International Institute of Los Angeles

08/25/2026

Five years ago, the fall of Kabul forced tens of thousands of Afghans to leave behind their homes, careers, schools, loved ones, and futures they had imagined.

For many, the journey to safety did not end when they reached the United States. It was only the beginning.

At International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA), a community of supporters have spent the past five years helping Afghan families turn that uncertain beginning into a new life. Together, IILA donors, volunteers, and staff have helped families find homes, enroll children in school, navigate immigration systems, access benefits, find employment, and begin to feel that they belong.

Five years later, that support continues to make a difference. But Afghan families in the U.S. now face new challenges, while more than 1,100 vetted Afghan allies remain stranded abroad and in urgent need of a path to safety.

READ MORE: https://iilosangeles.org/five-years-after-kabul/
TAKE ACTION: https://action.afghanevac.org/campaign/cas-ndaa/

08/10/2026

We are proud and privileged to share the amazing story of a client whose incredible resilience reminds us of why we work hard to provide life-changing resources and support every day.

Thanks to IILA Case Manager Yubi Teran and Our Heart Speaks for making this interview possible.

Far from just being a challenge, an asylum seeker from El Salvador ...

07/14/2026

Imagine being trafficked by your own family from age 6 to sixteen, finally escaping to save your 1-year-old son from trafficking, and now being at risk of losing your legal representation and being returned to the country of your traffickers. That's what "Nina" and over 20,000 other children are now facing because the Trump administration has strategically chosen not to pay the nonprofits representing them. And the program they're represented through--which has had bipartisan support for nearly 2 decades--is set to expire on July 31. Take action today to help: 1) share this post, 2) contact your members of Congress, and 3) donate to the network of lawyers representing these kids. Protect

Contact your members of Congress: tinyurl.com/protect-kids
Donate: tinyurl.com/kidsfund2

IILA is one of the organizations within the network of Acacia Center for Justice, which currently holds the contract for representation of these children. Our legal team represents children through this long-standing program for unaccompanied children.

07/09/2026

Our 2025 Annual Report is available now! It contains both stories and statistics of how together our supporters and staff made a difference amidst a challenging year. We're grateful to all of IILA's friends who helped make 2025 a year of meeting the moment. Visit https://iilosangeles.org/about/annual-report/ to view the report and learn more.

07/06/2026

As advocates for unaccompanied immigrant children, IILA is concerned that a recent request by the Trump administration signals that officials will attempt rapid mass deportations of children via Texas.

According to the Texas Tribune, "Jonathan White, a former deputy director of ORR during Trump’s first administration, said that the recent effort is a 'transparent part of a larger pattern of moving all of the program’s capabilities and resources into Texas with a friendly political partnership with the governor’s office there and the proximity to the border in order to turn all of these systems into platforms for removal.'"

Please share this article and information with your networks to raise awareness and push back on these coordinated efforts against immigrant children.

Immigration rights experts worry that the recent inquiry is the latest sign Trump is interested in transferring unaccompanied minors to the state, where it is easier to quickly deport them.

07/03/2026

As we commemorate Independence Day this weekend, we invite you to reflect on what it means to be an American and the value of American citizenship today. We share the reflection of an IILA Case Manager to inspire your own thoughts.

While we applaud the decision of the Supreme Court this week to uphold birthright citizenship, the court's decision on TPS weighs heavily, as do the continued actions of the current administration to vilify, scapegoat, persecute, and deny due process to immigrants--across the country, at our borders, and abroad. May American citizens use this year's holiday to recommit themselves to upholding dignity and justice for all, regardless of nation of origin.

At IILA, we remain committed to our mission of providing transformative services for refugees, immigrants, and low-income families by working families by promoting self-sufficiency, strengthening resiliency, and honoring cultural identities.

06/26/2026

As we close another week of Immigrant Heritage Month, we uplift the memory of an IILA staff member from our Legal Division as part of our "Remembrance As Resistance" series.

While sharing the success of this family of clients, we also honor and shed light on all who have been waiting for fair access to relief under U.S. immigration law. We especially highlight those who have pending green card applications and are stuck in review or paused.

Having a green card today can mean the difference between not only legal protection or persecution but also the ability to put food on your family's table and have affordable access to medical care. Learn more here: https://iilosangeles.org/one-big-beautiful-bill-nine-months-later-the-damage-is-here/

06/24/2026

Join IILA's Supportive Services team at this year's SFV Pride Festival. We'll have a table at the resource fair to share information about home water and heating electrification advantages and affordability options.

San Fernando Valley Pride .pride

06/19/2026

June 20th is World Refugee Day — a day to honor those who have survived war, persecution, and unimaginable loss. 🌍

This year, a new crisis is unfolding. Because of H.R. 1, refugees in California have been losing food stamp access since April 1. At IILA, we are seeing parents who escaped violence now worried about how to feed their children.

No one who has fled for their life should ever wonder where their next meal will come from.

A gift of just $45 can provide a food voucher — one week of fresh produce for a family of three, or basic ingredients for a family of four to make nourishing dinners.

This World Refugee Day, will you stand with our refugee neighbors and make sure they are not forgotten? 💙

Donate here: https://webforms.eleoonline.com/FormDatas/244/56b14d4e-fc33-4668-aeb7-1b191987486f

06/17/2026

Join IILA's Supportive Services team at the Kick It In the Park watch party at Lanark Park this Sat, June 20th! We'll have a resource table to share information about home water and heating electrification advantages and affordability options. Enjoy the game, the atmosphere, and connect to community resources!

Lanark Recreation Center Councilmember Bob Blumenfield