MAI’s Protective Orders Program
MAI’s Protective Orders Program provides free legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, helping over twenty individuals each month attain protective orders from their abusers. A protective order requires by law that the abuse stay away from the victim and makes no violent or harassing contact of any kind. By attaining protective orders, victims of domestic violence are able to achieve freedome from their abuses, live in safety, and pursue healthy and fulfilling lives.
MAI’s Refugee Assistance Program
MAI’s Refugee Assistance Program provides free legal aid to refugees in Indiana, guiding them through the complicated process of adjusting their legal status. We have served people from all over the world, including China, Myanmar, Iraq, Pakistan and Palestine. On an annual basis MAI Refugee Assistance Program has helped up to 120 families and 360 individuals (including children, adults and elders) in obtaining legal status in the United States.
What is a Refugee? A refugee harbors a “well founded fear of being persucted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion” in their home country, and to avoid this persecution has fled their homeland.
Why They need our Help? Refugees are resettled by voluntary agencies who are funded by the State Department and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. They are tasked with finding refugees employment, housing and starting the acculturation process. However, these programs are not indefinite. Programs like MAI’s Refugee Assistance Program are crucial to continuing the transition process.
Refugees in the US. The US is a major player in refugee resettlement internationally, resettling approximately 60% of global cases. Prior to entering the U.S., refugees have passed a variety of screenings by the United Nations and the U.S. State Department. Once they have arrived, they have limited resources for adjusting to their new culture.
Refugees in Indiana. In recent years, Indiana has experienced a significant growth in its refugee population and has resettled approximately 1365 new refugees per year since 2007. This growth is expected to continue consistently through 2012.