PAIFUP

News from the fight for freedom, safety and dignity for all immigrants

detained or facing deportation in Pennsylvania.

April 2025 | Issue 4

What's Happening?

PAIFUP has unfortunately lost the support of the Legal Orientation Program which was through one of our collaborative organizations (PIRC), due to federal funding cuts. This is a devastating loss for immigrants who are currently in detention in PA and should have the right to be informed about their rights and defenses in the immigration court process. Knowledge will always be one of the most powerful tools.

In April, we secured the release of 2 community members thanks to the efforts of our legal services and community partners. Please read some of the client stories below.

This month we also wanted to highlight one of the members from the PAIFUP team.

Also, check out some articles from around the PA immigrant community.

Client Story: NR

ICE detained NR at his home just a few days after President Trump's inauguration, leading to his referral to the PAIFUP program. NR has been living in the United States for over 17 years. After his detention, his roommate and friend contacted MILPA, who referred NR's case to the PAIFUP Program. NR came to the United States fleeing violence in his home country of Honduras. He has been consistently employed in the construction industry here. NR struggled in ICE detention, especially because he is illiterate in English and Spanish. His PAIFUP attorneys helped him apply for asylum and bond. In April 2025, an immigration judge granted a bond of $7500. Through the support of community-based organizations, NR was able to pay the bond and return to his home in Pennsylvania. He will continue to pursue his asylum claim.

Client Story: James

PAIFUP recently signed on to represent James, a 31-year old citizen of Jamaica who came to the United States over seven years ago after gang members killed a family member and began threatening to kill him, too. In the United States, James established a stable life for himself, finding work as a cook and a home health aide, marrying his wife (a US citizen), and supporting three US-citizen children financially and emotionally as a father and role model.

James was detained by ICE in January 2025, when agents waiting outside his home arrested him on his way to court to defend himself against an illegal search during a traffic stop. PAIFUP attorneys agreed to represent him in his removal proceedings, promptly filing a family petition based on James’ marriage to a US citizen and a request for bond. James’ PAIFUP attorney and public defender also advocated with the district attorney to dismiss all criminal charges against him in light of the illegal search. In March 2025, an Immigration Judge granted James a bond of $3,500. James and his family lacked the ability to pay this bond, as James had been the breadwinner and primary financial support for his wife and children, so the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia (NSM) graciously agreed to cover the full bond using community bond funds. Thanks to NSM’s rapid assistance, James was released from detention within a week of winning bond. James is now back with his family after three months of detention. He is getting back on his feet, while PAIFUP continues to monitor his family petition and connect him to social services for additional support.

PAIFUP Team Spotlight

Adriana Vukmanic joined the Removal Defense Programs at the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC) in November 2024. In her role, she provides legal representation to individuals in removal proceedings through a variety of programs. She also conducts legal orientation presentations and individual consultations through the Legal Orientation Program (LOP). Adriana’s commitment and passion for immigration work is rooted in her lived experience. The granddaughter of Croatian immigrants, she was raised in an immigrant community and spent much of her childhood traveling to and from Croatia during and after the Homeland War in the former Yugoslavia. As a child, she witnessed both the devastation of conflict and the power of community-led relief efforts. Her grandmothers personally organized and delivered aid from the United States to refugee camps across Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina—experiences that continue to inspire Adriana’s legal work today. She vividly recalls standing beside her grandmother in a camp filled with abandoned train cars, where small acts of kindness sparked real hope. Her parents were also some of the first people to meet and welcome refugees at the airport when they arrived in the United States to welcome them into our community. These formative moments instilled in her a lifelong desire to give back and advocate for those displaced by conflict or injustice.

If you would like to learn more or see the rest of our team please check out our website: PAIFUP | Universal Legal Representation for Immigrants Detained in Pennsylvania

In Other News

More than 60 Philly-area rabbis sign a letter opposing Trump's targeting of foreign college students

The local letter follows statements issued in recent weeks by Jewish groups in six other states

Immigration advocates ask Philly for $1.8 million for deportation defense

Mayor proposes a funding boost for immigration lawyers, but some say it's not enough.

How is ICE operating in the Greater Philadelphia Area?

New immigration policies and tactics are impacting people across our region. On this episode of Studio 2, we talk to the people involved in cases of detention and deportation and explain sanctuary status and changing immigration policies in our region.

Visas revoked from several current, former Temple University students

Several Temple University students are left without answers after the Trump administration revoked their visas with no reasons given.

'Great moment in my journey': 25 newly naturalized citizens recognized by Pittsburgh mayor

Mayor Gainey honored newly naturalized citizens from 21 countries -- including China, Nigeria, Mexico and the U.K. -- shaking their hands and congratulating them on their accomplishment.

Pittsburgh congregations serve Latino faithful amid crackdown

The Trump administration's crackdown on undocumented immigrants has changed the ways in which local worshippers observe their faiths.

Catch up on the previous issue here!

Questions? Comments? News worth sharing? Send Yomayra Burgos, our PAIFUP coordinator, an email at yburgos@pirclaw.org.

The Pennsylvania Immigrant Family Unity Project (PAIFUP) is a collaborative of nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania formed in order to achieve universal representation for detained immigrants facing removal proceedings in PA.