Citizenship hosts quarterly legal aid clinics in cooperation with a national ministry of the United Methodist Church, "Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON)."  Each clinic sees up to ten clients.

Path to Citizenship also Partners with Catholic Charities to bring an immigration attorney to Decorah on a monthly basis.  Catholic Charities' monthly sessions focus especially on DACA recipients and unaccompanied minors.  A major part of that work is to try to find legal guardians for the minors.

In the past the organization has been supported by donations from local churches and from grants.  With the newly-won 501(c)3 status, donations by individuals will be tax-free.  Donations can be sent to Path to Citizenship, PO Box 355, Decorah, IA 52101.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Ruth Palmer at (563) 379-6777 or e-mail RJP1407@gmail.com