The Neighbors Immigration Clinic, a nonprofit law firm in Lexington, Kentucky, has experienced a significant surge in immigrant clients seeking legal assistance over the past six months, now receiving 40 to 50 calls daily and serving 26 counties. Executive Director Mizari Suarez highlights the complexity of immigration law and the scarcity of nonprofits and private attorneys in Kentucky addressing these issues. The clinic aims to educate immigrant communities about their rights and verify ICE activity reports, cautioning that tips must come from firsthand witnesses to avoid spreading fear.

Immigrants constitute nearly 6% of Kentucky’s workforce, contributing to various sectors including food service and the horse industry, which are vital to the state’s economy. To support the community, the clinic has established a hotline (859-287-4316) available daily for reporting ICE activity, with the team committed to reviewing and verifying these reports to protect immigrant residents.