The Immigration Law and Justice of Northern Illinois (ILJNI), formerly known as Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors, is excited to announce its official rebranding. Under the leadership of Bishop Hee Soo Jung, 15 years ago, a table of pastors, lay leaders, and members of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church came together to respond to a need for immigration legal services throughout Northern Illinois.

They worked with leadership from the Immigration Law and Justice Network, formerly known as National Justice for Our Neighbors, and in January of 2011, the organization was founded. ILJN grew out of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which has been committed to supporting immigrants and refugees since the mid 1980’s. 

“Helping vulnerable, resilient people find the immigration legal help they need. That was the vision and the crisis. Our work was born in a time when newly passed immigration legislation led to a crisis of people being unable to navigate the labyrinthine legal system alone yet not having the resources needed to hire someone to help them. Across Northern Illinois, people responded to help. From rural areas like Sandwich and DeKalb to cities and suburbs like Rockford, Rochelle, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, and Aurora, we came together to support immigrants on their journey. We have always been a part of a movement for justice, a movement that many of us knew was not ours only but one which we accompanied others seeking a more just way of life.”   

- Rev. Michael Mann

In 2011, our founding board members carefully crafted our mission: to provide free high-quality immigration legal services, engage in education and advocacy on immigrant rights, and create cross-cultural communities. 15 years later, our mission is still intact. As we now engage with our clients and constituents with a new name, we do it guided by our same vision: A world where all immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees are welcomed, supported, and able to live without fear. Our mission and vision have become more important than ever under these trying times for immigrants and all vulnerable populations. Our focus continues to be to provide free, much-needed services to a population who would otherwise never get a chance at justice. These communities are being targeted once again by the current administration. Their rights are being stripped away, and they are left with no hope. At ILJNI, we strive to provide the representation that many times is denied to immigrants seeking safety. 

“While serving as Director of Connectional Ministries under Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, it was my privilege to organize a conference-wide task force on immigration that brought together those committed to seeing the creation of a more just and humane immigration system and area experts in immigration law and immigration legal services. Together, we organized resources and people and hosted a regional summit in Lisle, Illinois where we learned from denominational leaders about Justice For Our Neighbors (now the Immigration Law and Justice Network). We were inspired and even before leaving the event, we were determined to have a JFON site and clinics in Northern Illinois.”

-Rev. Dr. Chris Pierson

As the Immigration Law and Justice of Northern Illinois, we strive to be more inclusive and to demonstrate that our services are available for everyone, not just our neighbors. We know that our roots are deeply connected to the justice work that UMCOR does, and we continue to steward those relationships as well as welcome new relationships that will help us meet our mission every single day. 

“It was an honor to serve as Board Chair during the formative years of NIJFON and to help guide the organization through the important transition of becoming its own 501(c)(3). This was a significant milestone that allowed NIJFON to pursue funding opportunities, partnerships, and resources that were not available to us as a ministry under the jurisdiction of the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church. I am grateful to have been part of strengthening a foundation that has allowed this ministry to grow and continue its vital work of accompanying immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through legal support, education & advocacy, and compassionate presence.”

- Rev. Paula Cripps Vallejo

Through our rebranding journey, we were able to ask questions like “What does our organization mean and stand for?  What does the word justice mean? How do we better serve vulnerable immigrant communities? And many more questions with one goal in mind: a name that is representative of who we are as an organization and who we need to be in our next 15 years to meet our mission and vision.

“Our work grew out of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which created a program known as Justice For Our Neighbors. But even from the beginning, the name held some tension. Who is the one claiming "our" neighbor? Is it the migrant or the one who feels more settled?

Our vision always had two parts. The first was to provide high quality immigration legal services to help someone in a time of need. The second is to let that person lead us all in creating a more just and sustainable world. This new name continues that same vision into a new era. What a joy it is to celebrate the continuation of such an impactful organization.”

- Rev. Michael Mann

It is clear that who we are is who we need to be. But it is also clear that immigrants are facing challenges today that we cannot take on alone. In our next chapter, we hang on to that part of our mission that guides us to create cross-cultural communities and relationships that will share our work.

“When I think about the work of [ILJNI], I think about the image of an interwoven fabric. Over the years, I have witnessed how this organization has been strengthened by the many people who have contributed their gifts and commitment: immigrants and asylum seekers seeking a future of hope, attorneys and legal staff offering their expertise, volunteers offering their time, and congregations & communities offering welcome and support. My hope for ILJNI is that it will continue to grow and deepen this work toward its vision of a world where immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are welcomed, supported, and able to live without fear. Together we weave the fabric of love of neighbor that stands as a witness against fear and xenophobia, bringing people together across cultures and communities to create a world where immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are welcomed, supported, and able to live without fear.”

- Rev. Paula Cripps Vallejo

Our new name continues to strive for the vision of a “world where immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees are welcomed, supported, and able to live without fear.”  Having that vision is extremely important today, because it allows us to look beyond the fear and the terror that the current administration is putting upon immigrant communities today. It allows us to create our own future, continue to resist, and stand strong as we create welcoming spaces.

“Immigration Law and Justice of Northern Illinois has met and exceeded the expectations we had when we first began our organizing efforts. The challenges faced today are even greater than when we first began our efforts. Yet, they do not lose hope. They continue to passionately serve immigrants seeking legal status in the United States while helping our churches to live out the Gospel in powerful ways. Immigration Law and Justice of Northern Illinois is an example of Practicing Hope. As the Reverend Dr.Mitri Raheb of Palestine reminds us, “Hope is what we do.” They continue to work with other sites in the Immigration Law and Justice Network to advocate for a more just and humane immigration system.

I celebrate with ILJNI as they meet this present moment.  Though the name has changed, the vision and mission continue. I encourage individuals and congregations to support this vital ministry that is Practicing Hope.”

-Rev. Dr. Chris Pierson

Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors now continues its mission and vision under the Immigration Law and Justice of Northern Illinois. We invite you to help us live out our mission and serve the most vulnerable as we have been called to do so.

To support our organization and our continued celebrations under our new name, we invite you to join our annual Fall Fundraiser on Sun., Oct.11, 2026, from 4 p.m.- 7 p.m. You can buy your tickets here.