Immigration Counseling Service (ICS)

Mission

Founded in 1978, ICS’s mission is to achieve equity and justice for immigrants and their families by providing accessible services to uphold their legal rights. Through direct engagement, ICS brings immigrant voices and experiences to the decision-making table. We honor and respect the contributions made by immigrants to keep our economy strong and our communities vibrant.

Bottom Line for Portland

Anti-immigration policies, practices, and rhetoric put our immigrant and refugee neighbors in danger every day. The immigration legal services provided by ICS create immediate access to a host of fundamental human rights: freedom from violence, access to health care and education, and the ability to earn a living wage. Without access to services to attain legal status, immigrants and their families are forced to live in society’s shadow and suffer disproportionate harm from poverty, illness, lack of educational opportunities, and unrelenting fear. 

With your support, ICS can take immediate action to ensure more immigrants have legal footing—and the safety that comes with it—today. Supporting ICS builds a stronger, more inclusive, and more just community. Protecting the legal rights of our immigrant neighbors honors their contributions to keep our economy strong and our community vibrant.

Quote

“I am very grateful for all the support you have given me. I am very happy with the work that ICS did and that you never left me alone. Thank you so much.” – Rogelio, ICS client

“Thanks for all your hard work to make people’s dreams come true.” – Marcos, ICS client

“ICS ensures that each client is welcomed, listened to, and understood from their first contact.” – Pegge, Community Partner

“Your organization does amazing things for our community. Growing up in the Gorge, I know how much our community owes to immigrants. This is my small way of giving back. I know you’ll use it to help someone.” – ICS Supporter

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

ICS strives for equity and justice for immigrants and refugees and has a strong history of serving people who have been marginalized by mainstream society and within their immigrant communities. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are core values that guide our work, and we center immigrant voices in the design and implementation of our legal services. Our team comes from the communities we serve, and 80% of our leadership identify as Latino/a/e.

Incentives

On Giving Tuesday (December 3), a generous anonymous donor will match every gift dollar-for-dollar up to $2,500 total!

Partner(s)

Supporting the holistic needs of immigrants and refugees is a community effort. During Give!Guide, we are partnering with Pueblo Unido and St. Andrew Legal Clinic to bring life-changing services to vulnerable communities. Support their worthy missions today!

We would also like to thank our year-round supporters for their incredible generosity: Acacia Center for Justice, American Immigration Lawyers Association – Oregon, Chambers Family Foundation, the Collins Foundation, the Consulate of Mexico, the Ford Family Foundation, Gorge Community Foundation, Jackson Foundation, Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, NW Natural, Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Law Foundation, Portland Raging Grannies, Pride Foundation, Providence Health & Services, Roundhouse Foundation, Schnitzer Cares, United Way of the Columbia Gorge, Vera Institute of Justice, and Yarg Foundation.