Immigration Counseling Service (ICS)

Mission

Founded in 1978, ICS’s mission is to achieve equity and justice for immigrants and their families by providing accessible services to uphold their legal rights. Through direct engagement, ICS brings immigrant voices and experiences to the decision-making table. We honor and respect the contributions made by immigrants to keep our economy strong and our communities vibrant.

Bottom Line for Portland

Federal anti-immigrant policies affect the daily lives of immigrants and refugees living in the Portland metro area and throughout Oregon. This year alone, we have seen restrictions on claims for asylum, threats to DACA, and the potential reinstatement of detaining immigrant families, practices which put the most vulnerable at risk and inflict lasting trauma.

The immigration legal services provided by ICS create immediate access to a host of fundamental human rights—freedom from violence, access to health care and education, and the ability to earn a living wage. Without access to services to attain legal status, immigrants and their families are forced to live in society’s shadow and suffer disproportionate harm from poverty, illness, lack of educational opportunities, and unrelenting fear. 

Supporting ICS builds a stronger, more inclusive, and more just community. Protecting the legal rights of our immigrant neighbors honors their contributions to keep our economy strong and our community vibrant.

Quote

“I am very grateful for all the support you have given me. I am very happy with the work that ICS did and that you never left me alone. Thank you so much.” – Rogelio, ICS client

“Thanks for all your hard work to make people’s dreams come true.” – Marcos, ICS client

“ICS ensures that each client is welcomed, listened to, and understood from their first contact.” – Pegge, Community Partner

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

ICS strives for equity and justice for immigrants and refugees and has a strong history of serving people who have been marginalized by mainstream society and within their immigrant communities. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are core values that guide our work, and we center immigrant voices in the design and implementation of our legal services. Our team provides culturally-specific and multi-lingual services that address the intersectionality of challenges facing the immigrant community.

Incentives

NEW incentive starting December 1! ICS is partnering with Shift Vacation Rentals to bring you an exclusive Give!Guide prize! The donor who makes the single largest gift to ICS in December will win a one-night stay in the beautiful 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath Low Gear house. So, give to ICS on Give!Guide today for a chance to stay in the heart of Portland's Alberta Arts District. Enjoy strolling down Alberta Street to some of the best restaurants, cafes, and boutiques Portland has to offer. Come home to your private patio, full kitchen, living and dining room. It is sure to be a wonderful evening! This booking is good for any Monday-Thursday evening through December 31, 2024. A one-night stay, taxes, and cleaning fees are all included. 

On Giving Tuesday (November 28), NW Natural will match every gift dollar-for-dollar up to $2,500 total. We did it! Donors like you helped us raise $2,500 on Giving Tuesday, and NW Natural matched every dollar.

Umpqua Bank will donate $500 to ICS if 100 people give by November 30. More than 100 generous donors gave to ICS before November 30, and Umpqua Bank donated an additional $500.

Partner(s)

Supporting the holistic needs of immigrants and refugees is a community effort. During Give!Guide, we are partnering with NW Natural, Shift Vacation Rentals, and Umpqua Bank to maximize the impact of your gifts to improve access to legal services for our immigrant and refugee neighbors. 

We are also proud to partner with Hunger Fighters Oregon and Mission: Citizen! Hunger Fighters Oregon provides reliable access to nutritious food and essential hygiene items in an inclusive, accepting environment, and Mission: Citizen is a student-run organization that helps future U.S. citizens pass the naturalization exam and become effective citizens. Support their worthy missions today!

We would also like to thank our year-round supporters for their incredible generosity: Chambers Family Foundation, the Collins Foundation, CommuniCare, the Consulate of Mexico, Equity Corps Oregon, the Ford Family Foundation, Gorge Community Foundation, Jackson Foundation, Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Oregon American Immigration Lawyers Association, Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, Oregon Law Foundation, Pride Foundation, Providence Health & Services, United Way of the Columbia Gorge, Vera Institute of Justice, Yarg Foundation, and Yield Giving Fund.