At the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC), the fight for immigrant justice is rooted in a simple but powerful truth: every person deserves dignity, safety, and the opportunity to thrive. With offices across Michigan and a team of over 50 advocates, MIRC works tirelessly to uphold the rights of immigrant communities through legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education.
From One Grant to Statewide Impact
MIRC emerged from the urgent need to provide free and low-cost immigration legal services and to advance policy solutions at the state and local level. Today, MIRC continues that legacy by serving thousands of clients each year.
“Our mission is to promote equity and belonging for Michigan’s immigrant communities,” said Susan Reed, MIRC’s director and co-founder. “Every day, we’re helping people gain or preserve immigration status, secure work permits, and reunite with family, providing not just legal help, but safety and peace of mind.”
Legal Services that Change Lives
MIRC’s impact starts with direct legal representation, which remains at the core of its work. The organization walks alongside people during some of the most difficult times in their lives to secure asylum, defend against deportation, or help clients navigate complex paperwork.
MIRC also addresses urgent labor violations and access to health care, especially for those whose immigration status puts them at risk of exploitation or exclusion. With recent wins such as expanded Medicaid access for new immigrants in Michigan, the organization’s impact reaches far beyond the courtroom.
Fighting for Systemic Change
While direct services remain foundational, MIRC’s advocacy extends into the policy sphere to challenge unjust laws and push for systemic reform. Their litigation and legislative work have opened doors for tens of thousands of immigrants to access basic rights and services.
“In Michigan, we focus our policy work at the state and local level,” said Reed. “Federal laws are often out of reach for small nonprofits. But here, we’ve been able to move the needle through state partnerships, advocacy, and litigation that lead to real change.”
Recent funding losses, which include the end of a federal contract that supported legal services for unaccompanied children, have forced the organization to adapt. MIRC is now navigating gaps while striving to maintain its services and staff capacity.
A Call to Action
Despite the challenges, MIRC continues to fight for immigrant justice and invites others to stand with them. Attorneys, law students, and certified interpreters can volunteer their time, and donors can support MIRC’s policy and legal work, especially with flexible, unrestricted funding that helps them respond to a rapidly shifting landscape.
“We need allies to be bold,” said Reed. “It’s not enough to quietly support immigrant rights. Leaders need to speak up, show up, and push back against policies that harm our communities.”
Looking Ahead
In the coming years, MIRC’s focus is simple: Survival. For both their clients and their team, the goal is to remain a steady, trusted resource in a time of heightened fear and political division.
MIRC is committed to the ongoing work of rehumanizing immigrant communities, reminding us all that people are valuable not because of what they produce, but because they are human.